Folktales - Day 1

Today we are going to begin studying folktales.  A folktale is a story or legend passed down from generation to generation, usually through oral retelling.  Today you are going to watch a video of a folktale being told out loud.  The folktale is called Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears.  It is an African folktale that tells about how our actions can have an effect on others.

As you are listening, think about how we can define a folktale.  What makes a folktale different from other kinds of stories?

Summary of what to do today: 

BEFORE:  Read all of the directions on this blog post.  

DURING:  Listen carefully to the story.  Think about what makes a folktale different from other kinds of stories.  

AFTER:  Leave a comment on this post telling your thoughts about how a folktale is different from other kinds of stories.  

What you are ready to get started, click here for the video:  Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears

Skeletal System - Day 5

Today you will show what you know about the skeletal system.  This will be a science and writing grade for you.  Your job is to tell me everything that you want me to know that you know about the skeletal system.  The more, the better!  Your information must be correct.  Use your notes from your non-fiction journal.

You will do your writing in a Word document.  Open up the Word document and type in there.  You will be graded on capitalization and punctuation as well as the information you tell.  Do your best.  This is due at the end of today.  Whatever you have then will be graded.  You will save your document on your computer and then print it.  Mrs. Lord will help you with this.

The Skeletal System - Day 4

Today you are going to be exploring a skeletal system diagram online.  The diagram shows you the bones in the skeletal system and labels each.  Click on the labels to learn more about that bone.  Today, your notes will be taken on a chart that Mrs. Lord will give you.  On this chart you will list the name of the bone, where it is located, and what that bone does to help your body (its function).

Here is a summary of what you are to do today: 

BEFORE:  1.  Read all of the directions on the blog post.  2.  Get the note-taking chart from Mrs. Lord.

DURING:  Take notes on the chart.  

AFTER:  Review your notes.  


Click here to get started:  Human Anatomy - Skeleton

The Skeletal System - Day 2 and 3

Today we will continue investigating our skeletal system.  You will read an article online about the skeletal system and continue to take notes in your non-fiction journal.  The article is pretty long, so you'll have two days to complete it.  Be sure to take really good notes because you'll need them to create your project at the end!  When your time is up today leave a comment about the most interesting thing you learned today.

Here is a summary of what you are to do today: 

BEFORE:  Read all of the directions on the blog. 

DURING:  Take notes in your non-fiction journal using a What I Know/What I Wonder chart. 

AFTER:  Leave a comment telling us the most interesting thing you learned about the skeletal system today.  



Click here to read the article: Your Bones

The Skeletal System - Day 1

What is the skeletal system?  How does it work, or function?  What is it made of?

This week we will be learning all about the skeletal system!  During Guided Reading you'll be reading all about the skeletal system and during your blog activities you'll be learning even more through videos, articles, and activities.

Today, for your blog activity, you will watch a video about the skeletal system.  As you watch the video, you will need to take notes in your non-fiction journal using a What I Know/What I Wonder chart.  After watching, leave a comment below with three important facts you learned about the skeletal system.  

Here is a summary of what you are to do today: 

BEFORE: Read all of the directions on the blog.

DURING:  Take notes in your non-fiction journal on a What I Know/What I Wonder chart.  

AFTER:  Leave a comment telling 3 important facts you learned about the skeletal system.

Ready?  Click the video link to get started!

Click here to watch the video: Bones & Skeletal System

Nutrition - Day 4

Today, you will create a poster demonstrating your new learning of your nutrition topic using the article that you read yesterday and your notes from yesterday.

Your poster must include:

• a title
• at least three important facts about your subject
• at least two pictures with captions
• at least one new vocabulary word with definition

Be sure to check for spelling, capitalization, and punctuation.  Your poster is due at the end of the day Friday.

Nutrition - Day 3

Today you will be researching a topic on nutrition.  You will be recording your new learning in your non-fiction journal using a What I Know/What I Wonder chart.

