Saturday, August 21, 2010

Open House presentation

Writing Workshop

Our writing workshop is starting to roll now. Students have learned about the writing process and how writers get ideas from their "hearts". They have written their first pieces in their notebooks. We shared their paragraphs and learned how writers give each other helpful feedback. We used the following starters to help us form our feedback: 1. I really liked... 2. A word that popped... 3. I'm wondering... 4. I was confused by... 5. Can you tell me more about... Here is a video showing Mrs. Dees and Alex discussing his paragraph on fishing. Alex's next step in writing will be to take the feedback and see if he wants to "revisit" his paragraph and add more details. Of course, he is in charge of his writing, and he may choose to leave this piece and choose another topic.

Thursday Jeopardy

On Thursdays Mr. Exner plays Jeopardy as a review for Friday's tests. Sometimes he even throws in some fun categories like Sponge Bob and Baseball.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

5th Grade Highlights

Math Study Group


Mr. Exner holds a math study group every Thursday from 2:30-3:15 to help prepare for Friday's math test. This is free tutoring available for all 5th graders. They do not have to sign up; they just have to have pre-arranged transportation home at 3:15. Today students worked on reducing fractions using a competitive game format.

Science fun



Students learned how to think like a scientist by completing a fun bubble gum experiment.

We are recycling now!

Our school now has a paper recycling program. Families can send in junk-mail, magazines, newspapers, and any scrap paper. The kids have been working on making a science video-commercial-as often happens with technology, we have had a few glitches-hopefully the commercials will be available soon.

Friday, August 6, 2010

A New Classroom




Wow-what a quick summer we had this year! I am so excited about our new classroom space for this year-I moved into Mrs. Heaberlin's classroom since she retired. I think everything is now organized and ready for the new year-one of my goals this year is to stay organized-students will be reporting in on that goal in a few weeks. I met many of my new students today and can't wait to get to know them more.