Hour of Code

"The Hour of Code is designed to demystify code and show that computer science is not rocket-science, anybody can learn the basics," said Hadi Partovi, founder and CEO of Code.org. "In one week last year, 15 million students tried an Hour of Code. Now we're aiming for 100 million worldwide to prove that the demand for relevant 21st century computer science education crosses all borders and knows no boundaries."

In the U.S., 90 percent of schools don’t even teach computer science. It’s time for us to catch up to the 21st century. We know that regardless of what our students do when they grow up, whether they go into medicine, business, politics, or the arts, knowing how to build technology will give them the confidence and know-how to succeed. Today, all 5th graders had an opportunity to explore computer science and I was thrilled with their enthusiasm, wonder, and perseverance.

Mixtures and Solutions

In Science, students are discovering that different substances dissolve at different rates.  In groups, the students have learned about how to create saturated solutions.  In order to create a saturated solution, salt was stirred into water until no more of it would dissolve.  It took about 25 grams of salt to saturate 50 ml of water.  Today, students used granulated citric acid to see how many grams it would take to saturate the same amount of water. 

Would it be the same amount as salt? 

Ask your child to tell you the results.

Opinion Writing

Use the link below to gather evidence to back up your claim:

http://www.jogtheweb.com/run/Szb5P0vbPNnJ/Opinion-Writing-Assessment 

Understanding Convection Currents

Heated air in our atmosphere expands, becoming less dense. Because it is less dense, it rises upward. Cooler air rushes in to replace the air that lifted up. As warm air rises and cool air falls, a giant circular pattern is created. Eventually the warmer air cools and begins to fall again. _(Kidsgeo.com)


http://safeshare.tv/w/TJGQpBpQMi 

http://safeshare.tv/w/sFJkuMBCTt 



Click here to read about convection currents and weather.
(start reading on page 6 and end on 10)

Layers of the Atmosphere

Read the sites below to learn about the atmosphere.  The information from these sites will allow you to finish the atmosphere activity.

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/atmos/layers.htm

http://www.ducksters.com/science/atmosphere.php

http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/0046-layers-of-the-atmosphere.php
(click on the different pages to learn more)

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-climate.htm
(most of the information about the atmosphere is at the bottom of this website)

Cloud types

Click on the links below to find information regarding clouds:

http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/cloud3.html

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-clouds.htm

http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/photos/clouds/ 

http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/reproducibles/profbooks/cloudkey.pdf

http://www.clouds-online.com/ 

How much does a cloud weigh?

So...what do you think?  How much does a cloud weigh?

I recently asked that same question to my class.  RM said "as much as a feather." JH first said, "500 pounds" and then immediately changed it to "50 pounds!" AJ said that a cloud probably weighs, "next to nothing."

A majority of my students thought clouds weighed next to nothing. I then asked them how much a hurricane weighs.

Watch this! 
http://safeshare.tv/w/RiYPcPnKGA 

The Water Cycle

Today, we are learning about the water cycle. Students have been learning how to make evaporation go slower and faster.  Then we had a discussion regarding evaporation and condensation as it relates to the water cycle.  The video below gives an overview of some of the terminology students learned today.

http://safeshare.tv/w/EMmPkgssfl

Figurative Language

Today's learning target for readers' workshop was to be able to understand and identify 4 different forms of figurative language: similes, metaphors, hyperbole, and personification.  

Ask your child about them tonight.

Click here on the link for more information about figurative language.

Quiz yourself here.

Parenting Fair

Walled Lake Schools announces the 2014 Parenting Education Fair is expanding its reach and participation to become the Western Oakland County Parenting Education Fair.

The newly formed partnership with the PTAs and staff from Farmington Schools, Huron Valley Schools, the Oakland County Youth Assistance, Oakland Schools, Walled Lake Schools and West Bloomfield Schools is planning an expanded parenting education experience.

Click here for more information.

Understanding Solar System gravity

http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-for-kids/0019-the-revolution-of-the-earth.php

http://www.physics4kids.com/files/motion_gravity.html

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/earth/ 

http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm

New CAMP Open House DATE!

5^th Grade Camp

Open House

Parents and students are welcome to tour the Walled Lake Outdoor Education Center prior to their overnight camp experience.  This is a chance for you to take an informal tour any time between:

5:00 - 6:00 pm - Monday, September 22, 2014

or

5:00 - 7:00 pm - Wednesday, September 24, 2014

A camp meeting will also be held at your school before your camping experience.  This will be your chance to ask specific questions and get all of the necessary paperwork.

Please call Stuart Riley @ 248-956-5120 for any questions regarding 5^th grade camp. 

Our website is http://www.wlcsd.org/programs.cfm?subpage=441025

Curriculum and Camp Information

The curriculum and camp night was very well attended last night. If you were unable to come to the meeting, information will be coming home with your child regarding our 5th grade curriculum along with camp permission slips/information.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Team Building

It's been great getting to know each other the past few days, the students have been working together in many activities. In the pictures below the students are trying to stack six cups by holding on to string attached to a rubber band. Through communication and cooperation, many groups exceeded the goals of the activity. 

Welcome to 5th GRADE!

Welcome to 5th grade!

 I hope your summer has been pleasant and restful. I have been very busy with my 4 year old son, Benjamin, and my 3 year old son, Evan. My wife, Becky, and I have been chasing them around the house all summer, we’ve had a blast! This is my fourteenth year teaching at Walled Lake Elementary School!!

