BLOG UPDATE

Mrs. Wiles-Stasko and I will be joining forces as one super blog!  Since you see us both equally, for the most part, we figured it would be best to have all the information in one place.     You will start to see our blog change over the next few days.  This is a work in progress so bear with us! 

The website for the blog will stay the same: mrsacummings.blogspot.com, however we will have a new name and you will soon see posts from ELA and SS as well!

Our homework tab will be very similar, since I already add Mrs. Wiles-Stasko's ELA homework in there, but since we have different spelling and vocabulary programs, you will see separate classroom assignments for that.   When I post something, you will see the sparkly "Mrs. Cummings" signature at the bottom of the post.  When Mrs. Wiles-Stasko posts something, she will have her own fun signature at the bottom.  We will let you know when the new addition is up and running! If you have any suggestions for a new blog name instead of "Thanks for Cummings",  comment below and let us know!

Gummy Bear Lab

Yet another investigation with Gummies!  This time we were testing the effect of four different solutions on Gummy Bears.  We used water, vinegar, salt water, and water with baking soda.  Students followed the steps of the Scientific Method to ask a question, research, hypothesize what would happen, follow through with the experiment, analyze the data, and write a conclusion.   We are currently working on typing up a lab report with all the information!


Were you surprised with your results?  Comment below at let us know!

Saving Fred and the Scientific Method

As an introduction to the Scientific Method, we performed an investigation about Saving Fred.  This activity is a great way to start because it involves teamwork.  Most, if not all, of our experiments this year have to do with group work.  It is important to make sure we can learn strategies about working together.  This activity helps!  The directions ensured that everyone would take part in the activity.  When this activity was first introduced, many of you thought it would be impossible.
The Problem:

Poor Fred went out on his boat, and wanted to go for a swim.  However his boat turned over and his life preserver got stuck under his boat!  The problem was to help Fred get his life preserver over his body so he can go for a swim.  Sounds simple enough?  However there were some restrictions.

* You could not touch Fred, the life preserver, or the boat with your fingers. Paperclips only. * Fred could not touch the water without being in his life preserver. *One paperclip per person, cannot share.  *No poking holes in any of the objects. The rest was up to you!   Some of us were able to stretch the life preserver and save poor old Fred by having each person use their paperclip inside the lifesaver while one person held Fred with their paperclip.   However, others tried their best, but the life preserver didn't want to to cooperate.  If groups did not a chance to save Fred, it was okay!  Mistakes are a part of learning!

What was the most challenging part about trying to save Fred??   

Comment below and share your experience!

Math Workshop

Chapter 1: Place Value
We had our first few days of Math Workshop.  It is off to a great start!  The routine takes a little while to get used to, but it seems like you have been enjoying it.  Mrs. Wiles-Stasko's class (pictured below) was able to go through two rotations on Wednesday and finish the next two on Thursday.  After we got through all four rotations, we came back together as a whole to discuss the next lesson. We were quickly able to transition into the centers again and go through two more rotations.  You followed directions and made the most of our time in class.  I was very impressed. I am looking forward to more productive days of workshop!  :)

 

M

Math Facts Center

 We played Multiplication/Division Bingo to practice math fact fluency.  

 A

At Your Seat Center

 We worked together on 'extra practice' problems to show what you learned. 

T

Teacher Time Center

 We previewed the next lesson in a small group. 

(The whiteboard is taking my place as 'teacher' while I take pictures)

H

Hands-On Center

 We played a game where each group member had to read clues to solve for the 'Mystery Number'.

  

Comment below and share your favorite center!

Week One is Done!

       

   
This week flew by!  I hope you guys had as much fun as I did. This week we spent some time to build our classroom community.  It is important to get to know each other and establish some familiarity in the start of the school year.  I love learning new things about everyone.  One activity we did was complete a maze.  We had to walk around the classroom and ask questions to our new classmates in order to 'unlock a door' in the maze.  In this activity we learned about who has older and younger siblings, who is an only child, who has a funny uncle, who plays soccer, who has traveled to another country, and other fun facts.

We also got started in our first chapter of math as well as a brief introduction to science.  We created 'Lab Coats' filled with academic and life goals and learned we are all scientists.  They are hanging up outside our classroom, and look great. 

  I'm excited to see what next week will bring!

What was your favorite part of the first week of school?  

Comment below and let me know! 

(Don't forget to leave your name)