Body systems

Human body is an intriguing creation, not only for the intricate systems within it but also their effective functioning. It is these systems which keeps the body going!
In grade 5, the current unit being 'Body systems', students are focusing on these five systems: digestive, respiratory, excretory, nervous and circulatory system. Students read books, performed role-plays and involved in research. Their knowledge is enhanced and in order to fine tune it, the websites below may be referred to:

Body System

http://www.anatomic.us/

 http://kidshealth.org/kid/

Digestive System

http://www.kitses.com/animation/swfs/digestion.swf

http://nature.ca/discover/exm/blddgstvsystm/index_e.cfm

http://kidshealth.org/kid/interactive/digestive_it.html

http://science.nationalgeographic.co.in/science/health-and-human-body/human-body/digestive-system-article/

http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0072495855/student_view0/chapter26/animation__organs_of_digestion.html

 

Brain

 http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/brain.html

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/brain/3d/

http://kidshealth.org/kid/interactive/brain_it.html

http://www.cbc.ca/news/interactives/brain/

 

 

 

 

Some videos on ancient civilizations:

ROME: Rise and fall of an empire - Part 1

Colosseum - A Gladiator's Story

Athens - Wonder of the Classical World | History Channel Documentary

Sustainability

The field trip to 'Bamboo House', was an incredible experience. Students saw, how bamboo is being used to create walls, ceilings, staircases and a complete house. It is cost effective and particularly beneficial for people residing in the rural areas.

A wall made of bamboo!

Models of houses

This photograph shows a wall made of plastic bottles!! Plastic bottles are being recycled in a very innovative way!

 

Snapshots of the 'Energy Museum'

Saifan and Sazil had created a dam, through which they explained transformation and consumption of energy.

Rehaan and Fiza created models of vegetables and fruits and explained how the light energy from the sun, with help of 'photosynthesis, help plants grow, bear fruits and vegetables. When we consume the fruits and vegetables, energy is transferred into our body system!

 

Vignesh and Aman had created a model, through which they talked about transformation of 'solar energy' and 'wind energy'

 

Sharlin and Saikiran had created a model to explain the transformation of 'wind energy' to 'electrical energy'

 

websites on 'Energy'

Some useful websites on 'energy'

 

http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=kids.kids_index
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/kids/
http://tiki.oneworld.net/energy/energy.html
http://www.kidsenergyzone.com/
http://www.eia.gov/kids/

Hands on Maths (Fractions)

It was interesting to see students do multiplication of fractions with the help of a variety of manupulatives.
They were provided with manipulatives and given some multiplication sums, which they had to work out with the help of manipulatives!....They struggled with various trials and were eventually able to bring forth their understanding through two dimensional or three dimensional models. Below are some photographs of the activity!

Activities galore!

Its been two weeks since the students have been inquiring on the energy unit. They have come to terms with different sources of energy, transformation and consumption of energy. Here are some pictures of students inquiring in groups.

Students researching on sources of energy through books and case studies

On Tuesday they set up an energy museum. Thier museum comprised of models and experiments through which they displayed their understanding of 'the ways in which energies are transformed from one form to another'.
Very soon the photographs of the energy museum will be uploaded. Many photographs have already been uploaded in the facebook account of 'The Aga Khan Academy'.

In English students have been dwelling over and understanding the genere of 'Persuasive Writing'. Persuasive writing was carried out through introduction of the structure and followed up with integration of 'novel study' and 'unit of enquiry'.
In the activity where unit (Governance), was integrated with language, students chose an issue or cause related to environment or society. Thereafter they justified their causes with sufficient reasons, examples and statistics in order to prove their point and convince the government authorities to act upon it. Below are some photographs of students preparing for their persuasive essay in groups. They also had a chance to have some discussions with grade 9 students. Alec from grade 9 gave some valuable inputs to the grade 5 students.

After discussing and debating with each other, students created a draft, followed by the final product. They presented their persuasive essay in groups.