Where's the Science?
Washington School has a Science lab for all classes 4-6th grades! This is a very unique program for these grade levels. Science is a difficult subject to teach within a classroom due to the need for many materials and set up time for experiments. Our lab can do this!
An active environment abounds within the lab. Aquariums full of guppies delight the watchful eye. "Squeakers," the pet rat, loves to be held, especially in sweatshirt pockets or hoods. Brutus, the box turtle, has the entire room to roam and recently an outdoor pen was built to accommodate his lifestyle in the warmer weather.
All classes follow the state standards. These may be found in detail on the State website. Click here to view state standards by grade level.
Grade 4
Physical Sciences
Covers lessons in magnetism and electricity. This is a favorite subject due to the many hands on experiments using magnets, wires, batteries, light bulbs, motors and telegraph keys.
Life Sciences
Explore the topics of life cycles and ecosystems. We try to observe these cycles by observing live organism such as silkworms, or butterflies, and frogs develop. The students are amazed at how quickly Narcissus Bulbs grow. They enjoy measuring the growth and charting this on a graph. The occasional visit from a snake, lizard, or various bugs creates an environment of wonder, discussion and perhaps holding a snake for the first time.
Earth Science
The rock cycle and the properties of rocks and minerals. Many experiments explore the identification of rocks. A rock collection forms in the display case as students bring in various rocks to share and identify.
Grade 5
Physical Science
The Elements and their combinations account for all the varied types of matter in the world. Another favorite topic due to the many experiments using basic kitchen ingredients such as vinegar and baking soda to form carbon dioxide gas.
Life Science
Plants and animals have structures for respiration, digestion, waste disposal, and transport of materials. The study of the human body systems involves models of hearts and digestive tracts, and movies by such delightful creators as Bill Nye, The Science Guy and The Magic School Bus.
Earth Science
Water on Earth moves between the oceans and land through the processes of evaporation and condensation. Energy from the Sun heats Earth unevenly, causing air movements that result in changing weather patterns.
Grade 6
Focus on Earth Science
- Plate Tectonics and Earth's Structure
- Shaping Earth's Surface
- Heat (Thermal Energy) (Physical Science)
- Energy in the Earth System
- Ecology (Life Science)
Through readings, experiments and movies such as "The Dynamic Earth," 6th graders learn about the Earth above and below the surface.
Construction Zone - Grades 5 & 6
The classes also participate in competitions. 5th grade attempts to build the tallest, standing structure with 50 straws and tape. 6th graders attempt to build a structure that will hold several of their science books using only 50 straws and tape. The record for the 2003-2004 structure was 9 books!
