What We're Learning this Week! (October 27-31, 2014)

Standards of focus: Math: 5.NBT.5; Science 5-PS1-3

Last Week's MobyMax Math High Scorers!: Joe Mullins and Karalyne Swartz

This week is Red Ribbon Week! To celebrate being drug-free, our schedule of activities is as follows:

Monday: "Drugs Can't Find Me!' (Camo Day)

Tuesday: "Love and Peace, be Drug Free!" (Tie-dyed Day)

Wednesday: "I'm a True Blue Jean-ius, I'm Drug-Free!" (Blue shirt and blue jeans Day)

Thursday: "Red-y to Live Drug-Free and Make a Difference!" (Red out Day; wear as much red as you can)

Friday: "Scare Drugs Away!" (Costume Day; no masks or anything that resembles a weapon)

In Math on Monday, we continued our focus of multi-digit multiplication by reviewing 2x2-digit and 2x3-digit multiplication and taking notes over 3x3-digit and larger multiplication. We discussed how once you got the pattern of the order in which to multiply (we talked about how it's like a windshield wiper...up to the right and sweep to the left!) the only other hard part is to remember those zero place holders. But, as a reminder, we started calling our zero the "hero" because without him, we will always get our answers wrong, even if we multiply and add correctly! 

In Science, we are still pluggin' away at physical properties of matter. Today we viewed a Mixtures & Solutions PowerPoint and completed our guided notes that go along with it. We discussed how solutions are really just special types of mixtures, where one of the substances dissolves into the other. 

In Social Studies, we've been working on a CSI Investigation in History...the Mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke. We began this project on Thursday and worked with it on Friday as well. In our groups, we worked through our CSI case file and read background information on the colony of Roanoke, as well as read about many theories as to what happened to the colonists there. Today, we wrapped up our investigation and watched a really neat documentary from the History Channel that talked about many of the same pieces of evidence that we discussed. For homework, we had to write a case conclusion, discussing what WE thought really happened, using evidence and backing up our theories. 

You can view the documentary in its entirety, titled America Unearthed: Mystery of Roanoke, by clicking the link. 

On Tuesday in Math, we practiced our multi-digit multiplication one last time before taking our post-test over this standard by completing some Spider and Halloween themed task cards. 

In Science, we completed a handout over mixtures, as we continue our focus of physical changes in matter. 

In Social Studies, we began our chapter 6 guided notes, which had us looking at and focusing on three early American colonies: Roanoke, Jamestown, and Plymouth. We completed sensory figures for these colonies where, using a word bank, we summarized what we read about each colony using sentence stems and our senses. 

Wednesday was a short day for us! We began the day with a "Trix Sticks" that got us fired up about being drug-free! 

Then, in Math we completed our 5.NBT.5 post-test that we did really well on! We are now ready to begin 5.NBT.6, DIVISION!

In Science, we completed a handout over solutions, tying in the notes we completed on Monday. 

In Social Studies, we completed our sensory figures by summarizing and using our senses pretending we were a Plymouth colonist.  

On an unrelated note, Mrs. Elliott finished our class fingerprint plate today for the Fall Festival auction. It turned out really well!

This is SO fitting because every time we take a walk with The Walking Classroom, Mrs. Elliott compares us to marching ants! :) 

On Thursday in Math, we took our pre-test for 5.NBT.6, which focuses on long division. We also took notes over the steps and started small by focusing on dividing numbers with 1-digit divisors, which was a review from 4th grade. 

In Science, we completed a test prep lesson over mixtures and solutions, requiring us to read a passage and complete a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the two.

In Social Studies, we did another dice simulation, which we LOVE doing! Everyone's turns out differently and your "life" is in the chance of the die role. This time, since we are talking about early English settlements, our dice simulation was focused around Pilgrims. We had 5 places to go, beginning in England, as that's where the Pilgrims originated from in search of religious freedom:

We LOVE these dice simulations and really get into them!

Each area has a table that goes with it that tells what the role of the dice means and indicates where to go next. A lot of use "made it" and were successful in creating a functioning, thriving colony. However, many of us died due to various reasons. After "making it", passing away, or 20 dice rolls, we then created Pilgrim Journal entries that elaborated on our journeys. Using our recording sheet of roles, we matched our journals up with what happened during the simulation, explaining how we made it during the harsh winters, our sail over on the Mayflower, or even how we passed away. 

On Friday, we celebrated Halloween and Fall by having our annual Fall Party. We made slime, watched "Are You Afraid of the Dark?", an oldie-but-goody favorite of Mrs. Elliott's and may or may not have watched "The Giver", which Mrs. Dennis had read aloud to us earlier in the year. 

