Tuesday, December 16, 2014

"11/14" Mr. Cuttatree Reflection Blog

What I learned last week was on how to write the blog to Mr. Cuttatree and the steps of creating the letter blog to him. I also learned a few facts of the effects of deforestation.




Have you done a similar kind of work in the past (earlier in the year or in a previous grade; in school or out of school)? I did a similar type of work last year. I studies how the food chain and ecosystem was affected when an animal is extinct and effects from deforestation.

What were your goals for this week? Did your goals change as you worked? Did you meet your goals? I tried making a goal on making as many facts as I could and explain most of the Facts/Examples to Mr. Cuttatree. I did not meet the goals.

If someone else were looking at your work what might they learn about who you are? They could probably find out I can (attempt) to convince someone to avoid doing something bad, they could probably find out that I can think of many ideas on one topic.

What would you change if you had a chance to redo the work over again? I would probably redo the Letter Map because I think I can think of better reasons not to cut down the trees for their own benefit.




Severe Weather Project Reflection






I learned about the types of severe weather, its damages, and its causes. I also learned about how to be safe from some of the severe weather and fun facts about severe weather.

Backwards Looking Reflection Question 1 On Schoolloop: How much did you know about the topic before we started? What do you now know about the topic that you did not know before? I knew about the types of severe weather, such as tornadoes, droughts, hurricanes, etc. I also knew some of the results after the severe weather. I did not know about how to be prepared for the storm, how it forms, and the name of "severe weather".

Inward Looking Reflection Question 1 On Schoolloop: How do you feel about your work this week? What parts of it do you particularly like? Dislike? Why? I feel satisfied with my work this week because I worked really hard gathering the information for the severe weather. I like gathering the information for the Possible Damage, the Image, and Extra info because they did not seem as difficult as the other information I had to fill in (not saying that the other information I filled in were difficult). I disliked doing the typhoon slide because it took a long time trying to find out information on websites because I thought I was only limited to the provided links.

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

12/12 - "Severe Weather"


I learned about severe weather and its effects. I also learned about how some of the severe weather forms.

Backward Looking Reflection Question 6 On Schoolloop: What resources did you use while working this week? Which ones were especially helpful? Which ones would you use again? I used the links on the resources page. I found the FEMA Severe Weather the most useful. I might use FEMA Severe Weather and WeatherWizKids again.

Inward Looking Reflection Question 3 On Schoolloop: What did/do you find frustrating about the work done this week? I found frustrating that I had little time to do one slide on my Severe Weather project. It was frustrating because I usually did one/one half of a slide [doing a photo montage]. What was also frustrating was the Project Report, because I had to create the slides and write down on the project report alternatively. 


Thursday, December 4, 2014

Water Cycle 12/5


What I learned about the water cycle and how the cycle goes. I also learned scientific words for the water cycle such as condensation and precipitation.

Backwards Looking Reflection Question 1 On Schoolloop: How much did you know about the topic before we started? What do you now know about the topic that you did not know before? I knew about some parts of the cycle like evaporation and then precipitating into the land. I now know about the multiple places where water can go such as a cave. I also did not know about the runoffs.

Inward Looking Reflection Question 1 On Schoolloop: How do you feel about your work this week? What parts of it do you particularly like? Dislike? Why? I feel good about my work this week and I feel it was difficult and easy sometimes. I particularly liked doing the Water Cycle cartoon and it sometimes felt stressing because I thought I wouldn't finish the cartoon in time. Overall, I don't have any negativity on this week's work and I like it.


Friday, November 14, 2014

A letter to Mr. Cuttatree

Dear Mr. Cuttatree,  I am writing to you today because I heard you were cutting down a rainforest for the Uppity Resort you are building. I think you should not build the resort because:

The animals, plants, and living species there would be harmed. Another reason is that the resources for medicine would reduce. Last, if there is a lack of plants and trees, there would oxygen reduce because plants produce oxygen for us to breathe.

