Class Response Blog

Smart Board Acceleration Game

In science class we played a game on the smart board that had to do with acceleration. In this game you had to find the block with the correct height that would move the car down the track all the way to the number 100. You also had to find the correct type of weight to place on the car in order for it to increase acceleration.

Three Interesting Facts Are...
* The higher you make the starting point for the car (or whatever you are dropping) the more acceleration to move forward it recieves.
* The smart board makes the game interactive and even more fun then it would be on a regular computer.
* This game shows you how force and acceleration are related and can make something move.

In my opinion I think that the Smart Board acceleration game is awesome. It is really fun to play it and you are learning while you are playing. By playing this game you really learn a lot about life and how acceleration plays a major part in it. I find it amazing that acceleration and force are what makes a marble move down a hill or a book slide down a set of steep stairs. Overall, this game is great for people that want to learn more about acceleration and how it works.

Current Event Blog #6

Global Warming Threatens Forests

Who- Generations of scientists.
What- Specific trees such as "pines, firs and hemlocks" in forests are being killed because of global warming.
Where- Several sites in "Oregon, Washington, California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and southwestern British Columbia.
When- Thursday, January 22, 2009
Why- Some trees can't live up to the harsh climates that global warming is producing.

In my opinion I think that it is terrible that trees are dying because of global warming. I don't think that there is anything that we can do to stop it but we can help fix it. As a solution to trees dying due to global warming we can plant new trees. By replanting trees this will ensure oxygen and a healthier Earth. This will also replace the trees that have died. Overall, I think that on this year's Earth Day we should all plant a tree for our planet.

For more information visit-
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/01/22/study.forests.dying/index.html

Extra Credit Virtual Tour Blog

http://paleobiology.si.edu/dinosaurs/interactives/tour/main.html

Class Response Blog

Waves

In science class we learned about waves. A wave is a disturbance that transfers energy from place to place.

Three Interesting Facts Are...
* Waves can move in all sorts of directions
* Waves can transfer energy
* There is more than one type of wave. Two different types are transverse waves and longitudinal waves.

In my opinion I think that waves are facinating. I used to think that waves just come and go and thats that. But there is a lot more to it. Who would know that there are different types of waves? Not me. Well at least not before I learned about it. Waves are actually very cool. They can transfer energy, they all have vibration and they can move in all sorts of directions! Overall, I think that waves are a very interesting subject to learn about, and I hope I get to learn more about them in the future.

Math Blog (Extra Credit)

Inequalities

In math class we learned about inequalities. An inequality is "a statement formed by placing an inequality symbol between two expressions." Inequalities can be multiplied, divided, subtracted or added together. An example of one would be: "x-2>5". To solve it, first you would add 2 to both sides. Then your equation will look like this: x>7. Therefore if you were to graph this inequality there would be an open dot and the arrow would be going to the right.

Three Interesting Facts Are...
* If you are multiplying or dividng by a negative number then you must switch the inequality sign.
* The arrow in the inequality shows you which way to make the line on your graph go.
* When you add, subtract, divide, or multiply a number you have to do it to the other side too. Whatever you do to one side you have to do to the other.

In my opinion inequalities are a great thing to know how to do. Nothing in life is always exact, and knowing how to solve inequalities may help you out later in life. Inequalities are easy to learn, but sometimes confusing. You have to know the basic rules such as switching the inequalitiy sign at the right time and problem and knowing that whatever you do to one side you have to do to the other. Overall, inequalities are a very significant and useful part of math.

Current Event Blog #2

Furby-Look-Alike

Who- Scientists working on the island
What- "Long- Lost Furby -Look- Alike." This creature looks just like Furby! Furby was a popular "electronic toy" in "the late 1990s." This "Furby-Look-Alike" can "fit snugly in one hand", and is most likely really soft since it is claimed to be a "fur ball!"
Where- Lore Lindu National Park on the Indonesian island
When- Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Why- The scientists found it because they were on the island.

In my opinion I think that this "Furby-Look-Alike" is really cool! It seems like an awesome pet. Forget about plastic toys this is real! I would love to have one. I've always wanted a Furby but this one is even better. Overall, I think that the "Furby-Look-Alike" is a great discovery and I hope that they can be sold as pets if more are found. It would be so cool to have an animal as a pet that "many scientists" thought were "extinct!"

For more information visit- http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/11/19/elusive.primate/index.html

Class Response Blog #2

Smart Board

In science class we have something called a Smart Board. It is easy to use and is super fun.

Three Interesting Facts Are...
* You can type on the Smart Board.
* It is interactive
* You can erase and write with the special markers

In my opinion the Smart Board is really cool. I love drawing and playing games on it. The Smart Board makes our science classes easier because now we don't have to stare at a small television screen. I always enjoy watching the interactive food webs move on the screen and playing the Wii with my classmates. Overall, I think the Smart Board is awesome and it makes learning fun.