Our First Simple Machine: Wheel and Axle We started the week by addressing a big misconception - we thought simple machines were very complicated! It turns out machines like phones and cars are actually complex machines. We learned about the simple machine wheel and axle first. We learned how wheels make our life easier, and how it helps the pushing and pulling of heavy objects. We tried this by transporting a heavy plant pot by first dragging by itself, and then pushing and pulling when it had wheels. Next we wondered "why are wheels round?" We made our own cars with different shaped wheels to see which cars were best for rolling. We identified and cut out wheels in the shape of: circles, ovals, squares, rectangles, triangles, pentagons, hexagons, octagons, and trapezoids. Our Second Simple Machine: Inclined Plane After learning about wheels, we learned about inclined planes (these are like ramps, slopes, and wedges). We realised that even though wheels were good for pushing, there were sometimes wheels needed a second simple machine to help them. For example, how can you push a wheelchair upstairs? We experimented how an inclined plane made it easier to push things up and down, by testing it with a wheelchair. Then, being the inquirers we are, we wanted to push somebody in the wheelchair! Ms Su volunteered, and we realised that pushing her up the slope was far easier than trying to push her up a step. As we are very knowledgable and problem-solvers, we came up with different solutions to solve the problem. Eventually we found the perfect one! A small inclined plane (ramp) with just the right height to get up the step. When we all worked together, Ms Su made it into the classroom! Finally, we ended our week combining our knowledge of wheels and axles, and inclined planes together by creating cars out of different materials in the classroom. Science: Our Senses In Science we explored the sense of smell this week. Ms Bustamante and Ms Hima challenged us to guess 8 different smells without peeping inside. We all guessed 'coffee' correct!
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AuthorWe are a class of 4-6 year olds at an international school in Singapore! We learn by playing, inquiring and having fun. Our teacher is Ms Bustamante, and this is our learning journey! Archives
June 2020
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