One reason you should not cut down the trees is because the forest will lose water and the water in the trees will not evaporate, therefore, it may cause droughts.  Another reason you should not cut down the tress is because the food chain can be disrupted because the blue moth will be extinct. The animals eating the blue moth would have nothing to eat, so they would starve to death, and eventually will become extinct and the animals eating the animals that eat the blue moth will starve, and so on. Also, you should not cut the trees because the environment would get polluted (like the air, water, etc.). This will happen because the trees cannot produce anymore air there and the remaining air/water will get polluted from gas houses, oil from the factories, etc. Last, you should not cut down the trees is because soil erosion can happen. Soil erosion happens when the soil cannot accept anymore water in it so it would be hard to replant plants or trees in that area.

In conclusion, you should not cut down the trees because it can have a big effect to nature, the food chain, the world around us, the environment, and what is vital to us like oxygen. You should build your resort where no nature or environment is harmed.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

"11/14 Deforestation Letter"

What I learned this week are some of the effects of deforestation. I also learned how and what the steps of writing the letter to Mr. Cuttatree.



Question 3 Backward Looking Reflection On School-loop: 
  • In what ways have you gotten better at this kind of work?
  I gotten in better at this work because I have brainstormed the ideas of the causes of deforestation. I also got better at this work because I learned more of the steps in writing a letter in this case (like facts or examples). Last, I have gotten better at this work by learning more causes of deforestation during class.

Question 8 Inward Looking Reflection on School-loop:

  • What does your work this week tell you about yourself and how you learn? 
My work this week tell me that I can brainstorm and write a letter as a blog and paper in this situation. It also tells me I can write a blog/letter during this situation. Last, it can tell me that I can attempt to persuade someone to destroy something important.




Friday, November 7, 2014

"11/7 Deforestation"


I learned about deforestation and it's effects and causes. I also learned more about how the food chain is effected when one animal is effected.

Backward Looking Reflection
Question 2 Schoolloop: Have you done a similar kind of work in the past (earlier in the year or in a previous grade; in school or out of school)? Yes. I have learned about the food chain and how it's effected and deforestation in fourth grade. I learned how much trees are cut each year.

Outward Looking Reflection Question 3 Schoolloop: What did/do you find frustrating about the work done this week? I found trying to find some of the information on the animal report frustrating because it was kind of difficult to find the information. Especially the adaptations. I also found frustrating was the deforestation facts. It was difficult to find the information on there too.


Thursday, October 30, 2014

10/31 "Interdependence of Organisms - 2".




I learned about symbiosis. I also learned how each animal affects the food chain.

Backward Looking Reflection Question 1: How much did you know about the topic before we started? What do you now know about the topic you did not know before? Well, last year in 4th grade, I learned about the Food Pyramid and the Food Chain. I did not know about Symbiosis. What I also learned this week was about Symbiosis's types.

Inward Looking Reflection Question 1: How do you feel about your work this week? What parts of it do you particularly like? Dislike? Why? I felt good working this week. I actually did not dislike anything. What I particularly like is the Symbiosis work on Tuesday and the Food Chain work Yesterday.



Thursday, October 23, 2014

Interdependence of Organisms - 1

What I learned so far is where your food's energy comes from (the sun). I also learned about photosynthesis, food chains, and food webs.

Backward-Looking Reflection Question 1 On Schoolloop: How much did you know about the topic before we started? What do you now know about the topic that you did not know before?

Well, I knew about Omnivores, Carnivores, and Herbivores. I also knew photosynthesis and part of it's process last year. What I did not know before were Insectivores and where your food's energy comes from

Outward-Looking Reflection Question 2 On Schoolloop: What was especially satisfying to you about your work this week?

I found doing the Food Web work and the Food Energy satisfying because I found that I was learning as I was making mistakes in the Food Web game made me learn to fix it, and I was satisfied in the Food energy activity because I was learning about where the food's energy comes from.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Nervous System

Image Source: https://goo.gl/GNIwrV

The Nervous System:


Function:
     The function of the Nervous System is to help you control everything you do and control things you cannot control yourself such as your heart.

Organs:
     The organs that make the Nervous System is the brain which controls every part of your body, the spinal cord acts as a way for your brain to communicate to the rest of your body, and the nerve cells which are the cells that send messages to and from your brain and your body and makes up the spinal cord.

