Teaching Strategies, Tactics, and Methods

To put it simply, opinion writing is a formal piece that requires your opinion on a topic. Usually, opinion writing comes in an essay, articles, or informative reports, but opinion writing skills are featured across various writing styles. Opinion writing is defined by the ability to justify an opinion with reasons, facts, and resources that can legitimize the viewpoint.

What is Opinion Writing Structure?

Title

Opinion Writing will often follow a compact structure that will reinforce the given viewpoint step by step. The form will always begin with a title. The title of an opinion piece should be used to convince readers to continue with the essay or article. An excellent way to do this is by using a question. For instance, “Are Pandas Worth Saving?” This question immediately divides the audience into for or against and encourages them to read on to gain more information.

Opening Statement

Next is your opening statement, which needs to be a punchy summation of your opinion. Your readers have started with their own opinion; let’s say they believe that pandas should be saved, and they will be looking to your opening sentence as a prompt to understand which side of the argument you fall on. For this example, the writer disagrees and believes pandas shouldn’t be saved. The reader will now be looking for you to justify this standpoint. The first paragraph elaborates on the first sentence, where you state the finer points of your view and add a little context to your motivation.

Argument

After this compelling opening, the opinion writing structure presents an argument. It’s all well and good to have an opinion that you’re passionate about, but to create an idea-based piece of writing, there needs to be a further argument. For example, why aren’t pandas worth saving? Is your statement about their declining numbers, difficulty keeping them in captivity, or poor diet choices? Or do you not like pandas and don’t care much if they go extinct? It’s essential to give transparent and honest arguments that back up your stated opinion, as this is an opportunity to start informing the reader or changing their mind.

Perhaps there’s a reason they haven’t thought of that you can give or a new piece of information they don’t know. Either way, it’s the first step in justifying why you think your opinion is correct.

Evidence

Next up is the supporting evidence. This is the longest part of the opinion writing structure as it takes the most detail. There are loads of ways that you can bring supporting evidence into your opinion writing. For example, you can quote experts on your subject who agree with your point, giving you a sense of authority as you show you have informed your opinion. Visual aids are also great; graphs and charts quickly convey information supporting your ideas. The best thing about evidence is that it’s difficult to refute if you find a reputable source. This lowers the chances of a reader disagreeing with you.

Top Tip – You can repeat the argument and evidence stage as often. The more you do, the more authoritative your voice becomes.

Conclusion

Conclusions are the final piece of the opinion writing structure, echoing the opening. Your aim here isn’t to introduce people to your opinion but to sum everything up and remind them of what they have read. “Pandas shouldn’t be saved because they infrequently mate, eat bamboo with little nutritional value, and cost lots of money to keep.” It can be easy to provide a conclusion that states everything but the tricky part is making a powerful, lasting sentiment in the reader. Try using emotive language to reinforce your voice – “Pandas cannot be saved. They are terrible at reproducing to save their species; they feast on plants that give them no nutrition and bleed the pockets of zoos and conservatories world wide.” The same points are being made, but now the audience finishes your writing with an emotional response to your opinion.

Definition: Parenthesis Punctuation

A parenthesis is a word, phrase, or sentence inserted into writing as extra information using brackets, commas, or dashes. If the parenthesis is taken away, the passage would still be complete without it – it’s an afterthought or bonus. The plural is a parenthesis.

Parenthesis is excellent for adding extra information to your writing that might not be essential, but you think it is valuable anyway.

What is an example of parenthesis?

Take a look at these example sentences to see the parenthesis at work.

• Please read the analysis (I hope you enjoy it).
• Joe (accompanied by his trusty Bassett hound dog) was always welcome.
• When he got home (it was already dark outside), he fixed dinner.
• You are late for class again (aren’t you?).
• My friend Chloe (three months older than me) is coming to my house tonight.

The First Light Bulb

A Brief History

The electric light bulb is one of the everyday objects that we rarely pay attention to, even though it has a complex history. It is thought that Thomas Edison invented the first light bulb in 1879, though scientists and inventors had been exploring how to create incandescent light bulbs for several decades before Edison.

What is Incandescent Light?

The first light bulbs were all “incandescent” light bulbs, meaning they were created using a glass bulb or lamp which had all the air sucked out of it to make a vacuum (a space with very little or no air) and in this glass bulb there has to be a fragile piece of metal (also known as a filament) held by an electrical circuit. The wire is heated up and starts to glow to create light.

Who Invented the Light Bulb? – Early Explorations

As far back as 1802, a scientist named Humphry Davy from England invented a simple electric light. He experimented with electricity and created a circuit with a small battery. The carbon glowed when he connected wires to his battery with a piece of carbon between the cables. This circuit became known as the Electric Arc Lamp, but it burned too brightly and quickly for it to be used in homes.

Other Attempts to Create Electric Light

In the decades following Davy’s attempt at creating the first light bulb, other inventors also had a go at making light bulbs. Still, unfortunately, none of their designs were able to overcome all the problems that Humphry Davy first noticed. These attempts sometimes muddy the water when answering the question of “who invented the first lightbulb,” as technically, the standard answer of Thomas Edison is not strictly true.

Inventors such as Humphry Davy and Warren de la Rue had already had a go at creating their light bulbs, but these attempts were not as sophisticated as Thomas Edison’s design, which was both cheap and long-lasting. Some of the most notable attempts to create a light bulb were:

Humphry Davy

Humphry Davy, an English chemist, invented the first electric light in 1802. After experimenting with electricity, he developed an electric battery that made the carbon glow and produced light when he connected wires to the battery and a piece of carbon. His invention was known as the Electric Arc lamp. However, the light did not burn long, making it impractical for commercial use.

Warren de la Rue

In 1840, British scientist Warren de la Rue created a circuit similar to Davy. He used electrical wires and a battery, but instead of carbon, he used a filament of platinum coiled up very tightly. He put this circuit into a glass tube and created a vacuum inside so the platinum could not react with the air. This electric lamp burned for much longer than Davy’s design, but platinum was costly.

