August 19 - 23

* Four students have turned in paragraphs to be included in the election for student council representative from our Homeroom 402. We'll have the election this week. I'll read each paper (without name), and the class will vote for their choice based only on what was written.

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This Week's Plans and Assignments

Monday, August 19   (Blue Day)
1. USA Weekly - We didn't get much done on this Friday, so we'll finish it up today.
   a. Partner work on an information worksheet
   b. Individual work on a world map worksheet
2.  Homework - The crossword puzzle on page 4 may be done as optional homework for extra credit.

Tuesday, August 20   (Gold Day)
1. In science today students will be making new pendulums with different lengths of strings to test for the length variable. (Last week, students reached the conclusion after testing that the mass of the bob at the end of the pendulum did not affect the number of cycles their pendulums made over a 15 second time period.)
2. We'll be adding the terms "standard" and "controlled experiment" to our word banks.
3. No homework

Wednesday, August 21   (Blue Day)
1. After testing for the Midwestern states and capitals last week, students are moving to learning the state locations and capitals of the 13 Southern states this week.
2. Students will be making a Southern state study guide today. That will be placed in their class binder in the Social Studies section.
3. Homework: Begin study for Southern states / capitals Test scheduled for Thursday, August 29.

Thursday, August 22   (Gold Day)
1. The pendulum data collected Tuesday from the length experiments will be transferred to two coordinate graphs. The graphs will be used to make predictions based on the data.
2. FOSS Science Stories article with worksheet.
3. No homework

Friday, August 23   (Blue Day)
1. The "Hurkle" game is scheduled for today. (A game reinforcing the skill of finding your way around a two coordinate graph)
2. A "Cool-Science" activity (TBA)
3. No homework (Unless you'd like to spend a few minutes going over the Southern states and capitals.)
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Here are some online state and capital games to try:

1. http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/states_experiment_background_noClip10s.html

2. http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/states_experiment_drag-drop_Intermed_State15s_500.html 

3. http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-geography-venture-capital/

August 12-16

Monday, August 12   (Gold Day)
1. Last week the groups worked together to make the equipment needed in our investigation of pendulums. (i.e. the pendulums with string paper clips and a penny) A one penny mass is fastened with a paper clip to the end of a 35 cm. string. - Today, groups with begin experimenting to see how many cycles their pendulums will make in 15 seconds. Results will be recorded in their science journals.
2. Students will use science journals to reflect on today's activity and to speculate on variables that might change the pendulum's cycles over a 15 second time span.
3. Review of mid-western states and capitals for tomorrow's test.
4. Homework: Study for states and capitals test.

Tuesday, August 13   (Blue Day)
1. States and capitals review game.
2. States and capitals test
3. Cool-Science Experiment
4. No homework

Wednesday, August 14  (Gold Day)
Signed assignment books and behavior cards are due today.
1. Today in science students will make hypotheses on how changing the length of the string or the amount of mass will affect the pendulum's cycles and then test their hypotheses by changing those variables. Results will be recorded in their science journals.
2.  No homework

Thursday, August 15   (Blue Day)
1. USA Weekly Social Studies Paper #1 - Cartography, Continents, Oceans, Latitude and Longitude
2. Worksheet on finding information in the paper. (Due tomorrow)
3. Homework: Any worksheet questions not finished in class

Friday, August 16   (Gold Day)
Today is picture day! Fifth grade pictures are scheduled first in the day.
1. Data collected on the pendulum experiments this week will be reported on line graphs. Students will learn to make predictions on future outcomes with graphed data.
2.. Map game if time permits.
3. No homework

August 5-9

Monday, August 5   (Blue Day)
1. We'll be setting up the binder for this class today. Students will use four tab dividers to make sections for: bell work, science, social studies, and the USA Weekly news magazines.
2. Science: Learning about lab/science class safety rules with Sponge Bob and Patrick.
3. Related Arts classes
4.. No homework

Tuesday, August 6   (Gold Day)
1. Science: Variables Module, Investigation 1 (pendulums)
2. Read Science Stories: What Scientists Do
3. No homework

Wednesday, August 7   (Blue Day)
1. Science: Variable Module, Investigation 1 continued
2. Science Journal writing activity (vocabulary)
3. No homework

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I hate the idea of being out of the classroom this early in the year, but my wife's mother in Joliet, Illinois fell and has had hip surgery. We need to be there at the end of this week to take care of some related family business. As a result, I'll be out on Thursday and Friday of this week. I've already discussed with the students that they have the same expectations with a substitute teacher as they do when I'm there.