Interactions w/ Other Systems:

     The Nervous System works with almost everything in your body. It works with the Muscular System by making the muscles and body move. The Nervous System also controls the heart pumping in the Circulatory System, and works with the Digestive System and moves muscles to help you digest food you eat. The Spinal Cord, which is part of the Nervous system is protected by the spine- part of the Skeletal System. It also helps the body feel and sense when something is touching the body.

Analogy:

Image Source: http://computerdays.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/cpu2.jpg

Explanation:
     The analogy that I chose for this system is a CPU. The function of a CPU is to send instructions to the computer and do simple thinking and math. The Nervous System does the same thing. This system's function is to do all the thinking that the body needs to do and send instructions to the rest of the body to do basic things such as moving. This is why I compared a CPU to the Nervous System


Structure and Function:

     The part of this system that I chose for this section was the brain. When looking at the brain, it seems like it is folded instead of being smooth. I think that the brain is shaped this way because it does something similar to the small intestine in the digestive system. The small intestine is folded down because when stretched out, it is about 20 feet. So it the small intestine is folded to fit inside the body. I think the same thing goes with the brain. The brain is folded in to pieces because it must be big, which makes sense since the brain is responsible for almost if not all actions in your body. The brain is folded so it could fit inside the skull.


Sources:





Thursday, October 16, 2014

Urinary System

Image Source: https://goo.gl/fdil3C

The Urinary System


Function:
The function of the Urinary System is to get rid of liquid, soluble waste.

Organs:
    The organs that make up the Urinary System is the Kidney which filters the urine. Then the urine goes down the ureters which is a pipe, and then into the bladder, where it stores the urine, until it is released by a muscle called the Urethra.

Interactions w/ Other Systems:

     The Urinary System interacts with the Circulatory System by filtering blood that passes by the kidneys. When blood from the Circulatory System reaches the kidneys, the kidneys filter out harmful waste in the blood and add it in urine. The Urinary System also interacts with the Endocrine System. The Endocrine System works with the Urinary System by controlling the amount of urine that is released and produced. If you are dehydrated the Endocrine System will tell the Urinary System to not produce as much urine and if you drink a lot the Endocrine System will tell the Urinary System to produce more urine. 


Analogy:

Image Source: https://goo.gl/xQF0xF


Explanation:
     I compared the Urinary System to factory liquid/hazardous waste disposal pipes that dump harmful waste into water sources such as rivers. The function of these disposal pipes is to remove waste produced by the factory. When the factory uses materials to make products, it creates some substance that is not necessary for the creation of the product. The factory takes that substance and puts it through pipes and eventually dumps it out. The function of the Urinary System is to dispose of used liquids and potentially harmful substances. When the Urinary System no longer needs the water or has too much it dumps it out through the bladder, similar to how a factory removes waste products it no longer needs.

Structure and Function:

      The organ that I chose for this section was the bladder. The bladder is rounded in shape, hollow, and connects to the ureters. The bladder is also rubbery and is rather big. This is because humans (should) drink a lot of fluids to keep them hydrated and healthy, and since they drink a lot of fluids, they need something to carry that. Since the bladder is rubbery, it allows a lot of urine to go inside of it and if the bladder fills up, it expands since it is rubbery. The bladder is also big so it should take a lot of fluids to make the bladder expand.

Sources:

Studios, Andrew Rader. "Excretion Is Not Elimination." Biology4Kids.com: Animal Systems: Excretory System. Biology4Kids, n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2016. <http://www.biology4kids.com/files/systems_excretory.html>.


Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Skeletal System

Image Source: https://goo.gl/iRALFV

The Skeletal System:


Function:

    The Skeletal System allows you to move your body, produce blood cells in the bone marrow, stabilizes your body, and protects all vital organs like the heart

Bones and Joints:

      The (major) Bones associated with the Skeletal System are the Skull which protects the brain, the Rib Cage which provides protection to the heart, lungs, and liver, the Foot which helps you stand and balance, the Pelvis which supports your spine, Hands which help you move your hands, and the Spine which protects the spinal cord. The Joints associated with the Skeletal system is the Ball and Sock Joint which is the reason why your arms are flexible and can move freely, the Saddle Joint which allows your arms and legs to bend, and the Pivot Joint which is a joint parallel to the top of a bone.


