PRISM

                                         PRISM IS A 5TH GRADE SCIENCE REQUIREMENT!

     Fifth grade students will be taking the MAP test in science this year. The MAP test follows the scientific inquiry approach. A prism project pertaining to an investigation (an experiment answering a scientific question using the scientific method) is an excellent opportunity to further enhance a student's understanding of inquiry science. Therefore, all 5th graders will be required to do a prism project using the investigation format. All students have received their Prism booklet. This booklet should be brought home and used as your guide. Pages 8, 9 and 10 contain the criteria for the investigation.
     Below are the steps of the Scientific Method along with all three variables which must be identified and labeled on the project.
                                                                 
                                                                     The Scientific Method

1. Ask a Question- Your question is the basis for the investigation.
2. Research- Find out as much about the topic as you can.
3. Hypothesis- Predict the answer to your question.
4. Experiment- Design a test to confirm or disprove your hypothesis.
5. Analysis- Record what happened during the experiment.
6. Conclusion- Tell the results of your experiment and mention whether your hypothesis was right or wrong.

                                                                      Variables Simplified

     Variables are an important aspect of any scientific investigation. All Prism investigations must identify the variables in the experiment. Here is a simple way to identify those variables.

-Controlled Variables are the portion of any experiment that remains the same.

- Independent Variable is the portion of an experiment that is being changed each time the experiment is conducted.

- Dependent Variables are measured and/or recorded results of those changes. (data collected on charts, graphs, etc.)

Newsletter

It's that time of the year again... PRISM. All 5th graders are required to do an Investigation following the Scientific Method. For now they need to begin thinking about a project. Prism booklets and procedure will be discussed after the holidays.

Science- Kennerly scientists are studying the Plant Kingdom. They are classifying plants into two phyla: Vascular and Nonvascular. They will be studying the characteristics of each plant group.

Math- All students have completed Chapter 8, Multiplying Decimals. They have begun Chapter 9. The focus is division.

Language Arts- Kennerly writers are reading short stories and writing summaries. They are also getting ready for Foreign Pen Pals. They have chosen a country and the next step is for them to join the Foreign Pen Pal Club. This will require a $1.00 fee.

Social Studies

Social Studies:  We are looking back at the origin of the thirteen colonies.  Many of the boys are anticipating The Revolutionary War, however, we must first look at how the colonies got their start and why they became disgruntled.  Students will be making a journal as if they were a child during this time period.  They will choose either the New England colonies, the middle colonies, or the southern colonies as their home and explain what their life was like.  More details will follow.

Classifying Oganisms

                                Fifth graders using microscopes to observe Protozoa in pond water.

                                         
                                            Students record their findings in their science journals.

                                
                                "...Observations unrecorded is knowledge lost,"  Thomas Jefferson.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

                                                               Newsletter

Science- Kennerly scientists are studying the Monera and Protists Kingdoms.

Math- Students are completing unit 6. A practice test will come home on Thursday, and the final test will be Friday, the 4th.

Communication Arts- 5th grade writers are completing their final drafts of their Camp Wyman papers. They will publish and illustrate their final copies for classroom display.