MINDFULNESS
WRITING/SCIENCE:
MISSOURI DEPT OF CONSERVATION FIELD GUIDE
ANIMAL DIVERSITY WEB
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDENS
SCIENCE:
PLANTS UP AND DOWN
HOW DOES A SEED GROW
BEAN TIME LAPSE
MR NIES CALENDAR INFOGRAPHIC
SS:
DECLARATION EXAMPLES scroll to bottom
DECLARATION EXAMPLES II scroll to bottom
Monday, April 8, 2019
Friday, April 5, 2019
GREAT WEEK BACK!
Families, this was an excellent week back from break. We have been doing well with a few new routines. For instance, we are reading nonfiction about the American Revolution during reading, we are practicing MAP testing on the computer and on paper, and we are doing most of our learning through the context of our Ecoschoolhouse Design project. I have been truly impressed with this class all year and this week was good example of their hard work, flexibility, and creativity.
A few important notices:
1. Check out our video proposal/invitation for the ESD project if you haven't yet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDHhWeorK0Y&feature=youtu.be
2. MAP testing starts next week. Research shows kids do better on assessments when they are well rested and have a healthy breakfast. The testing dates are posted on the blog IMPORTANT EVENTS. Thanks for all you do to help kids do their best. If anyone wants to supply a healthy MAP snack, easily packaged to hand out, feel free to send something in.
3. EVENING OF THE ARTS:
A few important notices:
1. Check out our video proposal/invitation for the ESD project if you haven't yet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDHhWeorK0Y&feature=youtu.be
2. MAP testing starts next week. Research shows kids do better on assessments when they are well rested and have a healthy breakfast. The testing dates are posted on the blog IMPORTANT EVENTS. Thanks for all you do to help kids do their best. If anyone wants to supply a healthy MAP snack, easily packaged to hand out, feel free to send something in.
3. EVENING OF THE ARTS:
Showcase of Talent auditions will be
held next week on various days before-, after-school and at lunch recess,
4/8-12. Talent may include gymnastics, singing, dancing, athletic skills,
poetry, instruments, magic, ETC. for a 2-3 minute act. We have discussed
this in all music classes and have begun signing up for auditions. If
your child needs help signing up for an audition or if you have any questions,email Pam Sisson, Grant music
teacher psisson@cpsk12.org
4. HANNIBAL: There is a parent letter in the Friday Folder describing bus options for this yearly trip. Almost everyone has made their 10 book shares (or more)!
4. HANNIBAL: There is a parent letter in the Friday Folder describing bus options for this yearly trip. Almost everyone has made their 10 book shares (or more)!
WEEKLY FOCUS:
SCIENCE: We will focus on the MAP test next week and will likely do some ESD planning and work.
MATH: We will practice the MAP math test next week and have lessons reviewing material for MAP testing.
READING: We will practice the ELA MAP test, continue reading nonfiction and ESD research.
WRITING: We will practice the ELA MAP test, and continue journaling about our ESD project.
SS: We will continue to learn about the American Revolution, specifically the Declaration of Independence, and how the colonists won the war.
Below are some funny team building activity pics and Minecraft book share pics.
Friday, March 15, 2019
MARCH 19 IS A BUSY DAY
This newsletter opens with a look at next Tuesday. Students will enjoy the Celebration of Cultures throughout the day at Grant and we will get together as a school in the evening for Chili and Game Night. Tuesday, March 19 is also the 5th GRADE END OF YEAR MEETING after school at 3:45. During this meeting, we share information about our traditional end of the year events including Hannibal, Civil War Day, Memory Books/T shirts, 5th Grade Field Day, and Graduation. Parents will have an opportunity to sign u and help with aspects of each event. This is always a special time of year for the 5th graders and we appreciate the efforts our families put into the special events and celebrations.
Memory Book: Please remember to send in a baby picture, Kindergarten picture, and any pics of these kids at Grant events throughout the years for the Memory Book. We are hoping to get all pics in by Spring Break.
Readathon: We won! We won! Our class raised the most money and we had a very high percentage of students participating. We also enjoyed lots of reading. Way to go, team! We will get to celebrate with a special prize field trip later this year. Thanks again for contributing.
MAP Testing: We will be practicing the state assessment starting next week. Students will get time practicing similar MAP testing items in Math and Communication Arts on computers. We will practice the testing atmosphere and review content to be prepared. Our exact testing dates/times have not been finalized but it looks like the 2nd and 3rd week of April will include 5th grade testing.
Weekly Update: This was another solid week of engaging learning.
MATH: Kids enjoyed special Pi day activities on 3/14. They made large geometric representations of an algebraic pattern. Our Unit 6 work this week included looking at data and line plots and reviewing volume. We will continue with decimal multiplication and division next week.
