Did You Know…? A medieval sword weighed about the same as a bag of sugar.

Today we had some special visitors from DiscoverE at the University of Alberta. They were here to do some Chemistry demonstrations for us. First we discussed the differences between physical and chemical changes. So far we have only been working with physical changes. Physical changes can be reversed. That is why, using our separation techniques that we learned in class, we were always able to separate the materials into their original form. Using strategies like decanting, evaporating, filtering, etc. helped us to reverse physical changes. Another great way to think about a physical change is to think about the states of matter. Water changes form. It can cool (condense) from a gas to a liquid. It can freeze into a solid. It can then melt into a liquid again. It can even evaporate back into a gas. Each of these changes can be reversed. It is still just water, it is just in a different state, and using the appropriate strategy, we can bring it back to its original state. Chemical changes cannot be reversed. Today we saw three chemical changes, and we learned to look for signs that a chemical change had occurred. A change in temperature, a gas being produced, an odor being produced, a light being produced, a change in colour, and a precipitate forming are signs that a chemical change has occurred. We saw Keegan and Sarah (our presenters) create “Elephant’s Toothpaste,” a chemical reaction that demonstrated a colour and temperature change, as well as produced as a gas (in the form of bubbles). We saw them burn some powder in a combustion chamber, producing heat, light, an odor, and gas. Finally we created our own reaction. The first reaction we created was exothermic. The powder heated up when it was added to the water. We also saw the indicator (bromthymol blue) change colour (demonstrating a chemical reaction had occurred). The solution turned from a neutral to an acid. The second reaction we created was endothermic. The powder cooled down and bubbled when added to the water solution. The indicator (bromthymol blue) also changed once again, indicating that our solution had now turned from an acid to a base. Thanks for your great attentive listening today everyone. Want to attend a DiscoverE Summer Camp? Visit the link below for more information:

http://discovere.ualberta.ca/en/SummerCamps/RemoteandRuralCamps/FortMcMurrayCamps.aspx

Don’t forget that we have a Math test next week on Wednesday. Even though it is a long weekend. Students are all encouraged to study and prepare for their test. Students took home the following study guide today:

Fractions – Problem of the Day

Students were encouraged to bring home their Math Journals, which contains the answers for all the questions in the Study Guide. You can also use your Math textbook (remember, we do have access to an online version – see right) or your Mathletics to get some extra practice over the weekend. An example solution for one of the problems in the study guide is posted below with today’s pictures.

Agenda:

Read 20 minutes

Math:

• Math Help – Wednesdays from 3:00 – 4:00 pm
• Mathletics Meeting – Thursday, 6:00-7:00 pm
• Fractions and Decimals Test – Wednesday

Health:

• Pg. 77 (next Monday)

Google Classroom Form – ASAP

Grade 5/6 Floor Hockey – Monday (3:00-4:00 pm)

Yearbook Orders – May 29th ( ybpay.lifetouch.com and enter Yearbook ID code: 10359315)

Busing Intent Forms – due ASAP

Mega Boyz – May 27th (Permission Forms ASAP)

Always Changing Unit – May 27th, girls (Permission Forms ASAP)

* More information on this unit can be found at: http://www.phecanada.ca/programs/always-changing/vibrant-faces/always-changing

Spring Pictures – due May 19th