Welcome to your 3rd grade portal!
On this page you will find course materials, worksheets, homework exercises, videos, audio files and much more, all related to 3rd grade Science at RBIS. The material is here for you to use at your convenience. All Science students have access to this site and I want you all to make frequent use of it. You can use this site for revision, or to further clarify ideas discussed in class. This site will be updated frequently so remember to explore thoroughly!
Remember to also make use of your best resource - your teacher! I am always happy to answer any questions you may have, or to help in any way I can, whether your issue is related to Science or any thing else.
Remember to also make use of your best resource - your teacher! I am always happy to answer any questions you may have, or to help in any way I can, whether your issue is related to Science or any thing else.
What is Science?
Science is the study of the nature and behaviour of natural things and the knowledge that we obtain about them. A science is the study of some aspect of human behaviour, for example sociology or anthropology.
Science is how we try to improve our knowledge and understanding of the universe.
That’s a good definition, and perfectly true, but it doesn’t quite go far enough.
This is because science is not just learning about the universe. Science is the system we use to learn about the universe.
This definition of science is better:
‘Science is a means of improving our knowledge and understanding of the universe based on the collection of observation-based evidence.’
It’s a bit of a mouthful, but it’s a much better way to describe science.
What the ‘collection of observation-based evidence’ part means is that science relies on experiments. Experiments test whether a scientist’s explanations for why things happen are right or wrong.
To be even more precise, experiments provide evidence to support a scientist’s explanations for why or how things happen.
An introduction to your course
Over the course of the academic year, you will be studying :
1. Humans and animals
2. Living thing and their environment
3. States of matter
4. Sound
5. Electricity and magnetism
1. Humans and animals
2. Living thing and their environment
3. States of matter
4. Sound
5. Electricity and magnetism
Term 1 - Transdisciplinary
Theme
Topic 1 - Humans and animals
1.1 Animals and Skeletons
Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish have bony skeletons. These skeletons come in all shapes and sizes, but they also share common features.
All animals have skeletons of one sort or another. Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish have bony skeletons. These skeletons come in all shapes and sizes, but they also share common features. Look at these skeletons and see how they differ from each other. Why do you think they look this way? Can you spot any similarities between them?
The frog has well developed back legs, modified hip bones
and a reduced spine which allows it to jump and land easily.
Snakes have no arms or legs, but they can have
up to five hundred vertebrae in their flexible spine.
Some insects, such as locusts and beetles, have hard bodies.
Do you think they have bones?
Bones - are rigid parts that make up the skeleton if a vertebrate animal.
Internal - Something that is inside.
Skeleton - The framework of bones in your body.
Move - To change place or position; to go in a particular direction.
Support - A thing that bears the weight of something or keeps it upright.
Some animals and humans beings have bones inside their bodies.
The bones are joined together to form an internal skeleton.
Some animals have a backbone. Some do not.
Animals with backbones are called vertebrates - backboned animals.
Backboned animals have a hard body frame inside them - their skeleton.
Quick Fact: Bones give support and allow animals to move.Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals have a skeleton.
You are a mammal. You have a bony skeleton. Your skeleton grows with you.
Quick Fact: Animals that have a skeleton inside their body are called vertebrates. Those that have a protective layer outside their body and no bones inside are called invertebrates.
Internal - Something that is inside.
Skeleton - The framework of bones in your body.
Move - To change place or position; to go in a particular direction.
Support - A thing that bears the weight of something or keeps it upright.
Some animals and humans beings have bones inside their bodies.
The bones are joined together to form an internal skeleton.
Some animals have a backbone. Some do not.
Animals with backbones are called vertebrates - backboned animals.
Backboned animals have a hard body frame inside them - their skeleton.
Quick Fact: Bones give support and allow animals to move.Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals have a skeleton.
You are a mammal. You have a bony skeleton. Your skeleton grows with you.
Quick Fact: Animals that have a skeleton inside their body are called vertebrates. Those that have a protective layer outside their body and no bones inside are called invertebrates.
1.2 Your Skeleton
Key Words
Skeleton - Is the framework of bones in your body
Joints - The position of the body where two parts of the skeleton fit together for example the knee.
Spine - The spine is the backbone.
Skeleton - Is the framework of bones in your body
Joints - The position of the body where two parts of the skeleton fit together for example the knee.
Spine - The spine is the backbone.
Bones give us shape and a framework for vital organs to be stored safely inside .
The skull protects the brain.
Your skull protects the most important part of all, the brain. You can feel your skull by pushing on your head, especially in the back a few inches above your neck. The skull is actually made up of different bones. Some of these bones protect your brain, whereas others make up the structure of your face. If you touch beneath your eyes, you can feel the ridge of the bone that forms the hole where your eye sits.
And although you can't see it, the smallest bone in your whole body is in your head, too. The stirrup bone behind your eardrum is only .1 to .13 inches (2.5 to 3.3 millimeters) long! Want to know something else? Your lower jawbone is the only bone in your head you can move. It opens and closes to let you talk and chew food.
Your skull is pretty cool, but it's changed since you were a baby. All babies are born with spaces between the bones in their skulls. This allows the bones to move, close up, and even overlap as the baby goes through the birth canal. As the baby grows, the space between the bones slowly closes up and disappears, and special joints called sutures connect the bones.
The rib cage protects the heart and lungs.
Your heart, lungs, and liver are all very important, and luckily you've got ribs to keep them safe. Ribs act like a cage of bones around your chest. It's easy to feel the bottom of this cage by running your fingers along the sides and front of your body, a few inches below your heart.
If you breathe in deeply, you can easily feel your ribs right in the front of your body, too. Some thin kids can even see a few of their ribs right through their skin.
Your ribs come in pairs, and the left and right sides of each pair are exactly the same. Most people have 12 pairs of ribs, but some people are born with one or more extra ribs, and some people might have one pair less.
All 12 pairs of ribs attach in the back to the spine, where they are held in place by the thoracic vertebrae. The first seven pairs of ribs attach in the front to the sternum, a strong bone in the center of your chest that holds those ribs in place.
The remaining sets of ribs don't attach to the sternum directly. The next three pairs are held on with cartilage to the ribs above them.
The very last two sets of ribs are called floating ribs because they aren't connected to the sternum or the ribs above them. But don't worry, these ribs can't ever float away. Like the rest of the ribs, they are securely attached to the spine in the back.
The backbone protects the spinal cord.
The spine lets you twist and bend, and it holds your body upright. It also protects the spinal cord, a large bundle of nerves that sends information from your brain to the rest of your body. The spine is special because it isn't made of one or even two bones: It's made of 33 bones in all!
These bones are called vertebrae and each one is shaped like a ring.
There are different types of vertebrae in the spine and each does a different kind of job:
- The first seven vertebrae at the top are called the cervical vertebrae. These bones are in the back of your neck, just below your brain, and they support your head and neck. Your head is pretty heavy, so it's lucky to have help from the cervical vertebrae!
