Week 31- Volume & Final Chemistry Experiment

This week we tackled volume! I found these great cubes my students cut out and folded. We taped them together and they used base 10 blocks to fill the cube. 

Want a set too? Paper Volume Cubes

Since I wanted them to understand that you can count the blocks or multiply l x w x h to calculate the volume this was a perfect activity. 

Each group worked on a set of 5 cubes and most groups asked me if they could just multiply to find out the volume. I was so happy that they came to that conclusion on their own! 

During small groups I taught the kids a new game! Each card has a topic and a list of words. The students can read the topic aloud to the group but they can't say any of the words on the card. The goal is to get your group members to guess a word on your card. They had fun playing this game!

We finished our chemistry unit this week. We have been studying physical and chemical changes so we made elephant toothpaste. 

Then they got to create a chemical change in a bag. They mixed calcium carbonate and baking soda in a large bag. 

Then each group added some phenol red in a cup and put it inside the bag. Once the bag was sealed they tipped the cup and watched what happened. 

They saw gas produced, color change, and felt heat from the bag. These are all indicators of chemical change. 

We also watched this video.

We talked about how younger students look up to them and decided to post positive notes on work displayed in the building. Each student created 2 post it notes that said things like "Great Job" or "Your work is outstanding!" 

We walked around the building and they added their positive notes on work throughout the building. 

STUDENTS: Which experiment was your favorite during our chemistry unit? Why was it your favorite?

Week 28- Triangles w/Technology & Mystery Powders

We started the week with a review of triangles. Each group started with a Mobi and listed everything they know about triangles. I found that most groups thought all triangles have acute angles. Then I gave every group a wanted poster with the name of a triangle at the top. They used the iPad to research their triangle and record the information. 

The posted had a place for them to list a description and place last seen. There was a $180 reward so they had to figure out why that was the reward amount. I forgot to take pictures of their posters when completed but they did a great job. They posted their research on LinoIt.

Find my triangle wanted posters in my TpT store by clicking here. 

I had each group share their poster and we used their information to create a flipbook about triangles. Then I called out a triangle and my students used Play-Doh to make them. 

Here is Avery telling you about her triangle. She created this using YAKiT Kids app on the iPad. 

Our focus this week in science was acids and bases. My students tested powers with BTB to find out if they were acidic or alkaline. 

They also tested the same powders with iodine to see if starch was present. Then each group mixed 2 powders to create a mystery powder. They used the data they had been collecting to figure out which two powders were mixed to create the mystery powder from another group.

I loved seeing all my students synergize!

In the end, all the groups guessed on of the powders right but only one group was able to determine both powders in the mystery powder mix.

STUDENTS: This week with Mrs. Smith you have been writing a persuasive essay. Do you think cell phones should be allowed in school? Why or why not?

Week 26- Chemistry, Field Trips, & Video Announcements

This week we did a few science experiments for our chemistry unit. The students had to observe the properties of 6 white powders. Then they added water and observed what happened. 

On the next day they added vinegar to those same powders. 

We'll test a few more liquids with the powders and at the end they will use the data they have collected to determine a mix of mystery powders. 

Teachers, if you ever do science experiments in your classroom you have to get these lab team roles! They are free on TpT and I love using them. Each student gets a card to assign their task for the experiment. It is a great way to keep everyone on task and involved.

Check out this picture of Jacob I found on my camera roll. You can see us meeting in small groups for math instruction in the background. Jacob solved one of the puzzles and this is the picture of him to go on the wall of fame. 

Friday we went to the Civic Center to see Sparkman High School's play, The Wizard of Oz.

After the play we went to CiCi's pizza for lunch. 

I was sad I didn't get to go bowling with my students on Tuesday. I had to go to a meeting at central office for the Technology Integration Mentors. While there I won a new Sony HD video camera. So this week I tried something new! Check out our video announcements for the week! 

Thanks to this group of students for hanging out with me for a little while after school to get our first video done after the field trip.

STUDENTS: Which field trip was your favorite and why?

Week 24- Habit 5 & Chemistry

Take a look at our Leader in Me display in the hallway for 5th grade. I know I posted a picture a few weeks back but every time we change a habit we change our display. We have been working on habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood. My kids drew a picture of their reflection in a mirror and then wrote "Reflections of a Good Listener." They listed ways they can be a good listener.



I also created a display on the cabinet in my room. I made these buckets so the kids can catch each other using the habits. When they see someone using a habit they write that person's name, what they were doing to use the habit, and sign it. Then they put it in the bucket that matches the habit they witnessed. At the end of the week I draw names from the buckets for homework passes and other little goodies.!



In reading this week we were learning about generalizations. I found the file on Teacher Pay Teachers: Generalizing Guru. We used the posters in the file and wrote generalizations about each one. Then the kids shared them and decided if they were faulty or valid.



If they were faulty, the students worked together to rewrite the generalization so it was valid.



We also had a lot going on in chemistry this week! We started the week with our mystery powders. The kids mixed 2 powders last week and then this week they took a new cup and tested it using their notes from previous experiments. Most groups were able to find out what the mystery powders were!





We also talked about using a talking stick and practiced by debating if helmets should be worn when riding a bike.





Later in the week we created our own mixture with iron filings, salt, sand, and beads. The kids had to work together to create a plan to separate the different items in the mixture.







I laughed the other day because my parents must think there are strange things going on in our classroom. I send an email asking for sweet tarts, antifreeze, burnt toast, and a few other items. They stepped up and sent in the supplies we needed so I decided to start with the burnt toast and bread.



They started by observing the properties of bread and burnt toast. It was important to point out that the toast was still bread but once it was burnt it can't be undone. We'll be following up on that next week.



STUDENTS: Create and share a valid generalization about our science lessons.