Interactions w/ Other Systems:

     The skeletal system works with many other systems in the body. It works with the muscular system to help move your body and provides protection to the spinal cord, which is part of the nervous system. The skull, another part of the skeletal system provides protection for your brain and the rib cage provides protection to your heart which is part of the circulatory system, the lungs which is part of the respiratory system, and the liver, which is part of the digestive system. The skeletal system provides structure and support for the body. 


Analogy:

Image Source: https://goo.gl/7tVkEi

 
Explanation:

     This picture perfectly explains the skeletal system in real life. The skeletal system is the structure of the body, similar to this picture, which is the structure for the building. The skeletal system is made up of many bones and this picture is made up of many bars, metal, etc. Without the structure in that picture, the building wouldn't stand and would collapse, similar to the skeletal system. Without the skeletal system, the body would be a blob of skin, organs, and fluids.


Structure and Function:


     The major bone that I chose for this section was the spine. The spine is basically a straight line with aligned and parallel bones jutting out of that straight line. The function of the spine is to protect the spinal cord, which connects your brain to your body. I believe that the reason the spine is shaped like a straight line is to support your body perfectly and provide a safe way for the spinal cord to interact with your body. If the spine was not in a straight line, it might not be able to support your back or your back may be much weaker or unstable. 

  
Sources:


Studios, Andrew Rader. "Skeletons Inside and Out." Biology4Kids.com: Animal Systems: Skeletal System. Biology4Kids, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2016. <http://www.biology4kids.com/files/systems_skeletal.html>.

Nemours. "Your Bones." KidsHealth. The Nemours Foundation, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2016. <http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/bones.html>

"Skeleton Quiz - Anatomy - Health." Skeleton Quiz - Anatomy - Health. Sheppards Software, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2016. <http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/health/anatomy/skeleton/Skeleton_game_quiz.htm>.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

The Muscular System

Image Source : https://goo.gl/YkGR1Y


The Muscular System


Function:
     The Muscular System allows you to move your body parts and do actions such as jumping, grabbing, and other things. This system works with the Nervous and Skeletal System

Organs:
     The organs that make up the Muscular System is the cardiac muscle which is found in your heart (never tires), smooth muscles which are found in your intestines, and voluntary and involuntary muscles. Voluntary muscles are muscles you can move- for example, you can move your hands, so the muscle in the hands are voluntary. Involuntary muscles are muscles that do actions you cannot control. These muscles control your internal organs.

Interactions w/ Other Systems:

     The Muscular System works with the Nervous system. This is because to move, the Nervous system tells the Muscular System when to move. The Muscular System also works with the Skeletal System. The bones in your body provide structure for muscles. With the Muscular System, many organs move. The cardiovascular muscle pumps the heart and the smooth muscle helps the small intestine digest food.

Analogy:

Image Source: https://goo.gl/78WQBJ

Explanation:
     The reason why I chose a car motor for my analogy picture is because the function of the Muscular System is to help the body move. The motor for a car has the same function. The motor of a car uses energy to work the pistons of a car and make the car move. The Muscular System is similar because the Nervous System tells the muscles when to move.


Structure and Function:

      The muscle that I chose for this section is the rectus abdominis. The function of the rectus abdominis is to move the body forwards or sideways. This muscle is located in your middle abdomen and they are 2 x 6 bumps on your abdomen. I think that the shape of the rectus abdominis helps the body move forward and sideways because I think that the bumps of the rectus abdominis kind of fold inward to help the body move forward and move towards the side when moving sideways.


Resources:

BBC - GCSE Bitesize: Muscle Types. BBC, n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/pe/appliedanatomy/3_anatomy_muscles_rev1.shtml>.