- Below the cervical vertebrae are the thoracic vertebrae, and there are 12 in all. These guys anchor your ribs in place. Below the thoracic vertebrae are five lumbar vertebrae. Beneath the lumbar vertebrae is the sacrum, which is made up of five vertebrae that are fused together to form one single bone.
- Finally, all the way at the bottom of the spine is the coccyx, which is one bone made of four fused vertebrae. The bottom sections of the spine are important when it comes to bearing weight and giving you a good center of gravity. So when you pick up a heavy backpack, the lumbar vertebrae, sacrum, and coccyx give you the power. When you dance, skip, and even walk, these parts help keep you balanced.
In between each vertebra (the name for just one of the vertebrae) are small disks made of cartilage. These disks keep the vertebrae from rubbing against one another, and they also act as your spine's natural shock absorbers. When you jump in the air, or twist while slamming a dunk, the disks give your vertebrae the cushioning they need.
The three functions of the skeleton are:
- Support
- Protection
- Movement
1.3 Growing Bones
Having strong bones in childhood lays a foundation for bone health throughout life. We build almost all our bone density when we're children and teens. The bone-building process is mostly finished around age 20.
As adults, we still replace old bone with new bone, but more slowly. Over time, our bones get weaker.
Kids with strong bones have a better chance of avoiding bone weakness later in life. As a parent, you can help by making sure kids get the three key ingredients for healthy bones: calcium, vitamin D, and exercise.
High-Calcium Foods
Calcium is a mineral that's known for building healthy bones. It's found in dairy products, beans, some nuts and seeds, and leafy green vegetables. It's also often added to foods like orange juice or cereal.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium.
Activities like riding a bike and swimming don't create this weight-bearing pressure. They are great for overall body health, but kids also need to do some kind of weight-bearing exercise.
Calcium is a mineral that's known for building healthy bones. It's found in dairy products, beans, some nuts and seeds, and leafy green vegetables. It's also often added to foods like orange juice or cereal.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium.
Activities like riding a bike and swimming don't create this weight-bearing pressure. They are great for overall body health, but kids also need to do some kind of weight-bearing exercise.
Key words
X-ray - picture on film often used in medical diagnosis.
X-ray - picture on film often used in medical diagnosis.
Bones - Rigid parts that makes up the skeleton of a vertebrate animal.
Cartilage - A flexible connective tissue found in the human body, for example the ear.
Calcium - A mineral found in the human body that is essential for healthy bones and teeth.
What Are Bones Made Of?
If you've ever seen a real skeleton or fossil in a museum, you might think that all bones are dead. Although bones in museums are dry, hard, or crumbly, the bones in your body are different. The bones that make up your skeleton are all very much alive, growing and changing all the time like other parts of your body.
Almost every bone in your body is made of the same materials:
If you've ever seen a real skeleton or fossil in a museum, you might think that all bones are dead. Although bones in museums are dry, hard, or crumbly, the bones in your body are different. The bones that make up your skeleton are all very much alive, growing and changing all the time like other parts of your body.
Almost every bone in your body is made of the same materials:
- The outer surface of bone is called the periosteum (say: pare-ee-OSS-tee-um). It's a thin, dense membrane that contains nerves and blood vessels that nourish the bone.
- The next layer is made up of compact bone. This part is smooth and very hard. It's the part you see when you look at a skeleton.
- Within the compact bone are many layers of cancellous (say: KAN-sell-us) bone, which looks a bit like a sponge. Cancellous bone is not quite as hard as compact bone, but it is still very strong.
- In many bones, the cancellous bone protects the innermost part of the bone, the bone marrow (say: MAIR-oh). Bone marrow is sort of like a thick jelly, and its job is to make blood cells.
How Bones Grow
When you were a baby, you had tiny hands, tiny feet, and tiny everything! Slowly, as you grew older, everything became a bit bigger, including your bones.
A baby's body has about 300 bones at birth. These eventually fuse (grow together) to form the 206 bones that adults have. Some of a baby's bones are made entirely of a special material called cartilage.
Other bones in a baby are partly made of cartilage. This cartilage is soft and flexible. During childhood, as you are growing, the cartilage grows and is slowly replaced by bone, with help from calcium.
By the time you are about 25, this process will be complete. After this happens, there can be no more growth — the bones are as big as they will ever be. All of these bones make up a skeleton that is both very strong and very light.
When you were a baby, you had tiny hands, tiny feet, and tiny everything! Slowly, as you grew older, everything became a bit bigger, including your bones.
A baby's body has about 300 bones at birth. These eventually fuse (grow together) to form the 206 bones that adults have. Some of a baby's bones are made entirely of a special material called cartilage.
Other bones in a baby are partly made of cartilage. This cartilage is soft and flexible. During childhood, as you are growing, the cartilage grows and is slowly replaced by bone, with help from calcium.
By the time you are about 25, this process will be complete. After this happens, there can be no more growth — the bones are as big as they will ever be. All of these bones make up a skeleton that is both very strong and very light.
1.4 Functions of the skeleton
The main functions of the skeletal system
The skeleton has six main functions:
1. Support – the skeleton keeps the body upright and provides a framework for muscle and tissue attachment.
2. Posture – the skeleton gives the correct shape to our body.
3. Protection – the bones of the skeleton protect the internal organs and reduce the risk of injury on impact. For example, the cranium protects the brain, the ribs offer protection to the heart and lungs, the vertebrae protect the spinal cord and the pelvis offers protection to the sensitive reproductive organs.
4. Movement – the skeleton allows movement of the body as a whole and its individual parts. The bones form joints and act as levers, allowing muscles to pull on them to produce movement.
The bones of the skeleton provide surfaces for the attachment of muscles.
5. Blood cell production – certain bones in the skeleton contain bone marrow which produces red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Examples of bones that contain marrow are the pelvis, sternum, humerus and femur.
6. Storage of minerals - the bones store minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium and phosphorous and release them into the blood when the body needs to use them.
The skeleton has six main functions:
1. Support – the skeleton keeps the body upright and provides a framework for muscle and tissue attachment.
2. Posture – the skeleton gives the correct shape to our body.
3. Protection – the bones of the skeleton protect the internal organs and reduce the risk of injury on impact. For example, the cranium protects the brain, the ribs offer protection to the heart and lungs, the vertebrae protect the spinal cord and the pelvis offers protection to the sensitive reproductive organs.
4. Movement – the skeleton allows movement of the body as a whole and its individual parts. The bones form joints and act as levers, allowing muscles to pull on them to produce movement.
The bones of the skeleton provide surfaces for the attachment of muscles.
5. Blood cell production – certain bones in the skeleton contain bone marrow which produces red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Examples of bones that contain marrow are the pelvis, sternum, humerus and femur.
6. Storage of minerals - the bones store minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium and phosphorous and release them into the blood when the body needs to use them.
1.5 Protecting your organs
What does the skeleton do?
