Time to Find the First Fish
FALL, 2005-2006
How can we tell how old something is? How do we measure time? How do scientists think the earth began? These questions guided the 3rd Grade's work during this expedition. To answer them, they examined in depth three related topics: time, the solar system, and origin theories.
Students kicked off the expedition with a close examination of a fossil fish (echoes of last spring's salmon expedition!). Then students learned about tools that allow us to measure time - brief moments and l-o-o-o-ng periods. They examined fish scales, tree rings, and mastodon tusk rings as well as more familiar measurement tools like clocks and calendars.
As students studied the calendar, they explored the reason for seasons and for night and day, looking to the solar system to see how planets are centered around the sun and move in particular patterns.
Finally, the class examined the idea of a theory, and investigated origin theories that are put forward by scientists.
Students worked in crews to create children's science magazines that will teach others about what they have learned. Each child published a nonfiction article and another piece (interview, cartoon, puzzle, game, or poem) in the science magazine.
