Hi folks!
This is a great, free resource that recently came to my attention. I plan on incorporating it into blog assignments this year, and maybe as an option during math time for some variety and differentiation, as well.
Check it out!
Parents, this is a wonderful option for those looking for new ways to reinforce skills at home!
http://www.khanacademy.org/
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
End-of-Summer "Bucket List"
Hi kiddos!
Well, summer is almost over!
As the start of school draws nearer, make the most of your time! I am challenging each of you to create an End-of-Summer Bucket List - write out all the things you wanted to do all summer and never got around to... or really enjoyed and want to do at least one more time!
Here are some of mine:
1. Go fruit picking (raspberries before they're gone or apples when they're ready).
2. Make one more batch of home-made ice cream.
3. Read 2 more books (suggestions?)
4. Spend as many hours as possible outside with Jack.
5. Train-watching!
6. Wash the dogs (more fun than it sounds)
7. Go swimming!
8. Update my blog (guess I can check that one off).
9. Make lemonade.
10. Create a sidewalk chalk town on our walk (the rain washed away our last one).
What things do you most want to do before summer is over?
STUFF FOR PARENTS:
Parents, are YOU ready for the end of summer?
Just a reminder, I will not be able to start the year with the kids. My sub, Ms. Janet Langham, is a fantastic teacher with many years of 4/5 experience at the Downtown School. Many of you already know her, and you will all get a chance to talk with her at Open House conferences.
I plan to return the week before Thanksgiving Break.
Students will be expected to complete a weekly blog assignment - they should check here each Monday for a new assignment, and will always have until the following Monday to complete that assignment, whatever it may be. I will be keeping track of their progress, and the assignments will follow what the students are working on at school.
Fifth grade homework also brings the Wordly Wise program, a great vocabulary study program. You may be familiar with it from 3rd grade, as I believe several of the teachers use this or something similar.
The students will be working on a "State Project" during the first 2 quarters, and then transitioning into Teaching Academy for the last 2 quarters. I believe many students already have some idea of what they plan to research! Of course, they have time to change their minds.
** This is the same list that can be found on the county website and at all area Targets, Wal-Marts, etc.
Links for new Common Core Standards and Essential Standards:
http://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/domain/7423
First Quarter Math includes volume, decimal place value and adding/ subtracting decimals.
First Quarter Science will be a study of weather.
First Quarter Social Studies will cover early Native Peoples and Explorers from Europe.
Reading skills throughout the year will build upon earlier skills. Note that the Common Core expectations focus a great deal more on literary study, discussion and analysis, and are stepping more away from the isolated skills that were previously tested. I am more than thrilled with this change, and this is something we began to work with in fourth grade. Expect even more journaling and analysis of author's craft.
Second Quarter Math includes multiplying and dividing whole numbers and decimals and classifications of 2-dimensional figures. There will be problem solving related to volume, as well.
Second Quarter Science will begin an in-depth study of ecosystems and the interplay of living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem, including weather and climate.
Beginning Second Quarter, many of our novel units will center around works of historical fiction, and through these literature units, we will be discussing important eras of U.S. history such as World War II and the Civil Rights Movement. One definite "break" from these units will be a study of Louis Sachar's novel, Holes, which deals with many of the same "big ideas" of equality in a fictional, exciting, humorous tale. There is GREAT deal of exceptional author's craft in this novel and fifth graders always seem to love it, so it holds a place near and dear in my heart!
Stay tuned for more curriculum updates as the year progresses!
Well, summer is almost over!
As the start of school draws nearer, make the most of your time! I am challenging each of you to create an End-of-Summer Bucket List - write out all the things you wanted to do all summer and never got around to... or really enjoyed and want to do at least one more time!
Here are some of mine:
1. Go fruit picking (raspberries before they're gone or apples when they're ready).
2. Make one more batch of home-made ice cream.
3. Read 2 more books (suggestions?)
4. Spend as many hours as possible outside with Jack.
5. Train-watching!
6. Wash the dogs (more fun than it sounds)
7. Go swimming!
8. Update my blog (guess I can check that one off).
9. Make lemonade.
10. Create a sidewalk chalk town on our walk (the rain washed away our last one).
What things do you most want to do before summer is over?