Joseph Wilson Swan

In the 1850s, a physicist named Joseph Wilson Swan experimented with different glass chambers, vacuums, and metals to use as filaments. He managed to create several ‘working prototypes’ but was never able to create a light bulb that was both long-lasting and cheap.

A young Thomas Edison.

When was the light bulb invented? — Swan vs Edison

One of the major problems hindering the progress of the invention of the light bulb was the cost. The early light bulbs were expensive, therefore, not practical for commercial use. Joseph Swan took it upon himself to tackle this issue of cost. The English chemist used carbonized paper filaments instead of platinum filaments in his light bulb, which was much more cost-effective. Swan received a patent for his design in 1878 and demonstrated a working lamp a year later in February 1879.

However, things were not all smooth sailing for Swan. The vacuum pumps used in his lightbulb design were not overly efficient at the time. This meant that while he could use his light bulb for a simple demonstration, it was still unsuitable for everyday use.

One person who saw the flaw in Swan’s design was Thomas Edison. Edison saw that a thin filament with a high electrical resistance was a much better option, as it only needed a small current to make it glow. Edison used this idea to create his design, which he demonstrated in a light bulb in December 1879. Swan took Edison’s improvements and applied them to his light bulb. With this, he formed his own electrical lighting company in England.

Edison sued Swan for patent infringement because his design had been stolen. However, Swan’s patent was a strong claim. Eventually, Edison and Swan joined together to form Edison-Swan United, the world’s largest manufacturer of light bulbs.

Swan was not Edison’s only competitor in the fight to invent the light bulb. Two Canadian inventors, Henry Woodward and Matthew Evans, filed their patent for an electric lamp in 1874. This lamp contained different-sized carbon rods held between electrodes in a glass cylinder filled with nitrogen. Woodward and Evans attempted to sell their lights for commercial use but were unsuccessful. They ended up selling their patent to Edison in 1879.

Edison went from strength to strength with his light bulb and soon founded his own company, the Edison Electric Illuminating Company of New York, in 1880. The company, supported by a selection of wealthy investors, built the first electrical generating stations to supply power to electrical systems and newly patented light bulbs. The first official electrical generating station opened in September 1882 on Pearl Street in Lower Manhattan, New York.

By this point, many of Edison’s competitors had given up on their missions and merged their companies with his to form General Electric.

The First Practical Incandescent Light Bulb

So, what gave Edison the edge over his competitors in becoming the first person to invent the light bulb? The key was in the practicality of his design. Edison created an inexpensive and practical light bulb, making it ideal for commercial use. However, this didn’t come to him immediately, as Edison is reported to have tested more than 3,000 light bulb designs between 1878 and 1880.

In November 1879, Edison filed a patent for his electric lamp made with carbon filament and various other materials, including cotton, linen, and wood. Edison spent the following year sourcing the perfect filament for his light bulb. This process involved testing over 6,000 plants to see which material would burn the longest. Eventually, Edison and his team discovered that a carbonized bamboo filament could burn for over 1,200 hours. Therefore, this was selected as the filament for Edison’s light bulbs until more durable materials replaced it in the 1880s and early 1900s.

While we think of Thomas Edison as the first person who invented the light bulb, his work was not done alone. Edison was helped by a team of talented researchers and inventors who helped him further his career. In 1882, one of Edison’s researchers, Lewis Howard Latimer, developed and patented a much more efficient manufacturing of carbon filaments. Moreover, in 1903, Willis R. Whitney, an American chemist and founder of the General Electric Company research laboratory, came up with another exciting design. Whitney invented a treatment for the carbon filaments that would allow them to burn brightly without creating dark marks on the insides of their glass bulbs. This design was a massive step in creating the light bulbs that we use now.

This design was improved upon further by William David Coolidge, an American physicist with General Electric, in 1910. Coolidge built upon General Electric’s method of manufacturing tungsten filaments. Tungsten has the highest melting point of all of the chemical elements and thus is the ideal material for light bulb filaments. Tungsten is still the primary material used in incandescent bulb filaments today.

A Timeline for Incandescent Light

• 1845 – John W. Starr patents incandescent light bulbs with carbon filaments.
• 1850 – Joseph Swan begins work on a light bulb.
• 1860 – Swan patents a partial vacuum, carbon filament incandescent lamp.
• 1872 – Alexander Lodygin patents an incandescent light bulb with tungsten filaments.
• 1874 – Henry Woodward and Matthew Evans patent lamps.
• 1878 – Joseph Swan demonstrates a lamp with a carbon rod.
• 1879 – Woodward and Evans sell their light patent to Thomas Edison.
• 1879 – Edison improves carbon filament lamp, developing a practical incandescent lamp,
• 1880- Edison patents an electricity distribution system.
• 1906 – With improvements in machinery, the carbon filaments were replaced with tungsten for longer light bulb life.
• The 1920s – The first light bulbs with frosted glass and neon lighting were produced.
• The 1930s – one-time flashbulbs are invented for photography using Edison’s methods.
• The 1940s – The first ‘soft light’ bulbs are created for homes.
• The 1990s – ‘Long life’ bulbs are introduced to homes.

The Future of the First Light Bulb

Unfortunately, incandescent light bulbs are very inefficient – only about 10% of the electricity is turned into light, and the rest is lost to heat. Nevertheless, because they are easy and cheap, incandescent bulbs are still widely used.

Although, with the advent of the first LED light bulbs, there has been more legislation from world governments to phase out incandescent light bulbs and replace them with LED light bulbs which are very energy efficient.

What Problems did the Invention of the Light Bulb Solve?

The electric light bulb is often credited as being the most important invention since man discovered fire! It completely transformed society. People could stay up longer, the work day was extended, socializing in the cities after dark became more popular, and homes became safer as they no longer relied on fire for light.

The light bulb also brought about even more inventions, such as electrical appliances, the phonograph, and other light bulb versions. As well as this, electrical power grids expanded because of the light bulb. The largest of these was built in 1895 in Niagara Falls, making it the world’s first power station.

