Thursday May 29, 2014

Today began with Mollie's morning meeting about her Memorial Day weekend at a family campground.

Next, we entered the last phase of our eco-columns and ecosystems unit- pollution.  Vinegar (acid rain), salt (road salt), and fertilizer (over fertilization) was added to three producer only eco-columns.  Groups made predictions of what will happen in each column based on background knowledge of the various pollutants.  Over the next couple days we will analyze how the pollution effects the column.

salt, vinegar, fertilizer

Next, we broke down the newest documentaries and information regarding the sinking of the Titanic by watching History Channel's newest research:

On the Oregon Trail major decisions went down today.  Ask you child what happened based on their decision to take the Burial Grounds Trail or Cheyenne River Trail.  

Group 1- Kathy's Wagon Train, Group 2- Micah's new Wagon Train, Group 3- Natalie's Wagon Train, Group 4- Nick's Wagon Train, Group 5- Fiona's new Wagon Train

Post Oregon Trail, students continued to research Titanic's reason for sinking.  Tomorrow we find out who is on what side for the debate!

HOMEWORK

Math

- Kaitlyn: Try to finish Compass Learning Advanced by tomorrow or Friday

Social Studies/Science

- none

Reading
- Read 30 minutes (should be at 22 books by Monday)
- Titanic reading and notes

Vocabulary and Spelling
- frail/fract/frag sentences and PWYK
Other
- Planner signed

Wednesday May 28, 2014

Today began with Omar's tale of tennis and a little matching game.  After, we jumped right into discussing food chains and food webs.  After making connections to Prairie food webs and food webs in our eco-columns, we looked at a real life example of food webs on an island in Lake Superior.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdwnfPurXcs

After, we continued to read, watch and discuss Titanic information.  The question we are debating is, "Whose fault is it that the Titanic sank?"  Is it the ship builders fault or the captain and crews fault?  Our research is growing and opinions are being formed!  Our debate is set for Monday. Hopefully I can video the debate and post it online for everyone to watch, critique and give their opinion on whose fault is really is based on the information presented.

On the Oregon Trail, wagon trains worked through the Prairie Crossing decision.  Groups decided whether they will take the short cut trail through the Native American burial ground, the longer trail along the river, send scouts ahead to check the burial ground and wait, or split their wagon train into 2 groups- one taking the burial grounds and one taking the river trial...  Ask you child what they picked and why!

Play Oregon Trail games for free-
Westward Trail: http://www.globalgamenetwork.com/westward_trail.html
Original Oregon Trail: http://www.virtualapple.org/oregontraildisk.html

HOMEWORK

Math

- Cole, Kaitlyn, Alex: Try to finish Compass Learning Advanced by tomorrow or Friday

Social Studies/Science

- none

Reading
- Read 30 minutes (should be at 22 books by Monday)

Vocabulary and Spelling
- frail/fract/frag sentences
Other
- Planner signed

Tuesday May 27, 2014

Welcome back from a lovely Memorial Day weekend!  I hope everyone had a lovely time in the wonderful weather, I myself am struggling through some sunburn due to sunscreen ignorance.  Life is about choices... I made the wrong one yesterday!

Today began with our final Latin root of the year- "frail/fract/frag" meaning to shatter or break.  Quizlet here!

In science we continued to examine our eco-column and began to discuss food chains in various ecosystems.  We used this great website as a resource and for a fun food chain game: Food Chains

Next we dove straight into Titanic.  Since we have less than a week to prepare for our big debate, we needed to get cracking on this right away.  Together we finished the first book, note taking, and reflecting on "Whose fault is it that the Titanic sank?"  Later in the afternoon we began a National Geographic investigation on the topic.  Students are collecting their research in order to have a debate on Thursday or Friday.  They will then write a persuasive essay based on the debate and whether it was the ship builders or captain and crew's fault for the sinking.

Finally, students had their first big move on the Oregon Trail- no less than 9 dots for any group!  Superb journal entries last week!!  Tomorrow we head into the second trail decision at Prairie Crossing- personally my favorite of all the trail decisions.

On a final note, we were recorded earlier in the year based on the LDC reading/writing pieces that we have been working on that compare similar texts.  Here is the finished product!

HOMEWORK

Math

- Cole, Kaitlyn, Alex: Try to finish Compass Learning Advanced by Thursday or Friday

Social Studies/Science

- Staying in Balance reading and questions

Reading
- Read 30 minutes (should be at 22 books by Monday)

- Titanic reading and notes on it
Vocabulary and Spelling
- frail/fract/frag matching
Other
- Planner signed

Thursday May 22, 2014

This morning began with a review of our Latin root "flect/flex" meaning bend.

After we hopped right into the last day of NWEA and completed the reading portion.  Before reading we set a goal, got into the present moment, and did our best to conquer the assessment.

In the afternoon, we hopped back onto our wagon train and reflected on our rather large experience yesterday at Prairie Wells.

