How many mascots are there around the world?

Learning intention: We are learning to develop our understanding of time, continuity and change. 
Success criteria: I know I can do this when I find facts about mascots, what they do and where we can find them.

Help! There are big flashes in the dark sky!

Look out! Do you see some light flashing in the sky? That's called lightning! Do you know how to protect yourself and your family when there is a thunderstorm?

 Thunder or lightning is made of moisture, air (that is warm and can rise fast) and force that can push upwards. 

 Thunderstorms can appear anytime, any minute, but they mostly appear in spring, summer or in the afternoon or evening. 

 All thunderstorms are dangerous, so don't underestimate their power of destruction. Lightning is made out of electricity. 

Inside a thundercloud, many tiny bits of ice (frozen rain) bump into each other while they move around aimlessly in the air. After a short time, the whole thundercloud is filled up with electrical charges. Protons or positive charges form at the top of the cloud and the negative charges or electrons form at the bottom. When they attract, protons starts to gather on the ground. Then they will move towards anything that is tall like trees, people or mountains. A proton charge will go up the cloud and cause an electron to go down to the ground which will make lightning strike!

 If you want a more simple example, try rubbing your hands on the carpet and then touching a doorknob. If you do, you will feel a shock on your finger which might hurt a lot. This is because there are protons in the doorknob and electrons in your hand which causes the electric flow. 

 If your skin feels tingly or if your hair stands up straight then a lightning bolt is forming! In this situation, it is best to curl up into a ball shape, as lightning will have a lower chance of hitting you. Do not lay your body out. If you hear lightning, run towards shelter. Do not wash dishes, take showers, or fill your cups with water, because water is an excellent conductor of electricity. If you see some black clouds with bright lights flashing, it is best to get to a shelter to avoid any serious injuries.

Learning intention: We are learning to follow the structure of an explanation. 

Success criteria: I know I can do this when I write about thunderstorms, how they form and a concluding statement about thunderstorms.

There are a lot of countries participating in the Olympics!

Learning intention: We are learning about the Rio Olympics.
Success criteria: I know I can do this when I mark the countries that are participating in the Rio Olympics on Google my maps.

'Why are we here?' Can you spot the relative adverb?

Learning intention: We are developing our understanding of the English Grammar.

Success criteria: I know I can do this when I write five examples and explain what relative adverbs are.

Help! A funnel is pulling me inside!

Look out! Do you see a spinning funnel? That is called a tornado! If you want to be prepared, you will have to learn how tornadoes form so you can run away to safety and protect your family and all your loved ones.

Scientists claim that tornadoes start from winds from different altitudes. One is hot and the other is cold (normal) wind. They will blow at different directions around each other, in a pattern like they are 'chasing' each other. When they get faster, a cloud will appear above them. The wind forms into a funnel shaped cloud for the top of the tornado. The cloud will be powerful enough to grow in size and make a thunderstorm. The funnel starts growing and growing until it lowers and lowers then eventually hits the ground and annihilates anything and everything in its path. Tornadoes can destroy nearly everything like houses, cars, people, infrastructures, plants and animals. But tornadoes do have a short life. Some stay as short as only 3 minutes before losing its force then it starts to calm down.

If you see a tornado coming your way, it is best to run away to protect yourself from nature's wrath!

Learning intention: We are learning to follow the structure of an explanation.

Success criteria: I know I can do this when I write how tornadoes form, how they work and a concluding statement about tornadoes.

Is that mountain shooting out lava?

Ever wonder why some mountains shoot out smoke? These mountains are called volcanoes, and we know that they can cause a lot of disasters. Volcanoes can form from islands.  But how are they created?

If we want to find out, then we need to figure out what's inside the middle of the Earth, because charts say that volcanoes get their lava from underground.

The Earth has an inner core, that is surrounded with an outer core, with a protecting mantle and lastly, the crust. Since the Earth's core is very hot, it melts the mantle into lava. Some of the mantle's lava goes up through the small cracks in the crust that reaches up to the surface, releasing lots of heat. From that, smoke sometimes comes up through the holes in the ground.

The lava starts to create volcanic rock layers on top of each other, eventually forming a cone-like shape. There are different types of volcanoes that have a faster flow of lava and some releases more lava, rocks and gas when it erupts.

Volcanoes are thought to be disastrous mountains, but if there were no volcanoes, we would not have islands that are divided.

Learning intention: We are learning to follow the structure of an explanation.

Success criteria: I know I can do this when I write about how volcanoes are formed.

The factory is big. Can you spot the synonym?

Learning intention: We are learning to develop our English Grammar.
Success criteria: I know I can do this when I give six examples of synonyms. 

