Welcome to Rice Welcome to Rice Elementary Elementary

5th Grade Science5th Grade Science

© 2010 Catherine Albright

Mrs. Albright

Fifth Grade Science

I can be reached at the following numbers/email:Rice Elementary School - (570) 868-3161Cell Phone - (570) 262-2613Email - katie.albright@csdcomets.org

IntroductionIntroduction

Hello, my name is Mrs. Albright and I will be teaching your child Hello, my name is Mrs. Albright and I will be teaching your child in Science this year. I am looking forward to a wonderful year! I have in Science this year. I am looking forward to a wonderful year! I have many exciting things planned for the Science curriculum this year.many exciting things planned for the Science curriculum this year.

This is my fifth year in a permanent position at Rice Elementary. I This is my fifth year in a permanent position at Rice Elementary. I substituted for two years for Crestwood School District. I am a graduate of substituted for two years for Crestwood School District. I am a graduate of Penn State University. I also worked in daycares for seven years. Penn State University. I also worked in daycares for seven years.

I want to encourage parents/guardians to get involved in their I want to encourage parents/guardians to get involved in their child's learning experience. I will be sending home more information about child's learning experience. I will be sending home more information about how you can become more involved throughout the year. I am also how you can become more involved throughout the year. I am also available by phone or email if you have any questions. available by phone or email if you have any questions.

Science CurriculumScience Curriculum

The Science Curriculum follows the State Standards. Much of The Science Curriculum follows the State Standards. Much of the focus of the science curriculum for fifth grade is on the the focus of the science curriculum for fifth grade is on the Scientific Method. Five years ago, Rice Elementary adopted Scientific Method. Five years ago, Rice Elementary adopted the “Science: It’s Elementary” program into the science the “Science: It’s Elementary” program into the science curriculum. This program consists of “kits” that contain all the curriculum. This program consists of “kits” that contain all the necessary materials to teach science as inquiry. The main focus necessary materials to teach science as inquiry. The main focus of the science curriculum is to teach students science by doing of the science curriculum is to teach students science by doing science.science.

Science Textbook TopicsScience Textbook Topics

* Processes of Living Things* Processes of Living Things * Systems and Interactions in * Systems and Interactions in Nature Nature

* Processes that Change the Earth* Processes that Change the Earth * The Solar System and Beyond* The Solar System and Beyond

* Building Blocks of Matter* Building Blocks of Matter * Energy and Motion* Energy and Motion

Science: It’s ElementaryWe are in our fifth year of the Science: It’s Elementary program. In fifth

grade we will complete the Variables Kit, the Levers and Pulleys Kit, and another kit which is yet to be determined. I have included links to the kit websites below:

VARIABLES

http://www.fossweb.com/modules3-6/Variables/index.html

LEVERS AND PULLEYS

http://www.fossweb.com/modules3-6/LeversandPulleys/index.html

PA State Science PA State Science StandardsStandards

3.1. Unifying Themes of Science3.1. Unifying Themes of Science 3.2. Inquiry and Design3.2. Inquiry and Design 3.3. Biological Sciences3.3. Biological Sciences 3.4. Physical Science, Chemistry and Physics3.4. Physical Science, Chemistry and Physics 3.5. Earth Sciences3.5. Earth Sciences 3.6. Technology Education3.6. Technology Education 3.7. Technological Devices3.7. Technological Devices 3.8. Science, Technology and Human Endeavors3.8. Science, Technology and Human Endeavors

http://www.pde.state.pa.us/

Science Classroom Science Classroom RulesRules

I have the students decide upon the classroom rules themselves.  I inform I have the students decide upon the classroom rules themselves.  I inform them that they are in Fifth Grade now and they are old enough to decide them that they are in Fifth Grade now and they are old enough to decide

what kind of behavior they should have in class.  what kind of behavior they should have in class. 

I write the students' suggestions for rules on the board and have them copy I write the students' suggestions for rules on the board and have them copy them into their science notebooks on the first page.  I have them sign at the them into their science notebooks on the first page.  I have them sign at the

bottom as a sort of contract that they will adhere to the rules.bottom as a sort of contract that they will adhere to the rules.

