Maglev #2/3
This week we added more power. We did this by sticking 2 more bar magnets on top of the old ones. But since the old ones and the new ones repelled, we had to flip the bottom ones so it could stick. I thought there might be a problem, since wouldn’t the train just stick to the bottom magnet? Plus, it wouldn’t be just as powerful. In fact, it would be less powerful! But it did work, and we were happy. The placement of the strip magnets on the tracks was very common. Everybody used it the idea!
The first time, we failed. That’s because our train had South, and the train tracks were North. So it stuck. We fixed that by taking the train out, and then we switched sides. Now it was North to North, so it repelled and the train levitated! When we got it right, though, we needed to make the train fly higher. So, the way we improved it is that we added another 2 magnets to the track.
I learned a lot of things from this experience, from what a maglev is, to the EDP (Engineering Design Process). The EDP, in case you don’t know, goes like this: Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Improve. Working with groups is also something I learned. It told me teamwork is hard, but it pays off. A maglev is a levitating vehicle that works with magnets. That’s what maglev stands for: Magnetic levitation.
The Hamster Story Book 1: Chapter 3
Chapter 3: Hillary Part 1
“Fa- no, wait- for- doesn’t sound right-“David said, unsure.”Mommy, what does that say?” He moved his homework off his lap and put the books inside of his bag.
Martha moved the steering wheel from side to side. “It says ‘Furryville Airport’. We’re heading there so we can go to Afri- Oh no! The plane leaves in an hour! Alright, let’s use them, but this will be the last time…” Martha pushed a button so suddenly that Luke and David jumped. “The newest technology, hamsters! Behold, the flying car! No, that is not the right intro- Whatever. Just, buckle up tightly, alright? The air seems a little rough today…”
“WHAT!? Martha, when we lived together, you told me everything. But not that you had invented a flying car!” Luke screamed. He quickly pulled his seat belt as tight as possible. Then, he reached over and did the same to David, who protested but still let Luke do it. After that, Luke put everything back into the the bag as quick as lightning. “Okay.” Luke said, finally calming down. “I want to know how you built it, and when was the last ‘accident’ with this car.
Martha quietly replied “I shall not tell you anything about how I made it. But, there was once a… tragedy. My friend, Hillary, has something to do with it. I was making this, and, we were also going to Africa. I told Hillary about this car, and she wanted to ride and fly in it to Africa. But this was not finished. She still wanted to go, so I said okay. Then, came the ‘big day’. We rode on it till we got to a traffic jam. She pressed the button and suddenly, the car went sailing through the sky! We finally saw the rooftops of the trees. I was going to land in an opening, but then the car sputtered out some smoke. I tried to steer it to a safe place, but the car resisted. Suddenly, the car dropped on Hillary’s side! I was to weak to do much of anything, but what I could do was drag Hillary to an opening. I prayed she would be okay. And that’s my story.”
Luke said, “So that’s how she died.” He slowly looked out the window. Then, he jumped up in surprise.”Ah! Someone used a stick or rock to carve ‘Help! I’m Hill’!
“Hill? That’s a strange name. What I think is that they meant something else, like Hillary…” She suddenly stopped. “…but they got chased off. Hillary survived. Period.”
Christmas Poems
Santa’s Watching
Christmas time is coming, it’s time we must be good. For Santa’s watching everyday, and we forgot we should. Clean our room and wash the car, help mum with every chore, for presents we are after, and a good one we must score. No time to chat, no time to play, there’s dishes to be done. There will be time later, for us to have some fun!
My Christmas Tree won’t Grow
Ho ho ho, snow snow snow, what can I do, my Christmas tree won’t grow, I sang it a carol, I sang it a song, I’ve fed it mince pies, where’ve I gone wrong? So I ran it a bath, with herbs and salts, I prayed and hoped, I waited and waited. Then I pulled it out, and measured it once, measured it twice, measured it again. Oh dear. It was just as short, just the same.
I’m a Little Gingerbread Man (to be sung as “I’m a Little Teapot”)
I’m a little gingerbread, as cute as can be, draw two blue lines to help me see, add a brown circle for my nose, and a happy smile as red as a rose. Now draw some black buttons, 1-2-3. I’m the gingerbread man, you’ll never catch me!
Christmas Sights
I like to see the stockings, I like to see the gifts. I like to see the bells, I like to see the tree, and I like to see Santa looking right at me!
Come, Santa
Once upon a time, I made a wish with a dime. “I wish Santa come on Christmas, put something special in my socks. So every night, I watch out for Santa. Waiting for a huge guy, with huge belly to show up. Then one night, my wish came true. I saw someone huge near my socks, putting something there, I was shocked it was my DAD!
Where are you, Santa?
Santa, Santa where are you? This Christmas I’ve been looking for you. I’m gonna wish something as I’ve been good, except this Christmas Eve, I ate a lot of food!