STUFF FOR PARENTS:
Parents, are YOU ready for the end of summer?
Just a reminder, I will not be able to start the year with the kids. My sub, Ms. Janet Langham, is a fantastic teacher with many years of 4/5 experience at the Downtown School. Many of you already know her, and you will all get a chance to talk with her at Open House conferences.
I plan to return the week before Thanksgiving Break.
Students will be expected to complete a weekly blog assignment - they should check here each Monday for a new assignment, and will always have until the following Monday to complete that assignment, whatever it may be. I will be keeping track of their progress, and the assignments will follow what the students are working on at school.
Fifth grade homework also brings the Wordly Wise program, a great vocabulary study program. You may be familiar with it from 3rd grade, as I believe several of the teachers use this or something similar.
The students will be working on a "State Project" during the first 2 quarters, and then transitioning into Teaching Academy for the last 2 quarters. I believe many students already have some idea of what they plan to research! Of course, they have time to change their minds.
Fifth Grade Supply List:
|
Links for new Common Core Standards and Essential Standards:
http://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/domain/7423
First Quarter Math includes volume, decimal place value and adding/ subtracting decimals.
First Quarter Science will be a study of weather.
First Quarter Social Studies will cover early Native Peoples and Explorers from Europe.
Reading skills throughout the year will build upon earlier skills. Note that the Common Core expectations focus a great deal more on literary study, discussion and analysis, and are stepping more away from the isolated skills that were previously tested. I am more than thrilled with this change, and this is something we began to work with in fourth grade. Expect even more journaling and analysis of author's craft.
Second Quarter Math includes multiplying and dividing whole numbers and decimals and classifications of 2-dimensional figures. There will be problem solving related to volume, as well.
Second Quarter Science will begin an in-depth study of ecosystems and the interplay of living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem, including weather and climate.
Beginning Second Quarter, many of our novel units will center around works of historical fiction, and through these literature units, we will be discussing important eras of U.S. history such as World War II and the Civil Rights Movement. One definite "break" from these units will be a study of Louis Sachar's novel, Holes, which deals with many of the same "big ideas" of equality in a fictional, exciting, humorous tale. There is GREAT deal of exceptional author's craft in this novel and fifth graders always seem to love it, so it holds a place near and dear in my heart!
Stay tuned for more curriculum updates as the year progresses!
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
NATURE IN YOUR BACK YARD!
Hi kiddos!
Today I'm going to share some of the wildlife we've found in our backyard so far this summer.
My challenges to you are:
1. Identify what is pictured here. How can you tell what animals these are? What types of observations lead you to your discoveries?
2. Post some of your own backyard (or front yard or park, etc) nature encounters!
I hope this will get you out and exploring, and then reading to identify the cool things you find.
Happy hunting!
Today I'm going to share some of the wildlife we've found in our backyard so far this summer.
My challenges to you are:
1. Identify what is pictured here. How can you tell what animals these are? What types of observations lead you to your discoveries?
2. Post some of your own backyard (or front yard or park, etc) nature encounters!
I hope this will get you out and exploring, and then reading to identify the cool things you find.
Happy hunting!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Summer Update, July 15
Hi guys!
I was so excited to see updates from so many of you. I'm glad to see you're all up to fun things this summer, and very happy that some of you are choosing to share them with us on the blog.
We went to Natural Bridge at the end of June, and were only there a few days. Some of the pictures are from this year, and some are from when we went last year.
I was so excited to see updates from so many of you. I'm glad to see you're all up to fun things this summer, and very happy that some of you are choosing to share them with us on the blog.
We went to Natural Bridge at the end of June, and were only there a few days. Some of the pictures are from this year, and some are from when we went last year.
Natural Bridge, VA, is very different from Natural Bridge, Utah. My apologies again to all the kiddos who used their savvy research skills to go back to Landform Detectives to check into the processes that created Natural Bridge - that's the wrong one! However, even though they are actually VERY different landforms - as we'll discuss in a minute - any type of landform that looks like this has to have a few similarities. You can always know from looking at something like this that it was originally built up somehow (as it is much higher than the land surrounding it), usually through sedimentation, and then the "tunnel" part of it was somehow worn away, usually by water.
