Open House!

Be sure to join us July 29th from 7-8 p.m.! I look forward to meeting all of my wonderful new 5th graders and celebrating... 
POOL SIDE!!!

Buying school supplies? Click the link below to access the suggested Owingsville Elementary School 5th grade student supply list. 

5th Grade Supply List

* Note: Please add 2 composition notebooks to this list for a total of 4. (Updated 7/15/14)

Welcome to Mrs. Elliott's Class Blog!

Welcome to Mrs. Elliott's classroom blog! I am so excited that you have chosen to visit my class page! This blog was designed so that I could share what's happening in our classroom with you, our family and friends. As you explore my blog, you can see our daily schedule, view cool projects and activities that we've been working on and read about the special events and learning that take place in our room every day. We hope by visiting my blog, you can get a better idea of what we do on a daily basis as 5th grade Math, Science and Social Studies students at Owingsville Elementary School! Enjoy your journey and remember to check back often!

 

Blog designed and maintained by Mrs. Jessica Elliott.

This is a personal blog that is in no way affiliated with my school, school system, or any other public or private organization. The thoughts and views expressed here are mine alone unless otherwise noted. All contents within this sit is copywright (c) 2011-2014 Jessica Elliott. Materials are for personal and educational purposes only. If you use or share ideas from this site, please include the URL and give appropriate credit. 

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

Well, after so many snow days, it wasn't as much as Mrs. Elliott would have liked. However, after a two week break from school on top of Christmas Break, Friday we FINALLY got back in the routine of things. 

In Math, we began working on our second Numbers and Operations - Fractions standard. We began by taking the 5.NF.2 Pre-Assessment. Mrs. Elliott made a deal that anyone who got a 100% on the Pre-Test did not have to take the Post-Test, as they had already mastered the material. The lucky student? Morgan Patrick! After reading, writing, and re-writing in 5th grade language our I CAN statements for the standard, we completed the rest of our Math Data Notebook necessities. Although it was a Friday and Mrs. Elliott doesn't give homework over the weekend, she did make an exception in this case since we had missed so much school.

In Social Studies, we continued our studies of the Declaration of Independence. Being able to read the Declaration isn't enough in 5th grade. Students need to be able to comprehend specific excerpts, since this is such an important document in American history. We have practiced this a few times already. We've completed a scavenger hunt of the Declaration, and taken notes in our Interactive Student Notebook, rewriting excerpts in our own, easy-to-read language. So, to keep this from becoming stale and boring, Mrs. Elliott tied in a little 21st century technology. Through our studies, we've discussed how the Declaration of Independence is kind of like a letter from the colonists explaining that they were finished with Britain and King George III. So, we took a modern twist and students used the excerpts to write a "break-up letter" to King George. But, since no one writes letters anymore and more and more communication is done technologically, we "broke up" with George via text message! We loved this activity and will complete it Monday!

**Looking for a paper? Check out the Filing Cabinet! 

What We're Learning this Week (September 30 - October 4, 2013)

In Math on Monday we continued working on multiplying multi-digit whole numbers, up to 4-digit by 3-digit (5.NBT.5). We've realized that it's the simple mistakes that are costing us to get these problems wrong.  Not adding enough zero placeholders or confusing our multiplication facts, for example. Mrs. Elliott wasn't kidding all those times she preached about us HAVING to know our multiplication facts!

In Science, we are continuing our discussion of ecosystems. Our essential question this week: "Is the lion really king of the jungle?" We discussed how lions don't even live in the jungle, but the savannah instead, with special adaptations that allow them to remain dominant at the top of the food chain: sharp claws, powerful legs, strong jaws, etc.

In Social Studies, we wrapped up Chapter 5, Routes of the Early European Explorers, by taking our summative assessment, or post-test. Hopefully we all did well!

What We're Learning September 23 - 27, 2013

On Monday in Math, we began our lessons focusing on standard 5.NBT.4. Our "I Can" statement reads, "I can round decimal numbers to any place using what I know about base-10 and place value." We began by creating a foldable or "flippy", as we like to call them, over rounding and put them in our Interactive Notebooks. From here, we worked on a task card requiring us to round numbers to the nearest tenth, hundredth, thousandth, ten thousand, and hundred thousand. Once we got the hang of rounding decimals, we realized that this standard is a breeze and just an extension from last year!

In Science, we continued working on our second unit with this week's essential question: Why do pandas eat plants, but polar bears eat meat? This got us discussing a lot of content we learned last year in 4th grade, including vocabulary, as we compared and contrasted the two bears and discussed specific adaptations of other animals as well, such as the blowhole of a dolphin, the long eyelashes of a camel, and a monkey's tail that allowed them to thrive in their specific ecosystem. 

In Social Studies, we dove right back into Chapter 5 that we previewed last Thursday before our field trip to Gladie. We began our European Explorer Matrix, comparing the eight major European explorers. We had to research each explorer's personal background, sponsor, motive for exploration, routes they explored, timeline of their explorations, and impact their exploration had upon the Native peoples and the world. We discussed Christopher Columbus and John Cabot and will continue researching our other explorers throughout the week. 

Summer Vacation!

So... Summer Break is flying by! We are already a full month into break and it's showing no signs of slowing down. I just got back from vacation and feel like I need to be in full-on teacher mode, although I'm fighting to still enjoy all my summer days with baby Jackson! He's getting so big! Although I may be fighting the urges to work on teacher stuff, I'm getting SUPER excited about the upcoming school year... I already know my group of kids, although they HAVE been switched up a little, moving back to 5th grade, teaching Social Studies, this year's Academic team, I could go on and on! I've already got my class list and most of my students know whether they'll be in Ms. Deaton's (soon to be Mrs. Dennis) homeroom or mine. I'll post a class list later. I'm excited! It's going to be an amazing year! Lots of changes in store!