Maglev #2
This week we added more power. We did this by sticking 2 more bar magnets on top of the old ones. But since the old ones and the new ones repelled, we had to flip the bottom ones so it could stick. I thought there might be a problem, since wouldn’t the train just stick to the bottom magnet? Plus, it wouldn’t be just as powerful. In fact, it would be less powerful! But it did work, and we were happy. The placement of the strip magnets on the tracks was very common. Everybody used it the idea!
The first time, we failed. That’s because our train had South, and the train tracks were North. So it stuck. We fixed that by taking the train out, and then we switched sides. Now it was North to North, so it repelled and the train levitated! When we got it right, though, we needed to make the train fly higher. So, the way we improved it is that we added another 2 magnets to the track.
I learned a lot of things from this experience, from what a maglev is, to the EDP (Engineering Design Process). The EDP, in case you don’t know, goes like this: Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Improve. Working with groups is also something I learned. It told me teamwork is hard, but it pays off. Something else is that a maglev is a levitating vehicle that works with magnets. That’s what maglev stands for: Magnetic levitation.
Maglev #1
A maglev train is a train that levitates with the power of magnets. You have to attach magnets to the train’s bottom and the train tracks for it to work. My group thought we should use bar magnets and disc magnets.
Today, when we tried to make the train levitate, it worked on the second try. The first attempt left train stuck to the tracks. The second levitated an inch from the tracks. My group and I decided we would try to put two strip magnets on the tracks, and then we would put disc magnets on the bottom of the train. We tried to do it, and it didn’t work at first. One of the train’s magnets were on a different side, so it attracted to the tracks. That’s why the first one did not work, because it stuck.
My group didn’t really pay attention in the first few minutes, but we pulled it together. We first cut the strip magnets. We measured it, and that was a bit hard. Then when we cut it, it was also hard, because the strip magnet was very hard. But when we set it up, it was easier than expected. We still struggled to make sure the magnets were on the right side, and that it repelled, but it still was easy.
The Hamster Story Book 1: Chapter 2
Chapter 2: The Monster
The monster crept silently down the stairs. Though it was big and gruesome, it moved swiftly and without a sound. Nobody even noticed a thing, with all the racket going on. David and Luke were busily trying to beat each other in Candy Land. Martha attempted to get the spaghetti sauce just right. She tried many times, and failed on each attempt. She heard thumping, but thought it was just her dizzy and exhausted head. She finally got it right, and called them downstairs for dinner. “David! Luke! Dinnertime!” The monster was so surprised from the yell that he stumbled down the stairs.
Meanwhile, David and Luke were bustling to get to the dinner table first. “Ha! I got here first. You’re so slow! Slow-po!” David laughed. “Awww… Well, at least I tried.” Luke said. He knew David was still very little, and that he didn’t start to be polite just yet. He sat down on a chair, with David right next to him. They traded jokes and riddles, and made funny faces at each other. Martha repeatedly shook her head and sighed.
Just about then, they all heard a noise. It sounded almost like a roar, but not quite. They all stopped chatting, and started hiding wherever there was a nook or corner they could see. All except Martha. Martha only mumbled”Could the Egyptian Monster be back? I slayed it, or at least I think…”Her voice faded off. She saw it. The terrible ugly back of the monster. She thought “The monster cannot see. Only hear. But their hearing definitely makes up for the fact their blind. I think I’ll just stay very quiet, and let him pass.” But the monster did not go. If he were not blind, he would be looking all over the place. And David and Luke did not know he could hear very well. So, David whispered everything that would cross his mind. The monster heard all their chit-chat, especially the negative comments on him. He started roaring and pounding his chest. Martha knew that that meant he wanted a battle. So she leaped into action. As she grabbed a sword on display, she swung her feet around and kicked him. Remember, she was a hamster, and a pretty brave one too.
The monster roared in pain. Martha swung her sword from side to side, except the monster dodged it just by a centimeter. She punched and kicked, and even used her furniture, just so she could destroy the monster. David and Luke were both a blur of “Oooos” and “Ahhhs”. But deep down inside, they just hoped and prayed that she would be okay. Finally, on the 51st shot, Martha sliced the monster in half. But just as they were going to celebrate, out came a spirit of the monster. And it said in a spooky but firm voice “You killed my body. But destroying my spirit needs a more powerful tool then a sword. It is the Conniption Dagger. The most powerful thing in Africa, I’d say. But yes, as a limitless thing, it has obstacles harder than stone. You might even ‘chicken out’ during the first problem. See you, if you come back in one piece.”They all gasped. David did loudest.”I’ll miss a whole week of drawing random things! Waaaaaaaaaaahhhh!” Martha said “I’ll get my IPhone. David, you’re going to have to miss a few weeks of school. Alright, honey?” David stopped crying after he heard that. Instead, he cheered. “Luke, pack our needed utensils. We’re leaving tomorrow.” Luke went into David’s room and found some pencils and a notebook. He put them into his empty bag. Then he went to the kitchen and grabbed a few dozen paper plates. He dug in the cabinets and found reusable plastic forks, knives, and spoons. He stuffed those into his bag also. He was about to get food from the fridge when Martha suddenly said “Don’t grab them. We’ll hunt animals and pick fruits. Let nature do the rest.”
