Earth's Systems Interaction Project

Where does the week go?  This week we started a new project and it’s a building project!  Look for the supply request letter to come home.  We need supplies by Monday, March 3, which is right around the corner!  

We have learned about the geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere and how these spheres interact.  Each student is in a small group and has chosen an event where at least two of the spheres interact such as a wildfire, a volcano, a tsunami or an oil spill.  Each small group will need a tri-fold display board and each student will be responsible to print some color pictures for the board.  If this is not an option for you to do at home, please email me so we can make other arrangements.  The students will build a model of their event showing a model of how it was before and after the event.  The students have a rubric to guide them as they work together in this process.  The building will be done completely at school.  

When we get a date set, we would like to have parents come see the presentations.  We are looking at March 12 at 2:00, but that is a tentative date and time at this point.  

Things are going well in the classroom, we finished our read aloud, True Confessions Of Charlotte Doyle, and the students are writing a different ending.  We can’t wait to hear all the variations when we share with the class.   

Have a great week!

Research Report

This week we have been busily working on our animal research report during our writing time and during our Daily Five literacy blocks.  This report is on a self-selected animal.  It needs to have three headings and each heading needs to have two paragraphs.  Each student printed out his or her draft last week to take home over the long weekend to edit with an adult.   I loved seeing all the changes come in, knowing that a parent or sibling took the time to go through the paper and give helpful feedback.  Thank you for that!

After the written report is turned in, the students get to make a short slide show about their animal to share with the class.  We are all learning a lot from each other!

We are also starting our new Earth Science project next week.  This week is full of vocabulary and information-gathering.

Hope you all enjoyed your President's Day holiday.  It makes for a really short week coming back.  

New Project, Writing, and Valentine's Day

This week we are finishing up our economics project with some reflection about our presentations and a quiz on the vocabulary we used during the project.  We will start our new Earth Science project with some vocabulary this week.  This new project will involve making a model, so be prepared for that.   We will do two science projects in a row before we go back to Social Studies.  Because fifth graders take the Science CRT test this year, we want to cover as much ground in Science as possible before the test dates.

In writing, we are working on a research report.  Don't be afraid, the work should be done almost entirely in the classroom.  Your student has chosen an animal and found 3 websites for research.  He or she has also chosen three headings and is taking notes to be ready to begin writing a draft later this week.  If all goes as planned, your student will bring home a copy of the rough draft to edit with you at home this weekend.  Make the changes on paper and send it back in with your child.

We will celebrate Valentine's Day with a party in the afternoon.  We will exchange cards and enjoy some nachos in the classroom.  Then we will go outside for some active partner "Minute to Win it" type games.  Thank you to all the parents who are sending in food and game items.  I love having so many willing volunteers!  Have a great week!

Economics Project

Welcome to a new week!  The big things this week are a test on Mr. Blue Jeans and our project presentations on Thursday.  The test is Monday morning and the students may use their informal outline that they have been keeping as they read.  They will have an essay question which we discussed last week in class.

For our Economics project, the students have been working really hard to get their written business plan completed and to get their slide show wit their oral presentation ready.  We will have several community business leaders in our classroom to see their slide shows and listen to their ideas.  They will ask questions and give feedback.  We have a few budding business people in the class and I am excited to see and hear their plans.  

We sure appreciate our business people for committing to help out.  Community involvement in an important part of project based learning, so we really appreciate them!  They are:  Dee Dee Ferguson of Cobblestone Corner, Mayor Ken Tedford of Tedford Tire, Andrea Schell of Fallon Kaia Fit, and Roger Diedrichsen of Pizza Barn.  All were excited and willing to rearrange their schedules to meet with us and we feel honored to have them join us on Thursday afternoon.