Field Trip Change--Important Notice

Field Trip Change--Important Notice

Dear Parents,

     After careful review of our field trip plans, we have determined that the drive to our original destination, which is 2.5 hours one way, will deeply impact the amount of time students would have to enjoy their experience.  There is also the possibility of inclement weather Thursday night/early Friday morning.  With those two things taken into consideration, the 5th grade team has decided to change our destination to Fort Pillow.  Fort Pillow is located about 40 miles North of Memphis along the Mississippi River.  We have reserved the park's pavillion for our use and plan to visit the museum and view the film provided by the park.  We also plan to take advantage of the many trails in the park.  Dr. Copeland has given permission for students to wear jeans, spirit shirts (or uniform polos), and old tennis shoes (no sandals, Crocs, or dress shoes) Friday for our trip.  

    We would like to ask parents to still meet at Campus by 7:30 in order to avoid the arrival traffic and arrive at the park before 9:00.  Thank you so much for your understanding and cooperation with this.  We appreciate everything you do to help make Campus the wonderful place it is.  

http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/fort-pillow​ 

Fort Pillow State Park — Tennessee State Parks

Located on the western edge of Tennessee, approximately 40 miles north of Memphis, Fort Pillow State Historic Park is rich in historic and archaeological significance. Steep bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River made this area a strategic location during the Civil War. The fort was originally built by Confederate troops in 1861 and named after General Gideon J. Pillow of Maury County. It was abandoned in 1862 due to the Union Navy’s advancement along the Mississippi River. The area became a state park in 1971. The 1,642 acre Fort Pillow is known for its well-preserved breastworks and reconstructed inner fort. The park’s museum offers Civil War artifacts including a canon and interpretive displays relating to the history of Fort Pillow. There is a 12 minute video on the 1864 Battle shown by request as well as tours of the museum and restored fortifications. The museum is open from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

Lunch is still provided!  We will send home a map with where to meet by tomorrow.  

WHY PROJECT 1, Parent Teacher Conferences, and Field Trip

Jim Jaggers will be riding to our school on Wednesday Oct. 1. Along with Jim we see other bicycle riders, a Go Jim Go pace car and a WREG news van. Jim should arrive between 1:30-1:40, however this time frame does vary year to year.

Dear Parents, 

                                          

        Thank you for returning the parent-teacher conference sheets back to me so quickly. Many conferences are scheduled back to back. Therefore it would be helpful if you could be in our classroom at your scheduled time so that we may make the most out of our discussion. If for any reason you cannot make your appointment please call me at 678-2285. The master list may be viewed on the pages tab of our blog.

Why Project I

Due Date: September 29, 2014

A student may choose any area of science that we have already covered this year. This is designed so the student will investigate a question or topic to expand their knowledge. A student may request a topic outside of this if they receive prior approval from me.

A student may choose how to share their information. Examples are: poster, written report, PowerPoint, Prezi, video demonstration, diorama, etc.

o   Student must provide a specific question that they want answered by their project presentation.

o   Student must provide a minimum of three factual statements concerning their area of study.

o   Spelling counts!

o   Student will provide a separate written five paragraph summary (see rubric) that will contain a) a statement of their question, b) the facts provided, c) the procedures they used in their quest for knowledge and d) a conclusion. This will be on a separate sheet from the presentation material. You can view the rubric below for the written report and the project.

The project due date is Monday, September 29th, 2014.  

Field Trip Permission Slip
Date: Friday, October 3, 2014
Time: 7:30 a.m.-2:45 p.m.
Activities: Visit Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park
Curriculum Connection: Students will visit a Civil War battle site that includes a museum, video presentation, and a hike to the highest elevation in West Tennessee.
Transportation: Parent drivers.
Cost: $5 per student—CASH ONLY, no cost for chaperons—All money is due Friday, September 26.
Lunch: Students will be given a picnic lunch at the park including hot dog (turkey dog), chips, drink, and cookie.
Chaperones: Mr. Stearnes, Mrs. Cordero, Mr. Shadow, and Ms. Fenney

Week 9- Nine Week Unit Test, The Fossil Record, and Go Jim Go/Coins 4 Kids

Coins 4 Kids
Monday, students will bring in pennies, Tuesday—nickels, Wednesday—dimes, Thursday—quarters and on Friday dollars will be collected.

Students who bring in a dollar may wear jeans!

Go Jim Go is an annual event that supports Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. Le Bonheur Children's Hospital is a place for hope and healing for children and their families across the Mid-South and beyond. More than 250,000 children are cared for annually at Le Bonheur Children's. With the expertise of our physicians, medical team and state-of-the-art technology, Le Bonheur Children's has the ability to care for the community's sickest children.

Le Bonheur is a not-for-profit hospital relying on the support of a generous community to provide the best health care to all children. Our care and services extend beyond the walls of Le Bonheur, providing many benefits to the community. Our associates dedicate hours of tutoring and reading in elementary schools, and  our community outreach offers unique programs that serve more than half a million children in the region. In addition, Le Bonheur is recognized as one of the nation's "Best Children's Hospitals" by U.S News and World Report.

Participating in Go Jim Go is beneficial for students. Studies show youth who volunteer are more likely to do well in school, graduate, become responsible adults and continue being philanthropic throughout adulthood. Additionally, students who participate in community service reported feeling better about themselves and gaining respect and understanding for others. Go Jim Go is an important community program, impacting the lives of youth across the region.

The fossil record provides snapshots of the past that, when assembled, illustrate a panorama of evolutionary change over the past four billion years. The picture may be smudged in places and may have bits missing, but fossil evidence clearly shows that life is old and has changed over time Nicholas Steno's anatomical drawing of an extant shark (left) and a fossil shark tooth (right). Steno made the leap and declared that the fossil teeth indeed came from the mouths of once-living sharks.

Week 8 Fossil Evidence

The fossil record provides snapshots of the past that, when assembled, illustrate a panorama of evolutionary change over the past four billion years. The picture may be smudged in places and may have bits missing, but fossil evidence clearly shows that life is old and has changed over time

Nicholas Steno's anatomical drawing of an extant shark (left) and a fossil shark tooth (right). Steno made the leap and declared that the fossil teeth indeed came from the mouths of once-living sharks.

 

Week 7 - Animal Adaptations

Whenever I ask my primary students what they’d like to learn more about, the answer inevitably involves animals.  Young children are intrigued by the creatures who share our environment, especially when it comes to the physical and behavioral adaptations that make them so different from us (and each other!).   
An adaptation is a trait that enables an animal to survive in its environment. Adaptations can be behavioral (such as birds migrating south for the winter) or physical (such as the thick coat of a polar bear, which helps it survive bitterly cold temperatures). Additionally, an adaptation is a special skill which helps an animal to survive and do everything it needs to do. Adaptations could be physical changes to the animals body or behavioural changes in how an individual animal or a society do things in their daily lives. An animal that is well adapted to its environment will survive long enough to produce offspring, while animals that are not well adapted usually die before they can reproduce.