Updates and announcements

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend! We are moving our blogs to be more “Updates and Announcements” oriented. We give a much more detailed “Our Week in Learning” in Google Classroom under the “Overview” section at the beginning of each week’s lessons, in the document named “Objectives and Tasks”.

We are working on something special for our Fifth Grade Promotion. We are partnering with the PSO to put together something safe and memorable for the students. Be on the lookout for more information. The event will take place on the same day indicated on the family calendar, Wednesday, May 20^th.

This week’s pictures showcase the “Cosmo and Gustav Show”. When it gets hot, Gustav has a favorite rest position. I have made it my goal to capture each individual instance and report my findings in my blog each week.

 Gustav under the ceiling fan

Another day, another Gustav belly

Gustav under our stationary bike set-up

Cosmo also enjoys a cold floor...

...but not as much as Gustav.

Variation today-Gustav stuck out a hambone for maximum comfort.

Cosmo enjoying his sunbeam next to my homemade bread

My new work space! I cleaned out my sewing room. It has better light in the morning.

My husband and I were enjoying our games in two different areas of the house, so we combined spaces on Saturday. I had been hogging the TV, so this was a good compromise. It took lots of cords to hook up the Switch to a monitor and still have sound. Cords are one of Cosmo's favorite snacks, so we were a little nervous and took down the setup rather quickly. **Can you find Cosmo? He is partaking in his favorite activity-eating.**

Updates and announcements

I hope everyone had a restful weekend. Things are slowing down here and feeling more monotonous, so I have not been able to get quite as many pictures of my cats. Cats usually do the same cute things every day. I was able to dig up some kitten pictures of Cosmo and Gustav! My husband and I were able to snag a used gaming system over the weekend, so many hours have been devoted to that front.

Ms. Vaughn and I are working hard to get the paper packets graded and returned. To check your child’s grade, see the communication from Mr. Gillingham that will go out sometime on Monday, 4/20.

 Gustav found joy in running around the bathtub (not shown-the leftover bath bomb glitter he was covered in).

 Simple Bacon, garlic, and parmesan pasta (from Giada's Instagram)

Gustav's mighty hambones (back legs)

Miss Priss as my work associate

Kitten Gustav! He was a climber.

Kitten Cosmo! He helped me with lots of assignments in college.

Our week in learning

In Literature, students will continue reading “Wrinkle in Time.” Students will read through chapters 9-11 and answer the “Question of the Day” for Literature in Google Classroom. 

In Grammar, students will explore the Personal Narrative genre, reading and analyzing a few examples before diving into the writing process later in the week.

In science, we will continue our exploration of the human body as begin to examine the nervous system. Students will learn about the role their nervous system plays in their bodies, the different parts of a neuron, and how a nerve impulse travels through different nerve cells and eventually to all parts of their body.

This week in History, students will learn about the Union victory at Gettysburg and Lincoln’s ensuing Address, as well as the Confederacy’s political and financial instability that in part led to their defeat. You and your child may access our textbook online at https://www.coreknowledge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CKHG_G5_U11_CW_SR.pdf

In math, students will read and interpret pie charts by applying their knowledge of fractions, percent, and right angles. Students will also review previous Singapore concepts.

Updates and announcements

I hope everyone had a wonderful 4-day weekend! It was very relaxing here at our house. We were able to unplug and enjoy being home.

Going forward, our Zoom calls will be Tuesdays and Fridays, both at 1:30.

Beginnings of pasta making per Mrs. Vibbert's Facebook live video

It worked! Thanks, Mrs. Vibbert! 

Artfully Gustav

Belly rubs!

Our week in learning

In Literature, students will continue reading “Wrinkle in Time.” Students will read through chapters 7 and 8. Students will answer the “Question of the Day” for Literature in Google Classroom. There will also be an optional “Book Club” Zoom call this week, where students will have the opportunity to discuss “Wrinkle in Time.” Stay tuned for details!

In Grammar, students will dive into plot diagramming and the characteristics of personal narratives in preparation for writing their own personal narratives in the coming week.

In science, we will continue our exploration of the human body as begin to examine the muscles. Students will learn about the difference between voluntary and involuntary muscles, the three different kinds of muscles in the human body, and how skeletal muscles work together in pairs to help them move. As an optional enrichment activity, students may access this Google Expedition with a smart phone or tablet to get a deeper look at what our muscles do! (The link opens a QR code that can then be scanned by the device of your choosing.)

This week in History, students will read about the daily life for soldiers in the North and South as well as the effort put forth by women throughout this war. You and your child may access our textbook online at https://www.coreknowledge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CKHG_G5_U11_CW_SR.pdf

In math, students will practice calculating mean, median, and mode. Students will also read and interpret histograms and pie charts. Students will apply their knowledge of percent and fractions to data in pie charts and histograms.

Updates and announcements

I hope everyone had a restful weekend! I looked up some cloth mask patterns and tutorials, per the new CDC recommendation. While my work space is decently organized and functional, it looks like my next project will be organizing my sewing area.

This is our first week with Google Classroom live! It very much felt like a strange “Meet the Teacher Night” last week when we were getting it set up. Please let Ms. Vaughn or I know if you have any questions. I am so excited for the educational tools this program offers, and have the ability to comment on and return assignments.

The first assignment on Google Classroom is to upload scans of the two weeks of paper packets. Even if you emailed me scans, I will be reaching out and asking that you upload it to Google Classroom. Looking at the logistics, this will get your student the feedback they need better because the program lets Ms. Vaughn and I comment directly on the assignment. If you need help, let us know! There are also tutorial videos attached to the assignment and I go through how to turn in scans on my Google Tutorial, posted on the stream.

Zoom links to our two classroom meetings will be sent out today. Due to safety regulations, I will not be posting our meeting links on the blog. Instead, I will send an email and post it to our more secure Google Classroom stream.

As you have noticed, Ms. Vaughn and I have been sharing the email communication and question answering roles. If you need help, please email both of us. We have worked out a schedule where I answer most emails in the morning and Ms. Vaughn answers in the afternoons. This allows us to answer your questions quickly while we grade and plan lessons.

 Gustav helping from his favorite sunbeam

Miss Priss caught in an undignified sleeping position

Cosmo reclaiming his sunbeam napping spot

Cosmo with a Gustav in the doorway

Cosmo's first attempt at reclaiming his sunbeam napping spot (he succeeded)

Our week in learning

In Literature, students will continue reading “Wrinkle in Time”. Students will read through chapters 5 and 6. Students will answer the “Question of the Day” for Literature in Google Classroom.

In Grammar, students will also apply their knowledge of nonfiction texts and analyze informational texts, as well as review fictional texts.

This week in science will be lighter than normal to allow students and families time to become familiar with Google Classroom. On Thursday, students will read about the human spine and the different types of vertebrae that make it up. If your child wants more enrichment on this topic, this Google Expedition is a fun and interactive way to learn more about the skeleton!

This week in History, students will read about the three leading generals of the Civil War: Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, and Ulysses S. Grant. They will compare their similarities and differences, both in their military training and battle tendencies. You and your child may access our textbook online at https://www.coreknowledge.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/CKHG_G5_U11_CW_SR.pdf

In math, students will review problems from our Singapore curriculum. On Thursday, students will have their first math lesson with video supplement on Mean, Median, and Mode.