What is a stanza?

In poetry, a stanza is a grouped set of lines within a poem, usually separated from other stanzas by an indent or blank line.

Poems can contain several stanzas with double spacing or different indentations.

Stanzas can be rhyming, but this is not always required.

The stanza in poetry is comparable with paragraphs in prose. Like a paragraph, they contain related information and introduce new thoughts or ideas in the next stanza.

In music, groups of lines are typically referred to as verses.

What is a stanza in a poem?

A stanza in a poem is a section consisting of two or more lines that typically follow a pattern of metrical lengths and a sequence of lines.

You will only find stanzas in the format of a poem. However, you can also get poems that don’t have stanzas. These are known as free verse poems. Free verse poems do not follow the rules like poems with stanzas and have no rhyme or rhythm.

Types of Stanzas

Couplets

Stanzas with two lines that rhyme is known as couplets.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

Tercets

Stanzas with three lines, which can be rhymes but are not required to, are known as tercets.

Japanese Haiku poetry is an example of tercets. The Haiku, In Kyoto by Basho, is a good example.

In Kyoto,

hearing the cuckoo,

I long for Kyoto.

Quatrains

Stanzas, with four lines that can be rhymes but are not required to, are known as quatrains.

Elizabethan sonnets from Shakespeare are examples of quatrains.

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date:

Cinquain

Stanzas with five lines that do not rhyme are known as cinquains. Each bar is structured with a set number of syllables.

• Line 1 – 2 syllables
• Line 2 – 4 syllables
• Line 3 – 6 syllables
• Line 4 – 8 syllables
• Line 5 – 2 syllables

An example of a cinquain is:

Elephant

Grey, enormous

Walking, stomping, trumpeting,

Trunks are splashing, spraying

Majestic

What is an example of a stanza in a poem?

Below are some famous examples of stanzas in poems:

Here is a stanza from The Tyger by William Blake:

Tyger Tyger burning bright,

In the forests of the night:

What immortal hand or eye,

Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

Below is a stanza from Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll:

Twas brillig, and the slithy toves

Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:

All mimsy were the borogoves,

And the mome raths outgrabe.

The Jabberwocky is known as a nonsense poem because it consists of made-up words. However, it still follows uniform rules through its rhythm and rhyme, making it a stanza.

A monk is an individual who renounces earthly pursuits and commits to spiritual life. Monks practice religious asceticism, meaning they refrain from sensual pleasures and live.

What is a monastery?

A monastery is a building where monks live, both in communities and alone. Monasteries tend to feature a place for prayer and worship, such as a church or a temple. They may also include dormitories, cloisters, refectories, libraries, and infirmaries.

While ‘monastery’ refers to the buildings that house a community of monks, ‘convent’ describes similar female institutions.

What do monks do with their days?

The life of a monk might seem like it would be very calm and slow, but they get up to a lot. They devote much of their time to religious practices, such as prayer, mass, reflection, or meditation. In their free time, they will often exercise, cook, forage, or do various tasks around the monastery.

Different Types of Monks by Religion:

Catholic monks

Catholic monasticism is based on the rules of St. Benedict of Nursia (480-543 or 547 AD), the founder of monasticism in the West. Benedictine monks take three vows:

• Obedience – the monk should obey Christ, represented by the senior member of the monastery.
• Conversion of life – the monk, must be committed to monastic life, which entails death to the self and worldly matters and life to God.
• Stability – the monk commits himself to the monastery until death when he will be buried in its cemetery.

Vows of obedience, poverty, and chastity were founded in other religious communities. There are many variations of Christian monks belonging to Lutheranism, Anglicanism, Orthodox, etc.

Buddhist monks

There are different variations of Buddhist monasticism. Theravada Buddhist monks are mendicants, meaning they subsist on the alms (food given to poor people) of others. Each morning they go on a donation round, where they receive food from locals, although the monks are forbidden from positively asking for anything. Boys can be ordained at a young age and, like their elders, eat only in the morning and abstain from worldly luxuries.

Mahayana Buddhists are known as the ‘community of the excellent ones’ once they reach a certain level of spiritual understanding. Bhikkhu monks are only permitted to own four items other than their robes – a razor, a needle, an alms bowl, and a water filter.

The life of a Buddhist monk is simple and focused rather than severely deprived. Unlike Christian monasticism, it’s not a requirement that Buddhist monks are obedient to a superior.

Hindu monks

There are several different orders of Hindu monasticism. Dashanami Sampradaya is a monastic tradition of renunciation. The monks, known as swamis, forgo worldly matters, practicing non-attachment and selfless service to achieve spiritual union with the Self.

Brahmacari monks from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. These are known outside of India as Hare Krishnas.

Why do monks shave their heads?

Shaving the head symbolizes the abandonment of ego and fashion and shows a Buddhist’s devotion to their religion. In Buddhism, shaving the head and face is essential to becoming a monk!

What’s the difference between a monk and a friar?

Monks live contemplative lives of prayer in a monastery, while friars generally serve the outside community.

What do monks eat?

Monks’ diets differ depending on where they live, their religion, and their specific dietary requirements.

For example, some Buddhist monks follow Lacto-vegetarian diets, where they consume dairy but exclude eggs, poultry, fish, and meat. But not all Buddhists follow the same view, and some will eat meat and other animal products as long as the animal wasn’t killed specifically for them to eat.

The typical diet of a medieval monk used to consist of fundamental ingredients, such as grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Most of their food was only seasoned with salt. They would also consume wine or ale with their meal, depending on what was available in their area.

How do you become a monk?

To become a Christian monk, one must first become a postulant. This refers to the time spent living at the monastery, where the person can leave at any time. They’re not bound by any vows, although the postulant and community must agree that the person can become a monk. Once approved, the postulant becomes a novice monk, living by his religious habit and participating fully in the monastery.

After six months to a year, the novice must take temporary vows. The final step comes after a period of a few years, where the monk makes permanent vows which are binding for life.

