A Spark of Electricity and Sports Day

 This week we spent our energy on Sports Day and on learning about electrical energy during our unit sessions. 

After a couple of cancellations due to rain, we quickly decided to hold Sports Day for the Upper Primary on Tuesday morning as the weather conditions looked good and we could involve the three classes and homeroom teachers as well as Mr. Huber as he teaches PE to grades 4, and 5/6. By putting everyone together we could run the events without having to stretch it over several days during our PE periods. It turned out to be a great choice as the weather and students both cooperated and we all had a fun day competing and handing out with friends. 

Here are a few photos from the day, many more will be shared in a special video in next week’s blog as well as the medalists as we will be holding the medal ceremony next Monday. 

The topic of the week in unit was electricity! To get a real feel for how electricity works,                                                                                                                                                               the students were given the task, “Make something work!” To accomplish the task, the students were given a couple of containers with electronic wires, batteries, lights, fans, solar panels, hand crank generators and more (potato or lemons anyone?)

Without any further instructions, off they went in pairs to tinker and experiment! As they worked, they came up with some good questions:

“What is this thing called?”

“Can we get energy from a potato?”

“Why does this have two wires?

“What is the plus and the minus for?”

Once they got something to work, the next step was to draw and label a diagram of it and then to write down their own explanation of how they think it works.

Finally, a couple of the students presented their diagrams and offered their explanations. We had a great class discussion on how electricity works and corrected some misconceptions such as the battery has two ends that both send electricity to the lightbulb to make it light up. After learning about how circuits really work, Soichiro asked a great question, “If the energy flows around in a cycle and back to the battery then why does the battery die?” So we inquired some more, and someone noticed that some energy left the circuit as light and heat, so not as much energy was going back in!

Next week we have more excitement coming up as we will announce the winners of Sports Day at reces on Monday. 

Then on Wednesday, we will have the Cross Country run! Remember, parents are welcome to come cheer them on!