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Making Instruments to Explore Pitch and Volume

4/23/2013

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After learning about transverse and longitudinal waves, the Magical Minds began to play with frequency and amplitude.  We discovered over time that frequency is connected to pitch and amplitude is connected to volume.  

Next I presented the students with a design challenge: "Make an instrument that can change in pitch and volume."  They must be able to play the notes in order, and create a song to play in front of their peers.  

Inspired by PBS's Design Squad, we viewed the episode, "Rock On" and learned some helpful tips about how to create different pitch using length, thickness and tautness of materials.  Below are the magical instruments the kids created.
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Sound Waves Experiment: Making Music with Water

4/6/2013

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In our study of energy, we are investigating sound waves.  We have discovered that there are different types of waves, and sound waves are called compression/longitudinal waves.

By playing with a rubber band, we discovered that pitch is connected to frequency: the higher the frequency the higher the pitch.  

When we explored compression waves with a slinky we also discovered that the more taut the slinky, the higher the frequency.

Last night's homework was yet another inquiry into sound using glasses filled with different amounts of water.  The question I posed to the students was, why do the glasses make a different pitch?  What is going on?

Making Music With Water Homework by Erin 'Fitzmahan' Mahollitz

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Chemical Reactions: Creating Heat

3/19/2013

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Combining hydrogen peroxide and yeast, the Magical Minds discover that chemical reactions can create heat.  
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The Magical Minds have been investigating physical and chemical changes.  During our inquiry, I have introduced them to several experiments that beg the question, "How can you tell when it is chemical reaction?"

Up until this point, we had discovered two important indicators of a chemical reaction:
  1. You can't change it back.  
    For example a burnt piece of paper can never become paper again.

  2. It creates a new substance.
    For example when you combine baking soda (solid) with vinegar (liquid), you get a gas with very different properties than the original substances.


In this experiment, however, I wanted the Magical Minds to witness how chemical reactions can also create heat.  (This experiment is also my way of transitioning the students away from the topic of matter and onto the topic of energy.)

Foamy Fun Experiment

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Ooblek - Liquid or Solid?

3/5/2013

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While investigating the different states of matter, I threw a curve ball - Ooblek. 
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Ooblek is made from cornstarch and water, and when it's mixed to the right consistency it exhibits strange behavior. It's considered a Non-Newtonian substance because it doesn't obey the regular laws of viscosity. You can pour it, and you can sort of stir it- but if you apply pressure it hardens. My favorite stunt is to slap the substance.  Everyone (including myself) shirks, waiting for it to splash all over the place, but it hardens upon impact.
After playing and exploring with the Ooblek, the Magical Minds were asked to reflect on the material.  Is it a liquid or a solid?  They used the following indicators to formulate their thinking.
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Ooblek - Liquid or Solid by

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Space Studies: Do Constellations Move?

2/20/2013

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Why is that we see Orion only in the winter time?  
What is a birthday constellation?  
Why can't I see my birthday constellation on my birthday?

In order to help the Magical Minds better understand how and why constellations appear to change over time, we made a ring of constellations. Each child drew a constellation on a sentence strip, which we attached to make one big circle of constellations in their chronological order.  Similar to this...
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Once the constellation ring was made, we invited pairs of students into the circle to model their understanding.  Standing back to back, the Magical Minds demonstrated how the Earth orbits around the sun.  They took turns explaining that you cannot see your birthday constellation on your birthday because it is behind the sun, and invisible during the day.  While orbiting and rotating, they demonstrated that the constellations appear to move because of the Earth's movement.
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Roman Numerals, Invisible Ink and Chemical Reactions

9/24/2011

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The best part about Roman Numerals? Its like a code.  Codes are cool. You know what else is cool?  Invisible ink.  Even better...chemical reactions.

It all began with a math puzzle.  During snack, each Magical Mind was give a number, written out.  For example, nine hundred and nine.  Their task was to figure out how to write the number with digits. For example, 909.  

There were four numbers, and after snack I asked the kids with the same numbers to form teams.  They worked together to write their numbers, and then I gave them a challenge.  "Work with your team to write the Roman Numeral for your number."

Now for the invisible ink.  I wet a paintbrush in some brown liquid and painted a white piece of paper.  The liquid turned the paper a shade of bluish-purple, except where I had secretly written a Roman Numeral.  

Each team received a small vial of "mystery liquid" to write/paint their Roman Numerals.  They worked with each other to share materials and write their numbers.
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After setting our hidden messages aside to dry, we took a short break to clear our minds. I needed them to shift their minds from thinking mathematically to thinking scientifically.  

The invisible ink works because of a chemical reaction.  In order to help the Magical Minds understand what a chemical reaction is, I invited them to participate in a science experiment with Alka-Seltzer and baking soda. 

Each team got a set of four test tubes filled with clear liquid.  I informed them there were only two different kinds of liquids and asked them to use their senses to determine what the liquids were.
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Enzio and Joaquin use their senses to determine the liquids.
With some investigation the Magical Minds quickly discovered the test tubes held either water ("pool water" was the most common response) or vinegar. 

Each team was given a small piece of Alka-Seltzer and instructed to place half of the tablet in each liquid and observe the reaction, if there is one. I let them know that if they see a change in the liquid or a change in the Alka-Seltzer they would know it was a chemical reaction.  After watching the bubbling and fizzing, the kids agreed that the Alka-Seltzer reacted with both liquids, but it had a stronger reaction in the water.
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Next, each team was given a small vial with baking soda.  I asked them to test 1/8 tsp in each remaining test tubes and look for chemical reactions.  As you may have predicted the Magical Minds detected no chemical reaction when they added baking soda to water, but were giggly and excited when they witnessed the foaming reaction between baking soda and vinegar.
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Armed with a burgeoning understanding of chemical reactions, the Magical Minds returned to the invisible ink.  I demonstrated how I added iodine to water to create the brown-ish liquid.  "Paint the iodine water on top of the invisible ink and look for a chemical reaction."

What do you think?  Does the iodine react with the lemon juice?
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Our First Science Experiment and a Home Extension

9/7/2011

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Today was a most exciting day.  We had our first science experiment: "Observing Density."  Ed came and helped us explore how temperature effects the density of water.  We use food coloring to help us observe what happens when you add hot or cold water to room temperature water.

I invite the Magical Minds to extend their learning and do a science experiment at home. Below you will find two possible experiments.  My hope is that by Monday everyone will have had a chance to try at least one of them. 


NOTE: this is meant to be a FUN exercise.  Think of it as less of a homework assignment and more of an invitation to play. 
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    About the Author

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    Erin Mahollitz is an international teacher teaching 2nd Grade in San Francisco, CA. 

    She specializes in inquiry-based instruction, technology integration and social & emotional education.

    This website is a collection of stories, ideas, resources and lessons from Erin's classrooms.


    Follow @erinmahollitz

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