ISTEP Day Two

Today we at least all logged on and started the test. And then after three or four questions, the train went off the tracks once again! Our test (Math; Session 1) officially began this morning at 10:58. By 11:02, a few students were beginning to be kicked off the test for a minute or two, but were reconnected. By 11:09 everyone was frozen up with a message from the test company's server that their connection couldn't be established. By 11:12 the test was suspended again.

We'll keep our fingers crossed as we try test schedule revision #9 tomorrow morning. We're doing our best to cope with a situation over which we have absolutely no control...all of the problems are at the other end of the line. That is, the test company's servers that just aren't handling the amount of traffic that large scale testing requires.

Everyone at Maxwell is extremely frustrated with the events of the past two days. We've all worked very hard to get our students prepared for the tests and enthused about performing at their peak. Parents can help most by continuing to provide plenty of rest, good nutritious breakfasts, and, maybe most importantly, tons of encouragement.

Look back here tomorrow afternoon for another update on ISTEP Day 3.

----------------------------------------------------

Testing Schedule #9 for the 5th Grade Gold Team:

Wednesday: Math 9:35-10:45
Thursday: Language 12:30-1:40
Friday: Social Studies 9:15-10:25

Lunch Schedule for 5th Grade
Wednesday: 10:45-11:15
Thursday: 11:00-11:30
Friday: (TBA)

ISTEP Day One

Sometimes things just don't go the way they're planned. That was the understatement of the day today at Maxwell. As students began working on the ISTEP this morning, problems with the testing website began knocking students out of the test and, in some cases, freezing up. The problem became so bad that by 10:30 this morning we were informed that testing had been suspended for the remainder of the day.

While the Blue team was able to make it through the math section of the test this morning, the Gold team has yet to begin. A new schedule has been set for tomorrow, and we're all keeping our fingers crossed that the glitches that caused so many difficulties today will be corrected by tomorrow! As of this afternoon, the Gold team is scheduled for ISTEP testing on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Tuesday, April 30 - Math (10:30-11:40)
Wednesday, May 1 - Language (9:35-11:05)
Thursday, May 2 - Social Studies (12:30-1:40)

On Tuesday and Wednesday it will be especially important for students to have a good breakfast as our lunch has to be shifted from the usual 10:40-11:20 to later times. (Tuesday 12:05-12:35 and Wednesday 11:20-11:50).

Please be assured that the faculty and staff at Maxwell is doing everything possible to maintain testing validity along with a testing environment that provides every student with the opportunity to perform at their maximum.

April 29-May 3

ISTEP Week
This week classes will be working on the multiple choice section of the Spring ISTEP test for this year. It's important that everyone gets a good night's rest, has a good breakfast each morning, and maintains good attendance (100%) during this coming week. Our homeroom will be testing in the 4th grade computer lab on Monday (math), Wednesday (language), and Thursday (social studies). Mrs. Knecht-Strong's and Miss Greulich's homerooms will be using the 6th grade and 5th grade labs respectively on those same days. There will also, of course, be some alteration of our regular daily schedule to accommodate the testing.

 D.A.R.E.
The D.A.R.E. program ended this week with the visit of three high school role models to speak to each of the classes. They met with Mrs. Ashley's classes on Tuesday and our classes on Thursday. The D.A.R.E. graduation will be held on Wednesday, May 8 in the Maxwell Gym with the picnic at the high school on Friday, May 10. Everyone is looking forward to the live performance by Retro Bill!

Retro Bill Website
___________________________________

This Week's Agenda
 
Monday, April 29  (Blue)
1. Science: Star Patterns (Constellations)
2. ISTEP
   > No science or social studies homework this week. - Rest up for ISTEP!

Tuesday, April 30  (Gold)
1. Science: Starts (Seasonal Change)
2. FOSS Reader: Stargazing (with worksheet)
3. Vocabulary in science journal

Wednesday, May 1  (Blue)
1. Social Studies: Westward movement simulation
2. Checkup (Partner activity)
3. Discuss Social Studies project due May 20
4. ISTEP

Thursday, May 2  (Gold)
1. Science: Science Scavenger Hunt
2. FOSS Reader: Looking Through Telescopes and Star Scientists
3. ISTEP

Friday, May 3  (Blue)
1. Science: Making Star Finder Maps
2. Distances in the Solar System

April 22-26

ISTEP+ Multiple Choice Test
We now have what are, hopefully, a final ISTEP+ testing schedule. Each class will be testing with it's homeroom. Each testing day Mr. Ellars' class will be in the 4th grade lab, Miss Greulich's class will be in the 5th grade lab, and Mrs. Knecht-Strong's class will be in the 6th grade lab. Resource students will test with their Resource teacher. Testing times and subjects will follow this schedule:

