Science Safari Day

Mrs. Morgan's, Mrs. Hixenbaugh's, and Mr. Swick's  classes really enjoyed Science Safari Day.

Industrial Revolution Activities

The Dinner Party

The students really enjoyed our "dinner party" review.  They were very well prepared to step into character. I was impressed by the costumes (which were not a requirement).   The students appeared to enjoy the activity and their performances were outstanding. Their conversations showed me they were ready for the review.   Just imagine if they really had a meal!  We will definitely have another "dinner party!"

"Wax Museum"

The students in my class presented information about famous immigrants for our grade level "wax museum." This was a great opportunity for them to practice their research and speaking skills.  They really did a great job. This group loves to perform for one another and others. They were so excited about this project! They did a great job today!

There is so much to learn about the Industrial Revolution!

This week the students enjoyed acting out the conflict between the Native Americans and the Pioneers.  This activity helped us review for an assessment on Westward Expansion.  Take a look!

Mrs. Morgan has a great bunch of talented 5th graders!

 

 

This has been a short but busy week.  We have been reading the novel The Lemonade War.  Students wrote summaries for the various chapters of the book and charted figurative language (onomatopoeia, metaphor, simile, and personification).  We are trying to complete the novel by the end of next week. 

 

As a follow up to our trip to USC, students have written about the sites on the university campus.  Many of them appeared to be surprised that many of the students were completing assignments independently on outside benches and in the school's horseshoe (park area).  Their writings are both interesting and informative.  If you get a chance, ask your child to share his/ her selection with you. 

 

 

 

We are still discussing the "move west" in social studies. On this week, we discussed the technological advances during the expand west. The students really enjoyed learning about the pony express and it's link to Wells Fargo bank. Ask your child about the relationship. We read about the qualifications for becoming a rider for the pony express and the type of employees preferred. Ask your child about these items at home. It helps he/she remember the content.

My afternoon block met with their writing buddies in Mrs. Williams'' second grade class on Tuesday. They completed writing surveys and became more familiar with their buddies.  They were so excited about becoming mentors!  We will meet with their mentee at least once a month and work on writing content!

 

 

I look forward to seeing your child on Monday!!!!

 



 

 

We are ready to begin!

USC

I would like to thank all of the parents who were able to assist with our field trip on last Thursday.  The weather was beautiful and the students were well behaved.  Please ask your child about the various landmarks he/she saw on the USC campus.  The students really got a feel of what is expected of college students.  They received a special treat when our campus tour lead us to Cocky.  It was a great day!  Enjoy the pictures below.  

 Pontiac Elementary Fifth Grade Class  

2014-2015
 



Students listened as Mrs. Hixenbaugh shared USC history.


                                                    

                                                    Students enjoyed eating lunch on USC campus.

 

We visited the various colleges on the campus.



                                                   

                                                        This is the first free standing library on a university campus. Wow!   

     

We found out that firemen are constantly studying to become better at their job.




 A visit with Cocky!

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Fifth Grade!

I have really enjoyed getting to know your child.  We are off and running and now the students are really getting comfortable with fifth grade.  It was great to see all of you at Open House on last week. I hope you found our presentation informative.  Now that interim reports have gone home, students are presently setting new short-term goals for the remainder of the nine weeks.  I look forward to seeing many of you for conferences on Thursday, September 25, 2014. Stay tuned for a few student pictures of all the great things going on in the 5th grade.  Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your child's educational career!

                             

                  Orange you glad we are successful!                       

 It's wacky to be unorganized!

  

Caleb Branch was selected for the life skill responsibility.  Good job Caleb!