Adaptation in Action

Adaptations are essential to the prolonged survival of all species. Predators use adaptations, but so do their prey. We will also be studying how past and present species compare. Do you think plants have adapted? Ouch, that looks painful! Plants use many ways to adapt.

Change over time

It's time to start observing change over time.

Weathering can take a short amount of time or a really long time. Check out this weathering. Erosion is another event that takes time. Look here for further clues Grand Canyon. Have you ever seen a rock flow? We will be studying these, and other exciting aspects of change that requires time.

Weather or not here it comes

This week I will be teaching about the weather. We will be observing and recording changes in the weather as well as looking for patterns. This is part of the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills), necessary for fourth grade.

There are some interesting sites our class will be using this week including, Weather Wiz Kids.
Pay special attention to the temperature conversion chart, we will use this index to chart temperatures for the rest of the year. Have fun at this site.
Be careful when it gets too hot!
HEAT INDEX
Affects to the human body
130° or above
Heat Stroke highly likely with continued exposure
105° to 130°
Heat Stroke likely with prolonged exposure
90° to 105°
Heat Stroke possible with prolonged exposure

Gravity in Action

On Earth gravity pulls objects towards the center of the Earth.

What is gravity? Gravity is a force that attracts objects together. What is the strength of Earth's gravity? The Earth is a very large object and it is also very heavy. This means that it has a strong gravitational field. The moon is smaller than the Earth and is not as heavy. Would you expect its gravity to be stronger or weaker than the Earth's gravity? Answer



Now try this experiment.