READING: We read nonfictIon resources about the American Colonies this week. The information we synthesized into a venn diagram representing aspects of each colonial region. Students also had time to finish book shares.
WRITING: They have also enjoyed working on their narratives which they finished this week. I have read about a lot of vacations and injuries and some students are trying a bit of fiction in their narratives as well.
SS: With our venn diagrams of the colonies, we made a master venn diagram, highlighting the differences and similarities in each region. We also used a map of the colonial regions to discuss how the geography affected the economy and daily life of the colonists in each region. This activity lays a foundation for understanding the differences in the North and South and is something we come back to when we learn about the Civil War.
SCIENCE: Our science this week focused on finishing our Spider Plant experiment plans. Students worked a lot with data to identify means and themes on the graph to help write their conclusion. We also are forming committees for our 5th Grade Community Project. Next week, our committees will be adding to a proposal that I will be sending out to school and community groups over Spring Break. I am very excited for this work. It is very professional and impressive. All families will also see our proposal and might find ways to help out with idea, time, or materials.
Ecoschoolhouse Designs and Handshake Geometry:
Memory Book: Please remember to send in a baby picture, Kindergarten picture, and any pics of these kids at Grant events throughout the years for the Memory Book. We are hoping to get all pics in by Spring Break.
Readathon: We won! We won! Our class raised the most money and we had a very high percentage of students participating. We also enjoyed lots of reading. Way to go, team! We will get to celebrate with a special prize field trip later this year. Thanks again for contributing.
MAP Testing: We will be practicing the state assessment starting next week. Students will get time practicing similar MAP testing items in Math and Communication Arts on computers. We will practice the testing atmosphere and review content to be prepared. Our exact testing dates/times have not been finalized but it looks like the 2nd and 3rd week of April will include 5th grade testing.
Weekly Update: This was another solid week of engaging learning.
MATH: Kids enjoyed special Pi day activities on 3/14. They made large geometric representations of an algebraic pattern. Our Unit 6 work this week included looking at data and line plots and reviewing volume. We will continue with decimal multiplication and division next week.
READING: We read nonfictIon resources about the American Colonies this week. The information we synthesized into a venn diagram representing aspects of each colonial region. Students also had time to finish book shares.
WRITING: They have also enjoyed working on their narratives which they finished this week. I have read about a lot of vacations and injuries and some students are trying a bit of fiction in their narratives as well.
SS: With our venn diagrams of the colonies, we made a master venn diagram, highlighting the differences and similarities in each region. We also used a map of the colonial regions to discuss how the geography affected the economy and daily life of the colonists in each region. This activity lays a foundation for understanding the differences in the North and South and is something we come back to when we learn about the Civil War.
SCIENCE: Our science this week focused on finishing our Spider Plant experiment plans. Students worked a lot with data to identify means and themes on the graph to help write their conclusion. We also are forming committees for our 5th Grade Community Project. Next week, our committees will be adding to a proposal that I will be sending out to school and community groups over Spring Break. I am very excited for this work. It is very professional and impressive. All families will also see our proposal and might find ways to help out with idea, time, or materials.
Ecoschoolhouse Designs and Handshake Geometry:
Friday, March 8, 2019
READATHON!!!!!
This week's newsletter is devoted to READ A THON! This is always one of our favorite days at Grant. You can see why from the reading pics of today below. Thank you so much for those that donated time and money to our fundraiser. And always, thank you for all everyone has done to help mold these fantastic readers in our school who enjoy a culture of literacy. By extension, you all deserve thanks for promoting all the great activities we do in 5th grade and throughout the school. That is the secondary purpose of our fundraiser and your efforts allow us to have wonderful experiences like Hannibal, enjoyable, educational assemblies, special class events and clubs, and amazing projects our All Stars are always working on. Days like today remind us all of the impact of our village that is the Grant School community. We could not do it without you. Thank you!
After the brief update for each subject are some great pics of today.
READING: This week we focused on Book Shares and Read a Thon challenges. Next week, we will start to get into our last book clubs of the year. These stories focused on books that have a powerful setting and our focus will be an integration of fiction and nonfiction science work.
WRITING: We will complete our narratives this week. Students are doing a fantastic job using narrative craft to tell a story.
MATH: Unit 6 has begun and our focus is on multiplying and dividing decimals. Students are also getting time in math stations to extend their math learning in other areas.
SS: We are transitioning into learning about the American Colonies which will lead up to the causes of the American Revolution and the war itself.
SCIENCE: We have finished our Spider Plant experiment and are graphing our data and writing conclusions. We will also start forming committees to work on our Ecoschoolhouse Greenspace design for our 5th Grade Community Project.
After the brief update for each subject are some great pics of today.