Welcome!

A Warm Welcome to Mrs. Elliott's Class Blog!

Welcome!

Welcome to Mrs. Elliott's classroom blog! We are so excited that you have chosen to visit our class page! This blog was designed so that we could share what's happening in our classroom with you, our family and friends. As you explore our blog, you can see our daily schedule, view cool projects and activities that we've been working on and read about the special events and learning that take place in our room every day. We hope by visiting our blog, you can get a better idea of what we do on a daily basis as 5th grade Math, Science and Social Studies students at Owingsville Elementary School! Enjoy your journey and remember to check back often!

 

Blog designed and maintained by Mrs. Jessica Elliott

This is a personal blog that is in no way affiliated with my school, school system, or any other public or private organization. The thought and views expressed here are mine alone unless otherwise noted. 

All contents within this site is copywright (c) 2011-2013 Jessica Elliott. Materials are for personal and educational purposes only. If you use or share ideas from this site, please include the URL and give appropriate credit.  

What We're Learning this Week (December 3-7, 2012)

In Math on Monday, we continued our study of fractions. We've already learned how to find equivalent fractions, convert improper fractions into mixed numbers and vice versa, mixed numbers into improper fractions. The next thing on the agenda was to learn how to add and subtract fractions with common denominators, which we accomplished and thought was quite easy!

In Science, we continued discussing fossils and the fossil record. We learned the different types of fossils, including cast, mold, trace, and petrified wood, as well as how each are made.

In Math on Tuesday, we M.A.P. tested, which took almost all of our Math AND Science time. In the Fall, our goal to be considered proficient in 4th grade was a 203.8. Our Winter goal is a 208.7 (basically a 209). Mrs. Elliott set a lofty goal for us to accomplish, a proficiency score of 60%. Although we didn't quite accomplish that goal, she is EXTREMELY proud of us, as all but a few (VERY few might I add) increased our Fall scores drastically! Some by as many as 16 points! Needless to say, she is one happy teacher! :)

What We're Learning this Week (November 26-30, 2012)

In Math on Monday, we continued working with fractions. We discussed what improper fractions and mixed numbers were, as well as learned how to convert improper fractions into mixed numbers by simply dividing. 

In Science, we began our study over chapter 8, which discusses how Earth changes. We began by talking about the different types of landforms found on Earth, including volcanoes, deltas, dunes, plains, plateaus, mountains, and islands. 

Apologies!

I apologize for the lack of posting this past week, in both keeping everyone up-to-date with our in-class studies, as well as homework. Our blog website host has been down and has not allowed us to even log-in, let alone post or link anything new. Hopefully everything is working and back to normal, just in time for our Turkey Day Holidays!

Rock Cycle (Science Song!)

Types of Rocks (Science Song!)

What We're Learning this Week (November 5-9, 2012)

In Math on Monday, we began our second unit covering fractions. We started by discussing how to find equivalent fractions (by multiplying or dividing BOTH the numerator and denominator by the same number), as well as using fraction models to help illustrate their equivalency. 

In Science, we began discussing the types of rock and how they form: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. We also learned a new song! (See the above post!) 

Wednesday in Math, we began studying factors, multiples, and prime and composite numbers. We discussed that a number has to be either prime or composite. Prime numbers have only two factors: 1 and the number itself. Composite numbers have more than two factors. 

In Science, we completed a Mystery Mineral investigation. We became "Experts" at investigating the physical properties of specific rocks. Then, together as a class, we had to figure out what type of rock each of our mystery rocks were, based upon their characteristics and attributes. Below are photos of us testing the color, streak color, luster, hardness, texture, whether or not it contains iron, and whether or not it contains carbonates.

What We're Learning this Week (October 29-November 2, 2012)

In Math on Monday, we began reviewing for our end of the unit assessment. Mrs. Elliott gave us a study guide that we will be using all week to help prepare us for our first Math Test.

In Science, we continued discussing food chains and food webs. Using cards with labels and diagrams, we took turns identifying various organisms as producers, consumers, or decomposers and then constructed a large food chain using the vocabulary we've been working on. We also discussed how EVERY food chain, no matter what organisms it's composed of, has to start with the sun, and has only one producer and one decomposer. It can have only one, or many consumers. 

In Math on Tuesday, we continued reviewing for our upcoming test. We reviewed the answers to questions 1-13 (last night's homework), worked them out as a class, discussed correct versus incorrect answers and began working on the next set of questions, 14-26 (Tuesday's homework). 

In Science, we continued our investigations of food chains and webs. In groups, we rotated through centers requiring us to complete a variety of different tasks. It was fun to change up our normal routine a little!

On Wednesday in Math, we continued working on our Study Guides in preparation for our test on Friday. 

In Science, we completed our station activities that we began yesterday and played a review game called "Scoot!". We "scooted" around the room when Mrs. Elliott said and answered a variety of questions about ecosystems, food chains, and food webs. It got us up out of our seats and moving around, while reviewing at the same time (kind of like musical chairs meets a study review!)

(Here we are in mid scoot!)

On Thursday, we spent the entire day studying and preparing for our tests. We practiced writing short answer and open response questions using the graphic organizer "RAE". R stands for restating the question, A stands for answering the question clearly, and E stands for explaining your answer or giving evidence to support the answer. We discussed how using this organizer to answer questions applies to all subject areas, not just Math and Science, but Reading and Social Studies as well. 

You're an Omnivore (Science Song!)