Natural Bridge, VA, is really cool because it is pretty much entirely limestone. Limestone is a sedimentary rock that is nearly always made of fossilized aquatic life - hmm... what might that tell us about this area? The "tunnel" area underneath was originally a cave, and a river that flowed through the cave wore it away, sculpting the formation that we see now. The river is still there, but it's pretty shallow for the most part. You can see the water in this picture.
You can learn more here: Natural Bridge Official Website
Your classmates have been blogging! Check out some of what they're working on here:
It sounds like you guys have all been up to some fun things! Even if you haven't gone anywhere else this summer, there is so much fun to be had in your own back yard! We've been having a great time observing the critters we can find out here - of course, we are very lucky to have woods in our back yard! We've seen snakes, frogs, butterflies, and a variety of lizards. Perhaps Jack's favorite thing so far this summer is the fireflies! Until this summer, his bedtime has been to early to get to see them - he thinks they are AMAZING! And I think he is right.
We have also been raspberry picking - a really fun family activity on a Saturday morning. We go to Plum Granny Farms in King. They also have blackberries to pick, and they sell garlic, potatoes and flowers. The people who run the farm are VERY nice. Plum Granny Farm
Here's a picture of Jack picking raspberries last summer (I need to upload my more recent pics!):
Last but not least, we got to have an ultrasound check on the baby last week. Everything is going really well, and she's still on track to arrive at the end of August. I can't wait to start sharing all the wonderful books you and your families picked out for her. What a LUCKY baby she is, to have such a great community of people you already care about her!
Here's a picture:
She looks so calm and peaceful - this was during "naptime," I guess! Pretty cool that they can get such clear pictures with ultrasound technology now. I have to say, I was amazed!!!
Keep enjoying your summers! I will keep trying to check in and post occasionally. I'll be posting a parents link again soon, and one for everyone in the next few weeks!
Monday, June 18, 2012
Hi everybody! I hope you're all having a fantastic summer so far!
Jaelyn checked in with a link to her summer blog - check out what she's been up to in San Francisco!
Link to Jaelyn's Summer Blog
Awesome post, Jaelyn! I love the pictures you included, and you'd done a nice job writing up your trip so far! It's great to see you stretching your writing and observation skills over the summer! I'll be interested to hear even more soon! Thanks so much for sharing.
For Jaelyn (and anyone else who may head out to the West Coast some day), here are some other cool sites in San Francisco (we were planning a trip there... still haven't made it)!
The Exploratorium
Alcatraz Island
San Francisco Zoo
Yerba Buena Gardens
As for me, we've finally settled into summer here. I spent most of last week still working at school, but now I'm done for awhile. The turtles have settled into their summer home at my house, and Jack and the dogs have really enjoyed observing them.
Jaelyn checked in with a link to her summer blog - check out what she's been up to in San Francisco!
Link to Jaelyn's Summer Blog
Awesome post, Jaelyn! I love the pictures you included, and you'd done a nice job writing up your trip so far! It's great to see you stretching your writing and observation skills over the summer! I'll be interested to hear even more soon! Thanks so much for sharing.
For Jaelyn (and anyone else who may head out to the West Coast some day), here are some other cool sites in San Francisco (we were planning a trip there... still haven't made it)!
The Exploratorium
Alcatraz Island
San Francisco Zoo
Yerba Buena Gardens
As for me, we've finally settled into summer here. I spent most of last week still working at school, but now I'm done for awhile. The turtles have settled into their summer home at my house, and Jack and the dogs have really enjoyed observing them.
We also had a great time this weekend at the NC Transportation Museum! We went on a 21st Century Steam Excursion, which was a great chance to experience something that most modern people never will - riding on a real, working Steam Locomotive! We all learned from Marc's Teaching Academy earlier this year about how Steam Locomotives were replaced by Diesel Engines many, many years ago (Steam was pretty much done away with everywhere by the 1950's), and only a few old Engines were kept around after that. This one was built in 1904, in Richmond, VA, the capital of my home state! Pretty cool! Jack really had a blast, and so did his Grand Daddy (my father loves trains even more than Jack). It was a great experience!