You will click on the link below and choose one of the topics in blue to research.  You will be creating a poster to demonstrate your new learning on your topic.

Staying Healthy

In the comments section below, tell your name and which topic you have chosen.

Nutrition - Day 2

I can choose foods that are nutritious.

Read the following article to learn about how you can eat more nutritious foods each day.
5 Ways to Get Your 5 a Day

After reading, leave a comment below telling about one strategy for eating more nutritious food each day.

After leaving your comment, you may play the game below.

Whack a Snack

Nutrition - Day 1

I can categorize foods and know the appropriate serving.

Click here to read the MyPlate Food Guide.  As you read, you will be taking notes in your non-fiction journal using a What I Know/What I Wonder t-chart.  You will be turning these notes in as part of your reading grade.

After you have finished reading, you are ready to play the games!  You will need all of the information you read in order to be successful with the games.  Follow the links below to access the games.

Talking MyPlate

Matching Foods Memory Cards

Perimeter Stories - Wednesday, March 5

Below you will find two links for perimeter stories.  Follow the links and complete the games.

1.  Fence Me In!

2.  Adam Ant



After you have completed the stories, leave a comment below answering the following question in complete sentences.

How do you find the perimeter of a 2D shape?  

Rocks in His Head - Listen to the Story

Using the link below, listen to the story "Rocks in His Head" while you follow along with your finger.

Click here to listen to the story. 

After you have listened to the story, leave a comment below answering these questions:

• Why did father collect rocks?
• What do you collect?
• Why do you think people collect things?

Friday, February 28 - CREATE and IMPROVE

Today is the day, engineers!  You will be creating your designs to test to see who has designed a ski jump hill that will send the mouse skier the farthest!

You will run three tests of your design and record your results using the test sheet.

After running your tests, you will need to write to the Mouse Olympics to convince them that your design is the best and should be used for their ski jump hill.  Follow the directions on the back of the test sheet for your writing.

Thursday, February 27 - PLAN, CREATE

Welcome back Wildcat Engineers!  Today is an important day in your design challenge.  Today is the day when you will be working with your partner to plan and begin creating your ski jump design.

Always keep your question in your mind as you begin thinking about your design.

How can I design a ski jump hill for a mouse that will make my mouse skier go the farthest?

Before meeting with your partner, you must create a sketch of your potential design.  Remember all of the information you researched yesterday.  You may go back and look at the resources from yesterday if you would like.  Click here to do that.

Get a sheet of white paper and begin creating your design.  Include measurements as much as possible. When you have completed your design and your partner has as well, then you may get together to see what you came up with.  Each partner gets a turn to share their thoughts.  Use the sharing sheet to guide you through the sharing and planning process.  Your sharing sheet will be turned in as a part of your overall grade.

Good luck, engineers!

Wednesday, February 26: ASK and IMAGINE

Wildcat Engineers, it is time to put our engineering minds to work!

The 2018 Winter Mouse Olympics have asked us to help them design the ski jump course.  The course will be small, of course, because it is for mice!  You will be working with your partner to design a ski jump hill that will send mouse skiers the farthest on their ski jump.  

ASK

Here is our question: 

How can I design a ski jump hill for a mouse that will make my mouse skier go the farthest?

IMAGINE

In order to answer our question and begin designing, we will need a bit more background knowledge on ski jumping.  

Visit the link below.  When you get there, there will be many links to resources to teach you more about ski jumping.  Your job today is to explore the links.  Please visit each one and spend some time there.  The more you know and understand about ski jumping and how it works, the better chance you have of winning the design challenge!  You will need to take some notes in your journal so that you can share them with your partner.  

Winter Olympics: Ski Jump Blendspace

Introduction to Ski Jumping 2/25

We will be focusing on the sport of ski jumping for our Olympic camp activities.  Below is a video and text about ski jumping.  You will need to listen carefully and follow directions very carefully.  At the end of the video, you will be writing a summary to add as a comment to this blog post.  Click on the link below to get started!