They have the opportunity to earn tickets for good behavior. If they are They have the opportunity to earn tickets for good behavior. If they are unable to follow the directions, they will first be given a homework unable to follow the directions, they will first be given a homework assignment as a punishment. If they do not complete the homework assignment as a punishment. If they do not complete the homework assignment or they continue to misbehave, they will be given Lonely assignment or they continue to misbehave, they will be given Lonely

Lunch. If the misbehavior continues they will have to make a phone call Lunch. If the misbehavior continues they will have to make a phone call home to explain the misbehavior. The final step is to include Mr. Seyer.home to explain the misbehavior. The final step is to include Mr. Seyer.

Science Behavior Plan

The students will have many opportunities to earn tickets for good behavior, homework completed, etc.  I will inform the students of all the things they can earn tickets for as needed.  I have told them that I may sometimes pick a student and watch them to see if they are paying attention.  If so, they may earn a ticket.

Whenever a student earns a ticket, they will write their name and section number on the back of it and stick it in the box that has their section number on it.  At the end of each month, I will draw one name from a box per class.  The first time a student wins, they will pick something from the Prize Box. Any time they win after that, the student will be able to pick one item from the reward list that they copied in their Science notebooks.  These rewards include things like “extra recess" to "have lunch with a Fifth grade teacher."  The students decide upon the rewards themselves.

Every month will start a new roll of tickets.  Every student has an opportunity to win.  The students that have more tickets have more chances to win.  It's all the luck of the draw! 

Science HomeworkScience Homework

In regards to science homework, I will try to make an effort to assign In regards to science homework, I will try to make an effort to assign as little homework as needed. Occasionally the students will have as little homework as needed. Occasionally the students will have

homework when it is necessary. homework when it is necessary.

When I do assign homework, I will often give the students some time When I do assign homework, I will often give the students some time in class to work on it. If they don’t finish the assignment in class, in class to work on it. If they don’t finish the assignment in class,

then it is their responsibility to complete it at home.then it is their responsibility to complete it at home.

The students will have the opportunity to earn tickets for bringing in The students will have the opportunity to earn tickets for bringing in their homework the next day after it was assignedtheir homework the next day after it was assigned ..

Group WorkGroup Work

Many of the activities the students complete will require them to work Many of the activities the students complete will require them to work with a group. Occasionally they will earn a grade as a group effort. It is with a group. Occasionally they will earn a grade as a group effort. It is my goal to have the students learn how to work with other personalities my goal to have the students learn how to work with other personalities in order to prepare them for future endeavors. If there are students that in order to prepare them for future endeavors. If there are students that are unable to get along, I try to have them work it out themselves first. are unable to get along, I try to have them work it out themselves first. If it seems that it is a major situation, I will intervene. If it seems that it is a major situation, I will intervene.

The students will also have the opportunity at times to present their The students will also have the opportunity at times to present their group work through a presentation. I’m not concerned about the group work through a presentation. I’m not concerned about the students being the best of speakers. I just want them to have the students being the best of speakers. I just want them to have the opportunity to learn how to speak in front of people.opportunity to learn how to speak in front of people.

ImportantImportant WebsitesWebsites

The following link will connect you The following link will connect you to the District’s Website. On this to the District’s Website. On this website you can view the school’s website you can view the school’s Calendar, Lunch Menu, Student Calendar, Lunch Menu, Student Handbook, Classes, and many more Handbook, Classes, and many more interesting pages.interesting pages.

csdcomets.org/csdcomets.org/

The following link is a direct link to The following link is a direct link to my webpage on wikispaces. This my webpage on wikispaces. This page will provide you with page will provide you with information for my Science class. information for my Science class. You can view Assignments, What You can view Assignments, What We’re Learning, and Helpful We’re Learning, and Helpful Websites.Websites.

http://albright5science.wikispaces.com/

Science WebsitesScience Websites

Amusement Park PhysicsExplores how the laws of physics play a role in the design of amusement park rides. Design a roller coaster, determine the outcome of bumper car collisions, and more.

