October 29 - November 2

Class News:
Red Ribbon Week  activities begin this week. Students will be discussing drug use issues throughout the next five days.

The fifth grade Veterans' Day program is set for Tuesday, November 13 at 8:00 in the gymnasium. Parents and relatives are invited to attend this short program honoring all those who have served our country through military service.

Parent-Teacher conferences continue Monday, October 29 from 3:00 to 6:30.

This Week's Agenda:
Science:
Monday and Tuesday - Review work done in our investigations studying Variables.
(Review on Monday and checkup on Tuesday. The checkup will be an "open book" quiz. On Monday, students will create a short study guide. The homework assignment for Monday is to review that study sheet.)

Wednesday through Friday - Begin module on food chains and webs. We'll be setting up terrariums with lizards, crickets, and earthworms. The first investigation will involve observing and drawing the crickets and earthworms.

Social Studies:
We've finished our unit on Native Americans and have moved on to the Age of Exploration. Last week we traced the footsteps of Marco Polo. A young Italian explorer was heavily influenced by Polo's accounts - Christopher Columbus. In his attempt to reach the Far East by sailing west, he accidentally discovered the new world. This week students will begin a study of Columbus and his role in European-American contact.

Links:
Fact Zoo -
http://www.factzoo.com/reptiles/types-of-lizards.html

Food Chain -
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/content/animals/kidscorner/foodchain/foodchain.htm

National Geographic Columbus Video -
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/kids/history-kids/christopher-columbus-kids/


jellars@gcsc.k12.in.us

Mr. Ellars' Homeroom Conferences (Oct. 25 & 29)

There are still a few conference times remaining for Parent-Teacher conferences with my homeroom students.

Thursday, October 25 at 3:45 and 4:00

Monday, October 29 at 3:15, 3:30, 4:00, and 4:15

Phone conferences and alternate dates can be arranged.
jellars@gcsc.k12.in.us

October 22-26

October 8, 2012

The first quarter, believe it or not, is over. Grades are currently being entered and processed and report cards for the first grading period should be available at the end of our first week back from the Fall Break.

Thanks to all the parents for their help in finishing up the fifth graders' Native American projects. A wide variety of ideas were presented to classmates last week. Models, posters, reports, power point presentations, Native American costumes, artifacts, and even a dance lesson were exhibited and explained. Hats off to everyone for a very successful project!

Parent-Teacher conferences are coming Thursday, October 25 and Monday, October 29. All conferences will be with your child's Homeroom teacher for 15 minutes between 3:00 and 6:30. Please contact your child's Homeroom teacher if you haven't scheduled a conference yet.
     Dknecht-strong@gcsc.k12.in.us
     Agreulich@gcsc.k12.in.us
     Jellars@gcsc.k12.in.us

October 22-26, 2012

Science
We'll be finishing up our investigation of variables with the construction of plastic spoon catapults (a.k.a. "flippers"). Students will be experimentating with variables that affect the performance of those catapults.

Watch medieval catapults in action -
    * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApwIGvUjZoE&feature=related
    * http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1EAA7pkEJ4&feature=related

Social Studies
We'll begin Chapter 3, European Exploration, with the story of Marco Polo and his travels to China in the 13th century

Read about Marco Polo - http://www.silk-road.com/artl/marcopolo.shtml