Human Body: Skeletal and Digestive Systems
We've finished up our study of food chains and webs and will be moving on to the human body, specifically the skeletal and digestive systems. This week we're learning the structure and function of the skeleton. We'll be learning the names of important bones in the system and will be observing and studying it's relationship with the muscular system. Later, we'll be exploring the digestive system and how it ties in with the food chain by the way it converts food into energy.
Video Links for Home Viewing
Here are a few video links to view at home. They are directly related to our goals and objectives for this week's learning, but just don't fit into the class time we have available.
Science:
> Bill Nye: Bones and Muscles
> General Skeleton Tutorial (A lot like like a lecture, but very good graphics.)
Social Studies:
> The Southern English Colonies
Activities and Assignments for December 2-6
Monday, Dec 2 (Gold)
1. Bell Work: Journal entry - What is the function of the skeleton?
2. Lab activity: Observation of how skeleton moves while jumping rope
3. Try to count observed bones
4. No homework
Tuesday, Dec 3 (Blue)
1. Bell Work: Skeleton worksheet
2. FOSS reading book
activity: A Marvelous Machine and The Shape of
Your Shape (with questions)
3. No homework
Wednesday, Dec 4 (Gold)
1. Bell Work: TBA
2. Counting Bones group activity
3. No homework
Thursday, Dec 5 (Blue)
1. D.A.R.E.
2. No homework
Friday, Dec 6 (Gold)
1. First Social Studies Acuity Test (Computer Lab)
2. USA Weekly #11
3. Crossword puzzle for extra credit
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Saturday, November 23, 2013
November 25-26
Short Week
Thanksgiving break starts early this year. There will be no school in session on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week. I shared on the MIS Thanksgiving tree that I'm thankful for this year's fifth graders who come every morning anxious and eager to learn. It's been a fantastic year here at Maxwell!
Anoles
The anoles have found permanent homes. Only one remains in the lab as of today waiting for a Monday pickup. I've had the most luck purchasing small (pinhead) crickets at the Pet Smart in Cherry Tree Plaza at E. Washington and Mitthoeffer Street on the far eastside of Indianapolis. They have a large supply and they're only 11 cents each. The anoles do need to have live food (crickets) as they are sight hunters and need to see their prey moving. With the pinheads, the lizards are perfectly able to eat daily. Just don't put more than one or two in the habitat at a time as they'll actually gang up on the anole if there are too many of them. The anoles get their water by licking drops of water from branches and leaves in the wild as drinking from standing water makes them too accessible to predators (mostly birds). About a ten second spritz of spring water daily should be sufficient. In the lab we were able to maintain their temperature requirements (70's-80's) with an incandescent light bulb. A small thermometer can come in handy to monitor temperature.
Activities and Assignments for the Week
Monday, Nov 25 (Gold Day)
1. Bell Work
2. Checkup of notes and science journal entries on food chains/webs
3. USA Weekly #10 (Focusing on Ben Franklin)
4. No homework
Tuesday, Nov 26 (Blue Day)
D.A.R.E. with Officer McCarley
Wednesday - Friday
Assignment - Have a great Thanksgiving break.
______________________________________________
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0YbuDqCIOU
The Thanksgiving we celebrate now has only been around about 400 yrs. Native tribes have observed the event for 1000's of years. This is how the Europeans learned of the annual Thanksgiving tradition. http://www.500nations.tv/
Thanksgiving break starts early this year. There will be no school in session on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday this week. I shared on the MIS Thanksgiving tree that I'm thankful for this year's fifth graders who come every morning anxious and eager to learn. It's been a fantastic year here at Maxwell!
Anoles
The anoles have found permanent homes. Only one remains in the lab as of today waiting for a Monday pickup. I've had the most luck purchasing small (pinhead) crickets at the Pet Smart in Cherry Tree Plaza at E. Washington and Mitthoeffer Street on the far eastside of Indianapolis. They have a large supply and they're only 11 cents each. The anoles do need to have live food (crickets) as they are sight hunters and need to see their prey moving. With the pinheads, the lizards are perfectly able to eat daily. Just don't put more than one or two in the habitat at a time as they'll actually gang up on the anole if there are too many of them. The anoles get their water by licking drops of water from branches and leaves in the wild as drinking from standing water makes them too accessible to predators (mostly birds). About a ten second spritz of spring water daily should be sufficient. In the lab we were able to maintain their temperature requirements (70's-80's) with an incandescent light bulb. A small thermometer can come in handy to monitor temperature.
