An Apple on a Desk

Mrs. Charles pointed to an apple sitting on her desk.  She asked her students to describe any forces acting on the apple.  This is what some of her students said.

Warren: "The only force acting on the apple is air pressure"

Kaitlyn: "There is one force acting on the apple. Gravity is the force that pulls on the apple."

Claire: " There are two forces:  the desk pushes up on the apple and gravity pulls downward on the apple"

Jaikin: " There are many forces acting on the apple; but, it is the holding force in the apple that keeps it on the desk"

Amy: " There are no forces acting on the apple because the desk stops any forces from acting on it"

Which student do you most agree with?  Why?  Explain your thinking.  What rule or reasoning did you use to decide if there were any forces acting on the apple?

If someone has already left a comment please read and either agree or disagree.  Provide an explanation for your answer.  Disagreeing respectful is perfectly acceptable!

Prompts are based on the book uncovering student ideas in science by Page Keeley and Joyce Tugel

The Cay - Chapter 6

Choose two questions from this list and respond with supporting evidence from the text.

(1) Why did Philip fall off the raft?
(2) Why did Timothy get so angry?
(3) Why did Philip not want to go on the island?
(4) Would you have chosen to stay on the raft or go to the island?  Give the reasons for your choice.

Don't forget to make sticky notes for the different kinds of conflict in the chapter and be prepared to share tomorrow.

Mrs. Mikelman needs some more help!

I was reading Spirit Magazine on my flight from Houston to Dallas.  The magazine is 179 pages long, with 2 covers (front and back) AND a fold out page.  I've just become fascinated with QR codes, so I was counting how many were in the magazine.  I was on page 135 when the plane landed and didn't get to finish the magazine, but I'd counted 17 QR codes so far.  How many QR codes do you think would be in the whole magazine?  

Mrs. Mikelman needs some help!

I'm trying to keep track of how far I walk every day but I forgot to wear my pedometer on my trip last week.  I could use your help to figure this one out.  At the Denver Airport, I landed at gate B11 and walked to gate B43.  Then they changed the gate to B29.  I counted and I take 39 steps to get from one gate to another.  But there's more information you need to figure in.

All the odd gates are on one side and the even gates are the other side.  

Between gate B29 and B31 is a shopping plaza that measures 52 steps.  

Between gate B35 and B37 is a food court that measures 173 steps.

Is there any other information you need to know?

I can't make it right side up!!!

Mary Ann submitted this

Rally Around Texas!!

On Thursday we will be participating in the Red Ribbon Rally in Austin.  Here are some photos from the event last year.  http://galleries.statesman.com/gallery/red-ribbon-rally-101410/#134940

While we are there, we will also get to experience a mock legislative session in the Capitol.  So to prepare for the trip, I have a few questions about our government for you to ponder.

• If you were in Congress, what state law would you propose and why?
• What are the similarities and differences between state and federal government?
• What are the similarities and differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate?
• What is Governor Perry's role in lawmaking?
• What is the Supreme Court's role in lawmaking?

Here are a few fun videos with some hints to my questions.  And if you dig within this legislative website, you may find additional help. http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/

Sugar Water

Dr. Coolidge stirred a teaspoon of sugar into a glass of warm water.  The sugar completely dissolved in the water.  Which of the following statements are true?

A. The sugar melts.
B. The sugar loses mass.
C. The sugar turns into water molecules.
D. The sugar forms a mixture with the water.
E. The sugar can be separated from the water.
F. The sugar disappears and no longer exists.
G. The sugar molecules are spread among the water molecules.
H. The sugar breaks down into individual atoms that make up sugar.
I .  The sugar chemically combines with the water to form a new substance

If someone has already left a comment please read and either agree or disagree.  Provide an explanation for your answer.  Disagreeing respectful is perfectly acceptable!