Other than that, we've been hanging out, playing soccer outside, going to the pool and picking blackberries. We'll be going on our mini-vacation to Natural Bridge in Virginia this weekend - be on the lookout for updates on that and more updates from your classmates.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Did You Ever Grow Anything in the Garden of Your Mind?
It is officially Summer Break! Your first Blog Assignment is complete, and from here on out, it's optional till school starts again. Please keep an eye on our page so that you can see what your classmates are up to and keep up with interesting things I may post.
Have a WONDERFUL break! Grow some ideas in the garden of your mind!
I will miss you all at the start of the year, but I will look forward to seeing how you've all grown when school starts again for ME in November!
Love,
Mrs. Taylor
Friday, June 8, 2012
Reminder about our First Blog Assignment
Hi folks!
Don't forget that your first blog assignment is due by this afternoon.
If you emailed me your work, I responded to you with some feedback.
I have COMPLETE answers (that means complete sentences, etc) from a few more people now.
MOST of you gave me wonderful, thorough answers, but STILL did not write them in complete sentences.
You may be thinking, "Why does this matter, if my answers were correct?"
The answer has several parts:
First of all, people will always take what you write much more seriously if it is generally correct in spelling, grammar, punctuation and all the other conventions of writing. I realize that to some of you this may still seem silly or unfair, but think of it this way - if you are taking the time to check on these details, it shows that YOU take what you are writing seriously, which gives other people the message that they should, too! It also sends the message that you are a knowledgeable person who knows what he or she is talking about. That's also very important in getting your point across!
Secondly, while I want the blog to be fun and interesting for you, and, YES, my main focus is getting across the content knowledge (a great deal of what I post on here will be related to our science or social studies concepts or to general creative thinking), I also want you to practice the other skills we work on in school. These include spelling, grammar, punctuation and general writing and argumentation skills. It is very important that you learn how to make your point efficiently and clearly so your audience (your readers) know what you are talking about!
So, to sum it all up: YES, kiddos, it is very important to write in complete sentences and to use all the "stuff" that goes along with that - the spelling, structure and punctuation I keep mentioning. Many of you skimmed over that part - and this tells me that you did not pay full attention to the directions OR you did not re-read and revise your work. Both of these are SUCH important habits! Let's work a little harder on this so that this will be a habit by the time school starts in August.
Thanks, guys! Happy blogging!
Don't forget that your first blog assignment is due by this afternoon.
If you emailed me your work, I responded to you with some feedback.
I have COMPLETE answers (that means complete sentences, etc) from a few more people now.
MOST of you gave me wonderful, thorough answers, but STILL did not write them in complete sentences.
You may be thinking, "Why does this matter, if my answers were correct?"
The answer has several parts:
First of all, people will always take what you write much more seriously if it is generally correct in spelling, grammar, punctuation and all the other conventions of writing. I realize that to some of you this may still seem silly or unfair, but think of it this way - if you are taking the time to check on these details, it shows that YOU take what you are writing seriously, which gives other people the message that they should, too! It also sends the message that you are a knowledgeable person who knows what he or she is talking about. That's also very important in getting your point across!
Secondly, while I want the blog to be fun and interesting for you, and, YES, my main focus is getting across the content knowledge (a great deal of what I post on here will be related to our science or social studies concepts or to general creative thinking), I also want you to practice the other skills we work on in school. These include spelling, grammar, punctuation and general writing and argumentation skills. It is very important that you learn how to make your point efficiently and clearly so your audience (your readers) know what you are talking about!
So, to sum it all up: YES, kiddos, it is very important to write in complete sentences and to use all the "stuff" that goes along with that - the spelling, structure and punctuation I keep mentioning. Many of you skimmed over that part - and this tells me that you did not pay full attention to the directions OR you did not re-read and revise your work. Both of these are SUCH important habits! Let's work a little harder on this so that this will be a habit by the time school starts in August.
Thanks, guys! Happy blogging!
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