Breaking News from the Fifth Grade Classroom

The Process: Coffins Fit For A Pharaoh

After drafting the template for their coffin lids, fifth graders began to draw faces, hands, symbols and images revealing the story of the pharaoh or queen they chose to research.  Ms. Smelser taught the class the methods to use for drawing faces and hands. Next step this week is to further Egyptianize these lids with authentic colors. Stay tuned!

The Unbelievable Fib

The fifth grade began their week as part of the audience who welcomed former teacher and visiting author, Adam Shaughnessy, to TCS. This author event was sponsored by RJ Julia and TCS. Mr. Shaughnessy spoke about such topics as the writing process, the inspiration behind his new novel, The Entirely True Story of the Unbelievable Fib, and even chose a TCS student to dress up as one of the main characters in his novel! He closed his presentation by reading a passage from his novel, which further stirred our audience of readers! If interested, his novel can be purchased through TCS, using the order form sent home with your child today. Copies of his novel will also be on sale for the remainder of the year in The Roost. Mystery and fantasy can be found behind the cover of this intriguing novel.

Spring has Arrived in the Fifth Grade

Important Dates to Note:

April 18~  No School~ Teacher Professional Development

April 21~ "Changing Bodies, Changing Selves" (Growth and                                 Development Discussion)~1 P.M.

                60th Anniversary Alumni Art Celebration and Brian                               Mummert Concert~ 6 P.M.

April 23~  First-ever TEDx TCS Spring Conference~9-4 P.M.

April 29~  60th Anniversary Talent Show, Dinner and Sock Hop~
                5:30-9:30 P.M.

April's Icy Arrival

Boys Happily Hunker Down in the Forts 

While studying the Old Kingdom of Egypt, "The Age of the Pyramid," fifth graders enjoyed a shared reading of David Macaulay's Pyramid.  During its reading, students examined the amazing illustrations characteristic of Macaulay's work and sticky noted a collection of reasons answering why the Egyptians were able to build these colossal structures. When the book was completed, the class created an information web (see above) documenting their reasons. The final outcome will be a paragraph written supporting the claim that the Egyptians indeed had many reasons why they were able to raise these 4,000+ year old architectural wonders. Today experts still do not know how the ancients built the pyramids!

                                      "Empathy in the Arts" IDEA Day Assignment

empathy: opening one's heart to the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another

Dear Fifth Grade Families,

As the kick-off to our annual IDEA Day Celebration at the end of April, each fifth grade student (along with the rest of the MIddle School) has been assigned to find an example of "empathy in the arts" (a painting, video, picture, poem, fable, movie clip, passage from a book, an article/story, a song, another genre of choice, etc.). 

For homework over the next few days, fifth graders will need to browse at home for a powerful example with parental guidance, support and suggestions. In this respect, this "empathy in the arts" assignment is similar to how the students might select their MacLane poetry- with parental and teacher approval. We will also use class time to browse. This assignment may require use of a computer. 

On Thursday, April 7, I will approve all selections. I will be looking for variety (i.e. everyone should not choose a song). I will accept entries on first-come, first-served basis and advise accordingly. 

Also, there will be a short written component to this assignment that will be done in school. The entire assignment (art + writing) will be turned into a presentation that is to be no longer than 7 minutes from start to finish. Thus, if the art piece is a video, movie etc., it should be long enough to emphasize the idea of empathy, but no so long that it takes more than the required time for the presentation.

If you have any questions, please free to email me. I will also be modeling this assignment and guiding the through the process at school. I hope you enjoy spending time with your child as you search for a powerful example of empathy displayed in art.

For 5,

Kerri Kelly

Winter with Five in Pictures and Captions

                                                                                                                                        March 2016

Dear TCS Families,

As winter finally comes to a close, I want to share a variety of archived photos of activities that have occurred in the fifth during January and February. Please take a moment to scroll through some of the highlights of the second trimester! As you will note, "we expect much of our students, as they have much to offer."

