Hiding from FCAT?

Someone else is too!


Yes our testing starts on Monday, but there is no need to hide! We are in good spirits! Our fifth graders seem to be ready to tackle the test, and show what they know. I was a nervous test taker growing up so I have much sympathy for children at this time of year. Then I became a teacher and realized that this end is nerve-racking too!

We have been reviewing lots of concepts, we are going to work hard the rest of the week, enjoy the lovely weekend, and walk in with confidence come Monday morning.

Say a prayer for all of us!

What Does Springtime Mean to You?

My students journaled about what springtime means to them yesterday. Here are some of their responses...

The world gets colorful.

My head starts to hurt and I get a stuffy nose.

Spring is great, the days are longer so I can play longer!

It means SPRING BREAK!

Watery eyes and itchy skin.

Spring is mild weather, beautiful skies, and animals being born.

FCAT.

We went to Callaway Gardens this weekend and this is what springtime means to me...




Well, what does springtime mean to you?

You are what you eat?

I'm an omnivore, what about you? I sometimes play with the idea of being an herbivore, because of my love of animals, but it never lasts long. Mr. Whitaker (the former farmer) makes fun of me for tearing up if we pass a lone cow standing in a field, and repeatedly reminds me of that when I eat a burger an hour later!

My students return tomorrow from spring break, and we will be in high gear to do GREAT on the FCAT in two weeks. Fifth graders are tested for on their science knowledge. I have some great budding scientists, so no worries there. In order to make preparation and review fun and educational, our fifth graders will be rotating through the seven fifth grade classes a "musical chairs" review of sorts.

My contribution is life science, more specifically energy transfers through food chains and webs. Click here for a food chain game, and here for a food web game!

Customize a photo album

Up, up, and away!

I am a proud teacher beaming with excitement over Scott's accomplishment this weekend. This is his third flight. He took off and maintained altitude. I have no idea what that means, but it sounds VERY impressive! I do know that I like those sunglasses. Very pilot like! Way to go Scott. This isn't your average fifth grader's hobby.

It's Electric!

Oh the Electric Slide. I don't think it will ever go away. It is even making a resurgence. My ten and eleven year old students practice it at P.E. It can't be stopped. I have no less than a dozen bridesmaids dresses in my closet, and I can proudly say that I don't know how to do the Electric Slide. Now Miss Lynn on the other hand is a professional slider. Just ask her!!

The electric we are talking about is circuits. Like this.


Check out a great website to test your knowledge at The Blobz Guide to Electricity.


Speaking of electricity, we've also learned a thing or two about Thomas Edison. Click here to watch videos about his inventions.

Do you dig it?

We've been up to a lot of digging lately. On Friday we wrapped up a story in language arts about the California Gold Rush on the mid 1800s and we found it only fitting to mine for chocolate chips. Thank you to grandmother extraordinaire, Mrs. Armstrong, for being our resident (spelling word this week) baker. Her chocolate chips cookies are infamous around these parts! Students were able to (on a very small scale) see the precision it takes to mine and what the earth looks like afterword. Their reclamation attempts were good, but many were too impatient and just wanted the goods (in other words, to gobble up their "gold").



Student Council sponsored a campus clean up day this weekend. Mr. Solz and some great grizzlies dug up some ground in order to plant red and white Camillas in honor of Mr. Gilchrist. They were his favorite plant and we are looking forward to watching them grow. Mr. Gilchrist was the first principal of our school in the 1960s when it was Timberlane Elementary School. In the 1970s the school's name was changed to honor him. He was a lifelong learner and great papa bear!



I dig this little guy!