Facts About Monks for Kids:

• Like you’d call a priest ‘Father,’ the correct way to address a monk is ‘Dom.’ This comes from the Latin ‘Domnus,’ meaning sir or master.
• Monks made the first clocks in medieval England when Richard of Wallingford built the first public clock around 1320.
• The first Christian monk was Saint Anthony of Egypt in the 3rd century.
• Monks and nuns were among the most educated people during the Middle Ages.
• Monks can spend much of their days in silence.
• The famous Laughing Buddha is believed to have been a Chinese monk called Ch’i-t’zu.Top of Form

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve (the 31st of December) is the final night of the calendar year. It’s celebrated worldwide, usually with fireworks and a big party.

History of New Year Celebrations Around the World

What is New Year’s Eve? New Year’s Eve is one of the most significant occasions in the calendar year for most places in the world, which means there’s a fascinating history surrounding how it’s celebrated, stretching back to the start of recorded history.

There are also multiple ways people celebrate the new year, whether it be fireworks in a city through our modern-day era or Spain’s tradition for people to stay at home, at least until midnight, and they like to see in the New Year by eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. But, no matter how the new year is celebrated, there is something different and unique about it.

Ancient Babylon

The Babylonians were the first to celebrate New Year in some shape or form. We don’t know much about what they did, but maybe they had a big party at the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

The earliest record of a New Year’s celebration comes over 4,000 years ago from the ancient Babylonians. They didn’t celebrate New Year at the same time we do, though. Instead, the New Year was marked by a big celebration at the spring equinox. To the rest of us, that’s the point of the year when the days become longer than the nights. Because they lived in the Northern Hemisphere, this was usually some point in late March.

The Babylonians knew how to party. They celebrated the New Year with an 11-day festival involving a different ritual each day. This is not much known, but what we know is pretty exciting. The festival was called Akitu and celebrated the victory of the sky god, Marduk, over the evil sea goddess, Tiamat.

The Romans

The Romans were the first to celebrate New Year’s Day on 1st January, thanks to a confident Julius Caesar.

Though we might think of the Romans as belonging to ancient history, they cropped up a whopping 1,500 years after the earliest traces of Babylonia! Anyway, they loved a good New Year’s party too. So they were also the first people to celebrate New Year’s Day when we did, on 1st January.

There’s a good reason for this. The Roman calendar was initially aligned with the sun but fell out of sync over time. So, to bring it back up to speed, Caesar added 90 days! This is the equivalent of roughly two extra months. As part of this, it was decided that each year would start at the beginning of Janus, after the god of new beginnings.

The Middle Ages

The start of the New Year changed again in the Middle Ages, but it didn’t stay like this for long.

In medieval Christian Europe, the leaders of the Church didn’t like the idea of the New Year being celebrated on a Roman feast day, so they played a little with the dates. At first, they changed the start of the year to the 25th of December, and then, deciding that Christmas is best left alone, to the 25th of March. Eventually, Pope Gregory XIII realized there was nothing wrong with the old way of celebrating New Year, so he changed the date to the 1st of January in 1582.

And there you have it, a short history of New Year celebrations worldwide! If you’d like to learn more about how the big day is celebrated in the 21st century, you might want to keep reading…

New Year Celebrations Around the World Today

Spain

Spain has the tastiest way to celebrate New Year’s Eve if you like grapes!

New Year’s Eve is known as Noche Vieja in Spain and a few other Spanish-speaking countries. This is because it’s traditional for people to stay at home, at least until midnight, and they like to see the New Year by eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. This symbolizes their hopes and dreams for the year to come. It also sounds pretty tasty too… There are big parties in many towns across the country, but the most famous one is in Madrid, in the Puerta del Sol.

Italy

Over in Italy, New Year’s Eve is known as La Festa di San Silvestro, the feast day of Saint Sylvestre. Like many countries, families gather for a meal, which usually features pork and lentils. After dinner, it’s time to head to the streets for a big ol’ party. If you’re lucky enough to find yourself in a big city like Rome, Milan or Naples, you can expect to see a big fireworks show.

Oh, and don’t forget to wear red underwear! Some people in Italy believe that wearing red underwear on New Year’s Eve can bring you good luck. You’ll see loads for sale at the December markets!

USA

Times Square is home to the world’s most famous New Year’s Eve party.

In the US, New Year’s Eve is celebrated in much the same way as it is here in Australia. Families get together for a special meal with a whole load of fireworks. New York is home to the world’s most famous New Year’s celebration. Each year, thousands of party-goers gather in Manhattan to see the famous Times Square Ball (pictured above) being lowered at the stroke of midnight. The ball is made of Waterford Crystal, a patterned glass, so let’s hope no one ever drops it!

China

In China and a few other countries in South East Asia, New Year is celebrated at the start of the lunar calendar, which, in 2022, falls on the 1st of February. The festival lasts over two weeks, ending with the traditional Lantern Festival. Because there are significant Chinese and Asian communities in many countries worldwide, most cities will have some kind of Chinese New Year celebration, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on the fun.

Australia

If you’re in Sydney for New Year’s Eve, get to the harbor for a dazzling fireworks display!

Because Australia is in the far reaches of the Eastern Hemisphere, we’re one of the first places in the world to experience the New Year. However, people in other countries, like the UK, often wake up to pictures of people having fun at Sydney Harbour Bridge. Each year, the party has a theme. In previous years, this has been “we are one” and “unity,” but the theme for 2022’s event is still undecided.

Why do things float in water?

All objects, both those that sink and those that float, are made up of molecules. These molecules are groups of atoms and, depending on the thing, can be packed either super tightly or more spread out. The layout of the molecules within an object affects its density, which, in turn, affects its ability to float. If the molecules within an object are tightly packed together, the thing has a higher density than an object in which the molecules are more spread out.

So, how does this relate to floating? Well, water itself also has its density. If an object’s density is higher than the density of water, it will sink. On the flip side, if a thing is less dense than water, it will float.

What is floating?