Prompts are based on the book uncovering student ideas in science by Page Keeley and Joyce Tugel

Extra Grammar Practice Games

http://www.toonuniversity.com/flash.asp?err=487&engine=2

http://www.funbrain.com/grammar/index.html

http://www.vocabulary.co.il/parts-of-speech/primary/primary-dolch-parts-of-speech/

http://www.vocabulary.co.il/parts-of-speech/primary-literature-parts-of-speech/

http://www.vocabulary.co.il/parts-of-speech/old-yeller-parts-of-speech/

Students, feel free to post some other fun games you find on the internet!

Extra Vocabulary Unit #3 & Grammar Practice

Can you find which word completes which sentence? Can you identify the nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, and/or prepositions in the sentences?

shun	obsolete	conceal	wean
resident	magnate	swelter	climate
ruthless	despite

1.  The temperature reached 100 degrees yesterday and we were ___________________ inside the classroom.

2.  We played football after school ___________________ the muddy field.

3.  The ______________________ in Michigan during the winter is so different from Houston.

4.  Our cheer coach is  _____________________!  She made us do 100 push-ups at the end of practice last night!

5.  Now that the weather is getting cooler, Mrs. Juan told us to _______________ ourselves off the water bottles in her classroom.

6.  Computers have made typewriters ______________________ .

7.  The oil ____________________ earned so much money last year, he gave half to charity.

8.  When we got back from Mexico, the customs officer checked our passports to make sure we were U.S. _____________________.

9.  My whole family ___________________ me after I ate a whole clove of garlic.

10. I used a lot of make-up to _____________________ the big pimple that popped yesterday.

Ice Water

Mrs. Charles put five ice cubes in a glass.  After 20 minutes, most of the ice had melted to form "ice water."  There were still some small pieces of ice floating in the water.  Mrs. Charles measured the temperature of the ice water then added five more ice cubes to the glass.  She measured the temperature three minutes later.  What do you predict happened to the temperature of the "ice water" three minutes after she added more ice?

A.  The temperature of the "ice water"increased.
B. The temperature of the "ice water" decreased
C.  The temperature of the "ice water"stayed the same.

Tell which answer that best matches your thinking.  Explain what happens to the temperature of "ice water" when more ice is added.  Remember to explain your thinking!

Grammar ROCKS!

Here is a fun way to review the writing concepts we are learning this week.  Good job to both classes keeping up the the Parts of Speech homework packet every night!

Let's try a little algebra!

Write a word problem that can be represented by this variable expression.  Make them interesting! :)

X + 8= 18 

Solve for x.

SS/Writing Extra Credit

OK students, you requested I post a link that you can watch for the extra credit assignment since some of you weren't able to watch TV last night.  For those of you who are visual learners, this version from the White House actually added graphics to help you better understand the topics discussed in the President's speech . 

The assignment was to watch at least 30 minutes of President Obama's address to Congress last night and write a reflection.  You can earn up to 10 points extra credit to use on a SS or writing assignment.  Your reflection should include a brief summary and your personal observations and reactions to the speech.  Please have your reflection completed and turned in by Friday, Sept. 16th.  I have 5 tickets for the first person who can tell me what special event we will commemorate on that due date.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2011/09/08/president-obama-presents-american-jobs-act-enhanced-version

Math Fact Practice Sites

Here are some math facts websites.  Remember facts logs are due every Friday with a parent signature.  If you don't have a signature, it will not be marked as completed for the week.  Remember any time you practice mark it on your log.      
 http://www.playkidsgames.com/games/timezAttack/timezAttack.htm      http://www.factmonster.com/mathflashcards.html
http://www.aplusmath.com/Flashcards/
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/flash-cards.html
http://www.kidsnumbers.com/addition_regular.php
http://www.coolmath4kids.com/addition/math-flash-cards-addition.html    

How do you think it is going

We have had the blog for a couple of weeks.  We are really enjoying it!  I get so excited to see all of you discussing science.  How do you think it is going?  What other things would you like to see us doing on here?  Any helpful hints for Dr. Coolidge and me?

