Mrs. Drake's Fifth Grade

The fifth grade teachers lended our support for the Sixth Grade musical by going 80s. We dug through our closets and here is the result.

The Continental Math League (CML) is taking on a new look this year. Instead of it being a pull program in GE, allowing 12-15 students per grade to take part, it has returned to the classroom. This allows opportunities for all to learn the problem solving strategies and take part in this challenge. Problem solving skills benefit all learners. The first 30 minute CML meet took place this week. Top honors go to Thuy-An and Noah. They both scored 5 out of 6, truly amazing for CML. The second meet is in December.

A few weeks ago we had the chance to read with Mrs. Lien’s first grade class in the library!  Each first grader was paired with one or two fifth grade students.  The fifth graders read a favorite picture book to the first graders.  Many groups read three or more books!  We also took some time to get to know our buddies.  We hope to have the opportunity to meet with our first grade buddies from Mrs. Lien’s class again soon.

Apparently I have used up my visual image quota. It is not allowing me to add more pictures until I delete some. I will keep the current ones up through the week and then will add again!

“Project Copernicus” started today. Thuy-An brought in her lab top and used it during Math to create an Excel spreadsheet for her CML problem and she used it during Social Studies to word process her ideas instead of writing them in her notebook. The idea behind “Project Copernicus” is to embed technology throughout the day, but no to create a classroom with the haves and have not’s. While Thuy-An was on her lab top, others completed their work in their notebooks. Many children asked for another permission slip so they could be a part of this. Please remember that it is optional and lap tops or net books can be brought in at any time.

Since we are a part of Project Copernicus, each fifth and sixth grade classroom at WD is receiving extra technology. We have 3 net books and an Dell computer in addition to our PC and Mac computers. It is very exciting to be teaching at this time. The 21st century learner is able to do some amazing things!