Is 'which' a relative pronoun?

Learning intention: We are learning to understand the English Grammar.
Success criteria: I know I can do this when I give six examples of relative pronouns.

Is the car long or short?

Learning intention: We are learning to develop our English Grammar.
Success criteria: I know I can do this when I give four examples of antonyms that have the opposite meaning to another word.

Are black holes always big?

How are black holes formed?

Black holes are created when giant stars that are as big as our sun (or bigger) explode. They start to pull objects to it, and the middle becomes very dark. Once the things are inside, they are compressed into a smaller size, for example, if the Earth encountered a black hole, it would be the size of a golf ball.

Some theories say that black holes, when things are  inside, end up somewhere else.

Giant stars, when they explode, will create giant black holes. They will travel around, until they lose their energy and then fade away into nothing.

Some black holes become giant. They mostly stay in the centre of the galaxies. They are called 'Supermassive Black Holes.' It is said that radiation cannot escape them, but scientists have not proven that yet. They do know that they cover a large area and that they get their size by 'eating' small stars, space debris and asteroids.

Black holes are thought to suck things in, but some people say that things fall into them. This theory has not been proven yet, for no technology that has been used in space has gone into a black hole yet and no cameras have any recordings.

Black holes are very unique but can be very destructive. Let's hope that a medium sized black hole doesn't goes into our Solar system.

Learning intention: We are learning to follow the structure of an explanation.

Success criteria: I know I can do this when I write an introduction, an explanation and a conclusion to explain how black holes are formed.

Are pyramids supposed to be flat?

How were Pyramids built?

Pyramids are giant triangular shaped buildings that were tombs for special Egyptian kings called Pharaohs.

Pharaohs planned these pyramids for when they die as a burial place. They ordered giant workforces of around 11,000 workers to build at least one pyramid. They started with pyramids with steps on them, but later on they gained the knowledge to mould limestone to make smooth, angled shapes to form pyramids. The workers worked for days, weeks, months and even years to make the pyramids.

Finally, when they were done, their Pharaoh ordered it as his own burial ground for himself. If not, his other family members. They mostly bury gold weapons and tools with them because they think they need it in the afterlife.

Pyramids lasts for thousands of years and some lay undiscovered, waiting for explorers to find the treasure within them and learn about the life of the Egyptians.

Learning intention: We are learning to follow the structure of an explanation.

Success criteria: I know I can do this when I write an introduction, explanation and a conclusion to explain how pyramids were built.

Can you swim?

Learning intention: We are learning about Rio Olympics. 
Success criteria: I know I can do this when I write the rules and the techniques for the swimming event.

Is there several or some books here?

Learning intention: We are learning to understand the English grammar.
Success criteria: I know I can do this when I give three examples of adjectives that can describe a quantity of something.

I cannot wait for my Holy Communion!

Wow! I just got my Confirmation Certificate! Did you know where I had my confirmation ceremony?I had at the St. Patrick's Cathedral in the city.

It all started when I was in the car, waiting to be dropped off at St. Patrick's Cathedral. We parked near the sidewalk and then walked towards the church. My mother accompanied me inside a building opposite the cathedral for church lessons. A doorway was open with some stairs that led down to a small corridor then a second doorway let you into the venue.

My mom signed in to let them know that I was there, then I sat on the carpet quietly. My mother sat on a metal chair nearby, watching. She gave me my pens and pencils and my file book when I needed them. Lots of other kids were there too but we only had one teacher. There was supposed to be two, but the other one was sick. The lesson took an hour. After that, my mother and I went up the steps again into the parking lot and then walked into the Cathedral.

Inside, there were few people already. I took a seat and tried to reserve the whole pew until my whole family arrived. When they came, the pew was full and we couldn't fit anymore. One had to stay standing while we were sitting. Before long our teacher announced the people that were getting their certificates by saying our names on the microphone. I was one of them! I felt very happy to receive it! The certificate was covered in plastic and has my name on it and the symbols of the Holy Spirit.

When the ceremony was over, my family and I left the cathedral.  We drove home and we put my certificate on the table. I felt honoured to have been confirmed in my faith to be a son of God and a Christian.

Learning intention: We are learning to follow the structure of a recount.

Success criteria: I know I can do this when I write a title, followed by the events and then a conclusion of my Confirmation ceremony.

Duck! No, not the actual duck!

Learning intention: We are learning to understand the English grammar.
Success criteria: I know I can do this when I give three examples of words that have a different meaning depending on its context.

Do you know anything interesting about the upcoming Rio Olympics?

Learning intention: We are learning about Rio Olympics.
Success criteria: I know I can do this when I write six facts about Rio Olympics.