The skeleton provides four major functions, which are;
1. Support
2. Protection: It protects our internal organs. The skull protects the brain; the thorax (sternum, ribs and spine) protects the heart, lungs and other viscera (organs within the thorax).
3. Movement
4. Supply & Storage
Why is the skeleton important?
When considering the four major functions of the skeleton it is easy to see why it is so important. Without it we would simply be a pile of 'jelly' lying on the floor, unable to move and with no blood or immunity. So maintaining a healthy functioning skeleton is part and parcel of being able to do all our daily activities and participate in all physical activities effectively.
The skeleton provides four major functions, which are;
1. Support
2. Protection: It protects our internal organs. The skull protects the brain; the thorax (sternum, ribs and spine) protects the heart, lungs and other viscera (organs within the thorax).
3. Movement
4. Supply & Storage
Why is the skeleton important?
When considering the four major functions of the skeleton it is easy to see why it is so important. Without it we would simply be a pile of 'jelly' lying on the floor, unable to move and with no blood or immunity. So maintaining a healthy functioning skeleton is part and parcel of being able to do all our daily activities and participate in all physical activities effectively.
Key Words
Skull - The skull is the set of bones that make up the head and protect the brain.
Ribs - The ribs are the bones that protect the organs inside the chest.
Ribcage - The bony frsam founf un the chest that is formed by all of the ribs. It protects the organs of the chest area.
Skull - The skull is the set of bones that make up the head and protect the brain.
Ribs - The ribs are the bones that protect the organs inside the chest.
Ribcage - The bony frsam founf un the chest that is formed by all of the ribs. It protects the organs of the chest area.
1.6 Muscles
Key words
Muscles - Bands of fibrous tissues in the body that contract to allow movement.
Tendons - Is a band of tissue that connects a muscle to the bone.
Muscles - Bands of fibrous tissues in the body that contract to allow movement.
Tendons - Is a band of tissue that connects a muscle to the bone.
Did you know you have more than 600 muscles in your body?
They do everything from pumping blood throughout your body to helping you lift your heavy backpack. You control some of your muscles, while others — like your heart — do their jobs without you thinking about them at all.
Muscles are all made of the same material, a type of elastic tissue (sort of like the material in a rubber band). Thousands, or even tens of thousands, of small fibers make up each muscle.
You have three different types of muscles in your body: smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and skeletal muscle.
Smooth Muscles
Smooth muscles — sometimes also called involuntary muscles — are usually in sheets, or layers, with one layer of muscle behind the other. You can't control this type of muscle. Your brain and body tell these muscles what to do without you even thinking about it. You can't use your smooth muscles to make a muscle in your arm or jump into the air.
But smooth muscles are at work all over your body. In your stomach and digestive system, they contract (tighten up) and relax to allow food to make its journey through the body. Your smooth muscles come in handy if you're sick and you need to throw up. The muscles push the food back out of the stomach so it comes up through the esophagus and out of the mouth.
Smooth muscles are also found in your bladder. When they're relaxed, they allow you to hold in urine until you can get to the bathroom. Then they contract so that you can push the urine out. These muscles are also in a woman's uterus, which is where a baby develops. There they help to push the baby out of the mother's body when it's time to be born.
You'll find smooth muscles at work behind the scenes in your eyes, too. These muscles keep the eyes focused.
Cardiac Muscle
The muscle that makes up the heart is called cardiac muscle. The thick muscles of the heart contract to pump blood out and then relax to let blood back in after it has circulated through the body.
Just like smooth muscle, cardiac muscle works all by itself with no help from you. A special group of cells within the heart are known as the pacemaker of the heart because it controls the heartbeat.
Skeletal Muscle
Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles, which means you can control what they do. Your leg won't bend to kick the soccer ball unless you want it to. These muscles help to make up the musculoskeletal (say: mus-kyuh-low-SKEL-uh-tul) system — the combination of your muscles and your skeleton, or bones.
Together, the skeletal muscles work with your bones to give your body power and strength. In most cases, a skeletal muscle is attached to one end of a bone. It stretches all the way across a joint (the place where two bones meet) and then attaches again to another bone.
Skeletal muscles are held to the bones with the help of tendons. Tendons are cords made of tough tissue, and they work as special connector pieces between bone and muscle. The tendons are attached so well that when you contract one of your muscles, the tendon and bone move along with it.
Skeletal muscles come in many different sizes and shapes to allow them to do many types of jobs. Some of the biggest and most powerful muscles are your calf and thigh muscles. They give your body the power it needs to lift and push things. Muscles in your neck and the top part of your back aren't as large, but they are capable of some pretty amazing things: Try rotating your head around, back and forth, and up and down to feel the power of the muscles in your neck. These muscles also hold your head high.
Face Muscles
You may not think of it as a muscular body part, but your face has plenty of muscles. You can check them out next time you look in the mirror. Facial muscles don't all attach directly to bone like they do in the rest of the body.
Instead, many of them attach under the skin. This allows you to contract your facial muscles just a tiny bit and make dozens of different kinds of faces. Even the smallest movement can turn a smile into a frown. You can raise your eyebrow to look surprised or wiggle your nose.
And while you're looking at your face, don't pass over your tongue — a muscle that's attached only at one end! Your tongue is actually made of a group of muscles that work together to allow you to talk and help you chew food. Stick out your tongue and wiggle it around to see those muscles at work.
Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles, which means you can control what they do. Your leg won't bend to kick the soccer ball unless you want it to. These muscles help to make up the musculoskeletal (say: mus-kyuh-low-SKEL-uh-tul) system — the combination of your muscles and your skeleton, or bones.
Together, the skeletal muscles work with your bones to give your body power and strength. In most cases, a skeletal muscle is attached to one end of a bone. It stretches all the way across a joint (the place where two bones meet) and then attaches again to another bone.
Skeletal muscles are held to the bones with the help of tendons. Tendons are cords made of tough tissue, and they work as special connector pieces between bone and muscle. The tendons are attached so well that when you contract one of your muscles, the tendon and bone move along with it.
Skeletal muscles come in many different sizes and shapes to allow them to do many types of jobs. Some of the biggest and most powerful muscles are your calf and thigh muscles. They give your body the power it needs to lift and push things. Muscles in your neck and the top part of your back aren't as large, but they are capable of some pretty amazing things: Try rotating your head around, back and forth, and up and down to feel the power of the muscles in your neck. These muscles also hold your head high.
Face Muscles
You may not think of it as a muscular body part, but your face has plenty of muscles. You can check them out next time you look in the mirror. Facial muscles don't all attach directly to bone like they do in the rest of the body.
Instead, many of them attach under the skin. This allows you to contract your facial muscles just a tiny bit and make dozens of different kinds of faces. Even the smallest movement can turn a smile into a frown. You can raise your eyebrow to look surprised or wiggle your nose.
And while you're looking at your face, don't pass over your tongue — a muscle that's attached only at one end! Your tongue is actually made of a group of muscles that work together to allow you to talk and help you chew food. Stick out your tongue and wiggle it around to see those muscles at work.
