The Scientific Method - via PowerPoint

It's time to start thinking about science fair projects in the 5th grade, and the foundation of any good project is a solid understanding of the scientific method. 

So, this week and next in the lab, we will use PowerPoint to define and illustrate the steps of the scientific method.  I introduced the basics of PowerPoint to the students, and gave them a hand-out with the necessary definitions.  They were given to option to design the slide with their choice of designs, colors and templates.  The resulting slides will be printed in hand-out form, and tucked in their binders for easy reference as the projects unfold this month and next.

Here is a preview of some of the work 5F began on Tuesday:

Can't wait to see how the PowerPoints unfold over the next couple of weeks!

Mrs. Morell

Internet Scavenger Hunt

Today we will review how best to search the Internet to find answers to research questions.

First, we will watch a video from Common Craft titled: "Web Search Strategies in Plain English."  This short video gives a quick overview of how Search Engines work, then discusses the use of effective keywords and Boolean search strategies.

Next, we will watch another short video from BrainPop titled: "Internet Search."  This also gives a good overview of Internet Search strategies from the perspective of the ever popular Tim and Moby.

We'll discuss what we have seen on the videos, then review key strategies from the website Common Sense Media.  Armed with this knowledge, we'll tackle a Internet Search Scavenger Hunt.  Students will be required to use at least three different search engines, and list the keywords they used to find the answers to a series of trivia questions.

Parents - Please refer to the following page from Common Sense Media.  It's a great resource to have on hand next time your student is working on Internet research at home.

Teach Your Kids the Secrets to Smart Web Searching 

Using PBS Sites to Explore Internet Safety

Today, we will play a pair of games to explore issues of web safety, information literacy and digital citizenship.  Both games have been created by PBS Kids.

The first is a simple introduction to some of the major topics in Internet safety, such as downloading, passwords, meeting people online and being safe.  By navigating this game, and answering questions correctly, students will earn an official web license:

http://pbskids.org/old_license/

PBS has also created a more comprehensive game titled Webonauts, to be found here:

http://pbskids.org/webonauts/

These games will kick off a discussion of Internet Safety that will take place next week.

Researching Jesuit Saints

Each 5th grader will be completing a report of the life of a Jesuit Saint for religion class this month. This week, we will consult the website of the Jesuit Curia in Rome to research Saints.  We will talk about why this is an excellent online resource to use.

The link to the site can be found here:

List of Jesuit Saints

National Gallery of Art Field Trip

Today we will create a Comic Life comic strip about last week's trip to the National Gallery of Art.

I'd like you to combine photos of the trip with photos of the paintings you studied... and provide thoughtful commentary about the adventure.  Please be sure to include at least one fact about the symbolism in Nativity Art.   If you need a bit of help remembering all you've learned, I'll provide a fact sheet for you to use in class.

If you finish, I'd like you to visit the National Gallery of Art Kids page:

http://www.nga.gov/kids/

Mrs. Morell

Keyboarding once again!

Hi there 5th graders,

This week, while I'm away, I would like you to spend your technology time working on Type to Learn.  Be sure to use your orange keyboard covers, and keep your fingers on the home keys!

And wonder: Where in the world is Mrs. Morell?

See you next week!

If Type to Learn is still not working...

Hello Dear 5th Graders,

Type to Learn has been experiencing some major technical difficulties, so if it is still down today, we will still spend some time typing, but a bit creatively.

You may spend some time exploring the author websites on my summer learning blog, then write an letter to an author of your choice, using the format below:

We'll talk a bit more about the format during class.  Wow me with your language and creativity, and we'll send them off to our favorite authors when you finish.

Happy Typing!

Mrs. Morell