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!!!

Week 26- Snow, snow, snow #messnowmanchallenge

This week we had 8.1 inches of snow in Huntsville, AL. This is a rare event and we decided to have a snowman challenge. We challenged our students to build a snowman and measure the height & circumference. We gave homework passes to all who submitted an entry and special awards went to the tallest, largest circumference, most school spirit, and most creative. Take a look at the entries!

Our technology director also made a video of all the pictures from Madison County Schools that were taken in the snow! Check it out here!

STUDENTS: What was your favorite part of our snow days?

Zaption- Monday HW

I made a mistake in my calculations. Can you find it? If so, don't share it. Save it for tomorrow and you'll earn a ticket for the good job jar.

Week 25- Snow, Cold, & More Snow #Flippedclassroom

This week was a wash! Monday we were out for President's Day. Tuesday & Thursday we had a delay for extremely cold temperatures. Wednesday & Friday were snow days.

So what did we do at school this week? Not much! By the time we arrived we had time to eat lunch, go to PE, & go home. I did get to teach a little math this week but that's about it.

However, I took advantage of my snow day Wednesday and participated in a Webinar about Flipping the Classroom. I love the view presented by Jonathan Bergmann & Aaron Sams. I had heard about flipping the classroom and have wanted to try it for a while. Most teachers teach a lesson, practice problems, and then send students home with homework to practice. However, the students need you more when they are practicing. So you flip it so they listen to the lesson at home and do the work in class so you are available to them.  I had already made some videos for my parents/students last year when we were doing some things in math that might be new to both. So I assigned HW Thursday night, watch this video.


My plan was to group students and do an assignment in class, using peer tutoring and grouping. But we haven't been back to school. I told my kids to be ready Monday if we were out for snow today. I can't wait to see how this works. My goal is to start flipping my math class and doing video homework at least once a week. I'll let you know how it works out!

STUDENTS: I told you about flipping our math class. Do you think you are going to like this? Why or why not?