Testing is Over!

Congratulations, you've just finished your experience taking the 5th grade state reading test! I know that everyone really took the time to do their best and I saw some great use of strategies that we've practiced in the classroom. How do you think you did? What did you think of the test? Were there any surprises or anything that you weren't prepared for? What are your general feelings about taking these state tests, do you feel like they are able to show the amount that you have learned over the course of 5th grade? If you could give advice to next year's 5th graders about testing, what would it be? If you were in charge of creating a test, what would you do differently or would you test student's knowledge in a different way? Now's your chance to express your opinion!

What Next?

Now that we have finished the Lightning Thief, what were your thoughts? Are there any questions that were left unanswered that you have been wondering about? Did the book spark enough interest that you would want to read the next books in the series?

What is a Hero?

Our read aloud, The Lightning Thief, deals A LOT with heroes and what people have done to become a "hero". Percy has the opportunity to become a hero himself.
What is a hero? One dictionary defines a hero as one noted for courage, greatness, etc. Another dictionary defines a hero as a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.
What would it take for someone to become a hero? Who do you consider as a hero to you and why?

The Lightning Thief

As we have been reading the Lightning Thief as a read aloud, a lot of things are starting to happen as the story begins to get a little more complicated. Percy and his friends are having to use some quick thinking and make some tough decisions in order to meet up with Hades. What are some things that surprised you about the kids' meeting with the Lord of the Underworld? What things have happened in our latest reading that have changed the story's plot and what do you predict will happen next?

If nothing else, create an "I Wonder" statement about what you are thinking as we close in on the end of the novel.

They Keep Coming and Coming and Coming...

While we were in Social Studies today, more worms hatched from their eggs. A total of nine in all today. Amazing! After our chow firmed up enough, we did put a little dollop of it in the dish. As soon as we did the first five worms went running straight for it. Within minutes, four more eggs had hatched and those worms were attacking the food as well. Almost as if they were waiting for it. If you enlarge the picture to the right, you will be able to see some pretty cool details, including the holes in the eggs where the worms came out of. SO COOL! Mr. Boyer was able to catch one on video coming out of it's eggs with the digital camera. The picture was kind of grainy because we had to use the TV screen to enlarge it. You can watch the video by clicking below

Silkworm Hatching

Making Silkworm Chow

Well, now that we've got these little rascals, I suppose we've gotta feed 'em now. Luckily, the company we bought the worms from sent a bag of Silkworm Chow with it. Morgan decided that she wanted to try her hand at making this silkworm delight. I think she got more than she barginned for. Upon opening the package, there was a horrible smell that was a combination of old, cut, wet grass, dirt, and a hint of doggie poo. She and Jordan created the mixture using the step by step instructions provided (good technical reading by the way - WINK WINK). We had to get the microwave and cook it. Man it stunk up the whole room! The finished product didn't look very appetizing either. Green and slimy -it actually did look like baby poop. Now we have to put it in the fridge to firm up a little before giving it to the little worms.

They're ALIVE!!!

It happened today. Riley was the first to notice something different about the eggs on the TV screen. He said, "Hey look, one egg is glowing." It had turned white. Little did we know that out of the view of the camera, a little worm had emerged and was foraging for some food. It was Jonathan who announced to everyone, "Mr. Boyer, I think we've got a live one here!" after he went to take pictures of the dish for the day. Sure enough, not only had one worm emerged from it's egg, but two had hatched. They were crawling around and moving around the petri dish exploring their new world. Well, as you can imagine, we were very excited to see that our eggs weren't duds as we were starting to wonder. Wow, two baby silkworms. We are now proud parents. *Sniff Sniff* Tear.