Gonna Give Ya' The Power

Expedition

Expedition this week held two very interesting, but very different, experiences for the students.  The first was a series of experiments that helped them learn basic energy concepts, especially how energy can be transferred from one form to another.  Parent helpers did a fantastic job of demonstrating concepts while students recorded observations and data in notebooks and tried parts of the experiments themselves. (A BIG THANKS to Emily Key, Janice Warriner, Aimee Kramer, Jason Lutton, and Rachel Cucarola.)

The second experience was observing a debate between high school teams. The fifth graders used "note-catchers" to write down their understandings of what debaters do to argue their side. The purpose of this fieldwork was to help students prepare for the debates we will hold next week. They will be arguing different perspectives on our society's use of natural resources for the energy we need.

Math

We studied two different areas this week.  First, we practiced gleaning data from tables and graphic displays and then drawing conclusions about the information.  Second, we reviewed and expanded our understanding of angles--how to measure and classify them.

Literacy

We continued working on similar skills as last week. In reading, we determined questions about a nonfiction topic before reading and then read with those questions in mind, using techniques such as scanning to find the sections most relevant to our questions. In writer's workshop, we worked on our editorials, of which we will produce final drafts before leaving on break next Friday.


Service Learning

We continued with the Colorado Blue Bird Project.  The ladies from the town of Castle Rock came out and guided us through the process of cleaning out the nest boxes so they are ready for use next spring.

Hike Friday, Oct 7th, 2011

Items for Daypack

Sack Lunch

Hat/cap

Sunglasses

Sunscreen

Extra layer (like sweatshirt)

Extra pair of socks

Emergency rain gear

Water bottle (32 oz)

Bug spray or lotion

Whistle

Tissue

Plastic bag for trash

Healthy snack

Adventure Ed notebook

Pen or pencil

Camera (optional)

Appropriate Attire

Students should wear layers appropriate for the forecasted weather and temperature, as well as for unexpected changes (at least have a sweatshirt and jacket).  Preferably, the jacket should be rainproof.  Shoes should have good tread and able to tie securely.  Tennis shoes should be adequate but hiking boots are recommended. 

Expected Weather for Friday, Oct 7th

The long-range forecast for Oct 7^th is 70 and partly cloudy.  Obviously the actual weather could differ substantially. The hike will go forward, barring severe conditions.

Climbing Week Nov 7-11; Belayers Needed!

Mr. Bill's crew's fall climbing week is Nov 7th - Nov 11th (we don't climb on Wed, the 9th).

See below for definitions and dates for belay training. Contact Mr. Bill for instructions on how to sign up to volunteer. 

Belaying is a great way to help the crew and also to enjoy watching your child take on new challenges!

Belay Training Defined:

Belay Test:  For very experienced parents.  There will be no instruction or reminders of the skills.  You simply come, demonstrate the skills necessary for belaying, read the policies and procedures, and sign a new wavier.  The belay test should only take five to ten minutes to complete.

Belay Refresh:  For experienced parents.  There will be a quick review of the skills needed to belay.  You will demonstrate the skills, read the policies and procedures, and sign a new wavier.  The belay refresh should take thirty minutes to an hour. 

Belay Training:  For any parent who has not been trained at Renaissance by Mr. Doug.  Skills will be taught, and practiced before you are asked to demonstrate the skills.  You then demonstrate the skills, read the policies and procedures, and sign the waiver.  The training will take sixty to ninety minutes.   

 

October 5th 2011:	October 24th 2011:	November 2nd 2011:
Test:  8:45-10:00 am.	Training:  1:30-3:00 pm	Training: 10:30-12:00 pm.
Refresh: 10:15-11:15 am.

Reminder on Some Important Dates

--Friday, October 7th is a school day in spite of what the DCSD website calendar shows.  The correct calendar for our school is visible through the REMS website.



--Our "Count" day is FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH.  For funding purposes, it is very important that students attend school on this day!  If you know your child will miss school that day for any reason, please do your best to have them attend the rest of the time during the window of September 23rd through October 7th.  If you know already that your child will not be able to attend school this entire window, please let me know as soon as possible.

Whose Fault Is It?

Expedition

This week in expedition, we wrapped up the "Hunka' Hunka' Burnin' Earth" case study by building models that simulate the movement of the Earth's crust at six points along the San Andreas Fault in California.  We learned that while the two tectonic plates meeting at the fault are slowly sliding past each other, the movement isn't uniform along the entire fault. At some places the movement is less and other places more. At the places where the movement is less, it's because friction and collision slows it down. This builds up tension that eventually gets released as an earthquake.

After doing our simulation, we plotted earthquake locations at several points on a world map.  We saw how scientists use earthquake locations as one type of evidence in support of the theory of plate tectonics. 

