Week 14

You aren't going to believe everything we managed to do in a day and a half! We started Monday with a puppet show. We read our play from last week using the puppets. Max made everyone laugh because he wanted to be the queen and LeighAnna was the king.



Then we used crayons to model the rock cycle. We turned the crayon into sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks.



Then during our half day Tuesday we made edible rocks! We used graham crackers and chocolate icing to make sedimentary rock. Starbursts were used to create metamorphic rocks and we melted chocolate chips to make igneous rocks. I think the kids liked this one and they loved the fact they could eat it!







Finally, to go along with our colonial unit we made butter. We put whipping cream in a jar and started shaking. You shake, shake, shake.... then shake some more. The final result is homemade butter. Everyone tried a little on crackers.







It was a whirlwind of a week. I can't believe we got everything accomplished in a day and a half. We are off the rest of the week for Thanksgiving. I hope everyone has a safe holiday and finds time to enjoy time with family.

STUDENTS: Which was your favorite, crayon rocks or edible rocks? Why did you like it?

Week 13

Can you believe it is almost Thanksgiving? It seems like we just came back from fall break. Time has gone by so quick! This week we had American Education Week and parents were invited to come to school and have lunch with their kids. We had lots of parents come Friday!











Because of the MARS grant, given by the Federal Government, our class now has an ipad 2!


We even have the capability to show it on the smartboard for everyone to see. I have started adding apps to the ipad for us to use in the classroom. Friday we played Stack the States. I even think I'm hooked on this one! If parents are able, we would love to be able to purchase additional apps. However, we will need iTunes gift cards to do so. Currently we just have a few but the kids are loving it!


STUDENTS: I need your input on apps you would love to see added to the ipad. Share which apps you'd like to see. One condition, you must explain how they would be educational! Don't just tell me you want Angry Birds! Explain how it would be education. I can't wait to see your suggestions!

Week 12

The people from RIF (Reading is Fundamental) came and shared some books with the kids this week. Everyone was able to pick one book to take home!



We ended up having to have recess inside because of the rain this week. As you can see, the kids love playing all the games in the classroom.





The boys practiced their multiplication facts while playing with the power towers (made from Pringles cans).



At the end of this short week, the kids helped me put together my new media cart! This looks so much better than what I was using. I love the extra space it provides. Thanks to all my little helpers!


STUDENTS: This week we had recess inside. What is your favorite game to play during inside recess?

Week 11

We started the week off with Scientist Day. The kids did science experiments all day long! We had a lot of fun and hopefully the kids learned a little something as well.





Mrs. Porter brought some neat experiments for us to try. For this one we passed the flask around from students to student. You talked into it and then put the top on and swirled it. After several people the liquid turned from blue to green. Then it went from green to yellow.  Dakota made it change colors!







This final picture is of the kids dancing to the layers of the earth song we have been listening to. Most of them get up and dance along with the video.

STUDENTS: What was your favorite experiment on scientist day?

Donors Choose is a great site where I was able to get a project funded for math games we received at the beginning of the school year. Now, I have posted a new project for us to try to get funding for grammar games. Check it out at: http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/385794.1920867180

Week 10

This week was Red Ribbon Week. Tuesday, the Madison Co Sheriff's Office brought the K9 units to the school to show the kids how the dogs help them with their job.





It was interesting to see how the dogs all went after that bite sleeve. But don't worry, no one was hurt. We even had a few students who wanted to volunteer to wear the bite sleeve. That didn't happen.









Wednesday was team jersey day. Dakota and I both had on #2. His was just the wrong color.



When we went to recess I got to play too. I took the camera and reflector outside and I had many willing models and helpers.



I hate that I wasn't at school Friday to take pictures. The kids dressed up as their hero. Mrs. McBrayer and Mrs. McNabb came in and did a craft with the kids and they had a snack. I was at the Board of Education for face to face training for the MARS grant that was awarded to Madison County. We will be getting lots of new technology to use in the classroom and I'll be learning a lot of new ways to help with teaching math. I'm excited to come back next week and show you what I learned.

STUDENTS: What is your favorite technology item that we use in the classroom?

Week 9

The week before fall break was a wild week! We had a lot going on. During the week the kids checked out some of the new games we got from Donor's Choose. Our project, "When Will I Ever Use This, Real Life Math Skills" was fully funded and we are preparing our thank you package. We got lots of new math games and even 4 of them we can play on the Smartboard.




Then we had an author visit in the library. This author wrote books about Alabama and Auburn.



Friday we also had two parents come to share information about their job. Mrs. Scruggs, Carolyn's mom, came and talked to us about her job as a doctor.





Mrs. Porter, Justin's mom, talked to us about teaching science.





Thank you so much for coming to share with our class about your career. I loved the way you both shared how important school is and learning math and science.

STUDENTS: This week is fall break. What are you planning to do?

Week 8

This week we had the fundraiser assembly. Congratulations to LeighAnna for winning a trip in a limo to Chick-fil-a for lunch!



Friday was Explorer Day. Students dressed as Native Americans or Explorers and brought items to trade. The entire 5th grade met in the library and everyone had a chance to trade their goods. Everyone had a great time! Even the teachers dressed up!

Here are some pictures of some of my students in the "market place."

Vikings, Native Americans, and Pirates! Oh my!

Students: What was your favorite part of our trading time for Explorer Day?