The Hamster Story Book 1: Chapter 1
Chapter 1: The Storm
Once upon a time, there was a hamster farmer. He planted crops full of golden corn. He owned a fine field of fresh, ripe vegetables with cows, sheep, roosters and pigs roaming through. But one day, he was listening to the radio when he heard an alert that said”There is a ginormous storm heading to our town. It will include hail, rain, and lots of wind. I strongly urge everyone to get to the nearest shelter possible. Thank you for listening. And now, back to the music.”The hamster farmer gasped. He had to abandon his barn! And to think it would be blown away. He thought” The least I could do is get the animals safe.” So he jumped on one of the cows and lead the other animals to the nearest house.
He knocked on the door and whispered “Martha? Its me, Luke. Heard about the storm? Well, I need shelter. May I come in?” Martha came to the door.”Oh, Luke. I’ll get a towel. Please, come in.” Luke sighed in relief. He went inside and saw a little hamster crouching while playing with cars and trucks. Luke immediately recognized him. “David! Why, hello. What have you got there?” David jumped up and said”Uncle Luke! I’m in Kindergarten now, and I’m five years old. Look, I also lost a tooth!” “Well, looks like someone is growing up!” ” Luke, Luke, Luke.” Martha suddenly said, appearing over there shoulder.” Being your sister is such hard work. Next time, would you wipe your feet? You’re tracking mud all over the place!” ” Ha! Alright. Now what’s for dinner?” Martha sighed.” You two hungry monsters. Spaghetti, with extra sauce.” She shook her head and started cooking. David led Luke to his room. He opened a drawer and said” I have no more paper, and all the crayons are chipped! Hmph. I guess we have to play a board game. There up in the attic. I’ll get it.”He went up and opened the attic door. He took a Candy Land game and went out. But, he forget to close the door. And inside that attic, there was a treasure chest. Inside that treasure chest, there was a monster. That treasure chest had not been opened since Martha found it. Yes, Martha was once a treasure hunter. But after she gave birth to David, she vowed to stop hunting. Remember how David forgot to close the door? Well, light was the key to the monster’s treasure chest. So the chest creaked open, and out came the monster.
Non-Fiction Reading
This Thursday, we started non-fiction reading. Mrs. Boyer told us our non-fiction reading group was our table. She explained that she would give us a basket with books that had the same topic, and we would have to gather more of those books. We would also need to build a bigger topic, such as sports. My table got plants, and we searched the bookshelf in hope of finding more. Then, we decided it would be easier to take a step forward and make it nature. We found some animal books, to go with insects.
We built the tower(of books)as high as we could, and after a while we looked at it. The stack was about a foot or two, and we felt proud. Suddenly, Mrs. Boyer announced,”Now, since you made a stack, you will have to sort all the books into different sections.” She came over to our table and said,”You should sort on the carpet, because of your stack.” We carried our books one at a time to the rug,and dumped them there.
My table put the books into one stack, and one by one sorted them into groups. We started with plants. Then we found plant books and put them in the pile of plant books. After that, we made other stacks. We finished that, and Mrs. Boyer told us to pick one small topic to read. My table discussed it for a while, and then decided on animals, since it was the biggest stack.
We took the animal books back to our table, and looked through it. It had a lot of penguin, wolf and elephant books, so we kept those and put the other animal books on the shelf. Then, we each took one of the penguin books, and started reading. We learned so many different things, from learning how they camouflage to how they swim. The End.
Electromagnets
Today in class, we made electromagnets. Except these ones we didn’t wrap all the way around the bolt(with the wire). So, me and my science group used wire, a few paperclips, a bolt, a battery, and a battery holder.
We first wrapped the wire to a quarter of the bolt. Then, we attached the wire to the battery holder with the battery inside. We tried to get the paperclips to “stick” to the electromagnet. It didn’t stick. We recorded(wrote) what happened on a sheet of lined paper. After that, we wrapped the wire a little further down the bolt, around the middle. We tried to pick up the paperclips, but it didn’t work. Then we wrote our thoughts down. A little later, we wrapped the wire to a third of the bolt. We attempted to pick up the paperclips, and we succeeded! Then we scribbled our words down. We finally wrapped it all the way to the end, where we found that it was much easier to pick the paperclips up. We were given sheets with questions on them.
If someone asked me,”What did you learn about electromagnets?” I would have answered,” I learned that electromagnets are not permanent, but temporary. That’s because you can disassemble them, or they might run out of power.”If someone also asks me”What questions do you have about magnets?” Then I would have said” How are magnets made? What are magnets made out of? Can a magnet be made out of ordinary metal?”This was a great opportunity for me to learn more about magnets.