5 Black

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Home > 5 Black

The Buddy System

October 3, 2008

The fifth-and sixth-grade students got together to build strong relationships that will last through their intermediate and high-school years at Mid-Pacific. They had time to share experiences and play games.

The students have finished their visual aids for their planet posters and are working on their oral presentations. They will be presenting their reports after they have reviewed the requirements that must be met to be an effective public speaker. They will now be doing inquiry into the properties of the sun. We watched an interesting film on the properties of the sun on the SmartBoard. In math we have started to investigate numbers in-between whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. Encourage the students to apply their knowledge of decimals in their everyday use of money, and take any chance you get to talk about fractions.

Posted by Mr. Black at 10:08 AM | Permalink

Fun and Discovery with Friends

September 29, 2008

Last weekend's Welcome BBQ, sponsored by the 'Ohana with fifth-grade parent assistance, was a great success! Everyone enjoyed the delicious food, fun games, pleasant company, and shared school pride. We all tip our hats to the great teamwork that made this event so enjoyable. A big MAHOLO to Nicole Chung for all her planning and organizing - she gets the Super Mom Award!

In science the fifth grade took a field trip to the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to study Biotechnology. The students participated in a "who done it" investigation using forensic science. They conducted an experiment in a lab to separate DNA from papaya cells, and they played games to learn about genetic traits.

Fifth-grade lab scientists separating DNA from plant cells

Fifth-grade detectives using forensic science to solve a crime.

In math the students used a variety of methods to solve their Investigations math problems. They shared strategies in group discussions, used manipulatives to create models, and did number model computations to find answers.

At the end of the week, the students visited the library to get biographies of famous people they wished to learn about. We shared some interesting information about Albert Einstein. He was not a very good student - school bored him - but he always asked questions and he loved to have fun.

Posted by Mr. Black at 9:12 AM | Permalink

We've got the Beat!

September 19, 2008

The fifth-grade class had a wonderful bonding experience with Mr. Wall, a traveling music man.

We all had a chance to play musical instruments in harmony. We then sang and danced to an old African welcoming song. Fun! Fun! Fun! In math the students are getting much more comfortable and confident using past knowledge to solve new problems. Their critical thinking skills and strategies are improving.

The fifth-grade class put on a very educational presentation for the whole elementary school at our monthly assembly. Everyone contributed to explaining human migration and how the first people to inhabit North America arrived. They provided visual posters and an oral timeline with some very interesting social-studies facts.

Mrs. Hussey led the school in a Happy Birthday song for all of the September birthdays.

The class took a short walk with their Kinderbuddies to the preschool on the corner to make new friends - Preschool buddies - and read stories with each other. The fifth-grade community continues to grow.

Posted by Mr. Black at 2:52 PM | Permalink

Global Experience

September 11, 2008

Special guest visitors from Cambodia came to Mid-Pacific Institute. A young dance group from an orphanage in Cambodia came to our school to perform traditional Cambodian dances for our first whole-school assembly. The Mid-Pacific Hula Halau performed a welcoming dance, then the Cambodian dancers shared part of their culture. It was a great bonding experience, and all the students and participants really enjoyed themselves.

The math has become increasingly challenging. The students are realizing that they arre continuously building on past knowledge. It is important that they continue to work on their speed in multiplication and division. Practicing with flash cards in the car while driving to school would be a great help for all students. We are learning about multiples of a number to prepare ourselves for fractions.

In science the students are waiting for me to give them back their first drafts (with editing marks) to be corrected. In the meantime, they continue to work on their class Energy Saving Project, which involves finding ways to save energy around the elementary school campus.

IT'S A BOY! & A GIRL! & A BOY! & A GIRL!...........The mice had babies, and the students are very excited. It is also Brenton's birthday! And he baked the class a special treat! It's a PARTY!

Posted by Mr. Black at 11:39 AM | Permalink

Open House Week

September 8, 2008

Thank you for attending the open house. Mrs. Hoddick and I enjoyed meeting with you, going over what is tentatively planned for the year, and viewing the slide show of the students' weekly routine. There will likely be additions to the year's plans as new activities and learning opportunities arise. Please feel free to contact us with questions and/or suggestions.

In science we are finishing our written research reports. We will then move on to our visual posters and oral presentations. The students have been doing a great job finding interesting information about the planet they chose to study They will be sharing their findings with their peers through an oral presentation in class. Parents will be notified when the oral presentations will take place and are invited to attend. The students are encouraged to get help from their parents with their visual posters.

In math the students are working with factors, factor pairs, products, prime & composite numbers, prime factorization, and multiples. These concepts will give them with a strong foundation for the study of fractions, decimals, and percentages.

We are organizing our first meeting with our sixth-grade buddies and have been having a great time writing stories with our Kinderbuddies. Your pets are getting a lot of affection.

Posted by Mr. Black at 9:25 AM | Permalink

Elementary Links

Bruce Black - Grade Five
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Planet Inquiry Project, September
Bibliography
Outline: Intro., Thesis, Main points, Conclusion
Note taking
Paragraph: Topic sentence, supporting sentence, concluding sentence
Visual presentation
Oral Presentation

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