Students will learn about the forces that act on structures such as compression, tension and torsion.  The will experience these forces through experiments designed to give concrete examples.  Experiments will be written using the Scientific Method on a computerized database.  A bridge will be designed using the principles learned through lecture and experiment and then built to specifications as a class competition. 
 

COMPUTERS

The class will learn to fill out spreadsheets and make graphs this term.  The will also make use of the digital camera to help illustrate their compiled work in a multimedia slide show. 

Identifying Geometric Shapes - Find all the geometric shapes that are used to make up our structures in nature and in manmade structures.   Identify them and make nets to construct the shapes out of paper or other materials.

Transformational Geometry - Using the two dimensional shapes found in nature and on bridges,  apply translations, reflections, and rotations and describe the effect.

Create and Extend Patterns - Create a pattern to be used in construction of the bridge. 

Measurement - Use various methods and units of measurement to draw and design bridges.  Identify which units are appropriate to use. 

Number Sense and Numeration - Students will be given a specific amount of money to spend.  They will have to purchase goods through the construction company by writing cheques and filling out order forms.  They will also have to balance their accounts.
 

The reading program for this term consists of independent reading at home and at school.  The students are expected to document their readings in a log book and complete a reading response from the list of responses given to them at the beginning of the year.  Responses should be at least one page in length. 

Narrative writing will be the focus during the Structure Unit.  The basic structure will be taken from the First Steps Program.  The students will be introduced to the steps of narrative and be expected to write a short story based on an extreme weather event.  The Writing Process will be followed.  Good copies will be at least two pages in length.

The spelling program is an individual program in which the spelling words for each student are taken from their daily journal.  Two other attempts are made to spell the word, and then it is looked up and added to a personal dictionary. 
Lists 9-17 from the Canadian Spelling Program 2.1 will be completed and tested during this period of time.

In this summative assessment, students must demonstrate and apply the skills and knowledge they have developed and learned throughout the work of this unit.  They will develop a multimedia slide show of the design, building and destruction of the bridge with a focus on the forces acting on the structure.   Specific skills follow, and are based on the expectations found in the new ministry documents.