Friday, September 29, 2017

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!







Friday, September 15, 2017

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.  





Tuesday, September 5, 2017

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

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

The First Few Days



We have completed one full week of fifth grade!  During this time, we have played a lot of get-to-know-you games, as well as practiced our classroom and building procedures.  We are having a great time getting to know each other.

     This year we will be starting our mornings with Morning Meetings.   We will greet each other, have some sharing time, play a group game/activity, and review our morning message.  Morning Meetings provide us with time to get to know each other, a chance to practice our speaking skills, and a chance to learn empathy.


    We have started our first science unit on the Earth and Sun.  On Monday, we tracked our shadows and noted how they changed during the course of a day.  This is quite the task on a cloudy day!  Next up, we will be sun tracking!

Completing shadow challenges

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Welcome!

     Welcome to our fifth grade blog.  This is a place you can check out photos from our classroom.  I will plan to email out the link whenever the blog is updated.  You can also stay informed by reading the class newsletters and emails.