Measuring in mL!

The second week of school saw our class dig a little deeper into the curriculum.  Besides focusing on a heavy review of math content, burying "dead verbs" that  we are going to try to replace with more vivid ones, and our first reading groups, we also expanded upon what students learned in 4th grade on the water cycle.  We began by measuring out 1 liter of water using Falcon tubes which measured 50 mL each.  The 1000mL represented all the water on earth.  Students then measured out smaller amounts which represend lakes, rivers, glaciers, ground water, water in the atmosphere, and other sources.  The end product was a great visual of how much of the earth's water is actually drinkable in its current form.

Student Archaeologists at Work

Towards the end of the first week of school we kicked off the beginning of social studies with a bang. Combining scientific observations and writing, while motivating students on the subject of social studies, our class took on roles of archaeologists. Dividing the sandbox into quadrants, each scientific team chose a dig site and carefully began excavation, hoping to reveal artifacts below the surface. As artifacts were found, students sketched the location of where each had been discovered. Back in the classroom, teams of archaeologists discussed what their artifacts revealed. Their final task was to complete an official Archaeology Report to turn into the Archaeologist Director.

Dates for Grizzly Creek Ranch

We have confirmed the dates for our first educational experience outside the classroom walls.  We will head to Grizzly Creek Ranch October 12th at 9:00 and return by 3:00 on October 14th.

Welcome to 5th grade!

Welcome to a wonderful, funfilled and educational school year.  We will have many fantastic opportunities this academic year learn authentically, through both classroom and field experiences which will  enrich the learning experience.  Our largest of these experiences will be a three day, two night adventure to Grizzly Creek Ranch in California.  Feel free to check out their website at http://grizzlycreekranch.org/ . We will be limited in the number of parent chaperones who can attend, but those who are interested will need to get all paperwork filled out ASAP the first week of school, as background checks/fingerprinting must be done (and takes close to 6 weeks).  Let the learning BEGIN!