by Jennifer Jordan
This year, the 5th grade takes a service and leadership class on Tuesday mornings. The class voted to work on projects around campus that will benefit the school. With the guidance of Ms. Denise, we have been organizing the resale shop and preparing decorations for the fall festival. The girls are also decorating and helping with the Primary classes’ fashion show on October 29. The class has been industrious and inventive, as Ms. Denise encourages the students to suggest their own ideas. Hence, 5th graders are also asserting themselves as leaders. These mini-projects have become a great way that we can give back to our school community and bring a little festive spirit on campus!
“The density of your destiny is the product of the mass of your visions and the volume that your impacts occupy.”
What is density? Density is a word we use to describe how much space and object or substance takes up (volume) in relation to the amount of matter in an object or substance (matter). Whew….that’s a lot of science in one sentence, isn’t it???
In order to simulate the concept of density, fifth grade created models of boats using aluminum foil. Students measured the length and width of each piece of aluminum foil and then added paper clips to each boat to test their design. Some designs were “unsinkable” while others unfortunately sank to the bottom of the simulated ocean.
The entire experiment was recorded in their Science Notebook in order to show students how important documentation is throughout any experiment. It is important for students of any age to see that Science can be fun and has its place in the “real world.”
by Susie Rogers, ELA 5th-8th
“A dog is a man’s best friend” is a familiar saying that most people would say is true. In the novel, Shiloh by Phyllis Naylor, my 5th graders explored this topic along with the moral dilemma of right and wrong. This classic Newbery Medal novel created conversations of whether it is ever okay to lie if it protects someone they love. They were asked if they would have done the same thing as Marty. The students made connections to their own life experiences and how they handled a similar, albeit less serious situation. Students were then able to draw the conclusion that not everything is in black and white.
As a culminating activity for the novel, students created a one-pager that included explaining important quotations and their significance, drawing and explaining symbols, and creating a higher-level question with a detailed answer. Students finished the activity with a written summary of the novel that contained the setting, characters, conflict, and resolution. This activity promoted thoughtful appreciation and a more in-depth understanding of Shiloh and reinforced the belief that a dog is really a “boy’s” best friend.
Seize the opportunity; begin at full speed; great energy and enthusiasm; working effectively from the beginning
Two weeks into Middle School and the Fifth grade has “hit the ground running!” After going over schedules, lockers, and supplies, it was time to dive into some Science. One of the first assignments was a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) challenge. Students were asked to create the longest paper chain using only a few supplies : 2 sheets of paper, 12 inches of masking tape, a ruler, and scissors. Thirty minutes later, the chains were measured and results were recorded. It was fun (and challenging) to watch the students plan, communicate, and execute their designs.