Math

We've wrapped up another unit.  We completed the unit two assessment which covers the use of addition/subtraction/multiplication algorithms, as well as estimating and the use of a single variable in simple equations.  We now turn our attention to the "American Tour" which integrates the use of statistical concepts with social studies topics.  Today we looked at the US census--comparing some data from the first census in 1790 and the one in 2000.

Reading

Our skill this week is inferring--the ability to "read between the lines" to determine what the author is saying without stating it literally.  This skill is also helpful in using surrounding text to figure out the
meanings of new words.  The text Mr. Bill used in his focus lessons was a lengthy non-fiction article about the Titanic.  There was so much interest in the article that several students wanted their own copies so they could finish it.

Writing

Students continue to hone their skill in writing persuasively.  We examined several mentor texts from a collection of brief essays by famous children's authors all talking about "green" topics.  Today we read a piece from John Scieszka called "Witches' Drawers."  Ask your child what witches' drawers are and why Mr. Scieszka feels so passionately about them.

A Very Beautiful Postcard from Italy

The sender wrote, "Best regards to all the class.  I live in Torino and I'm retired.  You can see the most beautiful square of Turin with the two churches of Santa Cristina and of San Carlo.  In the center stands the equestrian statue of Emmanuel Filiberto.  I wish all the class all the best, Renato."

Bach Lived and Worked in Kothen for Six Years

We learned this bit of trivia from our latest card from Germany.  This card took seven days to travel 5090 miles.

Crucial Attendance Day

Our "Count" day is FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30TH.  For funding purposes, it is very important that students attend school on this day!  If you know your child will miss school that day for any reason, please do your best to have them attend the rest of the time during the window of September 23rd through October 7th. 

If you know already that for some reason your child will not be able to attend school this entire window, please let me know as soon as possible.

19 Days and 6,821 Miles Later...

...this postcard arrived from China!

Algorithms, Persuasion, and Reformed Rocks

Expedition

After finishing our experiment with sedimentary rock, we looked at another type of rock this week--metamorphic.  In a matter of minutes we used modeling clay to recreate the process that forms metamorphic rock over thousands of years. Beforehand, we defined metamorphic (meta = change; morph = shape or form). We then discussed the rock cycle-- how the earth's primary materials move through the different rock types over and over again. 

Math

We are now in unit two.  We began with an estimating exercise and then defined the term "algorithm," which is a step-by-step process used to solve a particular type of problem.  We then reviewed and practiced different algorithms for addition and subtraction.  Ask your child what these algorithms are: partial sums, trade-first, and partial differences.

Reading

Our reading skill in focus this week was questioning.  We tracked the kinds of questions we ask in our heads as we read, the answers we are able to get for our questions, and the strategies we use to get the answers--such as rereading, reading ahead, looking to outside sources, inferring from the text, etc.

Writing

Our new unit of study is on editorials--the expression of an opinion to persuade people to take an action or change their thinking.  So far we've begun listing things we feel strongly about and examined one mentor text.  In writing, we also took time to reflect on our voyage experience for our portfolios.

Morning Meeting

We begin our days with morning meeting--a twenty minute time with greetings, activities, sharing, and announcements.  On Monday each week, we drum for our meeting. 

First Post Card from Europe

Our post cards are traveling greater distances to get to us.  This next one is from Austria:

The Second Post Card Was a Hit!

Hot Rocks and Blue Birds

This week, our crew got back in the swing of regular class time after last week's voyage.

Expedition


As we continue to look at the building blocks of earth, we're exploring how different kinds of rocks are formed.  This week we're looking at igneous rocks (formed by heat) and sedimentary (formed with sediments).  For igneous rocks, we performed an experiment to see how the rate at which rock cools affects the size of the mineral crystals in it. For sedimentary rocks, we performed an experiment to see how the weight and size of various sediments causes layering.

Math


On Monday, we took the unit one assessment on factoring and related skills.  On Tuesday, we had the opportunity to discuss the assessment and learn from our mistakes as we retried missed items. The next day we started our second unit, which focuses on computation skills such as estimating and applying addition/subtraction algorithms.  Be sure to ask your child for the family letter for unit two.

Reading


We are practicing non-fiction reading skills.  In particular, we are paying attention to the signals that go off in our heads when we've just come across new information that we can connect to knowledge we already have on a topic.  We also reviewed the various text features non-fiction uses to provide
information to the reader.

Writing


Students worked diligently to complete the final copies of their memoirs.  Each person chose one of the memories they wrote about in the last four weeks and used it as the basis for their final writing project in this genre study.  We used various revising strategies, such reading it out loud to yourself.  We also talked about ICE PUCCS (ask your child what this means).

Service Learning

We kicked off our service learning project for the year--our cooperation with the city of Castle Rock on the Colorado Bluebird Project.  This is a year-long project in which we'll construct boxes for bluebirds to nest in and then collect data on their nesting behaviors.  As we participate, we'll be increasing our knowledge in several areas, including weather, biology, and data organization.