Jake's Winter
Warm sun beating on my face,
Warm sand like a giant bean bag.
Waves crashing on the beach.
This is my winter in California.
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Guest Blogger: Jake
The view is gorgeous from our classroom windows today. On this snowy, winter's day we bring you a lovely poem from one of our own, Jake. I don't know about you, but I think I prefer his winter. :)
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Science!
So, I am going to be honest with you. I totally goofed! I suppose I got so excited about teaching history again that I had in my head we were starting the American Revolution unit this week...only to realize that no, we are, in fact, doing our final science unit for fifth grade upstairs in our classroom.
But it's all good, because I love teaching (and learning) science! Our final unit is a blast: Motion, Force, and Models. Today, the students took the pre-test and we jump-started our excitement by watching this epic music video that connects perfectly with our unit:
I encouraged the class to consider all the pieces that were planned and practiced in order to make this video possible....and it's all about Motion, Force, and Models! Maybe they could even work on making one of their own? We will be studying this up until Spring Break and, depending on how we are progressing, perhaps a few days afterwards.
Have a great day!
But it's all good, because I love teaching (and learning) science! Our final unit is a blast: Motion, Force, and Models. Today, the students took the pre-test and we jump-started our excitement by watching this epic music video that connects perfectly with our unit:
I encouraged the class to consider all the pieces that were planned and practiced in order to make this video possible....and it's all about Motion, Force, and Models! Maybe they could even work on making one of their own? We will be studying this up until Spring Break and, depending on how we are progressing, perhaps a few days afterwards.
Have a great day!
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Science Fun
We are in the final stages of our science unit studying Mixtures and Solutions. Today, students worked in their groups to create and observe chemical reactions. The final chemical reaction was particularly thrilling, and, at the request of a student, I have included a slow motion video for your enjoyment.
I am looking forward to see you tonight at the high school for Black History Night at 7pm!
I am looking forward to see you tonight at the high school for Black History Night at 7pm!
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Busy, busy, busy!
Long time no see! We have been so very busy in fifth grade! Here's a rundown of the latest:
We have been hard at work in the science lab. Currently we are studying Mixtures and Solutions - safety goggles and all! What fun it is to see the intersection of math, science, and logic as the students problem-solve together.
Math is all about decimals these days. Our last unit focused on expanding understanding to the thousandths place, and this unit focuses on multiplying and dividing decimals with the goal of applying these skills to real world problems. Don't forget you can access the webpage for signing into the textbook, interactivities, and parent help videos via our classroom website here.
In reading, we are studying non-fiction texts of all kinds. Much of what we are gravitating towards involves reading articles on topics of individual interest. Our hope is that this reading will provide input to our research-based argument essays.
Speaking of research-based argument essays, you may have heard of the latest on an essay we are writing on the chocolate milk debate. The growth I have seen has been amazing! First of all, the students are conducting their own research outside of writing time to support their work in class (without having it assigned as homework!). Their organization has improved so much, and they are using their learning styles to find systems of keeping their piece organized. Some are using the computer, some are using index cards, others post-its, others file folders, etc. They have reached out to teachers and students in the school seeking their opinions and feedback, documenting it, and incorporating it into their essays. The maturity they are showing is really beautiful to see. We will be finalizing this essay at the end of next week. From there, the students will choose their own topics to write on. I have already begun conferring with them on their ideas. Topics range from factory farming to child/slave labor to homelessness. They are putting a great deal of thought and passion into their writing and using their time well. I even stumbled across this scene this morning...working on data collection in the library before school. So awesome! :)
On The Horizon:
2/6 - Wear red for heart day at school.
Be on the lookout for an email from me with a link for the spring conference sign-up.
2/9 - Band Fittings Night at Wydown from 3:30-6:30
2/12 - Valentine's Day Party at 2:30
Curriculum Night at Wydown from 7:00-9:00
2/13 - No School for Students (Teacher Professional Learning Day)
2/16 - No School for Presidents' Day
2/19 - Black History Night at Clayton High School at 7:00
PS - Hercules, our five-month-old African Pygmy Hedgehog, is coming to school now! We have begun allowing individuals to read with him in the afternoon.