 I am looking forward to meeting and working with you and your child this year. Working together, we can provide a successful learning experience for your child. I have many exciting activities and units planned for this coming school year. Fifth grade is an important year for your child. This year, the students will become more independent and responsible. Children learn best when they are active participants in their learning. Many opportunities will be provided for them to be creative and develop a love for learning. This kind of learning enhances self-esteem; an essential skill for middle school. My classroom is always open to parents and I encourage you to continue to take an active role in your child’s education. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, PLEASE feel free to contact me. I look forward to meeting all of you on Curriculum Night and 5th grade camp meeting September 9 from 6:00 – 7:30.

Thank you for your support and I am looking forward to a successful year!

Readers' Theater Scripts

Click on the links below.  

Each website has links to different scripts.  Read them and decide what they have in common.

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Social Studies

Today:
I want you to watch the ENTIRE video with headphones and take notes in your Social Studies notebook. During the video pause and write down the most important facts you notice. You should have about a page of notes when you are done.
Link 1

Repeat the direction for the next video.  Watch the ENTIRE video with headphones and write a page of notes.  Pause the video in order to write clear notes.
Link 2

Aquatic Environments

Please click on the link below.  Take notes in your science notebook.  You might want to view the video more than once. What vocabulary did the video use?  What did you learn that was important?

Video Link

Field Day!!!!!

Please click on the link below to signup and help at Field Day.  We are very short on volunteers in the afternoon.  If you have never volunteered I'd like to encourage you to participate.  It is a spectacular event!

Click Here

Persuasive Essay Post Task

Good Morning 5th graders,

Click on the link below to begin the task.

Should there be Zoos?

The Grassland Biome

Yesterday, we discovered so many features of the deciduous forest. Today we are going to look at a new biome called Grassland.  What makes this biome different than the ones we've studied?  What features makes this biome unique? 

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

All About Savanna

Biome: Deciduous Forest

Take a look at this biome.  Does it look familiar?  What do you notice?  Write down your findings in your Science Notebook.

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

Link 4

The Desert Biome

Using your science notebook, you are going to research more about the desert biome.  Color in your map where deserts are located in the world.  Write down in your notebook features that make the desert unique.

Link 1

Link 2

Map of desert biome

Desert Animals

Link 4

Finding the Author's Purpose

Authors write for several reasons.

Many authors write to entertain people and make them laugh.

Authors also write to persuade or convince their readers to believe in something.

Sometimes authors write to inform or teach you about something.

When we read, it is important for us to understand"why the piece was written"

Questions:

Did the author try to make me laugh? (Entertain) 

Did the author want to tell me a story? (Entertain) 

Did the author try to amuse me? (Entertain) 

Did the author give me facts? (Inform) 

Did the author try to teach me something? (Inform) 

Did the author try to convince me? (Persuade) 

Did the author want to change my opinion? (Persuade) 

Let's practice:

Link 1

Link 2

Learning about the Tundra

Yesterday, we learned about different types of biomes.  You have a list of biomes in your science notebook.  For the next couple of days, we are going to study many different components to each biome. 

Beautiful Pictures of the Tundra

The Tundra Book

Another article

The Tundra

Take a Virtual Tour of the National Museum of Natural History

Using your laptop and the link below explore the National Museum of Natural History.  Look carefully at the Mammal Hall and the Ocean Hall.  Zoom in and read some of the information that is presented in this virtual tour.  In your science notebooks, write about what you are noticing?  Are all of these animals found in the same habitat?  What kind of animals do you see and in what environment would you find them?  Jot down your notes in your science notebook.

http://www.mnh.si.edu/vtp/1-desktop/ 

Sarah Banks Night

Last night (3/27), Sarah Banks Middle School had an orientation for parents.  For parents that were unable to attend the following links contain information given out last night.  Please take a look.

BYOD Commitment form | 

http://www.wlcsd.org/files/1270576/banks%20byod-commitment2014-15.pdf

Orientation materials covered during the meeting | 

http://www.wlcsd.org/Banks.cfm?subpage=1270576

Course Selection sheets website | Due April 2 | 

http://www.wlcsd.org/news.cfm?story=137869&school=1563  

Science Matters

Why does Science Matter? Science is critical to understanding the world around us. Most Americans feel that they received a good education and that their children will as well. Unfortunately, not many are aware that international tests show that American students are simply not performing well in science when compared to students in other countries. Many students (and their parents!) believe that science is irrelevant to their lives. Innovation leads to new products and processes that sustain our economy, and this innovation depends on a solid knowledge base in science, math, and engineering. All jobs of the future will require a basic understanding of math and science. The most recent ten year employment projections by the U.S. Labor Department show that of the 20 fastest growing occupations projected for 2014, 15 of them require significant mathematics or science preparation to successfully compete for a job This is why Science Matters.

Investigating Capacity

Quoting from Informational Videos

Students are using their Chromebooks to watch informational videos.  They are in search of facts and quotable information to support their passionate topic: Should students have more Physical Education in school?  The students are finding it difficult to watch and record careful notes.  With that in mind, students are pausing, rewinding, and watching the video multiple times in order to capture the correct information to back up their claims. Recently, students learned how to directly quote research while also giving credit for where certain facts and information came from.   

What is a variable?

Students are investigating the flight of paper whether it be in the form of a plane or a wad of paper in order to define what a variable is.  After each trial, students are changing the experiment in way to accomplish a goal. When they modified their design, they described these changes in their science notebook.  As the lesson finished, students shared some of the things they did to change their experiment concurrently we agreed that these "changeable things" are called variables.