The Great Cardboard Challenge

Wearable Cardboard Challenge

     The fifth graders were tasked with creating wearable cardboard fashions.  All fifth graders were mixed up and put into groups of three.  They then watched a video clip from another adult in the building (other teachers, an associate, a custodian, and counselor).  The video clip shared that person's likes and dislikes about clothing.  The students were then tasked with creating something that person would like and would fit into that contained cardboard.  The students followed the design process and ended this challenge by enjoying a fashion show!

October

Math

     This week we took a break from adding, subtracting, and multiplying with decimals to review our mathematical landmark terms.  Examples include: mean, median, mode, maximum and minimum.  The students tested their reaction times to see how quickly they could grasp a dropped paper.  Students then identified the landmarks for their left and right hands.

Student of the Week

     We recently started our Student of the Week.  Each student will get a newspaper to fill out about themselves at some point this year.  Their newspaper poster and photos are posted on our bulletin board.  They then get to share out on Friday during our morning meeting.  When it is your child's turn, they are welcome to bring in a favorite childhood book.

Dance

     As part of our morning meeting, we always try to do a group activity or game.  Today was Dancing Friday!

 Tangrams

     The students were introduced to the Tangram Challenge today.  This is an activity that students might use during math rotations or during our WIN time.  Tangrams help students gain a stronger grasp of spatial relationships.

 Glaciers

     Pam Holz came to visit today.  She modeled a recipe for making glaciers and talked about the impact of glaciers on our landscape.  She modeled this process by making a human glacier.

September Events

Reading and Writing

     We wrapped up the "First 30 Days" in literacy last week.  During the first 30 days of school, students learn about different reading and writing procedures in our classroom.  We discuss different types of connections that can be made to a text.  

Students identifying different text features

Students working collaboratively during the "First 30 Days"

Science

     We are continuing to track the phases of the moon.  This week we learned that a lunar cycle is 28 days and learned the different names for each of the lunar phases.  We modeled how the lunar phases occur with our model moons and sun.

STEM Challenge

     On Friday, September 29th our class partnered with Ms. McAtee's class to complete a STEM challenge.  The students were tasked with creating a tower that could support a raw egg for 15+ seconds.  As an additional challenge, the students were tasked with creating the tallest tower possible.  Their materials included limited amounts of straws and masking tape.  

     Overall the students did quite well.  They followed the design process by planning, creating, testing, and improving their designs.  The winning tower was 9 inches tall when supporting an egg.  The highest egg height was around 5.5 inches.

  Breakout EDU

     Ms. Bartel's 7th and 8th grade math class created a Breakout Box for us.  Students were split into teams to work through a series of questions related to our math and science content.  Students worked collaboratively to decode puzzles, answer questions, and break into multiple padlocks and eventually gain access to a box.  All groups were successful and ended their day by celebrating with cookies.  Thanks for the fun experience, Ms. Bartel!

Homecoming Week

Spirit Week

     It was Homecoming Week at Mid-Prairie.  Each day was assigned a special theme, and students were encouraged to dress accordingly.  We had hat day, favorite team day, pride T-shirt day, mix-it-up day, and of course black and gold day.  Go hawks!

Student of the Month

     One of our very own classmates was chosen as the Student of the Month!  Students can be nominated by staff or students.  Students who are nominated have been recognized for being a good student and going above and beyond to be helpful.

Star Spangled Banner Celebration

     On Wednesday, September 13th, all of the fifth graders gathered around the flag pole to sing "The Star Spangled Banner."  On this day in history in 1814, Francis Scott Key penned a poem that eventually become our national anthem.  Thank you to Mrs. Ropp for this music and history lesson.

Live Healthy Iowa Walk

    Ms. Doser, the 6th-8th grade PE teacher, helped arrange a special walk this morning as part of Iowa's Live Healthy Iowa initiative.  All students at MPMS participated by taking a walk around town.  

Dot Day

     Today is International Dot Day.  Dot Day was inspired by Peter Reynolds's book, The Dot.  It is a day to celebrate being unique.  During our morning meeting we each shared what makes us unique.  We then participated in some other dot-filled activities.  

September

Exploratory Schedule

Monday---Art with Ms. Leonard

Tuesday --- P.E.with Mr. Hershberger

Wednesday --- Spanish with Ms. Hernandez

Thursday --- Future Problem Solving with Ms. Ruggiero

Friday --- Project Lead the Way with Mrs. Huber

Before-School Activities

     These optional activities will take place in the music room with Mrs. Busch from 7:50-8:10 for those students who arrive early.  

Monday ---Coding 

Wednesday --- Coding

Friday --- Chess