1.7 Moving your bones
&
1.8 Investigate moving bones
Muscles are also necessary for movement:
They're the masses of tough, elastic tissue that pull our bones when we move.
Together, our bones, muscles, and joints — along with tendons, ligaments, and cartilage — form our musculoskeletal system and enable us to do everyday physical activities.
Our muscles attach onto our bones using special tough tissue called tendons. When a muscle squeezes, it pulls on the tendon, and the tendon then pulls on the bone – and that's how we move! Big muscles pull big bones, like our arms and legs, so that we can walk and run and lift and carry.
Key words
Muscles - Fibrous tissues in the body tha contract to allow movement.
Contract - To contract a muscle is to allow it to become firm and tight, and smaller. It is the opposite or relax.
Relax - To relax a muscle is to allow it to become loose and less tight. It is the opposite of contract.
They're the masses of tough, elastic tissue that pull our bones when we move.
Together, our bones, muscles, and joints — along with tendons, ligaments, and cartilage — form our musculoskeletal system and enable us to do everyday physical activities.
Our muscles attach onto our bones using special tough tissue called tendons. When a muscle squeezes, it pulls on the tendon, and the tendon then pulls on the bone – and that's how we move! Big muscles pull big bones, like our arms and legs, so that we can walk and run and lift and carry.
Key words
Muscles - Fibrous tissues in the body tha contract to allow movement.
Contract - To contract a muscle is to allow it to become firm and tight, and smaller. It is the opposite or relax.
Relax - To relax a muscle is to allow it to become loose and less tight. It is the opposite of contract.
1.9 Drugs and medicines
Sometimes it seems like there are more medicines than there are diseases, and it can be hard to keep them straight. Some can be bought over the counter at pharmacies or other stores. Others require a doctor's prescription. Some are available only in hospitals.
What Are Medicines?
Medicines are chemicals or compounds used to cure, halt, or prevent disease; ease symptoms; or help in the diagnosis of illnesses. Advances in medicines have enabled doctors to cure many diseases and save lives.
These days, medicines come from a variety of sources. Many were developed from substances found in nature, and even today many are extracted from plants.
Some medicines are made in labs by mixing together a number of chemicals. Others, like penicillin, are byproducts of organisms such as fungus. And a few are even biologically engineered by inserting genes into bacteria that make them produce the desired substance.
When we think about taking medicines, we often think of pills. But medicines can be delivered in many ways, such as:
Medicines are chemicals or compounds used to cure, halt, or prevent disease; ease symptoms; or help in the diagnosis of illnesses. Advances in medicines have enabled doctors to cure many diseases and save lives.
These days, medicines come from a variety of sources. Many were developed from substances found in nature, and even today many are extracted from plants.
Some medicines are made in labs by mixing together a number of chemicals. Others, like penicillin, are byproducts of organisms such as fungus. And a few are even biologically engineered by inserting genes into bacteria that make them produce the desired substance.
When we think about taking medicines, we often think of pills. But medicines can be delivered in many ways, such as:
- liquids that are swallowed
- drops that are put into ears or eyes
- creams, gels, or ointments that are rubbed onto the skin
- inhalers (like nasal sprays or asthma inhalers)
- patches that are stuck to skin (called transdermal patches)
- tablets that are placed under the tongue (called sublingual medicines; the medicine is absorbed into blood vessels and enters the bloodstream)
- injections (shots) or intravenous (inserted into a vein) medicines
What are drugs?
A drug is a chemical that is not food and that affects your body.
Key words
Drugs - Is any substance that affects how your body works, for example Aspirin.
Medicines - Is a treatment of illness and injuries by doctors and nurses. Medicines are drugs used to treat illness.
Prescription - Something a doctor gives to a patient who requires a controlled medicine; a written instruction that allows the purchase of a medicine.
Pharmacy - A shop were you can buy medicines.
A drug is a chemical that is not food and that affects your body.
- Some drugs are given to people by doctors to make them healthy. These are called medicines or prescription (say pre-scrip-shun) drugs. Antibiotics are drugs.
- Some drugs are natural and can be found in some kinds of food or plants that are not a normal part of a person's diet.
- Some drugs are addictive, which means that it is very hard to stop using them even when they are harming your body.
Key words
Drugs - Is any substance that affects how your body works, for example Aspirin.
Medicines - Is a treatment of illness and injuries by doctors and nurses. Medicines are drugs used to treat illness.
Prescription - Something a doctor gives to a patient who requires a controlled medicine; a written instruction that allows the purchase of a medicine.
Pharmacy - A shop were you can buy medicines.
1.10 Different medicines
Different Types of Medicines
Medicines act in a variety of ways. Some can cure an illness by killing or halting the spread of invading germs, such as bacteria and viruses. Others are used to treat cancer by killing cells as they divide or preventing them from multiplying.
Sometimes a part of the body can't make enough of a chemical. That can also make you sick. Someone with insulin-dependent diabetes, for instance, has a pancreas that can't produce enough insulin (a hormone that regulates glucose in the body).
Some medicines treat symptoms but can't cure the illness that causes the symptoms. (A symptom is anything you feel while you're sick, such as a cough or nausea.) So taking a lozenge may soothe a sore throat, but it won't kill that nasty strep bacteria.
Some medicines relieve pain. If you pull a muscle, your doctor might tell you to take ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
These pain relievers, or analgesics, don't get rid of the source of the pain — your muscle will still be pulled. What they do is block the pathways that transmit pain signals from the injured or irritated body part to the brain (in other words, they affect the way the brain reads the pain signal) so that you don't hurt as much while your body recovers.
Among the most important medicines are immunizations (or vaccines). These keep people from getting sick in the first place by immunizing, or protecting, the body against some infectious diseases. Vaccines usually contain a small amount of an agent that resembles a specific germ or germs that have been modified or killed. When someone is vaccinated, it primes the body's immune system to "remember" the germ so it will be able to fight off infection by that germ in the future.
Most immunizations that prevent you from catching diseases like measles, whooping cough, and chickenpox are given by injection. No one thinks shots are fun. But the diseases they prevent can be very serious and cause symptoms that last much longer than the temporary discomfort of the shot. To make life easier, now you can get immunizations at many pharmacies.
No matter what type of medicine your doctor prescribes, it's always important to be safe and follow some basic rules:
Taking medicines may feel like a hassle sometimes. But medicines are the most effective treatments available for many illnesses. If you ever have any questions about what a medicine does or how you should take it, talk with your doctor or a pharmacist.
Medicines act in a variety of ways. Some can cure an illness by killing or halting the spread of invading germs, such as bacteria and viruses. Others are used to treat cancer by killing cells as they divide or preventing them from multiplying.
Sometimes a part of the body can't make enough of a chemical. That can also make you sick. Someone with insulin-dependent diabetes, for instance, has a pancreas that can't produce enough insulin (a hormone that regulates glucose in the body).
