Day Five: Mystery Skype

Thanks to our friend, Mrs. Abernathy, we had our first Mystery Skype session. We tried to brainstorm some questions to ask our partner class so that we could be prepared. We didn't quite know what we were getting into, but we did pretty well. We guessed that her class is in Pennsylvania, and we even had time to ask them a few questions. We found out that they don't start school until 8:45, which seems really unfair!

We talked about things we did well, like....
1. ask good questions.
2. answer their questions correctly.
3. listen to what they answered to help choose more questions.
4. guess their state!

We also discussed things that we want to do next time...
1. prepare different questions, now that we know more about what we are doing.
2. have a map in front of the class that we use to eliminate states/countries as we can, so that everyone can see.
3. get a new speaker!
4. use a questionner's chair.

We are trying to set up some more Mystery Skype sessions, so it should be fun and help with our learning. Mrs. Hines already knows that she needs to do a lesson on time zones!

Day Four: Build 10,000

We have been reviewing general concepts from fourth grade as we warm our brains back up for learning. Part of what we had to do was build 10,000 from base-ten blocks. We did it! That was a lot of blocks!

Day Three: Something New

This year, we are starting off a series of independent research and presentation projects that will last through the year. The mission of these projects is to give students the opportunity to practice the skills we are learning in a real-world, interest-based setting. They are designed to have help from home, but the focus should be on the student. Our first project is…

SOMETHING NEW

Each student has selected “Something New” that they want to learn how to do. These things range from playing a song on the guitar to learning how to count in a different language to how to bake cookies from scratch.

Students have until September 30 to bring in evidence of their learning and strategies for success. Their evidence will depend on their project. They can perform for the class. They can bring us cookies. They can bring in a video of them doing something at home. Students do not have to master the project. Instead, it is truly about making progress toward a goal.

How is this “homework?” This particular assignment works on the following skills…

Goal setting: pacing, choosing appropriate goals, coming up with a strategy for learning, perseverance, understanding that learning is a life-long skill

Real world math: most things we do in real life require a skill set of math, including facts, measurement, and problem solving skills

Real world literacy: research for how to do things, exposure to books/internet/interviews, deciding on credible sources, speaking and listening to the class about what is learned

Please help your child come up with an “Action Plan” for learning and sharing. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Day Two: Our Class Gallery of Dots

Our students read The Dot and created their own dots as a way to Make Their Mark! Thanks to Peter Reynolds for sharing this story with us!

 

Things we learned from Vashti and her teacher...

 

We have to choose how to react when someone upsets us. Vashti's teacher could easily have gotten made at her for making the dot. She didn't and see how it turned out!

 

 

Sometimes we do things we aren't proud of when we are frustrated. Vashti probably wasn't proud of how she acted to her art teacher, but she turned a negative into a positive.

 

Trying new things is always a good idea, even when they are difficult.

 

Motivation comes in many forms, from "that looks like fun" to "I told you I could do it" to "I'm not going to let anything stop me."

 

We all have the potential, in just a few words, to make a big difference! 

Practice Typing: August 27

Check out THIS LINK for practice with keyboarding!

If you finish that, work on the following lessons.
Lesson 4: http://www.henryanker.com/Keyboarding/Keyboard_Set_4.swf
Lesson 5: http://www.henryanker.com/Keyboarding/Keyboard_Set_5.swf
Lesson 6: http://www.henryanker.com/Keyboarding/Keyboard_Set_6.swf
Lesson 7: http://www.henryanker.com/Keyboarding/Keyboard_Set_7.swf
Lesson 8: http://www.henryanker.com/Keyboarding/Keyboard_Set_8.swf
Lesson 9: http://www.henryanker.com/Keyboarding/Keyboard_Set_9.swf
Lesson 10: http://www.henryanker.com/Keyboarding/Keyboard_Set_10.swf
Lesson 11: http://www.henryanker.com/Keyboarding/Keyboard_Set_11.swf
Lesson 12: http://www.henryanker.com/Keyboarding/Keyboard_Set_12.swf
Lesson 13: http://www.henryanker.com/Keyboarding/Keyboard_Set_13.swf

Day One: Things We Learned Today

Jordan says... fifth grade is going to be pretty easy.

David says... on the first day, you get homework.

Perry says... a black letter day is one that something really horrible happens.

Ricky says... a red letter day is one that something great and wonderful happens.

Elijah says... fifth grade is going to be hard.

Kamia says... Twisters, also known as tornadoes, are very bad.

Sharmaine says... fifth grade is going to be fun!

Sarah says... fifth grade isn't hard!

13-14 Student Survey

Parent Survey 13-14