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Those Hard Working Brains!

Feb17

Today our 4th and 5th level students had their science fair.  Though nervous and anxious, everyone performed exceptionally well!  After judging, many shared the fact that their brains were tired.   Tired brains are a sign of a job well done.

After lunch and recess, we took several SAGE practice tests.  More brain exercise.

This limited time that we have full class access to computers is a wonderful time for students to safely practice using the tools they will be tested on beginning next month.

Give your kids a hug.  Tell them you are proud.  They are amazing!

 

Happy New Year

Jan3

I hope you all had a relaxing winter break and are ready for the new year.

As we enter 2016, I will be making available a basic overview of each week’s math and language lesson plans.  This resource will allow you to see what we are working on in class, as well as prompt discussions between you and your children about what they are learning each day.

As with all things in life, there may be times when plans change and a  lesson is pushed ahead, or we do it a day early.  When viewing these plans, please keep this in mind.

Lesson Plan Links:

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Important Dates to Remember:

January 8 (was December 18)- Science Fair Materials and Procedures Due

January 12 – 5th grade field trip to America First Credit Union

January 12 – 5th grade JA BizTown elections

January 28 – 5th grade JA BizTown field trip (we need 4 parent volunteers/drivers to help us with this field trip – watch for a separate email with details)

January 29 – Science Fair Data and Graphs

February 12 – Science Fair Research Paper (6th Grade Only)

February 16 – Science Fair Final Report (4th and 5th Grade Only)

February 17-18 – Science Fair Display Board

February 23 – Class field trip the Leonardo Museum (2 Chaperons Needed)

 

December is Here!

Dec2

No doubt, the older I get the faster time flies.  I cannot believe it is already December and there is snow on the ground.

Your kids came back from Thanksgiving Break ready to work and for that, I am thankful.  We began new units in our afternoon cultural studies and the children seem to be completely immersed in their small group and independent studies.  Level 4 are back in Utah for more history, Level 5 took a trip to Ancient Egypt and Level 6 students are researching the Middle Ages.  You can find a copy of the study guide for each level under the *PDF tab at the top of the blog.  Each grade level has a 3 week unit plan that will take us all the way up to Winter break.  Although in some cases it looks like a lot of work, there is plenty of time during class for this work to be completed if your child is on task.

Speaking of Winter break, our annual pancake breakfast is scheduled for the last day of school before the break.  Each year we have a class breakfast, with parents invited to join us for pancakes, fruit and juice.  In order to make this a success, we need parent volunteers to cook as well as donations of food items and paper goods.  Our breakfast is scheduled from 9-10:30, Friday, December 18.  The students will set up the tables and chairs at 8:30.   With breakfast beginning around 9:30 (once pancakes have begun coming off the griddle).  If can volunteer time, goods or both, please sign up at this link.

*Updated Forms:

If your student is in need of additional copies of Science Fair forms or the guidelines for the International Festival (PDF), you can find those forms on the tabs at the top of the blog.

Science Fair

Nov4

We had a great discussion about science fair today during class.

For our 4th grade students, science fair is an opportunity to experience the scientific process (perhaps for the first time for some) and what it is like to present findings to others.  5th grade students are using their experience from 4th grade and building on that from a simple “experiment” to a more complicated design process.  Our 6th grade students are using everything they learned from 4th and 5th grade to design, test, redesign, retest and put it all together into a presentation and research paper worthy of middle school standards.

Your students will be bringing home a “Background Research Plan Worksheet” to help them with their research.  This worksheet is designed to help your children design a plan for gathering the background information needed to complete a successful science fair project.  This plan is due November 11 (next Wednesday).   If your student still has not decided on a topic and a question they plan to investigate, this is due at the same time as the research plan.

A really great resource for helping your child with their project is Science Buddies.

I have adjusted our classroom’s science fair time line slightly.  Upcoming Science Fair Project due dates are as follows:

Research Plan: November 11

Hypothesis and Variables: November 30

Materials and Procedures: December 18

Data and Graphs: January 29

Research Paper (6th Grade Only): February 12

Final Report (4th and 5th Grade Only): February 16

Display Board: February 17-18

 

We will discuss each of these items in class as the time approaches.

Weekly Update – September 14

Sep16

Here we are mid-September already and it feels like school just started!  It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the time passes.

This week we have our student council elections.  With two students running from our own class, your children are being immersed in the election process.  With Constitution Day tomorrow, we are beginning to get a picture of what it means to be a good citizen.

Our afternoons are filled with Geography at the moment.

Level 4 students are studying the basics of navigation on maps using latitude and longitude.  We were even lucky enough to find a beautiful copy of Ptolemy’s world map.  I love maps and seeing the origins of our maps today is always exciting.

Level 5 students are also looking at maps, but in a slightly different way.  Last week they learned basic compass skills and created their own indoor “orienteering” maps for each other.   This week they are learning about topography by studying Mt. Everest through a beautiful topographical map.  We discussed George Mallory’s contribution, and consequently his sad demise as well.

Level 6 students are beginning to study early explorers of N. America.  By creating their own US maps and tracking the routes of early explorers such as de Soto, Cartier and others they are getting a sense of the difficulties encountered by early explorers.  This study will lead to our focus of US history this year.

As an aside, several field trip permission slips (3 to be exact) have come home with your students the last week.  Although 2 of the trips are not scheduled for at least another month, please return those with your children at your earliest convenience.   I will send reminders several days before the field trip so you and your children are prepared, but I wanted to try and get all of the paper work settled well ahead of time.

Our first field trip is next Friday, September 25, with Ms. Holly’s class.  This has been a nice walking trip for us the past two years.

Don’t forget, IXL homework is mandatory, if your student was absent the day new homework assignments were given, they can always be found on the blog at the top of the page where is says IXL homework.  Please be sure your children are spending time each night practicing these skills.

Have a wonderful week!