We have been hard at work in the science lab. Currently we are studying Mixtures and Solutions - safety goggles and all! What fun it is to see the intersection of math, science, and logic as the students problem-solve together.
Math is all about decimals these days. Our last unit focused on expanding understanding to the thousandths place, and this unit focuses on multiplying and dividing decimals with the goal of applying these skills to real world problems. Don't forget you can access the webpage for signing into the textbook, interactivities, and parent help videos via our classroom website here.
In reading, we are studying non-fiction texts of all kinds. Much of what we are gravitating towards involves reading articles on topics of individual interest. Our hope is that this reading will provide input to our research-based argument essays.
Speaking of research-based argument essays, you may have heard of the latest on an essay we are writing on the chocolate milk debate. The growth I have seen has been amazing! First of all, the students are conducting their own research outside of writing time to support their work in class (without having it assigned as homework!). Their organization has improved so much, and they are using their learning styles to find systems of keeping their piece organized. Some are using the computer, some are using index cards, others post-its, others file folders, etc. They have reached out to teachers and students in the school seeking their opinions and feedback, documenting it, and incorporating it into their essays. The maturity they are showing is really beautiful to see. We will be finalizing this essay at the end of next week. From there, the students will choose their own topics to write on. I have already begun conferring with them on their ideas. Topics range from factory farming to child/slave labor to homelessness. They are putting a great deal of thought and passion into their writing and using their time well. I even stumbled across this scene this morning...working on data collection in the library before school. So awesome! :)
On The Horizon:
2/6 - Wear red for heart day at school.
Be on the lookout for an email from me with a link for the spring conference sign-up.
2/9 - Band Fittings Night at Wydown from 3:30-6:30
2/12 - Valentine's Day Party at 2:30
Curriculum Night at Wydown from 7:00-9:00
2/13 - No School for Students (Teacher Professional Learning Day)
2/16 - No School for Presidents' Day
2/19 - Black History Night at Clayton High School at 7:00
PS - Hercules, our five-month-old African Pygmy Hedgehog, is coming to school now! We have begun allowing individuals to read with him in the afternoon.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Hour of Code
Yesterday we had such a great time participating in the Hour of Code! What is the Hour of Code? I'm so glad you asked! Check out this video explaining why we took time to do this:
Mr. Lynn visited our classroom with the entire set of iPads and students chose from a variety of apps designed to teach kids how to code. It was so exciting to see the class applying logic and problem-solving skills to this activity!
If you are interested in providing your child with coding activities at home, you can download any of the free apps we used in class.
- https://www.kodable.com/
- http://lightbot.com/
- http://www.gethopscotch.com/
- http://www.scratchjr.org/
- http://thefoos.com/
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Happy Halloween!
A big, heartfelt thank you to all of you for helping our Halloween be successful!
Despite what you might expect on a Friday Halloween with fifth graders, we had a very productive and focused morning. The students used Google Classroom to learn about the three main American Colonial regions and took notes on organizers we made for their notebooks. Check out these hard-working scholars:
Then, the students participated in a grade-level rehearsal of their Halloween dance on the playground. I could see them from our classroom window. They looked great! Following their practice outside, they came inside for drumming practice. It was more serious than this first beautiful shot makes it appear. See below that for the real deal.
After recess and lunch, we had the pleasure of meeting with our second grade buddies of Mrs. O'Dea's class. The buddies chose from a variety of Halloween books and read together peacefully. Then our fifth graders got their last moment of quiet for the day reading independently while we sent individuals to change into their costumes. Finally the festivities began:
I think it's safe to say that between the dance, parade, and party, a good time was had. Even the teachers got in on the fun.
I hope everyone enjoyed a safe and fun weekend!