Activities and Assignments for the Week
Monday, Nov 25 (Gold Day)
1. Bell Work
2. Checkup of notes and science journal entries on food chains/webs
3. USA Weekly #10 (Focusing on Ben Franklin)
4. No homework
Tuesday, Nov 26 (Blue Day)
D.A.R.E. with Officer McCarley
Wednesday - Friday
Assignment - Have a great Thanksgiving break.
______________________________________________
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0YbuDqCIOU
The Thanksgiving we celebrate now has only been around about 400 yrs. Native tribes have observed the event for 1000's of years. This is how the Europeans learned of the annual Thanksgiving tradition. http://www.500nations.tv/
Sunday, November 17, 2013
November 18-22
Plants
Students have learned that all food chains begin with plants that pass along energy from the sun to primary and secondary consumers. Check out the Bill Nye video on plants:
https://webertube.com/video/19772/bill-nye---plants
Anoles
All students who were selected in the random drawing for anole adoption should have brought a notification letter home on Friday. Pickup will be in the science lab after school on Thursday, November 21 and Friday, November 22. If you arrive before 2:30 please park either on the east side of the building by the gym or south of the white building adjacent to the playground.
This Week's Activities and Assignments
Monday
1. Anole watering
2. Worksheet activity on plants
3. No homework
Tuesday
1. Anole feeding
2. Food chain game
3. No homework
Wednesday
D.A.R.E.
Thursday
1. Anole feeding (First day of anole pickup)
2. Jeoparday review of food chain module
3. No homework
Friday
1. Anole feeding (Second day of anole pickup)
2. USA Weekly #10 - Group question activity
3. Flip book on 13 English Colonies
4. Optional homework: USA crossword puzzle for extra credit
Students have learned that all food chains begin with plants that pass along energy from the sun to primary and secondary consumers. Check out the Bill Nye video on plants:
https://webertube.com/video/19772/bill-nye---plants
Anoles
All students who were selected in the random drawing for anole adoption should have brought a notification letter home on Friday. Pickup will be in the science lab after school on Thursday, November 21 and Friday, November 22. If you arrive before 2:30 please park either on the east side of the building by the gym or south of the white building adjacent to the playground.
This Week's Activities and Assignments
Monday
1. Anole watering
2. Worksheet activity on plants
3. No homework
Tuesday
1. Anole feeding
2. Food chain game
3. No homework
Wednesday
D.A.R.E.
Thursday
1. Anole feeding (First day of anole pickup)
2. Jeoparday review of food chain module
3. No homework
Friday
1. Anole feeding (Second day of anole pickup)
2. USA Weekly #10 - Group question activity
3. Flip book on 13 English Colonies
4. Optional homework: USA crossword puzzle for extra credit
Saturday, November 9, 2013
November 11-15
Literacy Night
Literacy Night will be held Monday night from 6:30-7:30pm. Come learn more about our new reading series, why reading instruction has changed, station/independent work, Lexile ranges, as well as ideas and strategies to help support your child.
Anole Adoption
Anoles will be going home with selected students November 21 and 22. This Thursday is the deadline for turning in a permission slip. A copy of the adoption permission slip can be found at the end of today's blog.
Veterans' Day
Fifth grade celebrated Veterans' Day early this past Friday. All classes met in the cafeteria with a group of veterans to learn about the history and meaning of the day. The program ended with a question and answer session that was enjoyed by both students and veterans. Grateful thanks to all those who have served their country and came to share their experiences with the students who now have a better understanding. Also special thanks to Ashley Greulich and Katherine Ashley for planning and bringing this experience to our students.
This Week's Activities and Assignments
Monday, November 11 (Gold Day)
1. Bell Work
2. Cricket Anatomy Worksheet (Open note quiz on Friday)
3. Food Chain/Food Web Power Point (Enter notes in Science Journal)
4. Homework: Prep for cricket quiz on Friday
Tuesday, November 12 (Blue Day)
1. Bell Work
2. Feeding Day (With written observation in Science Journal)
3. Bill Nye - Plants (With viewing guide questions)
4. Homework: Prep for cricket quiz on Friday
Wednesday, November 13 (Gold Day)
[Fifth grade vision screening today]
1. Bell Work
2. USA Weekly #9 with group question search
3. Begin work on 13 Colonies flip book
4. Homework: Prep for cricket quiz on Friday
Thursday, November 14 (Blue Day)
[Deadline for anole adoption permission slips - see below for form]
1. D.A.R.E.
2. Homework: Prep for cricket quiz on Friday
Friday, November 15 (Gold Day)
[Adoption drawing - Notes go home to parents]
1. Bell Work
2. Feeding Day (With written observation in Science Journal)
3. Sharing information from Insect book (Thanks, Chris!)
4. Review this week's learnings
5. No weekend homework
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literacy Night will be held Monday night from 6:30-7:30pm. Come learn more about our new reading series, why reading instruction has changed, station/independent work, Lexile ranges, as well as ideas and strategies to help support your child.
