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!

What We're Learning this Week! (September 29-October 3, 2014)

In Math this week, we began by taking our pre-test over standard 5.NBT.3, which turned out to be the best pre-test scores so far! We had 3 students in green, meaning they scored an 80% or better and don't have to take the post-test, quite a few in yellow, indicating a score of 60-70%, and although we had more red (50% or lower) than anything, MANY of those reds were right at 50%, meaning they were BARELY red. All in all, these scores are still fine, considering this was a pre-test and skills hadn't been taught yet. 

In Social Studies, we began discussing Explorers and the tools they used during exploration. We worked both Monday and Tuesday on reading about various underwater "ship-wrecked" artifacts, noting what they did, what they were used for, and then sorted them into categories, such as a navigational tool used, an item brought back from the New World, etc. Wednesday we "Read Further" about Christopher Columbus and completed a Processing activity that required us to write in an "Exploration Log" about one artifact that we used to help navigate our trip and one artifact that we brought back with us, which allowed us to integrate Writing in Social Studies! A win-win!

In Science, we continued working on Matter and its states. Monday we watched a BrainPop over the 3 states of matter and completed an activity. Tuesday and Wednesday we completed comprehension handouts about liquids and gases. Finally, on Thursday, with partners, we did a simple States of Matter Sort. 

Thursday in Social Studies we opted not to take our end-of-the-chapter test and, since the weather was great, took a walk instead! We listened to the podcast about Marco Polo to help kick off our next chapter about specific explorers, their backgrounds, reasons for exploration, etc. 

What We're Learning this Week! (September 22-26, 2014)

On Monday in Math, we took our pre-test for standard 5.NBT.2. The same rules applied as our previous pre-test: any student scoring an 80% or better doesn't have to take the post-test. Unfortunately, no one got an 80% or better, but we're definitely motivated to improve our scores!

In Science, we continued with our iLearn Science PowerPoint, focusing on "Experiments". We discussed how each experiment begins with a testable question, then research is done, and finally a hypothesis created. We also set up our Skittles Experiment. Our question was "Do Skittles dissolve faster in hot water or cold water?"

In Social Studies, we continued researching and working on our Native American Tribes research projects. After researching last Friday, we began putting our information together and organizing our projects. 

On Tuesday in Math, we practiced solving problems using exponents and powers of ten. We discussed how there is a pattern that is created and how you're really only moving a decimal point and adding zeroes. 

In Science, we completed our Experiment notes, which discussed collecting, analyzing and communicating data. We also completed our Skittles Experiment. 

We discovered that Skittles dissolve faster in warm water!

In Social Studies, we continued working on our projects. They're coming along and looking better day by day!

On Wednesday, it was more of the same! In Math, we continued working with powers of 10 by completing a Powers of 10 Match Up activity with partners. This helped clear up some of the issues a few of us were still having.

In Science, we completed our iLearn Science PowerPoint, which has taught us SO much about Science Process Skills. Today's wrap-up discussed "Communication", both informally and formally, which was perfect timing since we finished up our Native American Tribe projects and are ready to present those as well!