Properties of Matter - Plastics

My Grade 5’s are studying “Properties of Matter” right now in science and a nice off-shoot of what we are studying is the use and misuse of plastics. The grade 5’s were shocked (and saddened) at some of the statistics. As a result, we went online and found a few very interesting infographics that help to explain “plastics” and the importance of recycling and using alternative methods.

The infographics are compliments of "The Plastiki".

The Majestic Plastic Bag is a mockumentary video produced by Heal the Bay. The video chronicles the journey of a plastic shopping bag from a store, through a park, and to the ocean. Watch the video below.

This lesson also lead to another interesting conversation about the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch”.

Compliments of the website “How Stuff Works”.

"In t­he broad expanse of the northern Pacific Ocean, there exists the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, a slowly moving, clockwise spiral of currents created by a high-pressure system of air currents. The area is an oceanic desert, filled with tiny phytoplankton but few big fish or mammals. Due to its lack of large fish and gentle breezes, fishermen and­ s­ailors rarely travel through the gyre. But the area is filled with something besides plankton: trash, millions of pounds of it, most of it plastic. It's the largest landfill in the world, and it floats in the middle of the ocean."

Watch the videos below for a little more information on the garbage patch.





Something to think about.

Mr. Boettger

Science Assignments!

It is time once again to complete an online assignment. This time it is a science assignment and the same rules apply. Feel free to use whatever resource you would like to find the answer! Last time there were some "silly" mistakes. So, take your time and read the questions carefully. I've tried to make things a little easier and have embedded the assignments right into the blog. Make sure you complete the right one please! : )

Good luck!

Mr. Boettger

Grade 5 Assignment:



Grade 6 Assignment:

New novel - Everest by Gordon Korman!

The new novel that we are reading in class is an excellent adventure story called “Everest” written by Gordon Korman.  Here are a few resources (compliments of Larry Ferlazzo) to learn about Everest.  Please check them out!

National Geographic has a nice introduction video to Mt. Everest (among several others).  Click here for the complete list. 

Here is a panorama taken from the summit.

Here’s a nice video that shows a typical climbing route and the importance of acclimatizing (going back and forth to get one’s body acclimated to the altitude):



If you find any more "cool" links. Let me know! I hope to add to this post as we read the books.

Mr. Boettger