What We're Learning this Week! (October 20-24, 2014)

Standards of focus: Math: 5.NBT.4 and 5.NBT.5; Science 5-PS1-2 and 5-PS1-3

Last Week's MobyMax Math High Scorers!: Reagan Purvis and Emma Jackson

In Math on Monday, we wrapped up our study of 5.NBT.4 by taking our post-test. For this standard, the most people so far passed the pre-test with an 80% or better, qualifying them as an "expert" or person to ask for help, as 14 of us in total were green! Mrs. Elliott was also extremely pleased with our overall class results on the post-test, as well. The "experts" can choose to retake the post-test for a better grade, or opt out and work on other projects or activities during post-test time, most of the time being MobyMax Math to get tickets for our monthly drawing and bonus points, working on Challenge Packets, or studying for Academic Team. The rest of us put to use what we've practiced and do our best to increase our scores. Take a look at our pre-test to post-test increases!

Mrs. Elliott's homeroom Pre-Test scores (12 red, 3 yellow, & 7 green; 2 of us were absent)

Mrs. Dennis' homeroom Pre-Test scores (13 red, 3 yellow, & 7 green; 1 person was absent)

Both homeroom's Post-Test scores with Elliott's on the left and Dennis' on the right!

Mrs. Elliott's homeroom went to 3 red, 7 yellow, and 13 green, a proficiency of 87%. Three students who were in the yellow or red were absent and hadn't taken the Post-Test yet, so we're hoping they're scores increase and that 87% goes even higher!

Mrs. Dennis' homeroom went to 4 red, 2 yellow, and 18 green, a proficiency of 83%. Two students who were in the yellow or red were absent and hadn't taken the Post-Test yet, so we're hoping they're scores increase as well!

In Science on Monday, we wrapped up standard 5-PS1-2 by completing an Extended Response question in our Interactive Science Notebooks. This was a good practice for us, to make sure that we are explaining our thoughts and putting concepts into our own words.

In Social Studies, we continued working on our European Explorer timelines, they're looking great and Mrs. Elliott can't wait to share the final products. 

On Tuesday in Math, we took our 5.NBT.5 Pre-Test and began discussing how to correctly use the traditional algorithm (the old-school way) to multiply multi-digit numbers. We practiced by starting small; multiplying 2-digit by 2-digit numbers. 

In Science, we introduced our new standard, 5-PS1-3 and discussed our I Can... Statement. Then, we took guided notes over a Properties of Matter PowerPoint, discussing the various physical properties of matter, such as mass, volume, magnetism, relative density, color, conductivity to thermal (heat) energy, and conductivity to electrical energy, as well as a few others. We are ready to observe and categorize objects based upon these properties!

In Social Studies, we complete our European Explorers timeline projects. They look AMAZING and Mrs. Elliott plans to hang a few on the proficiency board Wednesday. She'll post pictures of some final products then as well!

In Math on Wednesday, we practiced our 2-digit by 2-digit multiplication by completing a WIzard of Oz theme activity. So far, we're doing really well following the steps to multiply to get the correct answer. Only a few of us are forgetting our zero place holders.

In Science, we practiced measuring and observing the physical properties of two items: a penny and a plastic hand-lens. We measured or observed mass, magnetism, relative density, conductivity to electrical energy, and solubility in water.



In Social Studies, we took our chapter 5 test and are ready to begin chapter 6 on Thursday.

We also had a guest speaker in preparation for next week's Red Ribbon Week. Jenna Huff, a graduate student from Morehead State University came to talk to us and about the effcts of drugs on the brain, specifically Meth and alcohol. It was a great presentation and we all learned SO much about how these drugs effect the brain and leave everlasting effects.



On Thursday in Math, we took notes and discussed multiplying 3-digit by 2-digit numbers. We discovered that it's really no different that 2-digit by 2-digit, it's just a third number to multiply by. 

In Science, we continued our investigation of physical properties by identifying 5 physical properties of aluminum foil. We observed and measured the same properties as from Wednesday: mass, relative density, solubility in water, conductivity to electrical energy, and magnetism. 

In Social Studies, we began a project that had us working as part of a CSI crew to discover a "mystery in history", what happened at the Lost Colony of Roanoke? After Mrs. Elliott gave us some background information about the colony, working with our groups, we began reading various scenarios and discussing their plausibility. The first scenario we discussed was the possibility of the settlers packing up and moving to Croatoan Island. We looked at physical evidence that was found on the island and talked about the various ways those artifacts could have gotten to the island. The second scenario we began reading about was the possibility of the colonist coming under Spanish attack, seeing as how England and Spain were at war with one another during this time. 

What We're Learning this Week! (October 13-17, 2014)

Standards of focus: Math: 5.NBT.4; Science 5-PS1-2

In Math on Monday, we began by taking our 5.NBT.4 Pre-test. As a whole, we did better on this pre-test than any so far, with 7 of us in each class (Elliott's and Dennis' homerooms) scoring an 80% or better and not being required to take the post-test. This standard has us focusing on rounding numbers to a specific place so we made sure to record notes in our Interactive Student Notebooks that would help us later.

In Science, we completed a graphic organizer in our Science notebooks that helped to further explain the Law of Conservation of Mass.

In Social Studies, we "Read Further" about Spain and France fighting over Florida during the age of exploration. We also matched the various routes to the explorer of which it belonged.

On Tuesday in Math, we completed a "Round and Round..." activity with our partners where we got the chance to practice rounding numbers to a given place value.

