The philosophy of MR. RainH2O's classroom explained.

Parents and students,
Watch the video below. Leave comments as necessary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j81-44ADf74

As I promised.

I know it's late but... If you are studying then here is something to look at!

1 & 2 How many cubic centimeters will it take to fill this box?  Find out without filling the entire box with cubes.  Write your answer and explain how you found the volume of this box.

Volume:  _______________________

3.  What is the volume of this stack of cubes?

1. 94 cubic units
2. 60 cubic units
3. 15 cubic units
4. 12 cubic units

4.  A diagram of the Watson’s new storage bin is shown. What is the volume of the bin?

1. 108 ft³
2. 25 ft³
3. 72 ft³
4. 13 ft³

5.  A box contains 240 sugar cubes. You open the top of the box and count 8 cubes across the front and 6 cubes along a side. How many layers of sugar cubes are in the box?

1. 3 layers
2. 4 layers
3. 5 layers
4. 6 layers

6. Paul is looking for a cage for his bird. He finds a cage that measures 2 ft by 4 ft by 6 ft and another cage that measures 3 ft by 5 ft by 3 ft.

Which cage offers the most living space for his bird? Explain your reasoning.

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

7.  Label the dimensions of your box below so that the box has a volume of 48 cubic feet.

 

8.  Which box has a volume of 90 cubic units?

 

9

A.                                                                    B.

					8
				5
						15

 

3

5

C.                                                                    D.

							2
			5
	5

 

9.  A cube has a volume of 64 cubic inches. What is the length of each edge of the cube?

1. 2 in.
2. 4 in.
3. 6 in.
4. 8 in.

10.  Which equation can be used to determine the volume of the prism below?

1. v = 24 x 4 x 6
2. v = 36 x 4 x 6
3. v = 6 x 4 x 6
4. v = 7 x 5 x 7

Learning Earnings

I would like to announce our class Positive Rewards System. Learning Earnings.

You and your child will be able to redeem tickets and credits for items to be used in the classroom and in the real world.
Your login and password is your first name with the first letter of you last name. For example the login for Paul Johnson would be paulj.
Your password for the initial login would be "rainwater". You will have the option to change it once you log in.
As always, you  may contact me at drainwater@ems-isd.net.
Carry On!

Use the Force

This week in science we are learning about Forces. Not the force like in Star Wars but forces that are all around us.
First forces are what makes things move, or stop, or change direction. Can you name all of the forces that we see and experience?
Well, let's start with the easiest. Gravity. Sir Issac Newton is known for his work in gravity and is even know for it's discovery. (Notice I didn't say he 'invented' it. This is what most people misconceive) Newton is also attributed as to discovering gravity while sitting under an apple tree and one hitting him on the head. Yes, another misconception. More than likely he OBSERVED the apple falling and wondered why did it fall.
It is this curiosity that I am trying to bring out in your child. We try to answer the "why" does something happen. Coming up in the next week or so, we will be exploring this question and using 'forces' to answer it.
First we will go through the Scientific Method and come up with a testable experiment. This will be totally from a curiosity perspective from your child. They will have to come up with a 1. Hypothesis, 2. Constant, 3. Variable, 4. procedure for testing, 5. a way to collect data such as a chart, 6. conclude with a reasonable finding.
You might find your child rummaging through junk to find things to test or they may ask you weird questions. This is normal and ok.
Keep in mind that this project will take a few days and there may be times that they will be frustrated. Again , this is normal. Assure them that things will get better the more times they perform the tests. Help them tweak some things and help them take careful notes.
After Newton's work in gravity and his Laws of Motion were widely accepted among scientists, Einstein came along and made even more understandable... yeah right! watch the following video and you will see what I mean. By the way, your children will NOT be tested on the following information.
Newton vs Einstein

First post

This is our class first post.

The idea behind having this blog is to get our students excited about what we are learning in the classroom. What better way than to show the world what we are doing?
Feel free to look around and leave a comment. Who knows, maybe you might find something interesting!
Carry On!

