The Dull Word Graveyard and a Classroom Library Revamp, and Some Math

I asked some of the kids to help me go through my library and purge some books that they weren't interested in. Next week I will make up some new labels and re-categorize them. I set out some high interest titles in a book display.

Here are some photos of our "dull word graveyard"

Thursday, March 26

Math:  Lesson 2 Practice #1, and 2

Science:  Page 13 #1, Page 10 #2, Page 14#2

Bridge Reports due tomorrow

The Dull Word Graveyards look amazing!  We used them while working on a Word Choice Activity today!

Homework

Science:  Which gas do vinegar and baking soda create when they are combined?

Literacy:  Similes and Metaphors activity

Math:  We are currently working on transformations.  If you would like to practice with your child, we are especially focusing on rotating around a rotation point.

Homework

MATH:  Lesson 1 Chapter 7, Practice #1-2

Science:  Worksheet on matter.  Report due Friday.

Have a novel to read!

From the R Files...

 

Monday March 23

Bridge reports-Friday

Have material ready for independent reading.

Bridge Testing

Below are some photos of our bridge testing.  Papers are due by Friday.

New Classroom Initiatives and Curriculum Update

Welcome back from March Break!  Hopefully everyone relaxed and had a great time doing whatever it is that they like to do best.  Me?  I spent the week with my two-year old...I can't WAIT to get back to school!

During the break I was researching (ie browsing pintrest) for new ideas to put into action in the classroom.  I found a few cool ideas and modified them to best suit our group.

1.  Number Ninjas! 
This activity allows the kids to practice multiplication and division facts.  Each time they master a level the receive a "belt" as in martial arts.  As the students practice, they will move up the ranks in "belts."  I have created a bulletin board in my classroom which will allow the students to show their success and display their belt.  If they don't want to, they can keep their belt in their desk.

NUMBER NINJAS

HOW IT WORKS:

§  You have 90 seconds.

§  You must complete the 20 multiplication/division questions correctly.

§  Once you have mastered the sheet, you receive a “belt” that indicates you have mastered that level.

§  You then have the opportunity to attempt the next level to receive the next belt.

§  You may display your belt for the class to see, or you may keep your success to yourself.

§  Good luck Ninjas!

2.  The Dull Word Graveyard

We are starting a unit in writing which focuses on word choice.  We are going to talk about some common words we use in our writing that are boring and below our grade level, and retire them to the "Dull Word Graveyard."  We will then post the graveyard in the classroom, as a type of thesaurus anchor chart for the kids to use in their writing. I will post a picture of this once we as a class have complied and completed it.

3.  Literacy Centers based on Fractured Fairy tales

We are going to read "The Stinky Cheeseman" and discuss how it is a fractured fairy tale.  We will create an anchor chart indicating the main components of a fractured fairy tale.  We will then go through the center activities I have created, and work on each center altogether, so that the students understand the expectations of each.  We will post some examples of strong student work.  The students will then rotate through the centers every two days.  If they finish early, they are silent reading.  Students are encouraged to always have a novel at school.  We have a classroom library, and we visit the Budimir library once every two weeks.  I also have the ipads available and they can read articles on their newsela accounts.  

Curriculum Update:

Math:  Transformational Geometry

English:  Guided Reading/Independent Reading, Fractured Fairy tale Centers, Word Choice activities

Science:  Changes in Matter

Religion:  Lent

Arts:  Drama and Visual Art

Phys-Ed:  Badminton, personal safety.

One More Day!!! Plans for Tomorrow...

As of late we have been very busy in the Grade 5 Classroom.

This week we have worked on a task for evaluation in Reading, and mini-writer's workshop, building bridges, and a lip synch.

Tomorrow the students will:

Hand in their Writer's Workshop

Hand in a Summary of an article of their choice

Test the bridges they have made in class

Present the lip synch they have been preparing.

We are looking forward to an action packed day!

Students can hand in their reflection of bridge building when they return from March Break, by Friday, March 20th.

Have a great break!

Homework and Mini Writer's Workshop

Math test tomorrow

Summary:  Make sure you have identified the main idea of the article.

Currently we are working on:

Reading:  Summerizing an article for evaluation.  Due:  Friday

Writing:  Mini Writer's Workshop.  See Below

Dance:  Lip synch on Friday

Science:  Bridges!  Paper can be handed in after March Break.