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Thursday, August 8   (Gold Day)
1. Social Studies: Intro to Geography (Reviewing continents, oceans, latitude, and longitude)
3. Social Studies: Reading maps
4. No homework

Friday, August 9   (Blue Day)
1. Science: Reporting data with a line graph
2. Science: Making predictions with a line graph
3. Social studies: Map work
4. Related Arts classes
5. No homework

Sad News at Maxwell

Everyone at Maxwell was deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of Mr. Todd Heller, husband of fourth grade teacher, Kandy Heller.

Many of our current fifth graders were very close to Mrs. Heller from their time with her last year. If any of our students need additional support in this difficult time, our Social Worker, Mr. Scott Stroud, and the entire Maxwell staff will provide whatever support is necessary for your children.

If you have any concerns about the needs of your children, please contact Mr. Whitaker or Mr. Stroud at MIS.

317-326-3121

Keeping in Touch This Year

1.     Phone:  326-3121

2.       E-Mail:
jellars@gcsc.k12.in.us
(If you haven’t already received e-mails from me, just drop a quick note to this address to have your e-mail address added to my mailing list. There should be at least one posting about every week.)

3.       Weekly Gold Team Newsletter with plans for the following week:
http://apps.gcsc.k12.in.us/blogs/dknecht-strong/newsletters/
(This is on the Maxwell website. Plans and assignments for the upcoming week will be posted at the end of each school week.)

4.       Blog for Mr. Ellars’ Science / Social Studies class:
http://maxsci.blogspot.com/
(Lessons, assignments, and class activities are discussed in greater detail on the blog.)

5.       Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Max.Sci.5
(An opportunity for teachers, parents, and students to communicate on an open Facebook page.)

6.       Homework E-Mail:
ellars.lab@gmail.com
(Some assignments during the year can be turned in by e-mail. This address is what I use for that purpose. It’s for assigned e-mail only and won’t be checked except when homework is expected. If used for anything else, the message will probably be lost.)

Reminder on Meet Your Teacher Night

Reminder - Meet Your Teacher Night on Wednesday, July 24 from 6:30-7:30.  -  For everyone whose calendar is in better shape than mine, sign up sheets for the Fall Parent Teacher Conferences (Thursday, Oct 24 and Monday, Oct 28 from 3:00-6:30 both days) will be available in Homeroom classes on Wednesday.

You can find Mr. Ellars hanging out in room 402.

Welcome to Fifth Grade

Parent Note #1 to start off the 2013-2014 year.
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Dear Parents,

I am delighted to be your child’s science and social studies teacher this year. With your encouragement your child will participate in and enjoy many exciting and rewarding experiences this academic year.

Since lifelong success depends, in part, on learning to make responsible choices. I have developed a classroom discipline plan which guides every student to make good decisions about their behavior at Maxwell. Your child deserves the most safe and positive educational climate possible for growth, and I know that together we will make a difference in this process. The plan below outlines our rules, positive recognitions for positive behavior, and consequences for inappropriate behavior.

Rules -
1. Follow directions when given
2. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself
3. No swearing or any other use of inappropriate language
4. Treat everyone with courtesy and respect

Positive recognition -
1. Oral recognition of good behavior
2. Awarding “Gotcha” good behavior coupons for rewards and MIS drawings.
3. Positive thank you notes sent home
4. Positive phone calls home

Consequences of choosing to not follow rules (per week)
1. First time – Verbal Warning
2. Second time – Stay after class one minute
3. Third time – Separation from learning group and Behavior essay   (homework)
4. Fourth time – Contact parents for conference on behavior improvement
5. Fifth time – Send to office

Severe Disruption bypasses other steps and student will be sent directly to the office.

Be assured that my goal is to work with you to ensure the success of your child this year! Please discuss this information with your child. Save and/or print this page for reference throughout the year.

Jim Ellars
MIS Science / Social Studies