Energy By: Sophie & Jackson

What types of energy is there in the world?  Our last unit in science lead us to discover the answers to that question.  We may not have discovered all the sources of energy, but we have discovered some sources we did not know before.

Each groups focus was on a renewable energy.  The energies we researched were solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass. Each group investigated how this energy resource was harassed, and then distributed.  Each group was responsible for creating a poster and working models to represent the energy.

The class has seen numerous videos on these potential energies, and created working experiments to demonstrate their power.

AWESOME FACTS ABOUT SOME 
RENEWABLE ENERGY TEAMS

If you use the energy from solar panels you can reduce your monthly energy bill. (From Team Sun)

The earth is always 55 degrees. (Team molten magma.)

Hydro-power lowers energy cost( Team Water)

Biomass burns trash which boils water and the steam creates energy like nuclear power. (Team Biomass)

The windmills that create energy were originated in Denmark. (Team Wind)

Kick The Can By: Andrew, Audrey, & Daniel

A few weeks ago when the weather was better the fifth grade PE class got to go outside.  We got to participate in a contest called "Kick The Can".  We have a group of students who are assigned to defend the can which acts as a prison release.  The island between the soccer and field hockey field is used for the game.  The game has always been played on this particular part of the school.  This game takes skill and awareness.   With a good eye for camouflage, and quiet steps you can stay hidden from the team searching.

There is a team of five students who are the taggers.  These five students must find the rest of the group and return them to the prison.  The only way to escape the prison is if a person that has not been tagged kicks the can which sits out in the middle of the field.


Our favorite part of kick the can happens when there is a race between the taggers and the free runners to get to the can first to release the people in prison.

CCN Student News

Be ready to discuss one story you see on the broadcast today.  What was the story about?

http://www.cnn.com/studentnews/

Debate Reflection

After hearing opening statements today what fallacies did you hear, and do you think it is difficult to  support your side without using a fallacy as evidence?

Evidence to Support Our View: The Debate Over School Year Round By: Owen, William, & Tony

After finishing our projects on the three branches of government we have found a few issues that we feel strongly about in 5th grade.  the first subject was the idea that school should be held year round.  Another topic that was discussed was the idea that states should purchase iPads for students in schools, and how this might help students scores and abilities.

In class we are learning the how a debate is run officially.  There is an opportunity for each side to express their point, and time for opposing sides to express counterpoints.  In class we organized sides to debate the idea that school should remain August to June, or run school year round.

Each side was given information to support their cause, and information that would help the other group.  An important part of debating is being prepared for what the challenging group will bring up.  If you are ready for your debate you should have a very clear idea of what the challenging group will use to support their argument.

Next week we will hold our first debate in class.

 

Our debates will follow this format:

Opening Arguments

First Argument + (5 min.)

First Cross-examination - (2 min.)

First Argument - (5 min.)

First Cross-examination + (2 min.)

Second Argument + (5 min.)

Second Cross-examination - (2 min.)

Second Argument - (5 min.)

Second Cross-examination + (2 min.)

Closing Arguments

Rebuttal + (3 min.)

Rebuttal - (3 min.)

Rebuttal + (3 min.)

Rebuttal - (3 min.)

Rummage Sale By: Kate & Anitra

Every year the school has a Rummage Sale, put on by the Parents Association. This year was no different.  The gymnasium turned into our very own shopping plaza.  There were all sorts of things to buy at this years Rummage Sale.  There was costume jewelry and sporting goods to puzzles and a hamburger phone.  The Rummage Sale has it all.  If you are looking for something it would be there.  The Rummage Sale took place over the weekend here at Friends.  Friday was a special day for students at Friends to visit the Rummage, and buy some items before the doors officially opened.

Some of the things our classmates bought were: stuffed animals, a brief case, a laser game, books, and toys.  We want to say a big "THANK YOU" to all the hard working volunteers from the PA for putting this together.

A Grain of Rice

If you find time to ask your parents a question start out with this one.  In class you may recall we used Demi's book A Grain of Rice to illustrate our proposal.

I will offer you $1,000,000.00 right now. No questions to do what you want with.

OR

I will give you one penny today and each day for the next thirty days I will double the total you had the day before.

A tough question I know, but talk about it before you jump right into the calculations.  What did Rani do?  What did the Raja think about her offer on day one?  What influenced your decision?