Science Fair!!!!

Science Fair!!!

The presentations are complete, the scores have been tabulated!!!!  We had a fantastic Saturday morning filled with science!  All of our students did AMAZING!!!!  I couldn't be more proud of them and what they have learned through this process.  We have a few students moving on to the next round and when you see these individuals, be sure to congratulate them:

Colin, Aaron, and Jack are moving on as a team of 3

and

Mithuna is moving on as an individual!

Congrats to EVERYONE!!!!

vLab

vLab

On Friday, the students journeyed out to the 1-8 building to work on technology skills with our technology team.  The students were really excited to be in out new building.  I had students that asked me, "How much does it cost to be in this building?" We explained to the students that there is no cost to be in this building! 

The students were working on an example language arts PARCC test.  They were focusing on the various tools that students should become familiar with during this test.  We did not focus on the actual content, as this will be their focus the next couple of weeks of class leading up to the test.  

Students will have vLab every other Monday for the remainder of the school year.  The focus of vLab during the next month, will be the skills needed to work through their state tests.  After that, students will learn other important technology skills and programs that will assist them at home and at school.

Force and Motion

Force and Motion

On Friday, we started our next unit....Force and Motion.  We learned about how we know we are moving, by using our Frame of reference and clues that will help us determine if the object is moving...Speed and Velocity.  Today, we did an activity that involved force.  The students had to sit back-back, link their arms together (not use their arms at all!) and try to stand up only using the FORCE between them!  This was a really fun activity for the students (they didn't know why they were doing it).  We discussed why we completed this simulation and ALL students understood that we balanced out our forces to get us to stand up!

Choir

Choir!!!

Our fifth grade choir performed for us last Thursday!  Both groups did a fantastic job singing...it is always great to see them in a different element other than our traditional classroom scene!  GREAT JOB CHOIR!!!

Upcoming State Test Information

Upcoming State Test Information...

This year, our students will be taking a newly formatted test.  This will all be completed on the computer, which is a new concept for 5th graders at New Albany.  We are preparing the students for this new test within the classroom, but it is always great if the students can explore some of the attached websites to help prepare even more.  In addition, the students can really benefit from the use of typing practice.  Please try to have your child typing, whenever possible!

Click on the links below to start your practice!!!!

Mystery Plant simulation

Practice Test

Review on concepts

DARE

DARE

Today, the students start DARE class with Officer Kelly!  The students learned what DARE stands for (Drug Abuse Resistance Education).  They learned about the DARE decision making model.  There are different options that we have when we are presented with a decision.  The students will work through various examples throughout the course of DARE and how they can handle common challenges while growing up.

All students that were in class today were given the book below.  This book should remain in the student's binder for the duration of DARE class!

First Post for the New Year!

Planets!!!!!

It's been a little while since I have posted!  Welcome back to a New Year!  Hopefully everyone had a terrific holiday season and are ready to get back in to their studies!

Currently, the students are working in Outer Space!!!  We are learning about the characteristics of the 8 main planets.  This week, students have been completing research on a planet of their choice.  They are trying to decide if life on another planet is possible, based on comparing their planet to Earth.  We are really working on finding information from multiple sources (several books, our packets, and the internet as a last resort). This is proving to be very interesting!

Later this week, the students will share their findings with the class and each student will take notes on each planet from their peers.  We will use this information to complete a more in depth look at a particular planet (MARS!!!!)