READING: This week we focused on Book Shares and Read a Thon challenges. Next week, we will start to get into our last book clubs of the year. These stories focused on books that have a powerful setting and our focus will be an integration of fiction and nonfiction science work.
WRITING: We will complete our narratives this week. Students are doing a fantastic job using narrative craft to tell a story.
MATH: Unit 6 has begun and our focus is on multiplying and dividing decimals. Students are also getting time in math stations to extend their math learning in other areas.
SS: We are transitioning into learning about the American Colonies which will lead up to the causes of the American Revolution and the war itself.
SCIENCE: We have finished our Spider Plant experiment and are graphing our data and writing conclusions. We will also start forming committees to work on our Ecoschoolhouse Greenspace design for our 5th Grade Community Project.
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
COLONY LINKS
Colonies:
Colonial Williamsburg for kids
PBS (interactive and fun but not updated or maintained)
History Channel
Mr. Nussbaum
http://13colonies.mrdonn.org/ (includes ads)
http://faculty.polytechnic.org/gfeldmeth/colchart.html
https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/colonial-america/colonial-north-america/v/the-middle-colonies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do4Ryapg3eU
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Thursday, February 14, 2019
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!
The kids will have a great time today and it is well deserved. We have been very focused and productive despite being cooped up inside. I have enjoyed incredible math thinking, fantastic photosynthesis models, amazing book shares, and creative writing every day. Our class is in a good spot with everyone heading in the right direction. It is encouraging and exciting to think about what we will achieve this 3rd trimester, their last at Grant School!
During our conferences in two weeks, we will focus on progress and also a little bit about middle school. I look forward to meeting with everyone during conference time. Please know, I encourage your child to join us while sharing his or her great work.
Below is the update for each subject.
MATH: We will finish UNIT 5 next week. Tuesday and Wednesday will focus on fraction multiplication and division. Thursday will be a study guide day. The assessment will be on Friday.
READING: We will finish our Journey books next week. The corresponding Lit Journal 4 will be revised so it can be completed by Friday. If students finish early, they can focus on book shares. After conferences, we will have a Book Share Week so kids can make sure they are caught up with their best work.
WRITING: We are enjoying learning and practicing narrative technique. Right now, we are practicing writing conversations. Students are also using commas in different ways and incorporating daily writing lessons into stories they are writing. After conferences, they will write a final copy narrative about a journey they went on.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Our focus on explorers will shift next week. We have made it all the way from North African kingdoms, to Jeng He, and Marco Polo, all the way up to European Settlements like Jamestown and Plymouth. We will wrap up our explorer focus by finishing our 4th passport and celebration with a "journey" of our own next week. After conferences, the focus will be on the 13 American Colonies and the Revolution.
SCIENCE: Students are progressing through two big plant studies. We have created graphs to represent our results. Each Wednesday is Data Day as we measure our plants and talk about eh data. Also, our Ecoschoolhouse Designs are complete. Next week, we will synthesize and choose about 4-5 projects to enhance our new greenspace. Our ideas will be integrated into a lot of our science and other learning through the spring. I am really excited to choose our projects and move forward. I think we will be creating something super special this year with a lot of context for learning.
During our conferences in two weeks, we will focus on progress and also a little bit about middle school. I look forward to meeting with everyone during conference time. Please know, I encourage your child to join us while sharing his or her great work.
Below is the update for each subject.
MATH: We will finish UNIT 5 next week. Tuesday and Wednesday will focus on fraction multiplication and division. Thursday will be a study guide day. The assessment will be on Friday.
READING: We will finish our Journey books next week. The corresponding Lit Journal 4 will be revised so it can be completed by Friday. If students finish early, they can focus on book shares. After conferences, we will have a Book Share Week so kids can make sure they are caught up with their best work.
WRITING: We are enjoying learning and practicing narrative technique. Right now, we are practicing writing conversations. Students are also using commas in different ways and incorporating daily writing lessons into stories they are writing. After conferences, they will write a final copy narrative about a journey they went on.
SOCIAL STUDIES: Our focus on explorers will shift next week. We have made it all the way from North African kingdoms, to Jeng He, and Marco Polo, all the way up to European Settlements like Jamestown and Plymouth. We will wrap up our explorer focus by finishing our 4th passport and celebration with a "journey" of our own next week. After conferences, the focus will be on the 13 American Colonies and the Revolution.
SCIENCE: Students are progressing through two big plant studies. We have created graphs to represent our results. Each Wednesday is Data Day as we measure our plants and talk about eh data. Also, our Ecoschoolhouse Designs are complete. Next week, we will synthesize and choose about 4-5 projects to enhance our new greenspace. Our ideas will be integrated into a lot of our science and other learning through the spring. I am really excited to choose our projects and move forward. I think we will be creating something super special this year with a lot of context for learning.
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