The Green Peacock By: Sam & Owen

In Mrs. Gangi’s constellations group Pavo (peacock) we created a blog. It is named the Green Peacock.  If you have not figured it out already the title is all about going green.  On the blog you can find lists of items that the art room and other lower division classrooms would like to collect.  They would like these reusable materials to be in good shape.  Any of the items on the list that you do not need, and would like to get rid of would be great additions to the different classrooms.  Some items include newspaper, toilet paper roles, one sided paper, and plastics.   For the complete list and other ways to go green visit the Green Peacock by clicking this link blog.  There is also a picture on the right hand side of The Laughing Lorax that will take you to the constellation site.

Unfair Four-Square By: Ryan, Patrick, & Mae

This spring, social studies is all about government and our responsibility as citizens.  We started the unit focused on the Constitution.  5B went out to the lower playground to play a game of Social Studies 4-square.  Mr. Church acted as the King of England, and enforced the rules over our class while we played 4-square.  Mr. Church would decide who was out, and who could stay in the game.  Most of the class had no idea what the rules were.  This connected with how King- George III would pass certain laws without telling the colonists.

We played a second game after we finished the first game with Mr. Church's rules.  The whole class decided upon a set of rules we would all follow.  The rules were:

1. The are double taps allowed
2. The first person in line was the refere
3. Hitting the ball in your own square you are out
4. The ball can only bounce once in your square
5. The rules don't change when a new person gets into 1st square


The whole class agreed on the rules, and since we all knew the rules the game went much better.  Being in control of the rules made everyone feel better about the game.  Mr. Church gave us some freedom to establish a set of rules, and play the game in a fair way.

Loops in the Garage By: Clara

In tech class this week we have been working with a new program called GarageBand.  Mr. Felix told us that this is one of his favorite programs to use when editing sounds and music.  The program has many genres or musical instruments including country, rock, classical, urban, and foreign pieces.  This program allows you to layer and mix different instruments together.  Once you have created the song that you like GarageBand even lets you record your own voice singing to the song you have created.  One of the best parts of the class was getting the chance to hear other classmates songs.

Something New at Recess By: Tony

"Pass me the ball!"

"Over here, over here!"

Ever  since the fifth grade returned from our spring break we have been playing a different sport at recess.  After school sports has started as well.  Playing at recess began with a few students both boys and girls playing catch.  It has quickly morphed into different games.  One of those games is lacrosse pickle. In lacrosse pickle there are two players who try to hit the runners that are running between the bases.  If you are hit twice you switch places with the person who hit you.  Getting a chance to throw the lacrosse ball around has been a ton of fun for everyone who decides to do it during recess.

Thoughtful Poetry By: Audrey & Anitra

Animals, weather and common objects, these are some of the many things that 5B has been writing poetry about. We have been reading poetry by Valerie Worth and Ted Kooser.  Some of the poems inspired us to write our own pieces of work.  Poets are very intentional with how they write their poems, and the words that they use. Here are some of the examples we read from our "Being a Writer" handbook.

Fireworks

By Valarie Worth

First

A far thud,

Then the rocket

Climbs the air,

A dull red flare

To hand, a moment,

Invisible, before

Its shut black shell cracks

And claps against the ears,

Breaks and billows into bloom,

Spilling down clear green sparks, gold spears,

Silent sliding silver waterfalls and stars.

                               

Child Frightened by a Thunderstorm

By Ted Koozer

Thunder has nested in the grass all night

And rumpled it, and with its outstretched wings

Has crushed the peonies. Its beak was bright,

Sharper than garden shears and, clattering,

It snipped bouquets of branches for its bed.

I could not sleep. The thunder’s eyes were red.

Here are some examples of the work we have been doing during our writers' workshop class.

                                         

The Fool-Hearty Hunter

By: Daniel

I see them 
before I hear them. 
The bear cubs step out. 
I touch their furry coats, 
but behind me I did not see her… 
A paw lashes out, 
claws razor sharp and gleaming 
throws me across the forest floor 
screaming. 
I see dark red blood pour from my neck. 
My head hits a tree,
I feel a searing pain, 
then see black 
and white
and black again
The last thing I see
white teeth.

Book

(Short Version)

By: Mae

I stare at my book.

It stares back.

When I open it, it seems like a mouth;

opening to speak

                                                     

Cupcake

By: Will

Blue green confection bake.

Ugly,

I screwed up this cake.

Brown, white, fluffy light.

Baking soda fights.

Album de Familia By: Andrew

Two months ago we started a project in Spanish. We had to create a family tree, and then using the family tree make a family album. We created a family tree based on who we knew im they knew in their family. Then we typed out two likes, one dislike, two qualities and one non-quality about 7 to 13 family members, including pets. Later, students started creating books. We got pictures of our family members and put them in our book. Also, we took the info and glued those on our corresponding family members page. These books will be shared to our fellow classmates and the books will then be brought home to be shared with our families.

Marvelous Machines By: Jake, Andrew, Tony, William, & Daniel

On Thursday the 5th grade presented their simple machines.  Reuben Lucius Goldberg was an American cartoonist, sculptor, author, engineer, and inventor. Goldberg is best known for a series of popular cartoons he created depicting complex devices that perform simple tasks in indirect, convoluted ways—now known as Rube Goldberg machines.

Students were put into groups of two, three or four.  These groups were given the task of creating and designing a Rube Goldberg machine together.  The first thing the science classes did was read a book called "The Three Pigs and the Scientific Wolf".  We also watch a story projection called "Lights Out".  Every group had to catch or rescue a pig or wolf using their machine.  

All of the simple machines were ready for presentations on Thursday in the Commons.  There was a great turn-out from parents and friends.  Our second grade buddies even had the chance to visit with us.  Mrs. Mitchell and Mrs. Meehan introduced the projects and spoke a little bit about Rube Goldberg.  She shared with parents the different steps we took to arrive at our working machines.

Each group was given the opportunity to share with the other classes and parents what they enjoyed about the project, and what their machines was called(theme).  After running the machines for twenty minuets some projects started to fall apart.  Many of the projects were easy to put back together (duct tape was a savior).  On behalf of the other students in 5B, 5A, and 5C we would like to thank those that could attend the presentation.  It meant a lot to the students who had worked so hard on these projects. We feel that it was a great success, and a special thanks to Mrs. Mitchell and Mrs. Mehan for there constant support when it looked as if we would never finish.

Declaration of Independence