Some medicines treat symptoms but can't cure the illness that causes the symptoms. (A symptom is anything you feel while you're sick, such as a cough or nausea.) So taking a lozenge may soothe a sore throat, but it won't kill that nasty strep bacteria.
Some medicines relieve pain. If you pull a muscle, your doctor might tell you to take ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
These pain relievers, or analgesics, don't get rid of the source of the pain — your muscle will still be pulled. What they do is block the pathways that transmit pain signals from the injured or irritated body part to the brain (in other words, they affect the way the brain reads the pain signal) so that you don't hurt as much while your body recovers.
Among the most important medicines are immunizations (or vaccines). These keep people from getting sick in the first place by immunizing, or protecting, the body against some infectious diseases. Vaccines usually contain a small amount of an agent that resembles a specific germ or germs that have been modified or killed. When someone is vaccinated, it primes the body's immune system to "remember" the germ so it will be able to fight off infection by that germ in the future.
Most immunizations that prevent you from catching diseases like measles, whooping cough, and chickenpox are given by injection. No one thinks shots are fun. But the diseases they prevent can be very serious and cause symptoms that last much longer than the temporary discomfort of the shot. To make life easier, now you can get immunizations at many pharmacies.
No matter what type of medicine your doctor prescribes, it's always important to be safe and follow some basic rules:
- If you feel worse after taking a medicine, tell your doctor right away.
- Double-check that you have the right medicine. If you get the same prescription filled more than once, check that it's the same shape, size, and color as the last time. If not, be sure to ask the pharmacist about it.
- Read the label and follow directions. Ask if you have questions.
- Take medicines exactly as prescribed. If the instructions say take one tablet four times a day, don't take two tablets twice a day. It's not the same.
- Ask if the medicine is likely to affect everyday tasks such as driving or concentrating in school.
- Don't take more medicine than is recommended. It won't make you heal faster or feel better quicker. In fact, an overdose of medicine can make you sick.
- Always follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions. For instance, he or she may tell you to take a medicine with food to help lessen the stomach upset it can cause or instead to take the medicine on an empty stomach so as not to interfere with the medicine's absorption into your body.
Taking medicines may feel like a hassle sometimes. But medicines are the most effective treatments available for many illnesses. If you ever have any questions about what a medicine does or how you should take it, talk with your doctor or a pharmacist.
TOPIC 2 LIVING THING IN THIER ENVIRONMENT
2.1 The Importance of the Environment
What is the environment?
The environment is everything around us. All our surroundings including the air, soil, water, plants, and animals make up the environment. Plants and animals need a healthy environment to survive. An ecosystem is an area where living organisms interact in a specific way with the local environment to survive.
People make changes in the environment, too. Many of these changes are harmful to living things. Around the world, human activities have resulted in air and water pollution. People also have destroyed the habitats of many animals.
In addition, some scientists believe that people’s use of oil, coal, and natural gas has led to a dangerous condition called global warming. This is a rise in the temperature of Earth’s surface.
Today many people are working to protect the environment. These people try to conserve, or save, natural resources. They also try to recycle, or reuse, products to avoid waste and pollution.
KEY WORDS
Environment - The surroundings and conditions in which something lives.
Habitat - The natural home of a plant or animal.
Adapted - Something that has adapted has changed to suit conditions or needs.
The environment is everything around us. All our surroundings including the air, soil, water, plants, and animals make up the environment. Plants and animals need a healthy environment to survive. An ecosystem is an area where living organisms interact in a specific way with the local environment to survive.
People make changes in the environment, too. Many of these changes are harmful to living things. Around the world, human activities have resulted in air and water pollution. People also have destroyed the habitats of many animals.
In addition, some scientists believe that people’s use of oil, coal, and natural gas has led to a dangerous condition called global warming. This is a rise in the temperature of Earth’s surface.
Today many people are working to protect the environment. These people try to conserve, or save, natural resources. They also try to recycle, or reuse, products to avoid waste and pollution.
KEY WORDS
Environment - The surroundings and conditions in which something lives.
Habitat - The natural home of a plant or animal.
Adapted - Something that has adapted has changed to suit conditions or needs.
A habitat is the home of an animal or a plant. Almost every place on Earth—from the hottest desert to the coldest ice pack—is a habitat for some kinds of animals and plants. Most habitats include a community of animals and plants along with water, oxygen, soil or sand, and rocks.
The two main types of habitats are land habitats and water habitats.
Among the many types of land habitats are rainforests, deserts, and mountains. Because of their moist climate, rainforests support more kinds of plant and animal life than any other habitat.
In contrast, deserts support only animals and plants that can live without much water. Mountain habitats have thin soil and cold temperatures. Only hardy plants and animals live there. Other types of forests, grasslands, and tundras provide other land habitats.
Water habitats may contain freshwater or salt water. Freshwater habitats include streams, rivers, swamps, marshes, ponds, and lakes. Saltwater habitats include oceans, seas, salt lakes, salt marshes, and saltwater swamps. Some animals and plants, such as fish and seaweed, live entirely in the water. Others, such as otters and river weeds, live partly in and partly out of the water.
The two main types of habitats are land habitats and water habitats.
Among the many types of land habitats are rainforests, deserts, and mountains. Because of their moist climate, rainforests support more kinds of plant and animal life than any other habitat.
In contrast, deserts support only animals and plants that can live without much water. Mountain habitats have thin soil and cold temperatures. Only hardy plants and animals live there. Other types of forests, grasslands, and tundras provide other land habitats.
Water habitats may contain freshwater or salt water. Freshwater habitats include streams, rivers, swamps, marshes, ponds, and lakes. Saltwater habitats include oceans, seas, salt lakes, salt marshes, and saltwater swamps. Some animals and plants, such as fish and seaweed, live entirely in the water. Others, such as otters and river weeds, live partly in and partly out of the water.
Over long periods of time animals adapt to fit their habitat. This means that they develop traits that help them to survive where they live. Animals adapt so that they can stay safe, travel well, and find food in their habitat.
Many animals that live in cold habitats grow thick coats of fur to keep them warm. Their fur may also be white so that their enemies cannot see them when the ground is covered with snow. The hard shell of the desert tortoise keeps in moisture and protects it from enemies. Dolphins have sleek bodies for swimming in the ocean. Giraffes have long necks so that they can nibble tender leaves from the tops of trees.
Many animals that live in cold habitats grow thick coats of fur to keep them warm. Their fur may also be white so that their enemies cannot see them when the ground is covered with snow. The hard shell of the desert tortoise keeps in moisture and protects it from enemies. Dolphins have sleek bodies for swimming in the ocean. Giraffes have long necks so that they can nibble tender leaves from the tops of trees.
2.2 Adapting to different habitats
&
2.3 Investigating diferent habitats
An adaptation is a special skill which helps an animal to survive and do everything it needs to do. Adaptations could be physical changes to the animals body or behavioural changes in how an individual animal or a society do things in their daily lives.
Did you know... Meerkats have dark circles round their eyes, which act like sunglasses, helping them see even when the sun is shining very brightly.
