Science From Scientists

We had our first visit from the scientists, Ms. Courtney and Ms. Jenna, on Thursday.  They reinforced similar concepts we do in class about working together.  The activity they presented was about stacking cups using a string and elastic contraption.  You guys did such a great job.  It reminded me of "Saving Fred" in the way that everyone has one tool and you couldn't use your hands.  You had to work together in order to complete the challenge. 

Why did they do an activity about working together and following directions? Comment below and share your thoughts. 

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!

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)

Welcome to 5th Grade!

Welcome to 5th Grade!

I hope you have enjoyed your summer and are getting ready for the new school year. I can’t believe it is already almost September! I will be your homeroom, Math, and Science teacher. Your switch teacher, Mrs. Wiles-Stasko, will be teaching you Reading/ELA and Social Studies. 

I am thrilled for the 2016-2017 school year to begin!

Math is a lot of fun!  We will be doing 'Math Workshop' this year.  There will be some whole group instruction, small group, and independent work.  It is centered-based and gives you a chance to get some direct one-one teacher instruction.   Each center has a different M.A.T.H. aspect (Math facts, At your seat, Teacher time, Hands on).  Math fact center helps you practice your math facts so we can be fluent!  At your seat is where you work with a group on some MathInFocus activties.  Teacher time is where you work with me on some concepts in a small group or one-one.  Hands on is a center where you can play some games based upon the concept we are learning.  

In Science, we like to do a lot of experiments. In addition to our own fun, the entire fifth grade will be welcoming 'Science from Scientists' into our classrooms. Twice a month a real scientists will come in the class a teach a lesson based upon what we are learning in class. How cool is that? You can read more about this exciting project at sciencefromscientists.org.

Also, in both Math and Science this year we will be utilizing an ‘interactive notebook’. Its almost as if we create our own mini-text book for all the new concepts we learn without all the confusing information.  It serves as a great reference tool... for you AND your parents :)  With that being said, we paste a lot of materials into our notebooks, so glue sticks and colored pencils are number one on your supply list. I probably buy glue sticks monthly! 

I'm looking forward to a wonderful school year!! 

Please refer to the tabs above to access important information.
 The Homework tab we will use DAILY! :)

School Supplies for 5th Grade:

-One 3-ring VIEW binder – 1 1/2 inch (We will be personalizing these so you will need the clear pocket on the front)   

-3 one-subject notebooks (make sure they have holes to fit into binder)

-Dividers- Avery (11902) “Big Tab Pocket Insertable Plastic Dividers” (5 tabs)  

-Number 2 wooden pencils (no mechanical pencils)        

-Two correcting pens of any color   

-Zippered pencil pouch (cloth is more durable)   

-Colored pencils

-Glue sticks (we use glue sticks a lot!)     

-Dry erase markers

Classroom Wish List: tissues, disinfectant wipes, colored copy paper, glue sticks, colored pencils