Monday, April 29 (Math) / 11:45-12:25
Wednesday, May 1 (English,Language Arts) / 9:35-11:05
Thursday, May 2 (Social Studies) / 12:30-1:40

Throughout the week Related Arts and lunch schedules will be adjusted to fit into the testing schedule. You can help out at home by making sure students get plenty of sleep each night and a good breakfast each morning.
 __________________________________________

This Week's Agenda

Monday, April 22
1. Science Investigation 3 - "Star Patterns" (constellations)
2. No homework

Tuesday, April 23
1. Science Investigation 3 - "Star Patterns" continued / seasonal changes & globe demo
2. Homework: Look at the night sky. Can you spot any constellations?

Wednesday, April 24
1. Social Studies - Westward Expansion
2. Homework: Loading the Wagon worksheet

Thursday, April 25
1. D.A.R.E. - Final session with role models from the high school
2. No homework

Friday, April 26
1. Science: FOSS reader - pages 35-39 with questions
2. A visit from Bill Nye
3. Create a star finder
4. Outdoor fun if time allows
5. No weekend homework
__________________________________________

ISTEP Spirit Week - April 22-26   

Mon. 4/22 -  Wake Up for ISTEP!!!! PJ Day. All PJ’s must be appropriate and not long enough to present safety walking issues. Slippers must be safe and not cause walking problems.

Tues. 4/23 –  Go Crazy for ISTEP!  Crazy hair

Wed. 4/24 –Shine for ISTEP -  Rainbow Day – Dress colorfully and use salsa words all day.

Thurs. 4/25 – Get your nerd on for ISTEP! Nerd Day

Fri. 4/26 –Don’t “quack up”…try your  best for ISTEP -  Duck Dynasty Day (If holey jeans are selected, holes must be from the knee down. No face make-up.)

No wigs any day.

April 15-19

Night Sky Log
On Friday, April 12 students received a Night Sky Observation Log. The assignment is to observe the night sky Monday through Thursday of the upcoming week (April 15-18). The Log asks for date, time, a brief observation of the sky (e.g. cloudy/clear, stars, ambient light, etc.), and provides a circle template to use to sketch the moon phase for that day. Due to the later sunset because of Daylight Savings Time, it's perfectly acceptable to make the daily observation early in the morning before leaving for school as well. The Log with four days of observation is due on Friday, April 19.

D.A.R.E. Report
The DARE report is due this coming Wednesday, April 17. Details of the assignment were outlined in the April 11 blog post. See that here:  DARE Report Assignment Information

Grandparents' Day
This Wednesday is fifth grade Grandparents' Day. Students who have purchased lunch for grandparents will eat with them Wednesday in the cafeteria from 12:25-1:05. Students and grandparents will also have an opportunity to visit the Spring Book Fair after lunch. Students whose grandparents weren't able to make it to lunch Wednesday, will have lunch on the patio. (Fingers crossed for good weather!)

I.S.T.E.P. +
Information needed to log on the online ISTEP practice test is here. We'll be getting the chance to use the Practice Test in homeroom classes soon to get everyone ready for the second phase of this year's ISTEP tests. Look here for detailed schedules coming up next week.
_________________________________________

This Week's Agenda

Monday, April 15   (Blue)
1. Bell Work: US President sheet
2. Moon Phases: Partner work
3. Homework: Night Sky Log / Finish DARE report

Tuesday, April 16   (Gold)
1. Bell Work: US States sheet
2. Traveling West in a covered wagon
3. Homework: Night Sky Log / Finish DARE report

Wednesday, April 17   (Blue & Grandparents' Day)
1. Bell Work: US President sheet
2. D.A.R.E.  (Report Due)
3. Homework: Night Sky Log

Thursday, April 18   (Gold)
1. Bell Work: US States sheet
2. Science Jeopardy Game (On Sun, Moon, and Stars)
3. Homework: Night Sky Log

Friday, April 19   (Blue)
1. Bell Work: US President sheet
2. Night Sky Log due - Turn in at beginning of class
3. FOSS Reader with comprehension and interpretation questions
4. No weekend homework.  Go help with the yard work! 

_________________________________________

Coming Soon

ISTEP Spirit Week - April 22-26   

Mon. 4/22 -  Wake Up for ISTEP!!!! PJ Day. All PJ’s must be appropriate and not long enough to present safety walking issues. Slippers must be safe and not cause walking problems.

