STEM Race Cars

Planning  our race car designs.  I set up the kids in random groups of three.  I was very impressed on how well they got along.  There were discussions on materials and their purposes and what the cars should look like.  The lesson was from Teach Engineering.  They were given a budget and ha a math component to the lesson.

Once they shared their design plans, the building of the prototypes began.  The kids learned quickly that their plans had to be redesigned.  I learned that Elmer's Glue should not be an option.  I did end up pulling out the hot glue gun for repairs.  My students spent several days building and testing.

Race day was so much fun!  We had a few duds but for the most part...it was a huge success.  I plan on using more projects from this website.  My husband and brother-in-law made the racetracks our of coil stock which is for siding houses.

Fifth Grade Math Maps

I had my classroom create Math Maps for the skills that they learned this year.  We made posters to hang up for our student showcase last week.  It was also a great way to review their notes before our state testing.  They had to add vocabulary, pictures, equations, hints, etc.  Here are a few samples.  They came out awesome!!!

Simple Machines

Friendship Friday

Friendship Friday

by, Rachel

Last Friday we had an exciting project in ELA. It was called Friendship Friday. Everyone picks a name from a bucket. Throughout the school week you “spy” on them. You write a letter about the good things you saw. On Friday you share the letter without reading their name. Everyone else in the class guesses. Our class had so much fun sharing our letters.

Animal Adaptations

Thank you Mr. Keating!!!!

Our fifth grade classes got to spend some time this week with our seventh grade life science teacher, Mr. Keating. The students loved visiting his lab and learning about adaptations of birds and other animals.  He shared his life experiences and expertise in his field.  The "hands-on" workshop allowed my students to see how beaks and other bird parts allow for survival.   He also shared other adaptations.  The children enjoyed his collection of live animals.  

I want to be a seventh grader and learn from this motivating teacher!  Thanks to Mrs. Lewis(teacher) and our school administration for allowing the fifth graders to tap into our school resources.