Project Day!

Well they have done it! This morning my wonderful students came in with their incredible Solar System projects that they have all worked so hard on!

Take a look....

Impressive work guys!

Now for this week....

It has been all about the fractions and Solar System this week. We have had a lot of fun exploring the planets and discussing all the possibilities if this newly discovered planet.

The students have LOVED exploring the Solar System through http://nineplanets.org/tour/, the "Tour of the Galaxy" posters, along with the various books on the different planets. They were able to use these resources for a variety of assignments in class along with research for their Solar System project that they will turn in on Monday! I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE THEM!!

The students have also had an opportunity to do some discovering of fractions this week as they were asked to divide a number of candy bars and oranges (paper) among both a smaller and larger number of people. There was a little disequilibrium for a while but they worked through it and got the job done!

They did such a great job that at the end they each got an orange to take to lunch with them. I told them that as they ate them they were to think about their fractions.

I'm not sure if they thought about the fractions but I know for sure that they ate them... when I walked into the cafeteria to pick them up thats all I could smell!



Great job guys!!

Flipin' shapes!

I know it has been a while so its time for a little update!

Last week my class was working with geometric shapes. They did a great job keeping up with their flip-books and taking notes. 

After learning the overwhelming number of ways to classify and name shapes I put them to the test! The students got together in partners and created whatever shape I called out using their handy-dandy peg boards and rubber bands. 

      -----Yes, you read right, rubber bands in the hands of eighteen 5th graders. I was just as skeptical as you are but not a single one flew! Who knew? I am so proud of how well my students worked together. 

Just a few of their masterpieces!

Swimming anyone??

Everyone was geared up and full of excitement as they made their way back to school after a much deserved Thanksgiving break. Sadly, much to everyones disappointment, we were all greeted by the newly formed swimming pool where the parking lot once was. 

 

Fortunately the side of the building was clear and students were able to arrive safely. We all began the day as usual... or at least as best we could with all the excitement... I'm not sure about the other students but mine were sure having trouble concentrating on their work.

"Ms. Waddell! The geese are swimming on our playground and the plastic house is floating!"

          -One of my students shouting as they pulled up the blinds to our back windows.

Eventually school was called. After 120 sharpened pencils, the start of 9 acronyms for remembering the planets, and quite a few cold, wet feet, all the kids were on their way home. 

Good luck staying dry!!

Talkin' Turkey!

My class has been working on figurative language. You might remember from another blog, that my class had a wonderful time writing about doughnuts.

My students had the best time with this, and they went on a small sugar high.

A co-worker of mine did a figurative language tree and with Thanksgiving right around the corner, I decided to take her wonderful idea and create a Thanksgiving turkey.

I have done this turkey with other classes before but this is the first time I have allowed the students to help with the entire thing. After talking about the different types of figurative language, the students were asked to write their own sentences on colorful feathers.

Once the feathers were complete, it was turkey stuffing time! The students cleaned out some of their desks and started stuffing!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!