Introduction to Ski Jumping

Winter Olympics and the Human Body

Click on the Smore below and follow the directions very carefully to explore how the human body is used for winter Olympic sports.  After reading and doing the Smore, you will be leaving a comment at the end of this blog post.

Winter Olympics and the Human Body Smore

How to Draw a Gorilla

Listen and watch closely to learn how to draw a gorilla.  You will be drawing your gorilla on white paper with pencil.  Be sure to draw lightly so that you can erase any errors.

After you have drawn your gorilla with pencil, you will outline the gorilla with a black crayon.

Then you will use water colors to paint your gorilla and the background.  Use your powers of visualization to paint the background like Ivan's domain.  What things are in his domain?  How might it look?

  Don't worry if your gorilla isn't perfect; Ivan would be proud that you tried!

Educreations: How To Draw a Gorilla

Olympics Race On

Today is the twelfth day of the Winter Olympics in Sochi.  Read the article below about the Olympics.

Click here to read the article. 

After you have read the article, post a comment below answering these questions:

Who is winning for the most medals in the 2014 Winter Olympics?

What is the main idea of this article?

Why would someone read this article?  For what purpose?

Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest

How does the environment where you live compare to these extreme locations?

"Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest" by Steve Jenkins is an expository nonfiction text.  That means it gives information about the real world.

You have done a picture walk with your reading group.  Now you will listen to the text as you follow along in your book.  To listen, click on the link below and then click on the yellow play button (yellow triangle) under the words "Listen here."  Be sure to follow along with your finger as you listen.

Click here to listen. 

The Ancient Greek Olympics

The Olympics are a very old tradition.  The 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia are part of an ancient tradition!

Read the article about the ancient Olympics using the link below.  When you have finished reading the article, complete the quiz using the link below.  You will need to write your quiz score on a post-it note for Mrs. Lord so that she knows you have finished it!

Article: Ancient Greece: Olympics

Quiz: Ancient Greek Olympic Games

Current Event - The Pacific's Falling Stars

What is happening to the starfish on the West Coast?  Read "The Pacific's Falling Stars" to find out!  

Click here to read the story.  

After reading the story, follow the directions below to leave a post in the comments section.

1.  Write a short summary of the article.  It may help you to remember the 5W's: Who, What, When, Where, and Why.  

2.  Answer this question in a complete sentence: What is the effect of the starfish dying?  Why does it matter?  

Wings - Reading Street (2)

Reread Wings using your whisper voice.  Don't forget your tracking finger!

After you finish reading, think about the question below.  Post your answer with evidence from the text (including page number).

Why do you think people were afraid of Ikarus?

Current Event - Rendezvous With a Comet

Scientists are about to land a spacecraft on a comet - for the first time ever!  Read the article "Rendezvous With a Comet" to find out more!

Rendezvous means to meet.  It is pronounced ron-day-voo.  You may decide to rendezvous with your mom at the bus stop after school or rendezvous with your friend on the basketball court at recess.

1.  Click here to read the article on Scholastic News.
2.  Answer the question below in the comments section.  Be sure to use correct capitalization, punctuation, and complete sentences!  

How might landing on this comet help us on Earth?  What effects may this landing have on us today here on Earth?  Answer these questions in the comment section.  

Wings - Reading Street

What does it mean to be unique?  Find out what makes this boy special as you read "Wings" by Christopher Myers.

Have you ever felt like you were too different?  Comment on this post.  When have you felt different and people made you feel bad for being different?  How did that feel?  How did you respond?  

After you comment below, listen to the story by clicking here and then clicking on the little guy with the "play" button.  Look at the picture below to know where you are looking to click!

Follow along with your tracking finger as you listen.  

After you have listened through one time, read the story again on your own with your whisper voice.  Don't forget your tracking finger!