Week 32- ASPIRE Testing

This week we started and completed most of our ASPIRE testing. We only have 1 test left to take next week. I saw this great idea about writing positive messages for the students on the sidewalk so I bought some sidewalk chalk and recruited a little help.


We wrote positive notes for the students on the bus circle sidewalk, car rider sidewalk, and front entrance sidewalk.

We started each testing day with a piece of chewing gum and a little yoga. Here is a peek at Darby leading us in yoga this week. She went with a little more ambitious poses than I do. 

Our wonderful parents sent snacks in for each testing day. We had these once we successfully completed a testing day. I sent home a schedule of days/snacks. We had some great treats this week!

We wrapped up Friday with a half day and #TLIM Leadership Club day. I lead dance club and we had a great time dancing the whole time. Then the teachers brought lunch for us to have a get together and have a Mexican Fiesta. Yum!

 My principal, Dr. Davis, and my student teacher, Ms. Jordan were twins this week and they stopped me to take their picture. This is our last week with Ms. Jordan and we are really going to miss her when she leaves us. We do wish her all the best and I know she will be a fantastic teacher and can't wait for her to get her own classroom and share her success stories! She's willing to try all my crazy ideas!

STUDENTS: Which test do you think was the easiest? Why?

Week 30-Congressman Visit, Volume, & Math Review

We started off our week with a visit from Congressman Brooks. He spoke to the fifth grade about the government. 

The kids were full of questions and learned a lot!

We learned about volume this week in math. I love using these cubes that the students create and then fill with base 10 blocks to help them understand what volume really is.

Towards the end of the week I started reviewing for our state testing. I was looking for a fun way to do this and found it! I have tons of task cards for different math topics that I've purchased on Teacher Pay Teachers. So I printed out several from different standards, folded them up, and put each one inside an Easter egg. 

I asked some 3rd grade students to "hide" our eggs and off we went. My students were really excited to do the egg hunt and each team reviewed math as they went.  

Each group worked at their own pace and solved the problems. Each person had to record their own answers but could get help from their group members if they needed it. I loved this idea and my students wanted to know if we could do it again next week. 

 STUDENTS: Which math standard do you feel that you have mastered and which would you like to review before our upcoming state test?

Spring Break- DC Trip 2015

We had a great time on our 5th grade trip to Washington DC. I thought I'd share a few of the pictures I took with you.

Monticello

Arlington National Cemetery 

Iwo Jima

Jefferson Memorial

FDR Memorial

Mt. Vernon

Washington Monument

Vietnam Wall

Lincoln Memorial

Korean War

White House

Holocaust Museum

Capitol Tour

Best Tour Guide Ever, Tim

STUDENTS: What did you do during spring break?

Week 29- Area & Perimeter

This week was the week before spring break and I was sick too. Thank goodness for our student teacher Ms. Jordan who was willing to take on the some of the crazy lessons I had planned for the week.

We started this week with Area and Perimeter using Cheez-Its. We practiced calculating both after we built our shapes.

We also calculated area and perimeter with toilet paper rolls to figure out which is the best buy. I found the file Toilet Paper Math Challenge, which is where I found this great activity, 

We had our Leadership Day @ MES this week as well (which I was also sick for). I hate that I missed it because our 5th graders had been practicing and I know they did an amazing job on our leadership song. Want to check it out? Look at the Monrovia Elementary Facebook page to see the video.

STUDENTS: Next week is spring break! What are your plans for the week? I'm heading to Washington DC with some of you and can't wait to share our experience when we return.

Week 28- Field trip, Fun Run, & Respiratory System

We finally had a full week of school with no delays and no weather days! Wow, it was great to finally be back on schedule and we filled the week with fun.

Monday started with the Fun Run to raise money for new technology for our school. 

The students collected pledges for laps run. We all had fun during the fun run. We had to do it inside because of our weather but it was still great. 

We also wrapped up our unit on the respiratory system. The kids did an experiment with BTB and water. They blew up a balloon and used a straw to force the air in the balloon into the water. 

Since the water had BTB in it, it turned yellow when the carbon dioxide was forced into the water. 

Want to learn more about the experiment? I purchased the Respiratory System Teacher Pack on TpT! This is a great purchase for anyone studying the respiratory system. 

We ended the week with a field trip to see our local high school put on the play Cinderella. We go every year and we're never disappointed. 

It was fun for all of us! We stopped and had CiCi's pizza for lunch and then returned to school. 

STUDENTS: What was your favorite part of the play? Why was it your favorite?

Week 27- #MESNoPowerNoProblem School Wide Challenge

Who is ready for another school wide challenge? #mesnopowernoproblem When ice comes, we lose power. Show us what you do WITHOUT electricity! Flashlights, glow sticks,and candles ARE permitted!  You can use anything you would use if the electricity was out! Tag Michelle Ownby White and Trace Lawrence in your Facebook post OR use the hashtag above for twitter. Please ONLY email if you do not have Facebook or twitter!  Feel free to send us a Facebook friend request so you can tag us!  No power? No problem!!!  Show us what you've got!!!