Despite what you might expect on a Friday Halloween with fifth graders, we had a very productive and focused morning. The students used Google Classroom to learn about the three main American Colonial regions and took notes on organizers we made for their notebooks. Check out these hard-working scholars:
Then, the students participated in a grade-level rehearsal of their Halloween dance on the playground. I could see them from our classroom window. They looked great! Following their practice outside, they came inside for drumming practice. It was more serious than this first beautiful shot makes it appear. See below that for the real deal.
After recess and lunch, we had the pleasure of meeting with our second grade buddies of Mrs. O'Dea's class. The buddies chose from a variety of Halloween books and read together peacefully. Then our fifth graders got their last moment of quiet for the day reading independently while we sent individuals to change into their costumes. Finally the festivities began:
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
I was in the bathroom with Kate DiCamillo!
Last Friday, Captain kids had the amazing opportunity to see Kate DiCamillo speak to school-children at St. Louis University. It really lived up to the hype!
For starters, poor Nora tripped and fell outside, scraping her knee up. Having no first aid supplies on me, I took her to the bathroom to clean up. When we walked in, I saw right away that Kate DiCamillo was at the sink washing her hands. I did my best to contain my excitement and not let on to Nora that we were in the presence of one of our favorite authors. I didn't want to make Kate DiCamillo feel like we were stalking her. It was all I could do not to say anything, but you know how teachers have to set a good example. We cleaned Nora's knee up and headed back to our seats. That's when I told her we were in the bathroom with Kate DiCamillo. Shocked, and a little betrayed, Nora asked, "Why didn't you tell me?!" I had to tell the truth: Kate DiCamillo was probably getting her head ready to present and probably didn't need us fawning over her in the bathroom, a place where you are supposed to be granted some privacy. But at least we can say we were in there with her! Okay, enough bathroom talk...here is what we really learned from Kate DiCamillo:
Wait, this is just a picture of our class getting ready to see Kate DiCamillo speak. All of us are there except two...
There's our other two. They got front row seats because they had questions that were selected to be asked after the presentation. Blair and Paige represented our class well!
Mayor Francis Slay declared October 25th Kate DiCamillo Day! We got to see the proclamation delivered!
This is what Kate DiCamillo asked herself as an aspiring writer. She decided that she should get to work and began her writing routine of producing two pages a day of writing. She continues her story from day-to-day, two pages at a time, until it is finished.
This is the number of rejection letters she received before Because of Winn-Dixie was finally picked up for publishing. She asked, "What if I had stopped at 200?" This is a great lesson in having a growth mindset and persevering through challenge and setbacks.
Overall, I think our main take-away from this field trip is that if you want something, you need to work for it. And not just work, be consistent and disciplined, sometimes toil and persevere for years before you see the results you want...
...also sometimes a trip and a fall can lead to sharing a bathroom with a famous author.
For starters, poor Nora tripped and fell outside, scraping her knee up. Having no first aid supplies on me, I took her to the bathroom to clean up. When we walked in, I saw right away that Kate DiCamillo was at the sink washing her hands. I did my best to contain my excitement and not let on to Nora that we were in the presence of one of our favorite authors. I didn't want to make Kate DiCamillo feel like we were stalking her. It was all I could do not to say anything, but you know how teachers have to set a good example. We cleaned Nora's knee up and headed back to our seats. That's when I told her we were in the bathroom with Kate DiCamillo. Shocked, and a little betrayed, Nora asked, "Why didn't you tell me?!" I had to tell the truth: Kate DiCamillo was probably getting her head ready to present and probably didn't need us fawning over her in the bathroom, a place where you are supposed to be granted some privacy. But at least we can say we were in there with her! Okay, enough bathroom talk...here is what we really learned from Kate DiCamillo:
Overall, I think our main take-away from this field trip is that if you want something, you need to work for it. And not just work, be consistent and disciplined, sometimes toil and persevere for years before you see the results you want...
...also sometimes a trip and a fall can lead to sharing a bathroom with a famous author.
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