Mixtures and Solutions

We've been working hard and doing some great experiments in class this past week or so.  Students learned that a mixture is when two materials are put together and that scientifically any mixture can be separated.  After doing some small experiments students took what they learned, came up with a procedure, and successfully separated a mixture of gravel, salt, and powder (diatomaceous earth).


After than we discussed solutions: specialized mixtures in which one material (a solute) dissolves in another material (solvent).  They then realized that different materials have different solubilities to reach saturation.  They conducted and experiment where they mathematically found how much salt would dissolve in 50 mL of water to reach saturation.

Next we will learn about concentration.  Students will see that when you add more solute to a solvent it becomes more concentrated.  We will also connect this to the information we learned earlier in the year surrounding molecules in the air, creating wind patterns, and the atmosphere.

What amazing scientists I've seen this year!

Robotics

5th graders have upped their level of critical thinking this year by learning how to code and integrate there learning of fractions within their programing.  It's amazing to watch how their minds work and grow during this process, not to mention the great engagement from all students.  We, at Gold Rush, are putting in a lot of thought and work into the use of technology in the curriculum.  We feel strongly that these new tools should enhance our students' learning and not just be "extra."  We believe that integrating tools, applications, and software into the concepts and standards we already cover will make the learning most meaningful to students and provide a real-world application.

Ask your kiddos about what ways they've loved using technology in their learning this year!

Geography Study

Traditionally, fifth grade geography is centered around the U.S. states and regions.  The regions we are studying are: Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and the West.  We've had discussions on how different geographers split up the regions differently, but we've decided to stick with these.  We look for defining characteristics of the ares through the concepts of climate, landforms, natural resources, industry, agriculture, and culture.  We also look at population density, reasons for this, and why people migrate to particular areas.

To get students more engaged, this year we, as a fifth grade team, have changed the unit a bit. While still focusing on the same concepts we changed it up a bit to add a little more interest.   Students began by studying NFL teams across the nation: locating them, looking at why they're located in particular places, population, why they have their given mascot.  In the end, students will work in collaborative groups to present a proposal for a new NFL team to the commissioner (me!).  They will be assessed on the concepts, the presentation, the thoughtfulness of their proposed team, and how they collaborated.  Below is the rubric I will be using to score.

December

Happy December!!

There are a few things happening this month that I wanted you to be aware of!

This week, on Wednesday, is my present to the kiddos.  We will have a Read-a-thon where we will spend the majority of the day enjoying books.  This won't be a day of just free reading, but also guided reading, book clubs, Scholastic News, and others of the such.  I will also bring them some hot chocolate to enjoy.  They may bring their own mug with a lid, but I will also have some available.  They are allowed to bring in a small throw pillow and a personal blanket.


On Thursday there will be a substitute in class, so I will have the opportunity to read one-on-one with each student to see their progress.  They will be given the same type of assessment that they were given at the beginning of the year.  This is not the only measure of growth we use, but it is one we find value in.

Next week we will have our holiday party on Thursday from 2:30 - 3:30.  Earlier that day we will do a book exchange here in class.  I ask that each student bring in a wrapped new or gently used book to participate in the game.  This is usually a great way to build community and share our love of reading.

Thanks again for all your support!  Happy December!

Systems Thinking

Our 21st Century Skill for 5th grade that we will mainly focus on is Systems Thinking.  As a class we looked at the definition and expectations and annotated them as to make better sense of them.

We will look a Systems Thinking through every thing we do.  Currently our focus is on Human Body Systems.  We are looking at each system, analyzing the parts and functions, and discussing what parts are necessary for the system to function.  We have discussed a lot of Cause and Effect relationships as well as the difference between the terms dependent, independent, and interdependent. 

This concept of how systems work and how things can function, adapt, or fall apart will also be looked at through Social Studies after winter break, especially when we look at colonization.

Math Instruction

As you know from reading Jenny Brown's Blog, we have, as a staff, been having a lot of conversations around math instruction.  This is something that I've always been passionate about.  I believe in teaching kids to be true mathematicians, to build a solid understanding of numbers, and that everyone can be a strong "math person" (it's not a genetic trait lol).  This philosophy goes right along with the vision of the GRE math instruction.  We believe in our math program Investigations for the way it exposes kids to look at math as a concept and not a bunch of memorized items.  You can ask your kiddos what I say to them daily about being math thinkers.  Many of us here at GRE have also participated in a book study around Jo Boaler's book Mathematical Mindsets.  It's a fantastic read based on research on what really great math instruction looks like and what kind of progress can be made when done properly.  One of the fascinating facts I learned while reading this book was about structural brain changes.  New research overwhelmingly shows brains are plastic and not fixed as previously thought.  A recent study by the National Institute of Mental Health showed that when a group of subjects did a 10 minute mental task for  just three weeks there was evidence of structural brain changes.  That's only 10 minutes a day to see ACTUAL brain changes!!  This is one reason I am a strong believer in the Weekly Reading and Math Log homework assignment.

Celebration of Learning and Thanksgiving Feast

On Wednesday, November 16th, we at Gold Rush are excited to have a coming together of family and community to have a Thanksgiving Feast.  This is a fun tradition here at GRE that students, parents, and staff really enjoy.  Please consider coming to participate in building a great community of families.  The Principal's Blog has more information and explains how to purchase tickets.

In addition, this year we are adding a celebration of learning before in each classroom.  We are excited to open our doors to you to show you the great learning we have been doing and how technology has enhanced what we do.  We are thankful to the community for the funds raised last year to supply our school with enough technology to be a one-to-one school.  With this capability we have been able to do some great things and want you to see what we have been up to.  This is an open house style of event so if you happen to be coming to the Feast anyway, pop on in!