Floating is what we call it when objects, either wholly or partially, rest on the surface of the water. Floating does not only occur in water; it can also occur in air, which we will dive into a little later. Many people associate floating with the weight of an object, but this isn’t necessarily true. As discussed above, floating is a lot more to do with density than it is to do with weight.

The science behind what things float and why

Density is not the only factor that plays into what things float; an object’s buoyancy also plays a role in this. Buoyancy, derived from the Spanish word ‘boyar,’ which means ‘float,’ is a force on an object that causes it to move upwards. It is created by the difference in pressure placed on the thing by either the liquid or air it is in. Buoyancy pushes less dense stuff to the surface of the fluid they are in, allowing them to float.

Have you ever wondered how massive metal ships can float quickly on the water? The answer is buoyancy. This force allows super-heavy objects, like ships, to seem much lighter than they are and rest on the surface of the water.

Misconceptions around density

In the initial discussions you will have with your students about what things sink and float, they may think they have it sussed. However, you will likely understand that heavy items sink and light things flow. While this is true in some cases, the principle of this statement is incorrect. For instance, a large ship will float while a tiny pin will sink. This is because, as previously mentioned, sinking and floating are to do with the density of an object, not its weight. Knowing this is one thing, but how do you explain density to your class?

To begin with, you must introduce your class to the idea of mass. Mass is simply the amount of matter that an object contains. The more matter an object has, the more it will weigh. Density involves two measurements: mass and volume and the relationship between the two.

This can be a confusing learning area for kids, as they are likely being introduced to many brand-new terms at once. For this reason, the best way to explain density to your kids is to show them. Get two objects, one of which should have a large mass but low density. This can be something like a plank of wood. The other object should have a smaller mass but a higher density. For this, you can use something like a pin or an earring. Let your kids pass around the objects to get a feel of each size and weight. Then, based on their observations, get them to make predictions about which entity will sink and what will float. After this, lower the objects into a water basin and let density do its thing. This will allow kids to see density at work and challenge their idea of what things sink.

What is the density of water?

The density of water is most commonly given as 1g/cm3. However, the density of water is subject to change depending on its temperature. For the density of water to change significantly, temperatures must be either extremely cold or hot. Water only has an exact density of 1g/cm3 at 4.0 °C. Once the water temperature drops below freezing point, the thickness of the water starts to decrease. This is because ice has a lower density than water. While you may expect the density of water to have the opposite reaction at boiling point, this is not the case. When the water reaches boiling point, it also decreases in thickness. This is because when water is heated, it increases in volume and becomes less dense when it rises in volume.

What do things float on water?

So, we know what floating is and what phenomena cause objects to float, but what are some examples of things that float on water? Before we get into that, let’s run through the basics one more time. For an object to float, it must have a lower density than water and be capable of water displacement. Water displacement allows massive ships, which are technically denser than water, to float. Water displacement is when an object occupies enough space by displacing its weight or removing enough water to maintain its buoyancy. This is why dense things with a large surface area can also float.

They must also be made of hydrophobic materials. A molecule possesses hydrophobicity when it appears to be repelled by a mass of water. These molecules are called hydrophobes. Common hydrophobic molecules include oils, fats, and greasy substances.

Now we’re ready to run through some examples! Here are some examples of what things float on water:

• Leaves,
• Wooden sticks,
• Paper,
• Ships,
• Plastic bottles,
• Bubble wrap,
• Sponges,
• Oil.

What do things float in the air?

Water is not the only substance that things can float in. There are also tons of examples of objects floating in the air. The same rule applies to standing in the same way that objects float when they have a lower density than water. When an object has a lower density than air or can cause enough air displacement to make room for its surface, it can float.

Here are some examples of things that float in the air:

• Paper,
• Kites,
• Balloons,
• Hot air balloons,
• Birds,
• Airplanes,
• Bubbles,
• Feathers.

Just like ships utilize buoyancy and displacement to float on water, airplanes use these same phenomena to float in the air. The low pressure on the upper side of the plane and the high pressure on the downward side of the wings create buoyancy, which allows it to float.

What do things float? – Examples

There are loads of examples of objects that float in our day-to-day lives. These objects are great for including in some class experiments to teach your kids about floating and sinking.

Here are some examples of objects that can float because they have a lower density than water:

• Ice cubes

If you put some ice into a glass and then fill it with water, you will notice that all ice cubes float to the surface. This is because ice, the solid form of water, is less dense than water in its liquid form. As a result, the molecules are forced to spread out when water is frozen, which lowers its density.

• Oils

Most oils have a lower density than water, allowing them to float. This is why, when you pour oil into a glass of water, the two liquids will remain completely separate and not mix.

• Wood

One of the most common examples of a material that floats on water is wood. Wood has a lower density than water, which allows it to float. For this reason, wood was one of the primary materials for making ships and other water-bound vessels.

Another factor that impacts an object’s ability to float is the substance that it is filled with. Balloons, for instance, would not float on their own. They can only swim in air and water when pumped full of air or gas.

Here are some examples of things that float because they are filled with air:

• Hot air balloons,
• Footballs,
• Bottles,
• Inflatable toys.

Food can also float! Many different fruits and vegetables can float because they have a lower density than water. For example:

• Apples,
• Oranges,
• Lemons,
• Leafy vegetables.

Lastly, rubber, wax, and plastic objects also float on water. Sponges also float on water, but there’s a catch. Much like paper, sponges only float on water when they are dry. The sponge will slowly absorb the surrounding water as they sit on the surface. The more water the sponge absorbs, the denser it becomes; eventually, it will sink below the surface. This same principle applies to paper. A dry sheet of paper will float, but as it sits and soaks up the water, it will get denser and sink.

What things sink? – Examples

We’ve looked at the science behind floating and sinking, and the role density plays in this. Next, let’s run through a few examples of things that sink if placed in water.

• Coins

Have you ever wandered past a fountain and seen people throwing coins in? If you have, you’ll also have noticed that the coins don’t float on the water’s surface, turning the whole fountain copper. Instead, the coins sink to the bottom of the fountain, where they remain until someone moves them. This is because coins are small, dense objects that sink instantly when placed in water.