Anole Adoption
Anoles will be going home with selected students November 21 and 22. This Thursday is the deadline for turning in a permission slip. A copy of the adoption permission slip can be found at the end of today's blog.
Veterans' Day
Fifth grade celebrated Veterans' Day early this past Friday. All classes met in the cafeteria with a group of veterans to learn about the history and meaning of the day. The program ended with a question and answer session that was enjoyed by both students and veterans. Grateful thanks to all those who have served their country and came to share their experiences with the students who now have a better understanding. Also special thanks to Ashley Greulich and Katherine Ashley for planning and bringing this experience to our students.
This Week's Activities and Assignments
Monday, November 11 (Gold Day)
1. Bell Work
2. Cricket Anatomy Worksheet (Open note quiz on Friday)
3. Food Chain/Food Web Power Point (Enter notes in Science Journal)
4. Homework: Prep for cricket quiz on Friday
Tuesday, November 12 (Blue Day)
1. Bell Work
2. Feeding Day (With written observation in Science Journal)
3. Bill Nye - Plants (With viewing guide questions)
4. Homework: Prep for cricket quiz on Friday
Wednesday, November 13 (Gold Day)
[Fifth grade vision screening today]
1. Bell Work
2. USA Weekly #9 with group question search
3. Begin work on 13 Colonies flip book
4. Homework: Prep for cricket quiz on Friday
Thursday, November 14 (Blue Day)
[Deadline for anole adoption permission slips - see below for form]
1. D.A.R.E.
2. Homework: Prep for cricket quiz on Friday
Friday, November 15 (Gold Day)
[Adoption drawing - Notes go home to parents]
1. Bell Work
2. Feeding Day (With written observation in Science Journal)
3. Sharing information from Insect book (Thanks, Chris!)
4. Review this week's learnings
5. No weekend homework
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANOLE ADOPTION
For the
past few weeks, our fifth grade students have observed and studied green
anoles, also known as the green American chameleon. These small creatures are native to the
southeastern United States, but can live well in captivity as pets. We’ve learned that anoles are branch-dwelling
organisms that eat only live insects (crickets) because they cannot recognize
the insect as prey unless it is moving.
They drink the water they need from drops of dew or rain (spring water misting
with a spray bottle) on leaves and do not usually drink from large, stationary
water sources such as ponds or lakes. They need the reflection of light from water
droplets to be able to detect the presence of water.
As our module
on Food Chains and Food Webs draws to a close, we need to begin thinking about
homes for our little lizard friends.
Students who have permission from parents will be put into a drawing for
one anole. We will send home a note to
those students who receive an anole on Friday, November 15.
A parent or guardian MUST pick up the anole at dismissal no later than November 22nd. Live creatures CANNOT go home on the bus. In order to properly care for the anole,
student families must be prepared with the following:
§ Pick Up Date/time: November 21 or 22 at 2:10 P.M. with a parent/guardian
§ Container with holes to transport the chameleon home
§ Terrarium (Local Pet Store or Wal-Mart)
§ Soil, Gravel, & Branches for the terrarium
§ Live Plants (anoles & crickets eat grass too! A container of cat grass from the pet store works great)
§ Supply of small crickets (Anoles typically eat twice a week)
§ Spring Water for misting the terrarium daily
§ Spray Bottle
§ Keep terrarium temperature between 70 & 80 degrees
§
Visit websites to learn
more-- http://www.petuniversity.com/reptiles/lizards/species/green-anole/
*cut & return bottom portion to teacher no later than Thursday, November 14- please keep the top for tips on how to care for the anole
*cut & return bottom portion to teacher no later than Thursday, November 14- please keep the top for tips on how to care for the anole
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMERICAN
CHAMELEON ADOPTION
Student Name ___________________________
I give my child permission to enter his/her name in the
chameleon drawing. I agree to pick up the chameleon and bring a container to do
so, on Thursday 11/21 or Friday 11/22, 2013 at 2:10 P.M. (please circle a date)
Parent/Guardian Name
_______________________ Contact Number
______________
Saturday, November 2, 2013
November 4 - 8
Conferences
The second round of parent-teacher conferences is set for Tuesday, November 5 from 3:00-7:00.
