Grade 5 – Info & Updates
Remember - feedback helps all of us stay on track - please send me an email (you can use the web contact form or a note).

Click here for details on how to help your child earn "science points"

Online grades:   http://www.mygradebook.com

January 19, 2007

We're still working with plants. I've uncovered that most fifth graders have some strongly held misunderstandings about how plants function and grow. We're now watching some corn kernels grow into seedlings. We're focusing on the growth of roots and leaves, and discussing their functions for plants.  We'll also be planting bush beans, with the hopes of having flowers to learn from. (The corn takes a very long time to develop flowers.)

Suggested conversation starters:
What do roots do? What do leaves do? (Both have simple and short answers.)
How do plants get their food? (this reply is more involved)

January 10, 2007

Hi, 
I’m working on giving you updates to let you know a bit about what is happening in the Science (& Technology) Center during your child’s classtime. I intend to update this section every few weeks. (I’m putting in an effort to do the same for all the grades, but fifth grade gets special attention from me. 

A key new feature is online grading for fifth grade. (These grades will not be averaged to come up with a term final grade.) They present a snap shot from each class to keep you informed about how your child is doing right now. If you didn’t get sheets of paper with information about this and with password information hand-delivered by your child, please send in a note or call the school to get another copy. If you think the password has been shared inappropriately with others, please request a new password from me. I’ve told the students this is private information and should only be shared with the adult care-givers at home.You will soon be able to use the contact form on my main page, which will work if you don't have email.

The web site is http://www.mygradebook.com. This grading service is secure, and password protected. I will be updating grades each week – usually for these two areas – academic work and attitude. The description of the assignments should help you in asking your child “what did you do in school today” and to avoid getting a “nuthin” in reply. 

The “Classword” for Room3 is “ManningHawks” and the "Classword” for Room7 is “ManningFish.” I can have the system automatically send you an email each time I update information. If you would like to receive this email, please be certain you’ve sent me your email. (I'm also keeping in touch with Ms. Griffin and Ms. Weidert and getting emails from them.) If web and access is still a major burden for you, please let me know. (I can print out the information, but it is a simple matter for your child to ‘lose’ it.)

I'd appreciate comments back from you about the overall effectiveness of this communication channel. 

Recent Topics of Study (see the home page for links to more resources)

Plant Nutrition
Assessment Questions: What are the 3 major nutrients for plants? Where do plants get them? What do plants do with them? What else (and it’s not a chemical) do plants need to make their own food?

Key Web Resource:
Plant Nutrients

 
Decomposers
Assessment Questions: What ‘things’ are decomposers? What do they do?

Key Web Resource:
Decomposers (from Recycle Works)