• Stones

It is not always true that the larger an object is, the more likely it is to sink. Some things, regardless of their size, are too dense to float. Stones are a prime example of this. Whether you have a tiny pebble from your garden or a huge boulder, both will sink when placed into a water body. You may be thinking. Indeed ships are more extensive than stones, so how can they float? The reason boats can sail, despite their large mass, is that they are hollow. This means that ships have a lower density than stones despite being more significant than stones.

• Sponges

Unlike the previous two examples, this one is not so straightforward. Depending on its state, a sponge can either float or sink. A dry sponge has a super low density, allowing it to flow on the water’s surface. However, due to the porous nature of sponges, they soon begin to soak up water, which increases their density. At a certain point, the sponge’s density will overtake that of the water and begin to sink.

Fun facts about floating and sinking

Let’s take a look at some fun facts about floating and sinking:

• Just because an object floats in water does not mean it will float in all liquids. This is because all things and liquids have different levels of density. Therefore, if an object floats in water, it may sink into liquids like vegetable oil or alcohol.
• The shape of an object affects its ability to float. The larger the surface area of an object, the more likely it is to float, as its buoyancy increases the more surface area it has.
• An increased surface area makes it easier to float, so humans can float more quickly when spread out on their backs. This is why kids are taught to float in a ‘starfish position.’ It is also why we are told to lie on our backs and stretch out our arms and legs if we are ever in danger of drowning.
• Buoyancy makes objects seem lighter than they are. This is why it is easier to lift heavy objects in the water.
• Ships float at different heights depending on how heavy and dense the water is.
• Seawater, made up of salt water, has a much higher density than fresh water. For this reason, ships float higher in salt water than they do in fresh water.
• Due to the higher saltwater density, eggs can float in the sea but not in normal, fresh water.
• Ships also float higher in colder water than in warm water. Again, this is because of the increased density of colder water.
• Hollow objects can also float because air is much less dense than water. This is a big reason why ships can sail.

Conditional sentences discuss unknown factors or hypothetical situations and their consequences. The conditional part is referred to as the conditional clause. Conditional sentences consist of a main clause and a conditional.

To write conditional sentences, you must use an if and a main clause. The conditional clause usually starts with ‘if’ or ‘unless’ and can be placed either at the start or the end of a sentence. Similarly to a subordinate clause, a conditional clause can’t make sense without being preceded or followed by the main clause.

A conditional clause is an adverbial clause that states a hypothesis or condition, real or imagined. It’s made up of the if-clause and the main clause. There are dour things that your will need to learn about a conditional clause in grammar:

• There are four kinds of conditional sentences.
• It’s essential to use the proper structure for each of the various conditional sentences because they express different meanings.
• Pay attention to verb tense when using varying conditional modes.
• Utilized a comma after the if-clause when the if-clause precedes the main clause.

What are conditional clause examples?

Take a look at these fantastic examples of conditional clauses in action:

1. I will pass the exam.
2. You would have gotten wet if it had rained.
3. If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a cake.
4. If you give me your e-mail, I will be written to you.
5. We’ll be late for dinner if we don’t leave now.Top of Form

 

What are conditional verb tenses in conditional clauses?

Conditional verbs and verb tenses create conditional clauses in sentences, which express hypothetical or unlikely situations.

Conditional verbs can be utilized in the past, present, or future tense, including auxiliary verbs like can/could, will/would, and may/might, which are essential in forming conditionals.

What is the function of a conditional clause?

A conditional clause’s function is to express the likelihood of a particular action or event. Conditional clauses can also lay out the conditions that must be met to reach this outcome.

For example, the conditional sentence:

• If it had rained, you would have gotten wet.

Contains the conditional clause ‘if it had rained’ to demonstrate what would happen IF the weather was different.

What’s the difference between the conditional clause and the main clause?

The if-clause uses the present continuous or present simple tense, while the main clause uses a modal verb. Often, the conditional clause offers suggestions or advice.

They’re subordinate clauses, most commonly introduced by the conjunctions ‘if’ or ‘unless.’ However, they’re also sometimes caused by conditional subordinate clauses because of this reason.

Here are some examples of the if-clause and the main clause used together:

Before the Main Clause

• If you don’t wear a coat, you might get cold.
• If you eat too many sweets, you’ll get toothache.
• If we don’t leave, now we’ll be late.
• Unless you have a reasonable excuse, you need to do your homework.
• Unless you take a book, you might get bored on the plane.
• Unless you’re ready, you should prepare first.

After the Main Clause

• It’s easy to get distracted if you’re not careful.
• You should come along if you’re free later.
• Can you help me if you have the time?
• Let’s go home unless you have something better to do.
• I’ll drive you unless you can walk.
• I won’t attend the party unless I finish my homework soon.

Other conditional subordinators that you can use to connect the if clause and main clause include:

• Even if…

Even if you rush, you’ll be late.

• Provided that…

I’ll help you, provided that you permit me.

• On the condition that…

I’ll send out the invitations, on the condition that you provide the refreshments.

• As long as…

As long as we’re together, we’ll be fine.

• In the case of…

In the case of an emergency, use the fire exit doors.

Conditional clauses tend to come at the beginning of complex sentences (these are sentences containing an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses). However, like other adverbial clauses, they may come at the end.

How to punctuate a conditional clause?

Despite the complex nature of conditional sentences, punctuating them is easy! Try out these few Twinkl Tips and tricks to learn how to punctuate in and around conditional clauses.

Use a comma after the conditional clause when the conditional clause precedes the main clause. For example, ‘If I’d had time, I would have cleaned the house.’

If the main clause precedes the conditional clause, no punctuation is necessary. So, for example, ‘I would have cleaned the house if I’d had time.’

What are sunflowers?

Renowned for their tall stems and bright golden blossoms, sunflowers are the largest flowering plants known to man. They belong to the colorful Asteraceae, or Daisy family, and are a firm favorite with gardeners and non-gardeners alike.