D.A.R.E.
We started the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program on Thursday. Students met Officer McCarley of GPD, set up their DARE workbooks, and were introduced to the goals and objectives of the program. Officer McCarley will be helping train new GPD officers next week, but our DARE program will resume the following week.
Anoles
Fifth grade students had an exciting week in their science classes as they welcomed the newest addition to the lab - green anoles.
The anoles, lizards commonly found the the southeastern United States, were shipped to MIS this past Tuesday. Mr. Ellars and Mrs. Ashley worked late that afternoon unpacking lizards, crickets, and earthworms from their UPS shipping crates into more comfortable accommodations.
On Wednesday, students had their first chance to observe the anoles and set up terrariums for each lab group. Science classes took the day off on Thursday for our DARE program, but returned to the lab on Friday to transfer an anole from the holding cage to each lab group's individual terrarium. Students completed an observation sheet, fed their anole a live cricket, and created a rainy day in their terrarium with a spray bottle of spring water.
The science goal for Friday was to observe a live animal specimen and to record observed data.
Video clip of male anole showing dewlap and changing color.
Science Thought for the Day
Science is not a "subject," it's a method. It's a methodical, logical way of finding answers to questions. It's an approach to searching for truth that applies to life in general and reaches far beyond the walls of any science classroom.
Activities and Assignments for the Week
Monday, November 4 (Blue Day)
1. Lab - Observing crickets with data worksheet
2. No homework
Tuesday, November 5 (Gold Day)
* Feeding day for anoles
1. Reading in the "Food Chains and Webs" book with worksheet
2. USA Weekly #8 with questions to answer
3. Homework: Finish USA Weekly questions if necessary (crossword puzzle for extra credit)
Wednesday, November 6 (Blue Day)
1. Discuss - "What do Crickets Eat?"
2. Vocabulary entries in lab journals
3. Cricket body part worksheet for lab journals
Thursday, November 7 (Gold Day)
1.Lab - Earthworms and decomposers
2. Video - "The Magic School Bus Meets the Rot Squad" [View the video]
Friday, November 8 (Blue Day)
* Feeding day for anoles
* Veterans' Day program
1. Finish "Food Chains and Webs" booklet with worksheet
2. Lab - Anoles and crickets
The second round of parent-teacher conferences is set for Tuesday, November 5 from 3:00-7:00.
D.A.R.E.
We started the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program on Thursday. Students met Officer McCarley of GPD, set up their DARE workbooks, and were introduced to the goals and objectives of the program. Officer McCarley will be helping train new GPD officers next week, but our DARE program will resume the following week.
Anoles
Fifth grade students had an exciting week in their science classes as they welcomed the newest addition to the lab - green anoles.
The anoles, lizards commonly found the the southeastern United States, were shipped to MIS this past Tuesday. Mr. Ellars and Mrs. Ashley worked late that afternoon unpacking lizards, crickets, and earthworms from their UPS shipping crates into more comfortable accommodations.
On Wednesday, students had their first chance to observe the anoles and set up terrariums for each lab group. Science classes took the day off on Thursday for our DARE program, but returned to the lab on Friday to transfer an anole from the holding cage to each lab group's individual terrarium. Students completed an observation sheet, fed their anole a live cricket, and created a rainy day in their terrarium with a spray bottle of spring water.
The science goal for Friday was to observe a live animal specimen and to record observed data.
Video clip of male anole showing dewlap and changing color.
Science Thought for the Day
Science is not a "subject," it's a method. It's a methodical, logical way of finding answers to questions. It's an approach to searching for truth that applies to life in general and reaches far beyond the walls of any science classroom.
Activities and Assignments for the Week
Monday, November 4 (Blue Day)
1. Lab - Observing crickets with data worksheet
2. No homework
Tuesday, November 5 (Gold Day)
* Feeding day for anoles
1. Reading in the "Food Chains and Webs" book with worksheet
2. USA Weekly #8 with questions to answer
3. Homework: Finish USA Weekly questions if necessary (crossword puzzle for extra credit)
Wednesday, November 6 (Blue Day)
1. Discuss - "What do Crickets Eat?"
2. Vocabulary entries in lab journals
3. Cricket body part worksheet for lab journals
Thursday, November 7 (Gold Day)
1.Lab - Earthworms and decomposers
2. Video - "The Magic School Bus Meets the Rot Squad" [View the video]
Friday, November 8 (Blue Day)
* Feeding day for anoles
* Veterans' Day program
1. Finish "Food Chains and Webs" booklet with worksheet
2. Lab - Anoles and crickets
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)