Sunday, January 17, 2010

Play with Angles!

We just started learning about Triangles and how to classify them using the measurements of their sides and interior angles. Interactive Triangles is a neat web site you can check out which allows you to change the angles of a triangle. Make sure you click on the 'Show: Angles' button at the bottom left side of the activity box. You can choose what kind of triangle you want to play with, and watch the angles change as you move it about the screen. Shrink it, stretch it, rotate or flip it!

Parent's Corner: As part of the Ontario Math Curriculum, students in Grade 5 are required to "identify triangles and classify them according to angle and side properties" (p. 82). This interactive activity will give your child an opportunity to practice and develop this skill using a digital 2-D model. Please encourage your child to create one triangle of each classification (scalene, isosceles, equilateral, right, obtuse, and acute) using the web site and have him or her use a protractor to draw those triangles into their Math notebook to share with the class during our next Math lesson. Thank you for your support! 

Test Your Knowledge!

In Science class we just concluded our study of the Respiratory and Circulatory Systems. In order to prepare for the upcoming Unit Test, try these fun quizzes at home:
Respiratory System Quiz
The Circulatory System: Rags to Riches
If you get stumped on one of the questions, you should review your notes! Good luck and have fun!

Parent's Corner: In Grade 5, students study Human Organ Systems as part of the Science curriculum. Next Tuesday we will be having a Unit Test covering the Respiratory and Circulatory Systems. These quizzes will allow your child to review important facts and concepts that will appear on the test. Please encourage your child to take each quiz and review their Science notebooks in preparation for the Unit Test. Thank you for your support!

Calling All Detectives!

There is an archaeological mystery in Ancient Egypt and the Grade 5 Detectives are on the case! Before we begin our study of Ancient Egypt, take on the Tomb of the Unknown Mummy challenge! When you click on the link, select 'Play Intro' to learn more about the challenge and how to play.
The best part about this challenge? You can play more than once! After you have solved the mystery the first time, go back to find new clues and a different mummy inside the tomb! So go ahead: put on your Detective Hats!



ClipArt by Phillip Martin
Source: http://occupations.phillipmartin.info/occupations_detective.htm






Parent's Corner: In Grade 5, students are required to "use stated and implied ideas in texts to make inferences and construct meaning" (The Ontario Curriculum: Language, p. 97). By taking part in this activity your child will practice and develop this skill. In addition she or he will learn about the values and beliefs of the Ancient Egyptians prior to beginning our official unit on Egypt in Social Studies. You can help your child by taking the challenge with him or her and reading the "Field Book" together to solve the Mystery. 

Explore Ancient Greece!

Greetings class! In Social Studies we have begun learning about Ancient Greece. Here is a fun and interactive game that will show you a little more about the values and beliefs of the Ancient Greeks. This activity looks at two specific cities that we have examined in class: Athens and Sparta.
Once you have completed all the activities, try the Quiz to unlock more fun!
Click on the Adventures in Ancient Greece link to start exploring! Click whichever option you prefer: Popup Window or Full Screen.



ClipArt by Phillp Martin
Source: http://greece.phillipmartin.info/greece_ancient_map.htm

Parent's Corner: As part of the course on Early Civilizations, Grade 5 students are expected to "identify important values and beliefs in two or more early civilizations and describe how they affected daily life" (The Ontario Curriculum: Social Studies, p. 29). This online activity will demonstrate some of the values and beliefs of the Ancient Athenians and Spartans in an interactive format that will help your child to understand and remember the differences between these two societies. In class we will dicuss these differences and how they affect the daily lives of the citizens. Furthermore students will consider how daily life in Canada is similar and different, and discuss the influence of Ancient Greece on the modern era.  

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Interesting Web Pages!

Hello Grade Fives! Here are some good sites for you!

Want to find out what the weather is in a hurry? Click on that link to go straight to the St. Catharines page on the Weather Network!

Interested in the news? Use that link to check out the Canadian Broadcasting Company: your first stop for Canadian headlines!

Ever wondered what happened this day in history? Go to this page of History.com to learn interesting facts and trivia about people and events from the past!

ClipArt by Phillip Martin
Source: http://school.phillipmartin.info/school_current_events.htm

A Great Online Resource!

Here is one of my favourite online resources: Dictionary.com

I find this tool very useful when I am doing school assignments or just writing for fun. Use the Dictionary tool to look up words or use the Thesaurus tool to discover new or better words to increase the effectiveness of your writing! Or just check this site daily for The Word of the Day!

Enjoy the power of words!

Welcome!

Welcome Grade Fives! This Blog will allow me to communicate with you during our time together. I will use it to share some of my favourite resources available on the Internet. Additionally, please share with me any links or web pages you have found that are interesting or relevant to topics we are studying in class and I will post them here for the whole class to enjoy!
Photo: Miss Dolson at Drumheller, Alberta