Floating Balloon

Amy has two new empty balloons.  She fills one balloon with helium and ties it closed.  When she lets go, the balloon floats up into the sky.  Amy wonders what happens to the mass of the floating balloon compared to the empty balloon.  What do you think?

1. The floating balloon has more mass than the empty balloon.
2. The floating balloon has less mass than the empty balloon.
3.The mass of the empty balloon and the floating balloon is the same.

Describe your thinking.  If someone has already left a comment please read and either agree or disagree.  Try to convince us with evidence.


Prompts are based on the book "Uncovering Student ideas in Science"

Friday Science Video

Friday Sept 23 We welcome everyone at RCE!

This is the lip dub done by 6th graders!

New solid liquid gas video! Matter rap!

Here is one of the videos from class on Friday.  You can check out more on the "Steve Spangler Science" you tube page.  He has been on the Ellen show and does some really cool science projects!  Remember if it says "adult supervision" ask your mom or dad before you try one! If anyone has suggestions for more Friday videos email me. Have a great lonnnnngggg weekend.  I am planning on sleeping LATE Monday!

We didn't see this one in class but it is neat.  I wonder why this happens?

STUDY IDEAS to learn your 50 states and capitals

http://www.mrsjonesroom.com/themes/usa.html

On this website, there are suggestions older students made for remembering the US states and their capitals. They decided to create mental pictures to remember which capital is matched with each state.  

If you'd rather try learning the capitals and states using a song, she has the words on the website as well.  Here is a youtube video of Animaniacs Wakko's famous 50 State song.  Be careful, once you hear it, it will get stuck in your head!

At the end of Mrs. Jones' website, there are blank maps and other activites you can print to help you study for the upcoming weekly region tests.  If you other ideas for remembering the states and capitals, share them! 

Is it a solid part 2

As a class we can agree on the following as solids: rock, rubberband, feather, cloth, foam rubber ball, sponge, wood, iron nail, and ice

Let's focus our discussion on baby powder, dust, sugar, flour, and melting wax.

Some of our class think they are solid and some think they are liquid.  Chose a side and try to convince us with facts.  If you comment, your comments need to be more than "I agree"

I really liked the discussion last night and I am hoping that tonight is EVEN better!


News FLASH>>   We are still undecided about smoke.  If you can find evidence I will give tickets!
Ask. com is not a reliable source. You must cut and paste your link in the comment section. 

Menu Resources

Resources for the menu items will be listed here as we use them

Making a comic: http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/

Is it a solid?

What type of things are solid?  What makes a solid? Below is a list of things.  Tell which ones you think are solids.  Explain your thinking.  What definition, rule, or reasoning did you use to decide whether something is a solid?

If someone has already left a comment please read and either agree or disagree.  Provide an explanation for your answer.  Disagreeing respectful is perfectly acceptable!

Is it a solid?

Rock                                                   rubber band                                           milk
feather                                                 cloth                                              baby powder
sugar                                                   foam rubber ball                                    Styrofoam
air                                                       flour                                                       dust
cooking oil                                          sponge                                                   iron nail
ice                                                      wood                                                     soil
melting wax                                        salt                                                         cotton ball


Prompts are based on the book "Uncovering Student ideas in Science"

Safety video

Some of you wanted to see the safety video again. Here is the link! http://www.nclark.net/Lab_Safety.wmv

Safety first!

My robot is better than your robot!

We viewed this video last week as a kick off to science. It shows celebrities talking about why science is important.  The students really liked it, so I told them I would post it so they can watch it again. Thanks Dr. Coolidge for showing it to me!

Great study tips!

I can tell that our students are full of great ideas!  In class, some kiddos already shared their ideas for studying this week's vocabulary test.  One example was using an itouch to create flashcards of the vocabulary cartoons.  I wonder what other ideas they will share.

Welcome to 5th Grade!

Dr. Coolidge and I want to welcome you to 5th grade!  This is a very exciting year of elementary school.  Your class will be keeping a blog to document your vast learning experience and using a lot of technology along the way!  We are excited because we will be learning some new things from YOU, too!

Can't wait to get started!