Simple Machines and Catapults
Students were then given a design challenge to create a rolling catapult that would launch a marshmallow. The students worked together as a team to create their catapult. They tested and adjusted their design as needed. The final test of these amazing compound machines was exciting!
Now students are using an animation program, Stykz, to create a simple movie showing the merits of using simple machines to make the work easier. This coming week students will work with magnets, and upon our return from break students will use their knowledge to create a compound machine to save a tiger trapped in a moat. All of their practice working as a team and sharing ideas should help them be able to design a safe and efficient way to save the tiger.
Animation with Stykz
4 Winds - Galls Galore
Fractions
The fourth graders are also viewing fractions as parts of a whole, parts of a set, and points on a number line. They are also adding and subtracting fractions, and multiplying fractions by a whole number. In order to do these operations, as well as accurately compare and order them, they often need to find equivalent fractions to prove their answers are correct. Knowing multiplication and division facts makes this process faster and easier.