Ask Dr. UniverseHow do chameleons change color? When was the light bulb invented? Why can't cats and dogs be friends? Want to know the answers to these and hundreds of other questions? Then just ask Dr. Universe, the world's most curious cat!

Beyond 2000What will the next thousand years hold in store for us? See what futurists are predicting and give predictions of your own.

Bill Nye the Science GuyLearn about Bill Nye the Science Guy and his show, choose from 40 'Home Demos' you can try, watch video clips, and more.

Dr. Bob's Interesting Science StuffInvestigate interesting (hence the name) and unusual scientific topics. Includes 'Ask Dr. Bob' and 'Did You Know' sections.

Educational WebsitesEducational Websites

The Library of CongressHistoric articles, documents, photographs, movies, maps and sound recordings. A Historic articles, documents, photographs, movies, maps and sound recordings. A great source for a look at America's history.great source for a look at America's history.HyperHistory OnlineHyperHistory OnlinePeople, history, events, and maps are presented through an easy-to-use graphical People, history, events, and maps are presented through an easy-to-use graphical time-line. This excellent site contains over 1,600 files covering 3,000 years of time-line. This excellent site contains over 1,600 files covering 3,000 years of world history.world history.Math.comMath.comMath.com offers a lot for everyone. Students can find homework help, puzzles, Math.com offers a lot for everyone. Students can find homework help, puzzles, online calculators, and more... teachers can take advantage of lesson plans, online calculators, and more... teachers can take advantage of lesson plans, classroom resources, and career resources... there's even a section for parents with classroom resources, and career resources... there's even a section for parents with lots of helpful information.lots of helpful information.Time For KidsTime For KidsA great site for reading the news and what is going on in the world. Kids even do A great site for reading the news and what is going on in the world. Kids even do the reporting.the reporting.Story PlaceStory PlaceA digital library in English and/or Spanish. This interactive website is for A digital library in English and/or Spanish. This interactive website is for preschool, elementary and older.preschool, elementary and older.

Parent WebsitesParent WebsitesAbcteachAbcteachFind over 5,000 pages and worksheets you can print for your child. Subject Find over 5,000 pages and worksheets you can print for your child. Subject matter ranges from grammar, handwriting and flashcards, to crossword and matter ranges from grammar, handwriting and flashcards, to crossword and number puzzles. (plus a whole lot more!)number puzzles. (plus a whole lot more!)FamilyCorner.comFamilyCorner.comTopics include parenting, home schooling, food, family, kids, health... Topics include parenting, home schooling, food, family, kids, health... everything a family needs!everything a family needs!Parenting.comParenting.comSearch thousands of articles from Parenting and other magazines. Offers Search thousands of articles from Parenting and other magazines. Offers advice from the experts, activity and craft ideas, health issues, baby name advice from the experts, activity and craft ideas, health issues, baby name ideas, and much more.ideas, and much more.ParentsPlace.comParentsPlace.comHuge resource which covers pregnancy, parenting, children's health issues, Huge resource which covers pregnancy, parenting, children's health issues, marriage, recipes, activities and more.marriage, recipes, activities and more.PediatricNeurology.ComPediatricNeurology.ComOffers information to parents of children with Attention Deficit, Autism, Offers information to parents of children with Attention Deficit, Autism, Learning, and other disorders and health concerns. Includes the ADHD e-Learning, and other disorders and health concerns. Includes the ADHD e-Book, which gives parents a detailed understanding of Attention Deficit Book, which gives parents a detailed understanding of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The book summarizes treatment advice and also Hyperactivity Disorder. The book summarizes treatment advice and also includes chapters for teachers and kids.includes chapters for teachers and kids.Sites for Parents Sites for Parents Sites For Parents ranks Websites by popularity with parents.Sites For Parents ranks Websites by popularity with parents.

Let’s Have Let’s Have a Great a Great Year!Year!