Our fourth graders had a BLAST building series and parallel circuits with just a file folder, aluminum foil, Christmas lights, a battery, glue, electrical tape, and a brass fastener.
These mini-electricians learned first-hand the frustration of the smallest break in a circuit, but they were persistent and worked together to have bright lights shining all over our classroom!
We began a new chapter in science this week and are VERY excited about exploring electricity, circuits, conductors, insulators, resistors, and more! These students came to 4th grade with lots of prior knowledge on this topic, so we jumped right in and started building our own circuits, testing various materials to discover whether or not they allow an electric current to flow freely.
Then one idea sparked another...
...and another..
...and SEVERAL others!
We decided to connect all our circuits, giving Mrs. Brown the perfect opportunity to help us discover the difference between series and parallel circuits. The students were shocked to find out most Christmas lights were once made on a series circuit, and they’ll make sure you choose some on a parallel circuit when purchasing new stands of lights this holiday season!
What a special treat it was having Major/Pastor/"James’s Dad" Seth Still visit our students this week to share about his experience in Afghanistan with the U.S. Air Force and his continued service as Chaplain for the Air National Guard. Using a catchy acronym we can hold on to forever, he taught our 4th graders about ways we can celebrate, support, and honor our veterans each and every day.
James, we think you have a REALLY awesome dad!
Stop 3: Harvest Fest at the Mississippi Museum of Agriculture and Forestry!
Our PDS 4th and 5th graders took a quick trip to the early 1900s and caught a glimpse of Mississippi’s past and the impact of agriculture on our state and nation. We enjoyed hot biscuits and bottled sodas from the town general store, took a quick visit to the doctor’s office and explored his backyard herb garden, held chickens and pet horses, watched live demonstrations in the print shop, blacksmith’s shop, cotton gin, and more--what a blast we had being part of Harvest Fest in Small Town Mississippi!