This afternoon began our week long thematic unit on Titanic.  Dr. Hertz came and gave us the overview and expectations for the unit.  Students will be researching, through videos, texts, and websites, one major question about the Titanic: Whose fault was it that the Titanic sunk?  Students will be looking at both sides of the argument, gathering their information, organizing it, participating in a major debate one week from today, and then writing an opinion essay about their findings.  This should be a fantastic ending the the month of May!  Problem solving and high  levels of thinking!!!

HOMEWORK

Math

- MPA revision and reflection due tomorrow

Social Studies/Science

- Aquatic Plant readings and questions due tomorrow (4 opportunity acrostic poem)

Reading
- Read 30 minutes

- Red Fern Discussion board for an advanced opportunity
Vocabulary and Spelling
- flect/flex sentences and PWYK tomorrow
Other
- Planner signed

- Coins of Compassion Friday (Neon Day)

Wednesday May 21, 2014

Today Ember told us about a special evening with a friend she rarely gets to see.  After morning meeting, we discussed the current state of MPAs, which parents will be seeing tonight.  We had a nice long talk about attentiveness to detail and the responsibility of understanding proficient targets at this point in fifth grade.

Next, we dove into NWEA mathematics.  I am proud to say that 100% of our class either exceeded their beginning of the year growth goal OR have surpassed the current fifth grade standard.  Superb.  Now we need to make this happen in reading tomorrow!

In the afternoon, wagon trains had to make a major decision about how they will undertake the water situation at Prairie Wells.  Two groups decided to duke it out with the armed guards, one decided to pay for water, and the final group decided to push on without any water in hopes of finding some at their next destination.  Ask your child what happened to their group!  So far Wagon Master Micah has led his wagon train to an early lead.

In reading we got some Google App action in and it was a smashing success!  Students noticed cause and effect situations in our Journeys story and recorded their text evidence in a Google document.  As students worked, I gave them specific feedback as to how they could improve their responses in real time commenting.  SMASHING success.  Boy, am I loving having Google Apps in the classroom.  Check our first real Google Doc here.

HOMEWORK

Math

- MPA revision and reflection due Friday

Social Studies/Science

- Aquatic Plant readings and questions due Friday (4 opportunity acrostic poem)

- 4 opportunity and 400 extra trail points- research and write a paragraph about how people healed burn wounds on the Oregon Trail

Reading
- Read 30 minutes

- Red Fern Discussion board for an advanced opportunity
Vocabulary and Spelling
- flect/flex sentences and PWYK Friday
Other
- Planner signed
- Sign graded items (2)

- Coins of Compassion Friday (Neon Day)

Tuesday May 20, 2014

Today started with a CPR discussion with Mrs. Erk and Mr. Mocz in the pod.  Responsibility was the topic of discussion.

Post discussion, we got into our NWEA testing for Language and Grammar.  I am happy to say that many students showed growth or were above 5th grade level!

This afternoon we had our first trail decision on the way to Oregon.  Groups read through a situation at Praire Wells that described dry wells due to drought like conditions.  They weighed the pros and cons of various decisions, and tomorrow they will vote on the choice that they will make!  The choices were- pay money for water from armed guards, have only the rich pay for water leaving the less wealthy without water, skip the water all together, fight off the guards, or create their own decision.  Ask your child what they think is the best choice so far!

Nick is getting really into his new persona

In reading we continued our close reading of Rachel's Journal (about the Oregon Trail) and practiced identifying Cause and Effect situations with partners.

HOMEWORK

Math

- none

Social Studies/Science

- Aquatic Plant readings and questions due Friday (4 opportunity acrostic poem)

- Trail Decision 1 if it was not finished in class

Reading
- Read 30 minutes

- PB p. 277
- Red Fern Discussion board for an advanced opportunity
Vocabulary and Spelling
- flect/flex PWYK Friday
Other
- Planner signed
- Sign graded items (2)

Monday May 19, 2014

Today began with our new Latin root of the week- "flect/flex" meaning bend.  Check out a Quizlet here.

After, we jumped into science with a focus on aquatic plants (elodea, duckweed, and algae).  We are discovering the symbiotic relationships these living things have with other living things within the aquarium ecosystem.

In math, we investigated the similarities and differences between prisms and pyramids.  We then continued to compare prisms and cylinders THEN pyramids and cones.  In the end, it will come down to these two facts...

food for thought in math...

While comparing and contrasting various geometric solids, we had the opportunity to ask high school seniors questions about politics.  Within the next 3 weeks, they will be getting back to us via recorded videos and Skype.  This should be a great connection within our district and I hope to do more things like this in future years!

Today was the first day for moving on the Oregon Trail.  Wagon Masters lead their wagon trains, checked on packed supplies, fought through Frontier Fates and some groups actually got to move!  Water barrels and fire wood- two very important items to have packed today!!

Finally, in reading we continued with Red Fern (discussion board here).  Then pairs began reading Rachel's Journal which is about a young girl on the Oregon Trail.  We have a Google Docs activity with this in the next day or two!!

