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.