Keeping learning active during the last month of school!

BRAIN BREAK!  from https://www.gonoodle.com/

In this communication activity one student had a seven piece lego model and the other had the matching pieces.  They sat back to back and the person with the model had to explain how to put the model together.  Most failed on the first attempt, but they improved their explanations on the next try and most pairs were successful!

Science Fun!!!   Defying Gravity...

Highlights from March

March is supposed to be a long month, but it wasn't long enough for me to get to my blog!  We were busy in 5R!  I think the best highlight for everyone was following the Iditarod dog sled race.

Iditarod Team Research...

 Musher Visit!

March Science Fun!
While studying the geosphere we completed some pretty cool 
experiments (some of them edible).  It's no wonder why
the students love science so much!

How does a volcanic eruption affect the geosphere?

Watch out for that lava!

This "eggs-periment" showed movement
of tectonic plates.

Carefully outlining the plate boundaries

Showing tectonic plate movement with
graham crackers and cool whip!

Tectonic plate movement

THE ROCK CYCLE ~~ Starburst style!

We had a little St. Patrick's Day fun 

with this leprechaun challenge

First 3 to figure it out!

FABULOUS FEBRUARY IN 5R

February was I LOVE TO READ month at OQS.  The week before vacation, spirit week, started with a snow day!  On the following days we shared our love for books.  Thursday was dress as your favorite book character day.  We had several special characters visit 5R!  

Gary as 37, John St. Ives from Patriot's Sacrifice,
a story by Gary

Brayden as Theodore or "Armpit" from Holes

Miranda as Cat Lady from Cat by Day, Cat Woman at Night

Farren as Luna from The Girl Who
Drank the Moon

  

Madeline as Hermione Granger
from Harry Potter

Tara as Eleven (or El) from
Stranger Things

Taylor as Fiona from Miss Peregine's
Home for Peculiar Children

Owen as Harry Potter from the Chamber of Secrets

As part of I LOVE TO READ  MONTH each classroom decorated their door.  The theme was reading opens doors.

The Things We Like About You

I hope your children shared with you the special things that their classmates said about them.  It's amazing how we go through each day thinking nice things about the people around us, but often don't tell them what we are thinking.  This exercise is always humbling and sometimes a tear-jerker! 

After vacation we celebrated Dr. Suess's Birthday by participating in Read Across America

Science is FUN (and sometimes YUMMY!)

Our current unit is Earth's Systems

We just finished our study of the water cycle.  The students created a water cycle in a closed system (a zip lock bag) and made observations over a 2 week period. (sorry - no photos!)  They observed the 4 stages of the water cycle as they happened ~~ precipitation, accumulation, evaporation, and condensation.  We also created a model in a jar that showed a cloud becoming heavy and beginning to precipitate.

After completing our water cycle study we moved on to looking at the layers of the Earth.  Students identified the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core with the help of an oreo, chocolate sauce, and an M&M.

The second annual OQS Spelling Bee was held on March 2nd.  Congratulations to all who participated, and especially to the spelling bee champion, Madeline Moore and runner up Kate Kissell.  Madeline will participate in the state spelling bee on March 15th!  Good Luck Madeline!!!!

STAY TUNED... the next blog will be about our musher visit and the 

45th Iditarod dog sled race!