Aye-ayes have a number of adaptations for nocturnal living (they tend to come out at night). They have big eyes and ears to help them see and hear well in the dark. They also have special thin fingers to help them find bugs and grubs to eat.
Aye-ayes have a number of adaptations for nocturnal living (they tend to come out at night). They have big eyes and ears to help them see and hear well in the dark. They also have special thin fingers to help them find bugs and grubs to eat.
Did you know... Aye-ayes also have long bushy tails to help them balance and keep them warm.
Many species adapt to their habitat to help them survive in difficult places. Some monkeys, like our black and gold howler monkeys, have adapted their tail to be prehensile.
They can use their tail to grip branches with like an extra arm or leg.
Some animals use camouflage colours to help them blend in with the background and stop predators seeing them. Sometimes predators also use it to avoid being spotted by their prey.
Many species adapt to their habitat to help them survive in difficult places. Some monkeys, like our black and gold howler monkeys, have adapted their tail to be prehensile.
They can use their tail to grip branches with like an extra arm or leg.
Some animals use camouflage colours to help them blend in with the background and stop predators seeing them. Sometimes predators also use it to avoid being spotted by their prey.
Adaptation is essential for the survival of living organisms. Animals, which are unable to adapt to changing environmental changes die. These adaptations are a result of genetic changes. The animals that survive pass on the mutated genes to their offsprings. This is known as natural selection.
2.4 Identifying and grouping animals
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2.5 Using identification keys
Mammals
There are approximately 5,000 species of mammals living today. Mammals differ from other vertebrate animals in that their young are nourished with milk from special mammary glands of the mother. Mammals are distinguished by several other unique features.
Hair is a typical mammalian feature, although in many whales it has disappeared except in the fetal stage. The mammalian lower jaw is hinged directly to the skull, instead of through a separate bone (the quadrate) as in all other vertebrates.
A chain of three tiny bones transmits sound waves across the middle ear. A muscular diaphragm separates the heart and the lungs from the abdominal cavity. Mature red blood cells (erythrocytes) in all mammals lack a nucleus; all other vertebrates have nucleated red blood cells. The oldest known animals classified as mammals evolved near the boundary of the Triassic and Jurassic Periods, some 200 million years ago.
There are approximately 5,000 species of mammals living today. Mammals differ from other vertebrate animals in that their young are nourished with milk from special mammary glands of the mother. Mammals are distinguished by several other unique features.
Hair is a typical mammalian feature, although in many whales it has disappeared except in the fetal stage. The mammalian lower jaw is hinged directly to the skull, instead of through a separate bone (the quadrate) as in all other vertebrates.
A chain of three tiny bones transmits sound waves across the middle ear. A muscular diaphragm separates the heart and the lungs from the abdominal cavity. Mature red blood cells (erythrocytes) in all mammals lack a nucleus; all other vertebrates have nucleated red blood cells. The oldest known animals classified as mammals evolved near the boundary of the Triassic and Jurassic Periods, some 200 million years ago.
Birds
Birds make up any of the 9,600 living species unique in having feathers, the major characteristic that distinguishes them from all other animals. They are warm-blooded vertebrates more related to reptiles than to mammals. They have a four-chambered heart (as do mammals), forelimbs modified into wings (a trait shared with bats), a hard-shelled egg, and keen vision. Their sense of smell is not highly developed, and their auditory range is limited.
Although most are capable of flight, others are sedentary, and some are flightless. In a manner similar to their relatively close relatives the reptiles, birds lay shelled eggs. The young are usually cared for in a nest until they are capable of flight and self-feeding, but some birds hatch in a well-developed state that allows them to begin feeding immediately or even take flight. (Nesting activities similar to those of some birds are seen in the crocodilians.)
Birds make up any of the 9,600 living species unique in having feathers, the major characteristic that distinguishes them from all other animals. They are warm-blooded vertebrates more related to reptiles than to mammals. They have a four-chambered heart (as do mammals), forelimbs modified into wings (a trait shared with bats), a hard-shelled egg, and keen vision. Their sense of smell is not highly developed, and their auditory range is limited.
Although most are capable of flight, others are sedentary, and some are flightless. In a manner similar to their relatively close relatives the reptiles, birds lay shelled eggs. The young are usually cared for in a nest until they are capable of flight and self-feeding, but some birds hatch in a well-developed state that allows them to begin feeding immediately or even take flight. (Nesting activities similar to those of some birds are seen in the crocodilians.)
Reptiles
Reptiles are air-breathing vertebrates. They have internal fertilization, amniotic development (in which the embryo develops within a set of protective extra-embryonic membranes—the amnion, chorion, and allantois), and epidermal scales covering part or all of their body. The major groups of living reptiles—the turtles, tuataras, lizards and snakes, and crocodiles account for over 8,700 species.
Reptiles evolved from amphibians during the first part of the Pennsylvanian subperiod (323 million to 299 million years ago) and retained many amphibian structural characteristics. While most reptiles feed on other organisms, a few are herbivorous (e.g., tortoises). As cold-blooded animals, reptiles tend to be limited to temperate and tropical areas, but, where they occur, they are relatively common; however, they are not as large or conspicuous as birds and mammals.
Most reptiles are terrestrial, but a few are aquatic. They move about by creeping or swimming in a fashion similar to amphibians. Some reptiles, however, can lift the body from the ground and run rapidly either in a quadrupedal or bipedal fashion. Reptiles lay relatively large, shelled eggs. In a few instances, the eggs and young are cared for by the female; in others, the young are born alive.
Reptiles are air-breathing vertebrates. They have internal fertilization, amniotic development (in which the embryo develops within a set of protective extra-embryonic membranes—the amnion, chorion, and allantois), and epidermal scales covering part or all of their body. The major groups of living reptiles—the turtles, tuataras, lizards and snakes, and crocodiles account for over 8,700 species.
Reptiles evolved from amphibians during the first part of the Pennsylvanian subperiod (323 million to 299 million years ago) and retained many amphibian structural characteristics. While most reptiles feed on other organisms, a few are herbivorous (e.g., tortoises). As cold-blooded animals, reptiles tend to be limited to temperate and tropical areas, but, where they occur, they are relatively common; however, they are not as large or conspicuous as birds and mammals.
Most reptiles are terrestrial, but a few are aquatic. They move about by creeping or swimming in a fashion similar to amphibians. Some reptiles, however, can lift the body from the ground and run rapidly either in a quadrupedal or bipedal fashion. Reptiles lay relatively large, shelled eggs. In a few instances, the eggs and young are cared for by the female; in others, the young are born alive.
Amphibians
Amphibians evolved from fully aquatic tetrapods.
The name amphibian, meaning “living a double life,” reflects this dual life strategy—though some species are permanent land dwellers, while other species have a completely aquatic mode of existence.
There are three living groups of amphibians (caecilians, salamanders, and anurans [frogs and toads]) that, collectively, make up more than 7,300 amphibian species.
