New Information

We are getting new information and guidelines on our school website. My "blog" will be attached to the school's website. Look for it soon.

Forecast for the following days

It is progress report time already? Well, almost.
In celebration of Freedom week we are studying the Constitution and other famous documents. This Friday we are going to recite the 2nd sentence of the Declaration of Independence. Information on the DOI can be found here. It is for a grade and will be assessed like the following.
Choice 1= recite verbally
Choice 2= write out on a blank paper
Choice 3= Fill in the Blank

Choice 1 will be the easiest while choice 3 will be a little more difficult.


Science were are starting to get into the States of Matter. We will have to know what we have learned up till now in order to understand where we are going. For instance,
1. Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass.
2. Mass- the amount of "stuff" in an object. Do NOT get this confused with weight. Remember, you can weight differently on the moon but still have the same mass.
3. Physical properties- anything that can be observed with your 5 senses or measured with a tool.
4. density- the amount of "stuff" in a given space.
5. Volume-the measurement of the space an object takes up

Also, know how to measure mass, volume, density. With what tools do you use to do these?

More to come later....

Upcoming News

I'm introducing a new Reward System for our 5th grade team. You can find it at http://www.learningearnings.com/index.php/

Check out all of the items you could redeem.


Also, if you haven't found out already, I am requiring that all students carry an ISN. This is the hardback type composition notebook. Parents if you have seen your child's ISN ask for it. Ask them to explain what it is all about. If they can not answer then we need to address it. It is an important aspect for their Science work.

Coming up in the future, we are going to work with the different types of energy. Revisit this blog to get more information periodically. I'll post some web-site for reading and exploring. I may even give some extra credit.

I have had a few questions from parents (and I welcome all questions) concerning procedures in my classroom and school-wide. I am working on an electronic copy to post for reference. In the meantime do not hesitate to contact me for anything.

Again I am so glad that you choose Northbrook Elementary as your child's school and that I am privileged to be their teacher.

First Week!

How many people have your ISN's (Interactive Science Notebook) put together? Good! I'll post some links to some good ideas in my next post.

Something we have been learning in class that was a little extra learning. HOW to have a GOOD Memory. Students remember your list? Parent, this is something I'm trying out with the kids to aid in memory techniques. Here is a link to the book I'm getting my information from if you would like to review it.
There are 20 items for association and we can use them for simple dates and lists.

Next week we are going to get rolling in our "It's All about M.E." (Matter and Energy) My hope is that the kids are coming home telling you what they have learned. If not stop for a minute and ask. Research studies show that if a person can teach something to another person they know it well. If they struggle with it motivate them to find the answer for themselves. This curiosity is essential to molding the Scientific Mind.

Great First Day

Wise council once told me that on the first day of school the most important thing I can do as a teacher is to make sure that all students get fed and on the correct bus.
Today was a success.
I am looking forward to tomorrow.

Mr. Rainwater 5th Grade Science/ Social Studies

Coming in the next blog post will be 

1. STARR testing dates.

2. Mr. Rainwater's class expectations.

3. Important dates such as Science Project Day(s), CBA testing days, 

4. Format for the Interactive Science Notebook and Social Studies Journal.

     You will need the Composition Type notebooks for these.

5. More to come....

Be sure to sign up for email updates as you will get information as soon as it is out.

Twas the week before Spring Break...

That's right it is the week before Spring Break. Any plans? None for Mr. Rainh2o.

Science this week we are starting a new section in Life Science. We are getting into Animal behaviors and characteristics. Some did not do well on the quiz last week and I want to encourage you to retake and do some extra credit. Remember you may re-do any assignment for a maximum score of 70.

Math STAAR test review begins today. We have this week and the week after Spring break to prepare for the test. I will be sending notes home periodically regarding this with information on how to prepare at home. We will have short quizzes every day and a cumulative quiz on Friday. These will all be timed to help prepare for the timed STAAR. 

Any questions you may post them here or email me at drainwater@ems-isd.net

Update

This week will mark the last week in Math before we go "Turbo". Yes that is right we are going to go into turbo study mode.
"Reaching for the STAAR" I think will be appropriate for this class.

We have also started a new contest. We will be participating in a website Math contest at sumdog. I will give out usernames and passwords in class tomorrow.

Also, if you have a wireless mouse that you would like to bring to school, please let me know ahead of time so that I can enter you into the class polling. It will be fun I promise

Science:
We are finishing our Alternative Energy posters and taking the exam on Wednesday. We review tomorrow for it. Our next adventure is Animal Survival and adaptations.
Don't forget that I will be grading the ISN's this Friday. Grading Rubrics will be available in class anytime in the red folders.

Tidbits:
1. Please remember if you receive a low grade you may retake the quiz or assignment to raise that grade. This applies on all assignments. I want to grade what you can do.
2. Not many students have completed Extra Credit. Anyone can turn in extra credit provided they tell me ahead of time and the assignment is related to something we learned in class. See me for some examples (I'll post some examples on here later).
3. I'll give a "Free Homework" pass to those who can tell me that they have read this blog.
4. Comments and suggestions are very welcome.

Mr. Rainwater's Site is Changing

Well.... not exactly. You see, I maintain several blogs and each one requires some time. My time... er ... I mean my family's time. Sure you can understand but what about what's going on in class?


It's simple. I have dedicated a day and a time to write out what is going on and what will be coming up soon. The newsletter only does so much so be sure and check this blog out regularly. I'm adding different pages to it to distinguish Math and Science stuff.

Oh and by the way... I am looking for ways to post video lessons and online notes as helps. Technology... gotta love it. If you currently know  someone who is wondering about this site then tell them. Spread the word!