The Solar System

Hello to one and all! I'm sure you are really excited about this new chapter about the Solar system. As you explore this segment, there are key questions you could reflect upon. Enjoy the trip in the solar system! Blast-off! Let's learn about the composition of our solar system and discover more about each planet. What makes up our solar system? Do planets move and how? How many planets are there? How can you remember all the planets? What is an orbit? How long does it take for the planets to move around the Sun? Why does the Sun and the Moon appear to e similar in size? Earth, Sun and Moon Movement of the Earth: Rotation and Revolution. What is the difference between the two types of movement? Read on. Does our Earth move or is it the Sun? How do we get day and night? How do we know how many days makes a month and a year? Rotation The Earth rotates on its own axis. This axis is an imaginary line that passes through the North Pole and the South Pole.It takes about 24 hours or one day to complete one rotation. Explore a model of Earth's rotation : View Earth's rotation Revolution The Earth also revolves round the Sun in its orbit. This process of moving around the Sun is called revolution.It takes about 365 days or one year for the Earth to complete one revolution around the Sun. Explore a model of Earth's revolution: View Earth's revolution around the Sun Satellites What are satellites? A satellite is an object that revolves round a larger object in space. There are natural satellites and man-made ones. Find out more about satellites. Is the moon a satellite? Are there other moons in our solar sysyem? What is a solar eclipse and a lunar eclipse? Why does the moon appear different at different days of the month? Examine the phases of the moon. Check the actual phase of the moon now and compare to your own sightings of the moon in the sky. Hmmm...going further into space. Find out more about these: (no, they are not chocolates!) milky way, galaxy, shooting star, asteroid belt, meteor showers Can we see other planets from Earth? Discover how technology has helped us to learn more about our solar system. Let's take a short quiz and see how much you've discovered. QUIZ

Theme 3: Energy-Light

Light Can you recall whether light is a matter or non-matter? Great if you can! Have you wondered what light is all about? Well, you are going to have a really fun time learning more about light. Don't miss out the chance to try out these interactive sites to help you understand more about Light:

• Learn about sources of Light , the Sun and how it works.
• Learn about colour, light and everything else that matters about light.
• Be a space explorer as you learn about light and dark

1. Reflection of Light Let's learn more about reflection and how it allows us to see things. How do we see things? You will learn that:

• Light travels in a straight line
• Light can be reflected.
• Hard, smooth and shiny surfaces are good reflectors of light

2. Transparent, Translucent and Opaque (under construction) Have you ever wondered what is the difference? Take a look to find out more. 3. Shadows Take a look at these amazing videos on shadows.

Learn how to make such hand shadows.

4. Learn about shapes and sizes of shadows Light and shadow You will learn that:

• Shadows can be made bigger by either moving the light source closer to the object or the object closer to the light source.
• Tilting the light source can also cause shadows to be formed
• Different objects will cast different shapes of shadows.

5. Learn about the effects of the Sun and ...hmmm....Moon?

Light and dark You will learn that :

• The sun is the source of light.
• The sun rises from the east and when it is low in the sky in the morning, shadows are long and they point to the west.
• The sun sets in the west and as it is low in the sky in the evenings, shadows are also long and they point to the east.
• When the sun is directly above our heads at noon,the shadows are short.
• The moon is NOT a source of light but it reflects the light from the sun. The reflected light is sufficient to cast shadows.

Reflection: What have you learnt? How did the websites or videos help you to learn about light? Do you have any questions regarding light that you would like to learn more about?

Theme 2: System-The Circulatory System

The Circulatory System of Human Let's have a look at the overview of the human circulatory system. Just click to enlarge.

1. Interactive game challenges you to put together your organs in a 3D jigsaw puzzle. Click on 'Organs Game'. Try arranging the heart and lungs in their correct position.
2. Learn how the heart pumps blood
3. Animation of a heart
4. Animation of red blood cells The Circulatory System of Plants Let's have a look at the overview of the plant circulatory system. Just click to enlarge. Reflection: How similar and different are the circulatory systems of human and plants?

Theme 2: System-Air and the Respiratory System

Let's see the overview of this unit on Air and the Respiratory system. Just click to enlarge it. 1.The human respiratory system and their functions. Humans use lungs to breathe. Let's learn more. Click on the following links:

1. Find out the names and functions of the parts of the respiratory system.
2. Find out how we breathe.
3. Click on the blanks in the graphic organiser and type in the answers.

- Lungs

-How we breathe 2.The fish respiratory system and their functions.

Fishes breathe differently than us. Fishes use gills and take in water that contains dissolved oxygen. Dolphins, whale, dugongs and platypus are a few examples of mammals which use lungs to breathe. Let's observe how fishes breathe. View the video below to find out how water (containing dissolved oxygen) enters the mouth and passes through the gills. 3. The plant respiratory system and their functions. Plants uses stomata which are found on the underside of leaves for the exchange of gases. Let's take a look.

Reflect: Compare the differences and similarities among human, fish and plant respiratory systems.