Fish
The first fishes are thought to have emerged some 518 million years ago during the Cambrian Period of Earth’s history. Today, there more than 30,000 species of fishes found in the fresh and salt waters of the world. Living species range from the primitive, jawless lampreys and hagfishes through the cartilaginous sharks, skates, and rays to the abundant and diverse bony fishes.
Fishes range in adult length from less than 10 mm (0.4 inch) to more than 20 meters (60 feet) and in weight from about 1.5 grams (less than 0.06 ounce) to many thousands of kilograms. Some live in shallow thermal springs at temperatures slightly above 42 °C (100 °F), others in cold Arctic seas a few degrees below 0 °C (32 °F) or in cold deep waters more than 4,000 meters (13,100 feet) beneath the ocean surface.
Fish reproduction methods vary, but most fishes lay a large number of small eggs that are fertilized and scattered outside of the body. The eggs of pelagic (open ocean) fishes usually remain suspended in the open water, while many shore and freshwater fishes lay eggs on the bottom or among plants. The mortality of the young and especially of the eggs is very high, and often only a few individuals grow to maturity out of hundreds, thousands, and in some cases millions of eggs laid.
The first fishes are thought to have emerged some 518 million years ago during the Cambrian Period of Earth’s history. Today, there more than 30,000 species of fishes found in the fresh and salt waters of the world. Living species range from the primitive, jawless lampreys and hagfishes through the cartilaginous sharks, skates, and rays to the abundant and diverse bony fishes.
Fishes range in adult length from less than 10 mm (0.4 inch) to more than 20 meters (60 feet) and in weight from about 1.5 grams (less than 0.06 ounce) to many thousands of kilograms. Some live in shallow thermal springs at temperatures slightly above 42 °C (100 °F), others in cold Arctic seas a few degrees below 0 °C (32 °F) or in cold deep waters more than 4,000 meters (13,100 feet) beneath the ocean surface.
Fish reproduction methods vary, but most fishes lay a large number of small eggs that are fertilized and scattered outside of the body. The eggs of pelagic (open ocean) fishes usually remain suspended in the open water, while many shore and freshwater fishes lay eggs on the bottom or among plants. The mortality of the young and especially of the eggs is very high, and often only a few individuals grow to maturity out of hundreds, thousands, and in some cases millions of eggs laid.
An identification key is a printed or computer-aided device that aids the identification of biological entities, such as plants, animals, fossils, microorganisms, and pollen grains.
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2.6 Human activity and the environment
Humans impact the physical environment in many ways: overpopulation, pollution, burning fossil fuels, and deforestation. Changes like these have triggered climate change, soil erosion, poor air quality, and undrinkable water. These negative impacts can affect human behavior and can prompt mass migrations or battles over clean water.
Pollution is when gases, smoke and chemicals are introduced into the environment in large doses that makes it harmful for humans, animals and plants. ...
Our Earth has an atmosphere that's made up of different gases. The amount of gases on our atmosphere is just right to encourage life on our planet.
Our Earth has an atmosphere that's made up of different gases. The amount of gases on our atmosphere is just right to encourage life on our planet.
The Different Kinds of Pollution
Air Pollution – The vehicles that we
useto get around such as cars,
planes and trucks contribute to air pollution. These vehicles use fossil
fuels, like gas, to power its engines.
If you notice the smoke that comes
out of our vehicles, what you are
seeing is carbon dioxide. Due to the large number of vehicles in the world today, we are adding too much
carbon dioxide to our atmosphere, causing the planet’s temperature
to rise. This is the concept behind global warming.
But the toxic smoke coming out of our vehicles is just a small part of our air pollution problem today. Factories which are used to produce many of the consumer products we enjoy every day also give off toxic substances that pollute our air.
Not only does air pollution cause smog, it also causes sickness such as asthma and other respiratory diseases.
Air Pollution – The vehicles that we
useto get around such as cars,
planes and trucks contribute to air pollution. These vehicles use fossil
fuels, like gas, to power its engines.
If you notice the smoke that comes
out of our vehicles, what you are
seeing is carbon dioxide. Due to the large number of vehicles in the world today, we are adding too much
carbon dioxide to our atmosphere, causing the planet’s temperature
to rise. This is the concept behind global warming.
But the toxic smoke coming out of our vehicles is just a small part of our air pollution problem today. Factories which are used to produce many of the consumer products we enjoy every day also give off toxic substances that pollute our air.
Not only does air pollution cause smog, it also causes sickness such as asthma and other respiratory diseases.
Land Pollution – Can you imagine how much trash is produced by 7 billion people? Did you ever think about where the trash goes? Some of the stuff that we throw away are toxic to our environment, like plastic.
They contain chemicals that can leak intothe ground and contaminate the water we drink. These chemicals can even reach our oceans, rivers and lakes. This is the reason why you should practice the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse
and Recycle.
We are encouraged to minimize the waste that ends up in the landfills so we won’t contaminate our environment. If we really need to throw out our stuff, we should do so properly by bringing them to recycling centers where they can use the materials to make other new products. This is effective way to manage our waste and keep them from reaching our landfills.
Water Pollution – What will we do when we run out of clean water to drink? What will happen when the oceans, rivers and lakes are so polluted that all the fish and aquatic animals die? Water keeps us alive and it’s very important for us to have clean drinking water. There was a time when we can safely drink from our faucets, but now, we don’t know if the water is really safe to drink and we buy purified water in bottles.
Humans are the cause of water pollution, directly and indirectly. We mindlessly throw our trash in the ocean, not thinking about what that may cause. Ships that carry oil can have accidents, spilling all that toxic oil into the ocean, causing havoc in our marine ecosystem and polluting our waters. Do you know that there are areas in the Pacific Ocean where there are “islands of trash?”
Humans are the cause of water pollution, directly and indirectly. We mindlessly throw our trash in the ocean, not thinking about what that may cause. Ships that carry oil can have accidents, spilling all that toxic oil into the ocean, causing havoc in our marine ecosystem and polluting our waters. Do you know that there are areas in the Pacific Ocean where there are “islands of trash?”
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2.7 Waste and Recycling
Waste Disposal - Removing and destroying or storing damaged, used or other unwanted domestic, agricultural or industrial products and substances. Disposal includes burning, burial at landfill sites or at sea, and recycling.
Over Six billion people live on our earth. Every person creates waste such as food packages made of cardboard and plastic, aluminum cans, worn out tires, used paper, broken down cars, bent bicycle wheels, old toothbrushes, grass clippings, leftover food, old movie tickets, empty containers of cleaning products, etcetera.
In towns and cities all over the world, trash is put into a dump. A dump is a place where trash is left in one spot on top of the ground or in deep holes in the earth. The holes are filled with trash. This is done year after year, until there is no more room at the dump. Then, a new dump is begun. In some towns, there is no room left for dumps. Trash has to be moved to the dumps in other towns.