All week we will be working on these activities.  Students will have plenty of time to complete all activities on time as long as class time is used wisely.


Writing activity:

We have been studying Sentence Fluency in writing.  I showed the students the slideshow I made of images, and we reviewed the success criteria for writing fluid sentences.  I then gave the students the task.  They were instructed to choose one of the images and answer the question, "What happened here?"  They could choose to write any text form they wished, with the focus for evaluation of sentence fluency, word choice, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.  This will be completed in class.

Slideshow can be found here.

How Did This Happen?

Title: ________________________________________________________________

Author: ______________________________

Task:  Explain how the image below came to be.

Focus for Evaluation:  Sentence Fluency, Word Choice, Spelling, Grammar, and Punctuation

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Homework and next week...

Math:  Test Tuesday.  Review:  Page 344-45 #2, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12

Lip Synch next Friday

Bridge Building begins on Monday!

Bridge Building Assignment

Name: ____________________

Now that we have studied all of the elements of forces and structures, we will put all of it together and build a bridge!  You may build a bridge of the following structure:

• arch bridge
• suspension bridge
• beam bridge
• cantilever bridge

You will be given the following materials:

• playdough
• popsicle sticks
• string
• glue gun
• glue sticks
• straws

Your bridge must:

• withstand a load of 30 lbs
• withstand a gust of wind (hairdryer)
• withstand an earthquake (shaking of desk)
• withstand a flood (litre of water poured over top of bridge)

Paper

Write a reflection of your bridge.  Describe:

• What was your design?
• What strategy did you use to make sure your bridge was strong enough to withstand the elements?
• Draw a diagram of your bridge

Success Criteria

	4	3	2	1
Withstands a LOAD of 30 lbs
Withstands natural forces
Frame exhibits a strategy to withstand external forces (IE:  triangles used in framing, wider base, etc)
Paper encompasses all components

My Bridge Assignment

Name: _________________________

My Bridge Design:

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Homework

Loonie License Day tomorrow:
Wear Pjs
Chew gum
Eat all day
Stuffed Animals
50 minutes of games

Book Report Presentations tomorrow

Homework

Science Assignment due Thursday

Book Report due Thursday

Chess tomorrow

Loonie License Friday

Pulleys and Gears

We are almost finished our unit on Forces and Structures in Science.  We tested our catapults yesterday (fun, educational, and hilarious).  Today we are going top look a little more closely at pulleys and gears.

I found a fun and interactive game the students will play exhibiting how gears work in order to move "stuff" and make work easier.

You can find that here.

Bridge Building will take place soon...Dollarama, you will be running out of hot glue sticks, so get ready...

Homework and Catapult Result

Math:  Page 334 #4,6,8

Science:  Catapult Assignment due Thursday

Book Report due Thursday

The winners of the catapult challenge are as follows:

Distance:  Nathan, Ava and Charlie at 59.5 cm

Height:  Victoria,  Domenic and Jeffrey at 185 cm

Accuracy:  Nathan, Ava, and Charlie 11 cm from the bulls eye!

Happy Monday!

Science Assignment for Evaluation #3: Simple Machines/Mechanical Systems

Assignment 3:  Simple Machines/Mechanical Systems

Due:  Thursday, March 5th

We have built a catapult, which is a mechanical system.  Please complete the following:

1.  Draw a diagram of your catapult.  Label the catapult (ie:  where is the fulcrum, load, and effort?  What type of lever is it?) Remember, in Science, diagrams are precise, and drawn with a ruler and pencil.  Coloured pencil may be used but NO MARKER.

2.  Describe your design.  How did you come up with this particular design?  Use scientific terminology when explaining.

3.  How did your group work together?  This is your opportunity to explain the contributions of your group members.

4.  After launching your catapult, how do you think you could improve the distance the load travelled, or the accuracy of your catapult?

Success Criteria

Diagram:  Neat, labelled, drawn precisely	4	3	2	1
Design Description:   Design is described using scientific terminology, and in detail
Group Work:  Contributions of all members are mentioned
Improvement:  Ideas shared about improving distance and accuracy of catapult

My Catapult

Diagram of My Catapult:

Type of Lever:___________________________________________

Position of fulcrum, load, and effort have been identified:  ____

My Catapult Design:

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How My Group Worked Together:

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How I Could Improve My Catapult in Distance and Accuracy:

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