Science Blogging Assigment

Today you are going to be creating a science blog on a specific topic.  You will be working with a partner to create the blog. You can design the blog in any way you would like but the blog must answer the required questions. 

Grade 4s: You have been working on Light/ Sound for your unit.  With your partner please create a blog on one of the following topics.

1)What is the difference between natural light and artificial light.
2) How Solar Panels use light to make power.
3) What animals have the best hearing (why can they hear what humans can't)
4) What are the dangers for prolonged exposure to bright light and loud sounds (ie. computer screens, loud music.)

Grade 5's: You have been working on properties of matter.  You must create a blog on one of the following topics:
1) What is the difference between a physical and chemical change?
2) What are some pros and cons of using chemicals in food products.
3) How does a recycling plant use changes of matter.
4) Changes in the states of matter happen everyday. Pick one change that is problematic and what humans could do to help stop it (ex. melting icecaps)

Your blogs must:
- Have at least 8 points of research and relevant information.
- At least 3 pictures.
- At least 1 hyperlink to a website with further information.
- Be organized and well designed. (easy to navigate and read)

Looking at Websites Activity

Using the criteria below, you and your partner need to navigate the following websites and give me 3 reasons why it is either real or fake.

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/vaquita

http://www.thedogisland.com

http://www.fvza.org/

http://www.guineafarm.com/

http://www.deadlysins.com/guinea-worm

http://www.dhmo.org/

http://www.miketheheadlesschicken.org/mike

http://www.carbonmonoxidekills.com/

http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/species/pacific.html


Finished Early?
- with your partner complete the Jo Cool or Jo Fool Online smarts game by clicking this link:

http://mediasmarts.ca/sites/mediasmarts/files/games/joecool_joefool/en/start_tour.html

Criteria for a true Website

Real or Fake- Okay so there is no Tree Octopus, however, we learned quickly that not everything we read online is true fact.  We can use some certain clues to help identify if a website is real:

1) Authority-
- Who is responsible for the website?
- is it published by a a person, company or organization?
- what are their credentials?
- are they an expert on the topic?
-is the information reliable and trustworthy?

2) Currency
- is the website current and up to date?
-are there lots of broken links?
-does it look like the site hasn't changed in a long time?
- does the information need to be changed or is it suitable for long term use?

3) Content/ Purpose
-why does this site exist?
-what kind of information can I get from this site?
-is the site for entertainment, information or some other purpose?
-is it trying to sell me something?

4)Audience
- who is the website aimed at?
-is the language level appropriate for the audience?
-does the design meet the target audience?
- would the audience find it interesting?

5) Structure/ Workability
- how easy is the site to use?
-how easy is it to to find the information you need?
-is it quick and do the pages load quickly?
-would I come back to this webpage or was it a bad experience?

Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus

Today you will be researching a very unique and special animal. The Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus.  Please click on this link to go to the website:  http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus.  Once on the website please research on the page to find the answers to the following questions:

Feel Free to type up your answers or write down on loose paper.

1. What is the geographical location of the octopus?
2. What is its habitat?
3. What is the average size?
4. What are the use of its tentacles?
5. What is the usual skin colour?
6. What is its reproductive cycle?
7. Does it have any predators?
8. Is there any other tree octopus species?
9. Choose one way you can help save the species.

This websites are for the next activity: 

Chemistry Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division http://www.dhmo.org/ 

Carbon Monoxide http://www.carbonmonoxidekills.com/ 

Endangered animals Save the Guinea Worm http://www.deadlysins.com/guineaworm/index.htm 

Endangered species: Vaquita http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/vaquita/vaquita.html