Learning in J42

Junior School J44 Bradford is sharing the learning taking place in their class…

During this term, J44 and the Year 2 students have been inquiring about different materials and how they can change when combined.  The students have enjoyed developing their inquiry, prediction and observations skills through a series of fun experiments.

Initially, we explored what a material is, and the student’s understandings were about materials to make things with.  We made an anchor chart about their prior knowledge.  We then explored how materials are made up of particles known as atoms.

As part of inquiry, we were lucky enough to have a Chemical Science incursion where students were involved in a series of interactive experiments.  They made sun prints, slime and rockets and then explored types of force using some magnets.

In class, we have made whiz fizz and learnt about how mixing different chemicals causes a variety of outcomes.  The students loved making pancakes to see the changes made with a liquid turning into a solid, that created something yummy to eat.  Students have learnt that materials can be a liquid, a solid or a gas and different types of these.

A favourite experiment was making our non-Newtonian fluid, Oobleck.  This is made by combining cornflour and water.   Once combined the mixture becomes both a liquid and a solid.  When pressure is applied the mixture can be formed into a solid and when no pressure is applied it will slide through your fingers.  The students enjoyed watching some university students somersault and run across a pool filled with the mixture.

Additionally, the students have learnt about density using a variety of different liquids.  They particularly enjoyed our lava experiment and watching the chemical reaction when the citric acid was added to the mixture which made the lava bubble and overflow.

A fun term has been had by all.

Mrs Bradford