In Science, we further discussed the Law of Conservation of Mass and Mrs. Elliott did a demonstration with sugar and water for us. Last week, using ice, we discussed how matter can change states by cooling or heating and the mass remains constant as long as no matter is added nor taken away. Today, we discussed how matter can also be mixed and the sum of the parts seperate equals the sum of the parts when combined. We proved this by weighing a beaker with water and a sugar packet before mixed, and then with the sugar dissolved in the water. We found that both times, the mass was the same.

In Social Studies, we tried something new today: a European Explorer Dice Simulation. We rotated through 6 different scenarios, based upon what they rolled at the previous station. 

(Not pictured: "In Europe", where each student explorer began!)

We did this 20 times; rolling, reading what each role meant, and then going to that station to role again.

After 20 roles, we looked at our recording sheets and then began writing journal entries, pretending we were explorers and using what we rolled and our recording sheet as our guide to tell about our journeys. Some of us never made it our of Europe because we couldn't get funding. Some of us spent months lost at sea, while still others explored vast lands and uncharted territories. It was a BLAST!

On Wednesday in Math, we continued working with rounding decimals. With partners, we worked on football (of course!) themed task cards that also had real life connections, such as rounding money. 

In Social Studies, we began working on our European Explorer Timelines. In groups of 3, we began researching and finding 10 voyages, developments, discoveries, outcomes, etc. of European explorers that we felt were important during the Age of Discovery. We then worked on placing them on the correct spot on the timeline, along with a small blurb and an illustration. We will continue working on this project next week, but so far, they're coming along really nicely!

Science Song! "4 States of Matter"

To accompany our study of matter and Next Generation Science Standards 5-PS1-1 and 5-PS1-2, here's the song we've been jamming to in class the past few days!

What We're Learning this Week! (October 6-10, 2014)

Standards of focus - Math: 5.NBT.3 ; Science: 5-PS1-2

 

In Math, we started the week taking notes over comparing numbers and decimals in our Interactive Student Notebooks. We discussed how important it was to line numbers up according to place value, or the result would be an incorrect answer. 

In Science, we completed an Order Up! activity over the states of matter, that was kind of like the game "I Have, Who Has?" for one person. It was also a great wrap-up and review for the Physical Science standard we've been studying: 5-PS1-1.

In Social Studies, we began our studies of chapter 5, which goes into detail about 8 European Explorers. We researched to find out information about their personal backgrounds, their sponsors, or who helped finance their journey, their motivations, the dates that they explored, the routes they traveled, and the impact of their explorations. So far, as we've completed Christopher Columbus, John Cabout, Juan Ponce de Leon, and Hernan Cortes, we've noticed many of them were sponsored by Spain and shared similar motives.

On Tuesday in Math, in preparation for our 5.NBT.3 post-test, we prepared by what else, playing games of course! In groups of three, we practiced all of the skills that were required by this specific standard. We were ready to ROCK Wednesday's test!

In Science, we began talking about our new focus standard: 5-PS1-2, which discussed conservation of mass. We conducted an experiment to PROVE that the mass of an ice cub as a solid was the same as the mass of the same ice cube after it had melted. After 3 fair trials, collecting results each time, to complete our standards requirements, we analyzed our data and created a graph to display it. Then we practiced writing conclusions, backing our claims up with evidence from our data. This experiment was a simple one, but proved very beneficial in understanding our I Can statement!

 We weighed our ice and let it melt!

Then re-weighed the melted liquid to compared the mass before and after. 

On Thursday and Friday we made our annual trek to North Central 4-H Camp in Carlisle, Kentucky for Social Studies Camp. It's an overnight field trip that Bath County 4th graders have been taking for years to experience Environmental Camp and Science content. Last year, 5th grade decided for the first year to get in on the fun, but to change the classes and concepts, tailoring it more toward Social Studies content and needs. We love it and this year was no different! 

At Social Studies Camp, we did a ton of fun activities that not only tied into Social Studies, but Science, Arts & Humanities, and Practical Living, as well! We went to classes discussing the importance of our water here on Earth and how civilizations and colonies from long ago got and treated water. We went on a nature hike, which discussed various trees, shrubs, greenery, etc., that Native Americans used to both eat and build with. We also learned about mammals of Kentucky, where we got to see various mammal pelts and hear about how Native Americans used the pelts in their everyday lives. 

We also visited an authentic log cabin that had been taken apart and reassembled at camp. It was neat to see how people during the colonial times lived and the steps they had to go through in order to cook, bathe, use the restroom, etc. that we take for granted. 

We learned about the different Native American tribes we were broken into and represented, as well as viewed various Native American artifacts!

 

On Friday, we got to watch a REALLY neat presentation on Falconry! The presenter brought in his birds that he has trained and talked about the length of time, hard work and training that are involved to become a falconry hunter. It was awesome!

 

Of course, as always, Thursday night we did "Sally Down the Alley", which we loved, got us all hot and sweaty, and wore us smack out! And Friday right before time to load up, we did 4-H Olympics. Mrs. Elliott's class didn't fair so well, but we all had fun and still got treats! All in all, 4-H Social Studies camp was a blast and we can't wait to go back again next year!