Bears Come out of Hibernation!
1L students invited the Bears of Westwood out of hibernation to celebrate the first day of spring. We introduced our bears to the class, measured them using different units, compared bears, interviewed bears and wrote all about the history of our special bear buddies!
Light Study
This month, students are transitioning their science thinking from sound to light. Here is some background knowledge to guide your conversations!
When light strikes the surface of an object, the light can be reflected, scattered, absorbed, or transmitted. Transmitted means that light goes through an object. If most or all of the light passes through easily, it is transparent, like glass or clear plastic. If some light passes through an object it is translucent, like wax paper or frosted glass. If little or no light passes through, the object is opaque. When light strikes an opaque object, a shadow can be created because light cannot bend around the object. When a ray of light strikes the surface of an object, it is called an incident ray. Most objects scatter light. When light is scattered, the incident ray strikes the surface and is sent back in all directions. This differs from reflection, in which the angle that the incident light strikes a surface always equals the angle that the reflected light leaves the surface. We see most things in the world because of the light they scatter. Smooth, polished surfaces, like mirrors, reflect light. You have to be in the right place to see reflected images, but you can see scattered light in any direction. Inside a room at night, glass windows reflect light from different objects and act as mirrors. Conversely, on the outside of a house at night, glass windows transmit light so you can see through them and into rooms. Thus, clear glass is not a practical mirror, so the backs of mirrors are coated with silver or aluminum. The coating reflects most of the light that is not reflected by the front surface or glass. The more light an object absorbs, the darker it appears. A toy horse painted black absorbs more light than one that is painted white. This absorbed light energy is stored as thermal energy. Light does not interact with all objects the same way.
When light rays strike objects they can:
- Easily pass through a transparent objects. Images can be clearly viewed through transparent objects.
- Partially pass through translucent objects. Images are blurry but can be viewed through translucent objects.
- Be mostly blocked by an opaque object. Images can not be viewed through an opaque object.
- Reflect off an object, which can result in the ability to see the object.
Take a look at this video on light to drive some of your kitchen table conversations this month!
Elisha Project
This month, we have been studying Empathy through our Open Circle Lessons. As a part of this initiative, a group of Sheehan Teachers and Families are scheduled to go to Providence and work with the Elisha Project. Here are some pictures of our class decorating bags that will be filled with lunches for those in need.
Dr. Seuss Author Study
This March we also celebrated Dr. Seuss' Birthday by reading our favorite books by Dr. Seuss. A Massachusetts hero in his own right, we discussed characters, themes, lessons, illustrations, and even the biography of this renowned author/illustrator. So many of us learned to read by experiencing the work of Dr. Seuss and it was great fun to celebrate him this month!
