Make a Smilebox photobook

Design A New Classroom

Now that the year is almost over, we can have a little fun. However, I always want them to continue learning; so one activity we did was "Design A New Classroom."

I had students measure the area of our classroom, desk, cabinets, closet, door ways, windows, the sink and anything else that I could think of. Then they drew a picture of their desired classroom to scale on graph paper using the dimensions of the items they measured. Next, they used the internet and catalogs to look up the prices of everything. They put the data into a Numbers Document and calculated the cost of their model classroom.

For fun students used cardboard or foam to create their version of the model classroom to scale. This part students found fun and challenging. Since it was the end of the year this was a good activity to review math skills we learned while having fun creating a model. It took students several days to complete the activity. They were astounded when they discovered the actual price of these model classroom.

Webquest

During our last chapter of the social studies textbook, students used the following webquest to learn about the Underground Railroad. http://www.greece.k12.ny.us/ath/library/webquests/underground/default.htm

When students finished the webquest, they shared their keynotes with the rest of the class. It was one of the few times this year I let the class view each individual keynote with the whole group at one time. Usually to share or celebrate a finished product, the class did a Walk About Review.

During a Walk About Review, students sit their computers on top of their desk while students strolled quietly from computer to computer observing the work of their peers. This type of sharing is much quicker then watching 23 keynotes or projects for an entire afternoon. It still allowed the class celebration time.

What's 5th grade doing now?

Now that state assessments are over, it is time to continue our learning and have fun. Over the last week students have made a keynote about their favorite book that they have read this year. They are recording their voices in this keynote which is something new for them. It is harder to record your voice in keynote because you can't cut out mistakes like you can in Garageband. However, students have created some beautiful products. We will share our work with the rest of the school by displaying our keynotes on Obee T.V.

Also, we are using Pages to create a response journal for the book Holes. In addition, we created a chart using Pages to record literary devices as we read.

The Big Cache

Today was wonderfully exhausting. The students were so excited about going to Dillon Nature Center to go geocaching. Mrs. Frazier, Mrs. Worthing and Mrs. Clark planted our caches for us the day before in the freezing cold. I planned the caches which was called "Mystery Numbers." They were math problems that I made up. Each cache had a math problem to solve and a sheet to sign. Mrs. Frazier made the guide sheet for students. It included what the students were to do: take pictures of nature, take pictures of your group, take a picture of a cache, and the geo bug. It also included the coordinates and a place to record the answer to the math problems.

I've never seen such a bunch of excited students before. They couldn't wait to get to DNC; the bus ride was a buzz there and back. They listened carefully while Mrs. Fraizer and I gave instructions; then we set them off with their adult in charge to find the caches. Every group I saw was smiling, working hard to solve problems and find caches.

The curriculum areas we covered in this event were as follows: Math, geography, technology, and physical wellness. Also, thanks to all the parent volunteers. We couldn't have done this without your help monitoring each group.

All I heard on the ride home was Mrs. Gilley that was so much fun when do we get to do this again. What a memorable experience for students. I was exhausted after following five excited girls around the Nature Center all afternoon, but it was a wonderful feeling.

Our thanks to Dillon Nature Center for letting us plant the caches there and to Mrs. Clark, Mrs Frazier, and Mrs. Worthing for all their help.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Preparing for State Assessment

I have to admit I haven't been blogging much lately. I've just been too busy preparing students for state assessments. So how am I using technology in this endeavor. I am using several websites that can be found on my portal. One that I really like for math is Mr. Anker http://tinyurl.com/cq46sq

I also found this page with many links to test prep activities. http://www2.redmond.k12.or.us/mccall/renz/mathsites.htm#5

In addition, we have been playing many, many teacher made Jeopardy games. Jeopardy is a fun way for kids to practice the skills they need while having fun. I usually divide the class into teams and assign a score keeper. You can download many Jeopardy games and templates online.

Geocaching

Geocaching

Today my class and I discovered the wonders of geocaching. I have to admit, the first time I ever experienced geocaching I couldn't imagine how I could possibly use it in the classroom. However, today I used it for the first time and will most certainly use it again.

I placed the caches around our schoolyard. Then students were given a paper skeleton with missing bones; the caches included the missing bones. Students were divided into groups of 4 and 5. Their job was to use the coodinates and the GPS systems to find the missing bones of their paper skeletons. Since the skeletal system was taught earlier in the year, this was a nice review activity.

Some students struggled with using the GPS systems at first, but most quickly figured out how they worked and successfully found their cache.

The best part of the whole activity was the aftermath of the event. After our excersion with GPS systems, we took our third common math assessment to determine if students had reached benchmarks in math. The result were amazing. Students scored higher on this assessment then any other they've taken this year. I really do believe stimulating their brains and bodies before taking the test had something to do with it.

I can't wait to use geocaching again. Our next event will include a geocache at a local nature center. It will be on a much bigger scale.