One of the worst problems with older dumps is that polluting chemicals were dumped there before any rules were made about how to handle it. Those chemicals seep into the soil and into the water, polluting that also.
In some towns and cities where the space for dumps is running out, laws have been passed that make people recycle. Using something again is called recycling. (You’ll learn more about that later.)
For example, a lot of used plastic and glass can be melted and reshaped into new containers, carpeting, playground equipment, and a lot of other useful items. Paper can be cleaned, soaked in water, and turned into new paper. The steel from old cars can be melted and made into new cars. There are as many ways to reuse things, as there are things to use! All we have to do is think!
Over Six billion people live on our earth. Every person creates waste such as food packages made of cardboard and plastic, aluminum cans, worn out tires, used paper, broken down cars, bent bicycle wheels, old toothbrushes, grass clippings, leftover food, old movie tickets, empty containers of cleaning products, etcetera.
In towns and cities all over the world, trash is put into a dump. A dump is a place where trash is left in one spot on top of the ground or in deep holes in the earth. The holes are filled with trash. This is done year after year, until there is no more room at the dump. Then, a new dump is begun. In some towns, there is no room left for dumps. Trash has to be moved to the dumps in other towns.
One of the worst problems with older dumps is that polluting chemicals were dumped there before any rules were made about how to handle it. Those chemicals seep into the soil and into the water, polluting that also.
In some towns and cities where the space for dumps is running out, laws have been passed that make people recycle. Using something again is called recycling. (You’ll learn more about that later.)
For example, a lot of used plastic and glass can be melted and reshaped into new containers, carpeting, playground equipment, and a lot of other useful items. Paper can be cleaned, soaked in water, and turned into new paper. The steel from old cars can be melted and made into new cars. There are as many ways to reuse things, as there are things to use! All we have to do is think!
What is Recycling?
Recycling means making rubbish into something new. Every time you throw something away it gets sent to a landfill. More and more rubbish is piled on top until it is too big and the landfill has to be closed.
The great thing is that most things can be recycled. Every day, clever scientists come up with new ways to make use of things we usually consider rubbish. But what exactly do they do with the recycling?
How are things Recycled?
Toys that you can plug in or use batteries, like your Nintendo or PlayStation, can be recycled but need to be taken to special electrical recycling stations. They will take out all of the pieces and separate them into recycling bins.
Glass, metal, and plastic are all melted down and remade into new things, but paper recycling is a little different.
How can you Tell what can be Recycled?
Whenever you buy food, you should check the wrapper to see if it can be recycled. Most food packets will have little pictures on the back like the ones below. These pictures tell you if the wrapper can be recycled or not.
What is Upcycling?
Upcycling is a great way to reuse things you don’t want to throw away. Rather than throwing away old clothes, you could make them into something else. Just ask your parents for some of their old clothes and try turning them into something new.
Start Recycling at School
How much paper do you use at school? Well, it is used for school books, exercise books, on posters, boxes, and just about everywhere you can see. Teachers would not be able to do their jobs without paper, but what happens to all of this paper?
Sadly, without recycling bins, it probably ends up in landfills and becomes useless. Most of the rubbish schools produce is made of paper, which means most school rubbish can be recycled.
Rather than throwing all of your paper intothe rubbish bin, ask your teachers to create a special paper bin. All of the schools paper can then be recycled into new paper. You could create bright labels for your bin to make your friends and teachers more interested in using it.
If you have a drinks machine in your classroom, make sure there is a bin next to it for drinks cans. Just like the paper bin, you can decorate it to make it stand out.
Another great way to get your class recycling is by creating a compost heap. All you need to do is make sure there is a bin for unwanted food at the side of the playground. You could even get the kitchen chefs to give you all of their vegetables peels.
The compost can be used to grow vegetables for the school kitchen, for cooking lessons, or to be sold at the school fair. Selling your vegetables and compost at the school fair is a great way to teach others about how great recycling is.
Make sure everyone in your school knows that they are supposed to be recycling. Make bright and colourful posters with instructions about how to recycle – and make sure you tell them where the bins are kept.
Recycling means making rubbish into something new. Every time you throw something away it gets sent to a landfill. More and more rubbish is piled on top until it is too big and the landfill has to be closed.
The great thing is that most things can be recycled. Every day, clever scientists come up with new ways to make use of things we usually consider rubbish. But what exactly do they do with the recycling?
How are things Recycled?
Toys that you can plug in or use batteries, like your Nintendo or PlayStation, can be recycled but need to be taken to special electrical recycling stations. They will take out all of the pieces and separate them into recycling bins.
Glass, metal, and plastic are all melted down and remade into new things, but paper recycling is a little different.
How can you Tell what can be Recycled?
Whenever you buy food, you should check the wrapper to see if it can be recycled. Most food packets will have little pictures on the back like the ones below. These pictures tell you if the wrapper can be recycled or not.
What is Upcycling?
Upcycling is a great way to reuse things you don’t want to throw away. Rather than throwing away old clothes, you could make them into something else. Just ask your parents for some of their old clothes and try turning them into something new.
Start Recycling at School
How much paper do you use at school? Well, it is used for school books, exercise books, on posters, boxes, and just about everywhere you can see. Teachers would not be able to do their jobs without paper, but what happens to all of this paper?
Sadly, without recycling bins, it probably ends up in landfills and becomes useless. Most of the rubbish schools produce is made of paper, which means most school rubbish can be recycled.
Rather than throwing all of your paper intothe rubbish bin, ask your teachers to create a special paper bin. All of the schools paper can then be recycled into new paper. You could create bright labels for your bin to make your friends and teachers more interested in using it.
If you have a drinks machine in your classroom, make sure there is a bin next to it for drinks cans. Just like the paper bin, you can decorate it to make it stand out.
Another great way to get your class recycling is by creating a compost heap. All you need to do is make sure there is a bin for unwanted food at the side of the playground. You could even get the kitchen chefs to give you all of their vegetables peels.
The compost can be used to grow vegetables for the school kitchen, for cooking lessons, or to be sold at the school fair. Selling your vegetables and compost at the school fair is a great way to teach others about how great recycling is.
Make sure everyone in your school knows that they are supposed to be recycling. Make bright and colourful posters with instructions about how to recycle – and make sure you tell them where the bins are kept.
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The states of matter
Links for Solid,liquids and gases
introduction
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/materials/solids_liquids_gases/read/1/
solids
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/materials/solids_liquids_gases/read/2/
liquids
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/materials/solids_liquids_gases/read/3/
gases
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/materials/solids_liquids_gases/read/4/
game
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/materials/solids_liquids_gases/play/
quiz
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/materials/solids_liquids_gases/quiz/q76443379/
introduction
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/materials/solids_liquids_gases/read/1/
solids
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/materials/solids_liquids_gases/read/2/
liquids
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/materials/solids_liquids_gases/read/3/
gases
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/materials/solids_liquids_gases/read/4/
game
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/materials/solids_liquids_gases/play/
quiz
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/materials/solids_liquids_gases/quiz/q76443379/