Studios, Andrew Rader. "Muscular System - Meat on the Bones."Biology4Kids.com: Animal Systems: Muscular System. Biology4Kids, n.d. Web. 21 Oct. 2016. <http://www.biology4kids.com/files/systems_muscular.html>.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Digestive System


Image Source: https://goo.gl/LppPSw 


The Digestive System


Function:
    The function of the Digestive System is to get rid of waste, send nutrients to the body, and break down food into liquid. The Digestive System works with the Circulatory system, Muscular System, Urinary System, and the Nervous System

Organs:
      The organs of this system is the mouth that chews down the food making it mush. There is also the esophagus which acts as a tunnel so the food can go to the stomach- another organ of this system. The stomach stores food, turns it into liquid, and transfers that liquid into the small intestine. The small intestine breaks down the liquid mixture and absorbs all the contents of the food to use it for energy. There are three other organs that help the small intestine absorb the contents of the food. They are the pancreas, gallbladder, and the liver. The pancreas makes substances that help absorb the fats and proteins and the liver creates a substance that helps fat get into the bloodstream. The liver also removes and filters waste, distributes the contents of food, and makes nutrient rich blood.  After the small intestine absorbed all the contents of the food, it goes into the large intestine. The large intestine is where the now useless and consumed food is put through. As the consumed food reaches the colon, the body has its last chance to absorb anything it didn't. Then the final product of the food is pushed out through the rectum.

Interactions w/ Other Systems:
     The digestive system works with other systems by transporting nutrients, vitamins, fat, etc. to other parts of the body for energy. The liver also produces nutrient-rich blood and is used for the circulatory system to use.

Analogy:

Image Source: https://goo.gl/v573XY
Explanation:
       The reason why I chose this as my analogy is because a using gas for a car is similar to eating food for humans. When a car is almost out of gas (energy/food), you go to the gas station. Once the gasoline is put into the car, it goes through a process similar to the digestive system. The gasoline is converted into energy used to power every part of the vehicle and then after all the contents of the gasoline is used, the waste product is CO2. This is similar to the digestive system because when you are in need of energy (food in this case), you eat. When you eat the food is converted into energy and the waste product is made.  

Structure and Function:
     The organ that I used for this section was the small intestine. The small intestine is a flexible tube that stretches to 20 feet. The function of the small intestine is to take all the contents of the food that is in it and use it for energy for the whole body. The small intestine is a 20 ft. long tube because it takes time for it to absorb all the contents of the food. If the small intestine was only 10 inches, you wouldn't get much out of the food you eat since the food will pass by really quick. Since the small intestine is 20 ft long, it allows the body to absorb as much food content as possible.

Sources:

KidsHealth. "Your Digestive System." KidsHealth - the Web's Most Visited Site about Children's Health. The Nemours Foundation, n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2016. <http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/digestive_system.html>.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Respiratory System

Image Source: http://respiratorysystem.organsofthebody.com/images/respiratory-system.jpg

Respiratory System:


Function:
    The Respiratory System's function is to provide oxygen for the body and eliminates all carbon dioxide.

Organs:
     The organs that make up the respiratory system are the lungs which bring oxygen in and out, the trachea which is a windpipe that carries the oxygen to the lungs, the bronchus that transport air through and from the lungs, and the diaphragm which contracts to pull air in and out.

Interactions w/ Other Systems:

     The Respiratory System works with the Circulatory System by exchanging gases. The Circulatory System uses the oxygen that the Respiratory System brings in, uses it, then brings the leftovers (CO2) to the lungs again to breathe out. The ribs which are part of the Skeletal System interact with the Respiratory System by slightly expanding when breathing and protecting the lungs.


Analogy:

   
Image Source: https://goo.gl/RoUZEF


Explanation: 
       I chose a pump and a bike tire for this analogy. The function of the Respiratory System is to exchange gases in the body by giving oxygen to the body and disposing of carbon dioxide by breathing out. Now look at the function of a pump + bike tire. For this analogy, think of these two things as one item. The pump uses the air inside of it and gives it to the tire, allowing the tire to roll without flattening and to function in general. The tire eventually unintentionally disposes of this air from leaking, which means that you have to use the pump again to pump the air into the tire. The Respiratory System and the bike and pump are similar because they both exchange air and gases to function.

Structure and Function:

     For this section I chose the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the muscle that contracts and relaxes the lungs when you breath. This organ is looks like a dome made of muscles located just below the lungs. The diaphragm is dome shaped to fit at the bottom of the lungs like a puzzle piece and perfectly pump the lungs. If the diaphragm was a different shape say rectangular instead of round and smaller or bigger, I think that the lungs might not contract and relax in the same length or measure or might pump and release oxygen too much or too little. 