Native to Mexico and the southern United States, sunflowers have large round faces and vibrant petals. And although we tend to associate sunflowers with the color yellow, they come in many other colors, too, including orange, peach, red, pink, and purple.

Seed to harvest: The stages of the sunflower life cycle

The sunflower life cycle consists of many steps. First, a seed is planted in the soil. Then, after a couple of weeks, a young sunflower’s first green shoots will rise from the ground.

Slowly but surely, the tiny plant will grow leaves, a bud, and eventually – after roughly three months – a golden flower. But that’s not the end of the sunflower’s story, not by a long shot.

Let’s look at the sunflower life cycle in more detail and discover what happens after a sunflower blooms…

• Seed

One day.

The sunflower life cycle begins with a seed.

• Germination

One week after planting.

Soon after they’re planted, sunflower seeds absorb moisture through their shells. As they soak up more and more water, their shells begin to crack open, unable to contain the extra moisture. The sunflower’s roots emerge first – their role is to stabilize the plant and absorb vital nutrients from the soil.

• Seedling

Two to five weeks after planting.

Once the roots have absorbed plenty of water, a tiny shoot will make its way out of the ground. This small plant – known as a “seedling” – comprises a thin stem and two leaves.

During this stage, as the stem grows taller and taller, the plant will produce many more leaves. The fledgling sunflower uses its leaves to absorb sunlight, turning it into food via photosynthesis.

Seedlings are highly vulnerable to environmental factors, such as extreme temperatures (high and low), lack of water, and insects.

• Bud

Five to 10 weeks after planting.

Also known as the “reproductive phase,” this stage is when a small bud develops at the tip of the stem. At first, the bud will be closed, but over time it will open up to display the bright golden petals within.

Did you know that, during the reproductive phase, sunflowers physically move toward sunlight? As the sun drifts across the sky, sunflowers will change position to ensure they get as much sunlight as possible. This behavior – known as heliotropism – is how sunflowers got their name.

• Full bloom

10 to 13 weeks after planting.

After two to three months, sunflowers begin to flower. Typically, sunflowers stay in bloom for three weeks, but you might get a whole month if you’re lucky.

At this stage, sunflowers are like a shining beacon for bees, butterflies, beetles, and many other pint-sized pollinators. Attracted by the vibrant petals, these insects drink nectar from the sunflower’s center.

In the process, their furry bodies pick up pollen from the male part of the plant (known as anthers), which they carry to the next plant. There, the bees deposit the pollen onto the female parts of the flower (known as stigma), fertilizing the plant and ensuring that it’ll produce fruit and seeds in the future.

• Wilt

13 to 15 weeks after planting.

All good things must come to an end. At 13 to 15 weeks, the petals turn from bright yellow to rusty brown, and the head of the sunflower starts to droop.

• Regeneration, or harvest

15 to 17 weeks after planting.

During the regeneration (or reproduction) stage, the sunflower withers completely, shedding its seeds on the soil below. Some will embed themselves in the ground, some scatter on the breeze, while birds and squirrels will eat others. This process – known as seed dispersal – allows the sunflower life cycle to begin again.

How long does it take for sunflowers to grow?

On average, it takes between 10 and 14 weeks for a sunflower to fully mature. Your sunflower will grow faster if you place it in direct sunlight and water it frequently.

Top tips for growing your sunflowers

Looking to grow your sunflowers this summer? Then you may be interested in these gardening hints and tricks. Follow these five steps, and come August, your garden will be a shining sea of golden blooms.

• Water regularly. Ensure you water your sunflowers often, especially in the early stages of growth. A good time to water your plants is in the morning before the sun gets too hot.
• Give your sunflowers space. A sunflower’s roots extend deep beneath the ground, sometimes as far as 1.5 feet. So, it’s essential to ensure they have plenty of room to grow. If they don’t have the space to develop a robust root system, they won’t be able to support their weight.
• Support them. When your sunflowers reach around three feet tall, prop them up with supporting stakes. For these, you can use any long, thin piece of wood you have lying around. This will help your plants grow strong and tall.
• Fend off pests. Many insects and birds are attracted to the tasty seeds in the center of blooming sunflowers. Try trimming the leaves nearest to the flower to stop them from damaging your plants. This will make it harder for insects to reach the flower.
• Keep on sowing. If you sow a new batch of sunflower seeds every two weeks in the spring, you’ll have a constant supply of blooms until fall.

Sunflower myths

According to Greek mythology, Apollo, the God of the Sun, fell in love with a spirit called Clytie. But following a brief romance, he left her for Leucothea, the Goddess of the Sea. Clytie is said to have been so devastated that she didn’t take her eyes off the horizon for over a week, hoping to catch a glimpse of Apollo in his golden chariot. Finally, having not eaten or slept for nine days, Clytie passed away.

Did you know that the scientific name for sunflower is helianthus, which combines the Ancient Greek words for the sun (helios) and flower (Anthus)?

What do sunflowers symbolize?

Sunflowers are a symbol of loyalty in many cultures. This could be down to the Apollo and Clytie myth in which Clytie refused to give up hope that Apollo would return.

Native Americans associate sunflowers with new life, sustenance, and harvest because they were among the first to realize you could eat and make oil from sunflower seeds. And when sunflowers die in the wild, they provide vital food for insects, birds, and mammals, so they’re nature’s pantry too.

In China, sunflowers represent longevity, good fortune, and spirit.

And sunflowers are closely associated with happiness, joy, friendship, optimism, and positivity worldwide. This makes them an excellent choice for wedding bouquets, gifts, and decorations.

Harvesting seeds at the end of the sunflower life cycle

Sunflowers are the gift that keeps giving. They’re a constant source of anticipation, joy, excitement, happiness, and food from seed to death!

To harvest sunflower seeds, wait until the back of the head turns brown, then cut it off. You can remove the seeds by rubbing your hand over the center of the flower. Once you’ve harvested all the seeds, wash them in cold water, and leave them to dry overnight. The next day, they’ll be ready to eat as they are, but we prefer to roast them.

