Classroom Resources

Clay Structures

For the past 2 weeks we were working on making clay structures. We were doing it for social studies and math. We had to do mini research reports for buildings like the Hudson Bay Company trading posts and residential schools. We also did it for math, to learn about 3D forms and to figure out what the sides of the building had to look like.  After a week almost everyone was done. Then we had to kiln them for 16 hours. After that day we got to glaze when they were cool. We all had to put 3 layers of whatever color we used, and not get any glaze on the bottom.  Mr. Nesbitt helped us with putting the clay in the kiln. Mr. Nesbitt is our “Kiln Master”. The temperature is about 2000 degrees. The kiln is about 20 years old and weighs about 500 pounds. When the buildings we make are too tall it’s a problem getting them into the kiln. Mr. Nesbitt uses the kiln about 10 times a year.

Pi Day 

On Monday March 14^th our class celebrated “Pi Day” (3.14 stands for March 14). We did some measuring and calculating to find out what pi was used for.  Pi is the never ending number used to find the circumference of a circle.  (Diameter x pi = circumference) 

The short way of writing Pi is 3.14 (π is the symbol). Really it has no end. Some student tried to remember as many numbers of Pi as they could. First place went to Colten, who remembered 62 place values. Second went to Lauren with 40 numbers. Third place went to Olivia with 31 numbers.  And fourth place to Tyson with 22 numbers.  Well Done!  And after the challenge we had pie if we wanted. There was apple and blueberry pie and pumpkin pie. After we finished our pie we went for recess. March 14 is also Tysons birthday, and Einstein’s birthday!!!!!!

 By Harry and Mrs. Wood        

Lung Project

We made lung prototypes to investigate how air gets into our lungs.  We used using 2 liter bottles, balloons, straws, clay, scissors, gloves, duct tape, rubber bands and a knife.  We first cut the bottom of the bottle and cut holes in the top of the cap to put straws through.   After putting the straws through the holes we attached a balloon to the bottom of each straw with an elastic, and put the clay around the holes in the cap so it is air tight.  We then put a rubber glove over the bottom and duck taped it on.  When we pulled down the rubber glove and the balloons inflated; they filled up with air through the straws. When we pushed the glove into the bottom of the empty bottle, the balloons deflated; they let go of the air up through the straws.  This is how the diaphragm works to make us breathe.  We did some experiments comparing how lungs work when there are holes in the chest cavity, and how adding clay to the straws to make the airways smaller (like asthma) effects how lungs work.  Afterwards we made balloon heads for the tops of our models.
by: Caitlyn