Sources:



   

       

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Circulatory System

.

Image Source: https://goo.gl/X26Rao

The Cardiovascular/Circulatory System:


Function:
The Circulatory System transfers oxygen, blood, and other fluids and chemicals to other parts of the body. 

Organs:
    The Circulatory System has many organs to it such as the Heart, Veins and Arteries. The function of the heart is to pump blood given from the veins and exchange it with oxygen. The veins carry blood to the heart and the arteries carry blood away from the heart.

Interactions w/ Other Systems:

      The Circulatory System interacts with other systems in many ways. The Respiratory System is given dissolved carbon dioxide from the heart to breathe out. The circulatory system also interacts with every part of your body since all your cells must have oxygen to survive and produce energy. 


Analogy:

Image Source: https://goo.gl/n4tx05

Explanation: 
     The reason why I chose this picture to represent the Circulatory System because the this system is like a pathway. The Circulatory System is a pathway that transports blood, oxygen, and liquids to other parts of the body. A pathway transports people to different parts of the building in the picture above. People can go the opposite direction of each pathway or forward, similar to how fluids go back and forth to the heart.

Structure and Function:

     The organ that I chose for this section is the arteries. The arteries transport blood produced by the heart to other parts of your body. The size of arteries in your body are usually the same- thin tubes that transport blood, oxygen, and other fluids around the body. I believe the arteries are shaped like that is so the arteries do not take up much space but also at the same time transport as much oxygen and blood to all parts of your body.

Sources:

Studios, Andrew Rader. "Circulation Is the Key." Biology4Kids.com: Animal Systems: Circulatory System. Biology4Kids, n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2016. <http://www.biology4kids.com/files/systems_circulatory.html>.



Wednesday, September 24, 2014

09/26 "Organelle Traill".

One thing I learned about organelles was that they are all in one cell. I thought organelles were kinds of cells when I first heard of them. Question: In what ways do you think you can improve? Well there is two ways I can improve. One way I can can improve is the way I identify the location of each organelle. Another way I can improve is what understanding the concept of organelles, I understand organelles, but I am just wondering if there are more organelles or if they have more functions.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

09/19 "The Cell".

What I learned this week was about cells. I also learned what happens inside a cell every second we live. Question 1 on SchoolLoop:  How much did you know about the topic before we started? Well, before we started studying cells, I knew a few information about cells, from BrainPop at least. I always knew cells had to do with living and the concepts of natural development.  What do you now know about the topic that you did not know before? What I know about cells after going over the topic were that cells are that things are working in the cells, and something that surprised me was the motor protein

    Friday, September 12, 2014

    3 2 1

    I learned the scientific method in science.
    I am confused about the groups of variables
    I am confident about the definition of a hypothesis
    One thing you can help me with is experimenting and measuring things.

    Wednesday, September 10, 2014

    A Letter To The School Board

    Science Class class should not disappear because science class helps in many ways. It lets us experiment  what science has for us. Also, it explains why life is what it is right now.

    Science crosses all subjects, Science gives tech skills, and The world depends on science. Why?

    First of all, Science crosses all subjects because science helps develop products and also, science helps make medicines, vaccines, cures, prescribed (good) drugs, and many other chemicals. Next, Science gives us Tech skills because Machines are used by science, and science also activates machines, electronics, and devices anywhere. Last, the world depends on science because science explains the habitat/behavior of animals and other creatures

    Counter Claims:
    All science information is found on online science websites and is discovered already.

    Rebuttal:
    It is indeed true, yet other subjects such as Math, Computer Science, ELA, and History are also found online and discovered. Why is science the one that is being removed? Other subjects have been discovered as well.

    This is why science should not disappear for these and many more reasons.

    Friday, September 5, 2014

    Welcome

    3 things I like about adventure:

    I like the Cafeteria food because it is good
    I like the fact that I have different classes in adventure
    I like that there is a gym in adventure

    1 thing I learned in science:

    One thing I learned in science is that science is about observing, researching, experimenting, and then gathering the facts. At first I thought science was very difficult, but now, it seems clear about the definition and process of it. The definition and process of science is clear to me now.