HOMEWORK

Math

- SL 11.2

Reading
- Read 30 minutes
- Red Fern Discussion board for an advanced opportunity
Vocabulary and Spelling
- flect/flex matching
Other
- Planner signed
- Sign graded items (2)

Thursday May 15, 2014

Field Day!!!  All morning!!!

Great job today!  I saw a lot of great teamwork, fun, and respect out there!  Now for some videos!

THE FREEDOM FLYER FIFTH GRADE FLY IN!

Life lesson from Mr. Garger- Stay humble in all competitions....  Gloating leads to embarrassing endings

Mrs. Wilson wants to win... and does!

In the afternoon we wrote our first journal entry for Oregon.  I cannot wait to read these and hear all about your fake 1840s families and lives!

Math

- Geometric solids WS

Science

- Wagons packed to 1,000 BWUs by tomorrow!
Reading
- Read 30 minutes
- Red Fern Discussion board for an advanced opportunity
- Purple/pink: voc. response; Green/blue: trifolds
Vocabulary and Spelling
- viv, vit sentences and PWYK tomorrow
Other
- Planner signed

Wednesday May 14, 2014

This morning, fifth graders all around the district visited the middle school they will attend next year.  I got to visit with the Strayer fifth graders today and here are some photos:

Overall, I was very proud of our maturity and behavioral choices throughout the experience.  I think we are almost ready for next year!

In the afternoon, we went down to first grade to be interviewed by our first grade buddies.  They are writing biographies about our fifth grade students.  We cannot wait to read these finished products!

Post interviews, we headed back to the classroom and read a little about how wagons destined for Oregon were packed in the 1840s.  Students then teamed up into their wagon trains and began planning what resources would be best to pack for the journey.  Each wagon only gets to pack 1,000 BWUs (our measurement system for this unit) of items.  I loved the conversation and explanation of why something would be useful or why something would be a total waste of space.  Deep thinking and application of knowledge at its finest!

Math

- Circumference review sheet (C= diameter * pi)

Science

- Wagons packed to 1,000 BWUs by Friday!
Reading
- Read 30 minutes
- Red Fern Discussion board for an advanced opportunity
Vocabulary and Spelling
- viv, vit sentences due Friday
Other
- Planner signed

- Field day tomorrow

Tuesday May 13, 2014

Today's morning meeting began with a story from Justin about his Mother's Day.  Then we had a practice weather drill!

After morning meeting we jumped right into science where we spent a great deal of time observing, sketching, and diagramming our ecocolumns.  Great effort on these!

Then we jumped into math and geometric solids.  This will be wrapped up tomorrow.

In the afternoon, students found out who their Wagon Masters were for the Oregon Trail, rolled dice, and received new identities for our Oregon Trail real life simulation.  Ask your child who they are and what their new family is like.

In reading we wrapped up small groups part one with a focus on Compare and Contrast.

Tomorrow is middle school visit day.  Please wear your green fifth grade shirts and bring your most mature attitude!

Math- none

Science

- Brainstorm your new persona, character and family for Oregon Trail
Reading
- Read 30 minutes
- Red Fern Discussion board for an advanced opportunity
- Pink and Purle: trifolds; Green and Blue- vocabulary response
Vocabulary and Spelling
- viv, vit PWYK Friday
Other
- Planner signed

- Middle school visits tomorrow!
- Finish coloring your field day freedom fighter jet

Monday May 12, 2014

We began our morning with the introduction of this week's Latin root "viv, vit" meaning "life or live."  Quizlet here!

Next, we jumped into our ecocolumns (well not really! hahahahahahahahaha....)  and found out why our aquariums need mosquito fish and snails.

mosquito fish being used in the Northeast

In math, we began unit 11 and started discussing geometric solids.  Tomorrow we will continue and begin comparing them to each other as well.

Writing kicked off my personal favorite unit of the year- Westward Expansion.  We went over the expectations of the unit, built some background knowledge with a video, and will get our new identities and wagon trains tomorrow!!! Exciting times!  Soon we hit the trail!

We wrapped up the day with Red Fern, which we have a discussion board post about.  Also, we began our final Journeys small group books focusing on comparing and contrasting characters and events.

Tonight’s Homework

Math- SL 11.1

Science

- Mosquito Fish and Snail readings/questions
Reading
- Read 30 minutes
- Red Fern Discussion board for an advanced opportunity
Vocabulary and Spelling
- viv, vit matching
Other
- Planner signed

Friday May 9, 2014 and Spelling Bee!

Today we wrapped up many of our projects that have been going on in C6.

A huge 

to all of our mothers out there!

Finally, a massive congratulations to all of our Spelling Bee contestants!  You worked hard for the past three months to prepare for this day.  An even bigger cheers to our finalists: Bradley (3rd place), Brett (2nd place), and Kathy (1st place)!!!!!