Baking sunflower seeds give them a more robust, nuttier flavor, which works great in sweet and savory recipes. To roast them, preheat your oven to 300 degrees, lay your seeds on a cookie sheet, and bake for half an hour.

Or, if you’d like to share your sunflower bounty, you can scatter the seeds in your backyard for the birds and squirrels to feast on.

How to preserve sunflowers

If, like Clytie, you can’t face the prospect of saying goodbye to your sunflower, we have a handy tip for you: dry them. By drying your sunflower blooms, you can preserve them in all their glory for years to come. All you have to do is hang your sunflower/s in a dark, dry place for three weeks. Closets, spare rooms, and attics are all great spots. Once the three weeks are up, you’re dried sunflowers will be ready to use as decorations, keepsakes, and gifts.

Ten fun facts about sunflowers

We think it’s time for some fun facts, don’t you? OK, then, let’s dive in!

1. The world record for the tallest sunflower is held by Hans-Peter Schiffer, a gardener from Karst, Germany. His sensational sunflower measured a whopping 30.1 feet, 10 feet higher than the average American house! The sunflower was so tall that the local fire department had to be called in to measure it.
2. Sunflowers can contain as many as 2,000 seeds.
3. The Vincent van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has a gigantic sunflower maze in front of its main entrance hall. This bright yellow labyrinth honors Vincent van Gogh’s iconic sunflower paintings and contains roughly 125,000 sunflower plants.
4. There are 70 different species of sunflowers. However, the United States’ rarest sunflower is “Schweinitz’s sunflower,” a small, elusive plant native to North and South Carolina.
5. In France, sunflowers are called “tournesol,” which translates to “turns with the sun.”
6. Don Pettit, a green-thumbed U.S. astronaut, took a handful of sunflower seeds to the International Space Center in 2012.
7. Believe it or not, some people are terrified of sunflowers. This irrational fear is known as helianthophobia.
8. Sunflower seeds and oil contain high vitamin D levels, often called the “sunshine vitamin.” Vitamin D is proven to strengthen the immune system, reduce depression, and aid weight loss.
9. Most people only eat the seeds, but every part of the sunflower is edible, from the stem to the bright yellow petals.
10. The sunflower has been the state flower of Kansas since 1903.

Why is it important for children to learn about nature?

Whether hunting for bugs in the backyard or planting sunflowers in the school garden, connecting with nature benefits children in so many ways – both physically and emotionally.

Let’s take a look at how nature positively impacts children’s health, development, and well-being:

Spending time in nature is proven to improve children’s concentration and mood.

Studies show that people who spend time outdoors have lower levels of the hormone cortisol, which is heavily linked with anxiety and depression.

Children who regularly play outdoors have greater levels of physical fitness than those who don’t.

Spending time outdoors allows children to learn about various scientific topics, including plant life cycles, photosynthesis, taxonomy, insects and animals, ecology, and weather.

Children who develop a love of science early on are more likely to excel in STEM – a rapidly growing industry – later in life.

What is Rosa Parks Day?

Rosa Parks Day is marked each year on 4^th February, the day of her birthday. On this day, schools and colleges worldwide will explore the impact Rosa Parks made in the Civil Rights Movement for Black Americans.

Rosa Parks Day is also celebrated on December 1^st when she was arrested.

What are vital facts about Rosa Parks for kids?

• On the 4th of February 1913, Rosa Parks was born in Alabama. Her father worked as a carpenter, and her mother as a teacher.
• Rosa Parks’s parents separated when she was a little girl. She and her brother, Sylvester, moved to Montgomery, the capital of Alabama, with their mother.
• Rosa Parks was a hardworking student at school. However, she had to stop studying when she was 16 to look after her ill grandmother and her mother.
• She married Raymond Parks when she was 19 years old. She was able to resume her studies and achieve her high school diploma.
• Rosa Parks then became a tailor.
• She was arrested in 1956 after refusing to move seats on a bus so a white person could sit in her place.
• Rosa Parks’s arrest meant she lost her job and had to look for a new one. Her husband also had to move jobs because he could not talk about his wife or her legal case at work. They made a new home in Hampton, Virginia.
• Rosa Parks would then become a spokesperson for the Civil Rights Movement.
• Later, she wrote a book about the events of her life
• Rosa Parks was 92 years old on her death.
• The date of the death of Rosa Parks was 24th October 2005.

What is segregation?

If you were a Black person in 1955, your life would likely be full of hardships. Black and white people were kept apart (segregated) on public transport, restaurants, parks, and public toilets. Children were also educated separately in some states, and the schools were often poorly funded and inadequately equipped.

Furthermore, some states did not allow Black people to vote.

Why is Rosa Parks famous?

The events of 1^st December 1955 would be necessary to the civil rights movement. Here’s what happened.

• On the 1^st of December 1955, Rosa Parks finished work and got on the bus home. The bus seats were allocated according to whether you were white or Black. She took a seat on the first row intended for Black people.
• All the ‘whites only’ seats were taken by the third stop on the bus route. So, the white bus driver stepped back onto the bus to tell Rosa Parks and the three other Black people in the front row to move back so that the white people could take their seats.
• The three other people agreed to the bus driver’s request. However, Rosa Parks refused to move seats. The driver threatened to call the police, and Rosa Parks told him to go ahead. She was arrested and detained.
• The next day, three of Rosa Parks’s friends paid her bail, which meant she was allowed to leave the cells.
• Rosa Parks and her friends then began to put in place a bus boycott. This meant that all Black people would not take any buses until changes were made to the current policy of segregating seats. Martin Luther King Jr. also became involved.
• For the next 381 days in Montgomery, Black people boycotted the buses. Some white people also joined them. Many walked to their destination instead.
• The bus boycott that Rosa Parks initiated finally ended on 20^th December 1956, when the government passed laws to stop bus segregation.
• Rosa Parks’s act was pivotal to the progress of the civil rights movement and would lead to her development as a critical civil rights activist.