Getting ready for our cavern trip

We're going to a cave on Monday! To help get ready, follow the links and activities on this previous blog post:

Learning About Rocks and Minerals

What we're reading!

We've been learning about how to summarize expository text. Here are some resources that go along with our classroom texts.

Mushrooms: If you read "Mysterious Mushrooms", you can learn more about mushrooms with this mushroom interactive. Browse around on the mushroom and fungi activities.

Columbian Exposition: If you read "The Columbian Exposition", you can visit an interactive digital map here. Can you find the name of the only building that is still standing today?

Homophones

Homophones can be so confusing! They are words that sound the same, but are spelled differently. Here are some Quizlet links to help you study.

Homophones, Tier 1

Homophones, Tier 2

More Practice
it's/its quiz

Rock Cycle

We're learning about the rock cycle! Have you ever wondered about the rocks you see each day? How were they formed? What are they made of? What will happen to them?

This rock cycle interactive is a great way to start learning about rocks. As you experience the rock cycle, add rocks to your virtual "collection". Which rocks do you find most interesting? Why?

Coordinate Graphing Practice

Here are some fun games to review coordinate graphing.

Billy Bug: Guide the bug to find grubs.

Hit the Coordinate: Choose "Beginner" level for this.

Animal Camouflage

Camouflage is a kind of physical adaptation. Use the presentation below to learn about four different kinds of camouflage.

Understanding Camouflage from Emily Kissner

Bird Beaks: Great Adaptations

We've been learning about bird beaks! A bird's beak is a kind of physical adaptation. It is a feature that helps a bird to survive.

Extend your learning with these sites:

Bird Beak Interactive

Bird Beak Gallery

Build a Bird

Using Water Resources

Use the presentation below to find out how people use water resources:

Water resources from Emily Kissner

Antonyms

Antonyms are opposites! This week, we will look at words that are antonyms.

Antonyms list, Tier 1

Antonyms list, Tier 2

Invasive Species

This week, we've learned about some ways that ecosystems change. Here are some activities to help you go deeper into the concepts.

This plant is garlic mustard. It is an invasive species!

Invasive Species: This is a detailed interactive with case files, background checks, and more on the top invasive species.

NOVA Invasive Species Match: In this game, players match invasive species with the damage they've caused.

Invasion!!: Learn about the Asian carp and keep it from reaching Lake Michigan!

Synonyms

In our new spelling unit, we will be exploring synonyms. Synonyms are words that have similar meanings. For example, the photograph to the right shows a stream. A synonym for stream is creek.

Quizlet Links

Synonyms, Tier 1

Synonyms, Tier 2

Here are some other fun synonym games

Synonym Toast: With WordGirl

Word Frog: This game explores synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms

Food Chains

What parts of a food chain do you see in this photo?

We have been learning about food chains! Here are some interactive games for you to try.

Food Chain Interactive

Food Web Interactive (choose to skip login)

Antarctic Food Web

Producer, Consumer, Decomposer

More Multiple Meaning Words

Skunk cabbage is blooming! Spring can't be too far away, right? Next week, we'll continue our study of multiple meaning words.

Multiple Meaning #2, Tier 1

Multiple Meaning #2, Tier 2

A Stinky Sign of Spring

You can learn more about multiple meaning words with this game.

Other Blogs
Many people who travel to Antarctica keep their own blogs. You can check some out!

MV Fram Expedition Blog: The MV Fram is a ship that travels to Antarctica. People can pay to journey on the boat to see Antarctica.

The Cold Dirt Blog: This blog shows the research of scientists who are studying the dry valleys near McMurdo.

Antarctica Research Reading

Look at these links to find out more about Antarctica!

Research link blog post

States Practice

We're continuing to learn about states. You can use these links to practice!

States Match, Level 1

States Match, Level 2

Quizlet States Match

Multiple Meaning Words

Our new spelling list will include words with multiple meanings! Here are the Quizlet links.

This picture shows leaves in fall. Can you think of the two
meanings of fall?

Multiple Meaning Words #1, Tier 1

Multiple Meaning Words #1, Tier 2

Energy Games

Play these with your teacher's permission, after you have done other research!

Energy Hog

Energy Research Links

How does electricity get to our homes? How do people generate electricity? What are the differences between renewable and nonrenewable energy resources? We'll answer all of these questions with our energy research!

Natural Gas Links

ESD: This site explains where natural gas comes from and how it is used in power plants.

EcoSpark: This site explains the benefits and drawbacks of natural gas power.

Coal Links

EIA Coal: This site from the US Energy Information Administration explains the basics of coal for energy production.

Kids Korner: This graphic shows how coal is used to make electricity.

Virtual Field Trip: Pictures and a description of a coal power plant in Virginia.

EcoSpark: This site explains the benefits and drawbacks of coal power.

Biomass Links

Biomass: This site from Alliant Energy has information about biomass.

More on biomass: This site from ESD explains biomass energy.

Energy Kids: This site from the US Energy Information Administration describes biomass energy.

EcoSpark: This site explains the benefits and drawbacks of biomass power.

Geothermal Links

EIA Geothermal: This site from the US Energy Information Administration describes geothermal energy.

Geothermal: Learn about geothermal energy with this site from Alliant Energy.

Kids Korner: This page includes a diagram to show how geothermal power is formed.

Hydro Power Links

EIA Hydro Power: This site from the US Energy Information Administration explains hydro power.

Hydro Power: This site from Alliant Energy has information about hydro power.

Kids Korner: This site includes a diagram to show how hydro power generates electricity.

EcoSpark: This site explains the benefits and drawbacks of hydro power.

Solar Links

EIA Solar Power: This site from the US Energy Information Administration explains solar power.

Solar Power: Learn about solar power with this link from Alliant Energy.

EcoSpark: This site explains the benefits and drawbacks of solar power.

Wind Power Links

EIA Wind Power: This site from the US Energy Information Administration explains wind power.

Wind Power: This site from Alliant Energy has information about wind power.

Kids Korner: Learn about the two types of wind machines here.

EcoSpark: This site explains the benefits and drawbacks of wind power.

KidWind: Learn more about wind power!

Learning about Energy

We have been learning about forms of energy. Use the link below to review and learn more! As you work, write down at least 3 questions and 3 new ideas.

Energy Website

Reading Links and Vocabulary

We have been reading expository text! Keep studying your vocabulary words for our upcoming tests.

Blizzard Warning Vocabulary

Happy Australia Day! Vocabulary

Learn more about Australia with these resources

A Day in the Life
This text tells about a day in the life of an Australian boy.

Sightseeing Guide
Take a virtual tour of Australia!

Australia Challenge
What have you learned about Australia? Take this quiz to find out!

Greek and Latin Roots, Part 2

Some students have asked to study ahead. These are the words for NEXT WEEK, starting January 22. For the words for the test on 1/20, scroll down to the next post.

Quizlet links:

Greek and Latin Roots 2, Tier 1

Greek and Latin Roots 2, Tier 2

Greek and Latin Roots, Part 1

It's winter! Icy cold weather is all around us.

This week, we are learning about words with Greek and Latin roots.

Greek and Latin Roots, Tier 1

Greek and Latin Roots, Tier 2

We are also working on some new vocabulary words in reading class:

Blizzard Warning