Crazy Creatures

As part of our unit on heredity we incorporate an activity from CPO called Crazy Traits. In this activity we work in small groups creating a creature with 14 different traits. We learn about the genotypes and phenotypes of our creatures and how the alleles are provided from each of the parents. Using Punnett Squares we learn about the probability of offspring having these traits based on the parents' genotypes. This is a fun AND educational activity (the best kind) that shows the students that chance plays a huge role in what they look like. They got a kick out of creating these creature and really took ownership in this process.

Next we will be looking at the next generation of Crazy Creatures by using the ones that we created today. This always yields some interesting results.

Thanksgiving Week

How fast is the year going by? I can't believe that it is already Thanksgiving week and, of course, the holiday season is just around the corner!

Last week saw a lot of variety in the afternoons as the 4th and 5th grade took part in a Veterans' Day program on the town common on Wednesday, Mrs. Judith Steinberg came in for her second visit and generated great enthusiasm for poetry, and on Friday afternoon, Dr. Spiers came in to speak to the 5th grade about coping with a physical disability for our final D.A.S.H. event.

This week will start our Crazy Traits project in Science as we continue our study of Heredity. This is a fun project that uses creatures in a kit that is put out by CPO. It is really a fun way to learn about heredity.

In Math, we will continue to work on fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals. This is always a challenging concept for the 5th grade but the class is showing a solid aptitude for it to this point.

Don't forget, Wednesday is an early release day as the students are dismissed at 12:00 noon. LUNCH WILL NOT BE SERVED.

 Because of the shortened week I will NOT be available for after school hours. Homework will NOT be assigned on Tuesday afternoon.

The Week Ahead

After an eventful week last week we are looking ahead to just as busy a one this week. Last week we got our first chance to use the new IPADs that were donated to the school over the summer. Our task was to create a presentation using Educreation that provided information on the United States Bill of Rights. The class was introduced to the IPADs and then they researched their assigned amendment. Each group completed three pages on their amendment and Mrs. Klipfel compiled them all on to one IPAD. This week we will meet with Mrs. Klipfel and record the audio portion of the presentation. What a great new tool!

This week we will again be busy with some special events. On Wednesday afternoon, Mrs, O'Leary will be taking the entire 4th and 5th grade over to the town common where they will hear from some local veterans and then they will perform some poetry and songs for the veterans of Topsfield. Please remember your permission slip.

On Thursday, Judith Steinberg will return for her second visit to work on some poetry with the class. She made a great impact with her first visit and the class is looking forward to her upcoming presentation.

On Friday afternoon, D.A.S.H. wraps up with a visit from a guest speaker, Dr. Spiers. Dr. Spiers will speak with the entire 5th grade about the challenges that he has faced since he was thrown from a horse and was paralyzed from the waist down. Perhaps surprisingly, part of his therapy is horseback riding.

I will be available for after school hours this week on Tuesday and Thursday from 3:15-4:00PM. Please remember to bring a note from home letting the office know you will be staying after. If you want to be picked up outside the Main Door please write that on your note.

D.A.S.H. Part 2

 

This week 5W had the opportunity to experience some of the challenges that people with gross motor disabilities experience everyday. Stations were set up around the gym where students could try to open doors while confined to wheelchairs, carry a tray of food while having to also control their walker, use crutches, and get out of a wheel chair while not having use of some of their limbs. They found this to be an eye-opening and educational experience as the volunteers did a great job of demonstrating AND making sure everyone had the experience.

Walkers

 

 

Vision Impairment

 

 

Wheelchair

 

Immobilization

 



Thanks to all of the moms who volunteered for these great activities.

Looking Ahead - Week of 11/5/2012

After an abbreviated week last week we are heading toward another busy one as we look ahead. After being introduced to IPADS last week we will start our first project in Educreations on Monday as we create presentations on the Bill of Rights.

In Math we will be putting Chapter Two in the rear view mirror as we will take the Chapter Two assessment on Wednesday.

In Reading will be starting some small group work as we use some great novels to focus on FLASHBACKS and FORESHADOWING as literary devices.

Thursday evening we will be holding the annual Proctor School Open House from 6PM to 7PM. Please come and see what we have been up to these past 2+ months in 5W. Work will be out for you to see and we are hoping that the IPAD presentations might be available to watch. Be sure to stop in at the Book Fair and the Ice Cream Social after you visit the room.

Remember that Friday will be an early release day so you can get an early start to the long weekend as we have no school on Monday, November 12th for the observance of Veterans' Day.

This week due to a meeting that will run into after school hours, I will be available for after school assistance on only Tuesday from 3:15 to 4:00PM. Remember to bring a note if you are planning on staying.

D.A.S.H. - 2012

As we moved forward in an unexpectedly short week, 5W had the pleasure of having D.A.S.H. (Disability Awareness Starts Here) volunteers come to our room to demonstrate some of the challenges that people with fine motor disabilities experience. Four stations were set up and groups of five rotated through each one during the one hour session.

 

Station 1 - Communication

 

Station 2 - Tools

 

 

Station 3 - Getting Dressed

 





 

Station 4 - Cutting and Writing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to all of the Moms who gave their time to help with the presentation. The class learned a lot and we are looking forward to next week's session on gross motor disabilities.