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!

Storm School video

For those who missed it. here it is.

Roller Coaster Projects

I hope all is well with the roller coaster projects. So far I have seen some really great ones coming into school. Remember that the deadline for this is this Thursday, November 10th. I should have some pictures of them up soon.

Don't forget we are leaving for River Legacy this Friday. Permission slips were sent home today. Also, if you have not made a payment for Camp Jolt please contact me.

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

Parents Academy Classes are Coming soon!

Website fro Science Vocabulary

http://quizlet.com/238308/5th-grade-science-taks-vocabulary-flash-cards/

Study Guide for Friday

New Study Guide.
CBA is on Friday.

Matter can be either a _________________, ___________________,  or __________

Give an example of each.

1.      

2.     

3.     

Solid objects have a _____ shape and ______ volume.

The particles in a solid are packed very (tightly/loosely)  together.

Liquids have a _________ volume   and  ________ shape.

The molecules in a liquid tend to (stick together/flow over) one another.

Gases have ______________ shape and _______________ volume.

The molecules in a gas are (slow/fast) moving and (close/spread apart).

Both ________ and ______ take the shape of their container.

When a solid changes to a liquid it is called _______

When a liquid changes to a gas it is called ________.

When a gas turns into a liquid it is called _____.

When a liquid turns into a solid it is called __________.

Mass is the amount of ______ in an object.

Objects that float in water are (more/less) dense than water.

Objects that sink in water are (more/less) dense than water.

Conductors are materials that (allows/ does not allow) things to flow through them well.

_____________ are good conductors of heat and electricity.

Insulators are materials that (allows/ does not allow) things to flow through them well.

Wood, plastic, glass and cotton are good (insulators/conductors) of electricity (they hold it in).

(Solid/liquid) objects are better sound conductors than gases.

A ______________ is a combination of two or more substances.

In a (mixture/Solution), each substance keeps its original characteristics.

 A _____________ is when one or more substances are dissolved in another substance.  It is a special type of mixture.

 Dissolving is a physical change.

Dissolving does not mean disappearing, write a short statement of what it does mean. 

What process or method will speed up the process of dissolving a solute in a solvent (salt in water).

Pure water boils at ______⁰C. 

_____________ point and __________ point are the same temperature.

Melting/Freezing point for pure water is ______^o C.

Energy can be identified as

1.      

2.     

3.     

4.     

5.     

Give an example of each.

Draw an open circuit and explain why it can not light the bulb. You must have a battery, wire and a light bulb in your schematic.

Using a red crayon or marker, draw a component or “fix” the incomplete circuit and make it complete.

When electricity moves through these wires what type of effects occur? (remember the compass?)

Light travels in (waves, straight line, both)

When light passes through one type of material at an angle, the light bends. This is called ________.

When light bounces off an object, it is known as ________________.

There are 2 types of lenses. List what they are and draw them below.

Give real world examples of objects that refract light.

1.      

2.      

3.      

Describe sound energy.

In the movie Star Wars, the Millennium Falcon could not make a sound and could not be heard. Why is this so?

Sound travels best through what substance?

An ice-burg has more heat energy than a lit match. Why?

Where did everything GO?

Have ever lost anything? Homework? Paper? Pencil? Well, this week Mr. Rainwater realized that NONE of his posts were getting on his class blog!

I would imagine that everyone that looked here for help thought that they were going crazy because Mr. Rainwater said that help is posted on the class blog.

Don't go crazy I have a solution! I need people to sign up to become a member of this blog. When you sign up you will get updates live as I post pictures and ideas that our class is involved in. You want to know what kind of project that Mr. Rainwater is asking the students to do? SIGN UP! You want to have examples of the work? SIGN UP! You are wondering "Why is my child learning a different method of division that what I was taught?" SIGN UP!!!!
You have questions and want an fairly immediate answer? (About homework, projects or procedures only please) You will have to sign up to post comments and have them answered by my team of helpers.