Oobleck and next week

As scientists, being a keen observer and then being able to articulate your observations are very important skills to develop. On Thursday, we headed up to the Science Lab to observe a mixture that exhibited rather unusual properties, properties that made it difficult to determine whether this substance was a solid or a liquid. Oobleck is a mixture of corn starch and water. When in a bowl, it can be tapped and it feels like a solid. If pressed upon, with a finger, the finger will slowly sink. If some of the mixture is picked up in your hands, it will run through your fingers like a liquid.

The class recognized that these are also the types of properties exhibited by quicksand. Observations were made and written down and then we had a class discussion about the experience. We learned that Oobleck is known as a non-newtonian fluid, which means it exhibits properties of both solids and fluids. After the lab we watched a couple of short videos that showed people running across tubs of Oobleck and Oobleck "dancing" on a speaker.

Coming up this week, we will start Chapter 2 in Math dealing with Multiplication and Division of Whole Numbers. You will be getting your first assessment back from Chapter 1 on Monday. There will be a note attached to it explaining the grading of this test. Please keep your eyes open for it.

We will continue our opening unit on The Constitution in Social Studies as well as discussing the upcoming elections.

In Science, we will start our unit on Color and Light. This unit will last approximately one month and will be culminated with a visit by our scientist in residence, Patsy Eldridge.

Don't forget that Wednesday, September 26th, is an early release day. Students will be released at 1:15PM and lunch WILL be served to all grades.

Dissecting a Squid

On Monday, we headed up to the Science Lab to learn more about the mollusk known as the squid. The purpose was to teach us to be observant when performing labs and experiments in Science. The class was partnered up and each pair of students was provided with a squid to dissect.

First, we observed the outside of the squid and saw that there were 8 arms and 2 tentacles. The squid also had two large eyes as well as two fins to help it swim. All in all, we saw that the squid was very symmetrical. The class also observed the syphon that helps propel the squid in the water.

 

We then carefully cut through the mantle using siccors so we could observe the inside of the squid. Most of us were able to see the two gills, and at least one of the 3 hearts. We were also able to see the esophagus and the stomach in some of the squid.

Finally, the pens were removed from the squid as well as their beaks. We really had some great specimen in terms of the pens. Thanks Declan for being such a great pen remover. The class was then able to write their names using the pen and the ink from the ink sack.

Great job!

The Week Ahead

As we head forward, full steam ahead, we are looking at a busy week. In Math, we have jumped right into the new Math program, Math In Focus, as we have focused on place value and estimation as our first topics of the new year. These are important skills as we move forward in the program the rest of the year.

In Science we will focus on being keen observers as we head to the lab to perform a couple activities during the week.

With the election quickly approaching (not quickly enough), we are going to approach the textbook from a different angle this year. Historically (no pun intended), we have studied our form of government towards the end of the school year. We are switching this up so our studies on governmental structure will coincide with the elections.

As Reading assessments wind down, we will begin our first novel of the year, The Whipping Boy, by the end of the week. Our focus will be on the elements of a story along with vocabulary development. At the conclusion of the novel, we will view a movie based on the novel. We will then write an essay comparing the novel with the movie.

That's a busy week ahead, so let's be ready to get rolling right out the chute! 

Now We're Rollin'

Well, we made it through the first two days, and as we head into the first full week of school we have to get used to being busy. There are still some beginning of the year things that we have to complete but by the middle of the week we will be getting into the meat of our curriculum.

We will start our new math program this week, Math In Focus, and this will take a little time for the students (and teachers) to get used to after so many years with Trailblazers. Between the pacing of the program and trying to feel out homework possibilities I'm asking for some patience as we get rolling.

Social Studies and Science will pick up speed as we head into a brief unit on Explorers in Social Studies, and we will learn about the Scientific Method in Science. We will complete a fun activity in Science his week to help with our understanding.

Student pictures will be taken on Tuesday, September 11th. Seems really early but that is the date. Envelopes will be going home on Monday for orders so please return them by Tuesday morning.

Don't forget curriculum night on Thursday, September 13th. The 5th grade presentation will start at 6:00PM and go until 6:45PM in my room (room 105). I hope to see everyone there.