Tues. 4/23 –  Go Crazy for ISTEP!  Crazy hair

Wed. 4/24 –Shine for ISTEP -  Rainbow Day – Dress colorfully and use salsa words all day.

Thurs. 4/25 – Get your nerd on for ISTEP! Nerd Day

Fri. 4/26 –Don’t “quack up”…try your  best for ISTEP -  Duck Dynasty Day (If holey jeans are selected, holes must be from the knee down. No face make-up.)

No wigs any day.

D.A.R.E. Report

The D.A.R.E. class for the year will be wrapping up soon. Graduation from the program is set for May 8 in the Maxwell gym followed on May 10 with the annual D.A.R.E. picnic at the high school. In order to graduate and attend the picnic, all students are required to write a D.A.R.E. report.

The instructions for the report is attached below. The due date is next Wednesday, April 17. The three paragraph report is to be at least one page in length (single spaced). It may be hand written on standard paper in either pencil or blue or black ink. It may also be written on the computer (in 12 or 14 font size and standard lettering). Regardless of format, the report will be at least one single spaced page in length.

__________________________________________

My D.A.R.E. Report

This is the time for you to review your D.A.R.E. notes and to think about all the things you have learned in D.A.R.E. Take a few minutes to look through your D.A.R.E. Planner and to read your Journal Entries. Think of the things your officer has taught you and what you have learned about being safe and responsible. Think about what you have learned to make safe and responsible decisions for yourself. You have learned a lot!

Now you will be writing a report or essay about your own experience in D.A.R.E.

Be sure to express your thoughts and ideas:
* What I have learned during D.A.R.E.
* How I have used the D.A.R.E. Decision Making Model.
* How I plan to use what I have learned to make safe and responsible choices.

The following guidelines will help you prepare for your D.A.R.E. Report. There are three sections.

Introduction: Start with a great first sentence. Your first sentence should interest your reader so they will want to keep reading. You may want to begin with a thought, a question, or a surprising statement or fact.

Body: Use the topics above to develop three well-organized paragraphs. Give details and specific examples about what you have learned, how your are using those skills, and plan to use them in the future.

Conclusion: Summarize or restate your ideas and thoughts. This is a good place to make a personal statement.

__________________________________________
The finished report may be turned in to Mr. Ellars on or before Wednesday, April 17. Reports done on computer may also be e-mailed to the address: ellars.lab@gmail.com

April 8 - 12

In social studies this week we'll be taking a look at the Indian Removal Act of 1830 that led to the infamous "Trail of Tears." In science, students will continue their study of the sun, moon, and stars with a beginning look at the cycle of moon phases over a month's time. Also this week, the social health presentation is set for Wednesday, April 10 and Officer McCarley will be in for the D.A.R.E. class on Thursday, April 11.

Science Journals were picked up Friday for a check of this week's work. Plan on the journals being due every Friday for the remainder of the year. If your student has lost their journal, it needs to be replaced with an inexpensive composition book or small (half size) spiral notebook.
____________________________________________________

This Week's Agenda

Monday, April 8  (Gold)
     1. Read articles on westward expansion and the Indian Removal Act of 1830
     2. Sort video clip. (#1 below)
     3. Comprehension and interpretation worksheet
     4. Writing activity (Letter to the Editor from Cherokee viewpoint)
     5. No homework  (except for makeup work as needed)
Tuesday, April 9  (Blue)
     1. Bell Work: Dolly Madison Q & A
     2. Science Investigation 2: Phases of the Moon
     3. Add vocabulary to Journal
     4. No homework  (except for makeup work as needed)
Wednesday, April 10  (Gold)
     1. Social Health presentation  (www.socialhealth.org)
     2. No homework  (except for makeup work as needed)
Thursday, April 11  (Blue)
     1. D.A.R.E. with Officer Steve McCarley GPD
     2. No homework  (except for makeup work as needed)
Friday, April 12  (Gold)
     1. Bell Work:  Teddy Roosevelt Q & A
     2. A log for four days of night sky viewing will be coming
         home. It will be due Friday, April 19.
____________________________________________________

Video Clips to Watch
1. A short documentary produced for a middle school presentation:  Trail of Tears
2. Discussion of the Trail of Tears - Good background for parents:  Trail of Tears 2
3. Phases of the Moon
____________________________________________________

Do At Home Project
For anyone anxious for another do-at-home project, here's a cool easy to make sundial from the National Wildlife Federation. As usual this would receive extra credit. Just bring the finished project in or post a picture on the class Facebook page.

   >  Make Your Own Sundial