As we pop our heads out of hibernation, spring welcomes us as a time of rejuvenation and growth. Fifth graders have many adventures in store as they head into the final phase of their year. Here is a sampling of what lies ahead:  traveling out of ancient Egypt into Greece; reading and viewing the movie, The Odyssey; touring the Egyptian and Greek exhibits at The Met; journeying to Deer Lake for an overnight outdoor adventure: and performing several key scenes from The Odyssey on stage! Stay tuned for more photos that offer a window into our exciting learning experiences!

Dr. Kent Weeks,world renowned Egyptologist, speaks at a January All School Meeting about his discovery of KV5 in the Valley of the Kings. He also described the library he has created to help Egyptian children learn more about their heritage with the hope that they will appreciate and preserve their own history. Fifth grade raised approximately $200 through farm market sales and donated the proceeds to the purchase of books for his library. They will continue to support this cause as a service initiative.

                                      

Fourth and fifth graders open their first Farmer's Market in support of Dr. Week's library in Luxor, Egypt. For sale: fresh eggs, handmade soaps and seeds. Stay tuned for more markets to come at pick-up time!

Fifth graders rejoice as fort building resumes!!!!

A fourth and fifth grader win the Intermediate team class drawing to interview Chris Grabenstein, author of Escape from Mr Lemoncello's Library. Prior to his RJ Julia appearance on Feb 9th, Mr. Grabenstein fielded some tough questions prepared by his interviewers. His novel was selected for MAD about One Book (one book, one town reading event)by the Scranton library. TCS Intermediate team and guests took part in this event by reading and discussing Lemoncello's Library during a series of three book club meetings held in February through early March. 

A fourth and fifth grader win the Intermediate team drawing to formally introduce Mr. Grabenstein to a standing room only audience at RJ Julia.

The Intermediate team gather for one of three book club discussions of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library. Students and guests were divided into three groups and discussions were lead primarily by the students who had marked questions, observations, and comments in preparation for the meetings.

                                                           

As a culminating event to a series of etiquette mini-lessons for various occasions, fifth graders enjoyed a semi-formal luncheon organized by room parents and volunteers. The luncheon theme was "Celebrating 60 Years of Brilliance" in honor of TCS's 60th birthday!!!!

Table Talk with Friends and Faculty

As part of a series of etiquette lessons,"Mind Your Manners," Mr. Leidt prepares to discuss social and computer etiquette with the fifth grade. Technology class is scheduled first period on Mondays.

In celebration of Read Across America, TCS (students, faculty and staff) enjoys a 30-minute school wide "Drop Everything and Read." 

The fifth grade enters Egypt by locating and labeling over 40 key places on a map of modern day and ancient Egypt! They learn that the Nile is the lifeline of life of the development of one of the greatest civilizations in the ancient world!

Fifth graders are invited to test out the various tactile musical instruments that eighth graders designed in Ms. Flynn's science class as a result of studying the physics of music. Students were asked to evaluate each instrument.  The steel drums were one of many main attractions!

Such rewarding learning moments! Look forward to more to come.

For 5.

Kerri Kelly

                                             

Fifth Grade with Buddies on Friday, December 4

Fifth graders read aloud, built tall structures, painted with watercolors and cut out snowflake patterns!

....Oh,what fun it is to join our buddies on Friday!

Dice, Cards and Gameboards

Dice, Cards, and Gameboards

The fifth grade were invited to test out the gameboards the fourth grade had created based on their study of the Revolutionary War. Around tables and on the rug, students gathered to answer trivia questions, play "Go to the Revolution (a 1700's take on"Go Fish") and tackle a colonial version of "Headbands"("Bonnets and Tricorns"). Not only did TCS students have a fun time, but these games would have delighted the young and old of the Revolutionary days!

 "Bonnets and Tricorns"

    "Tough Times"

"Go to the Revolution"

"Blast from the Past"

"Revolution Ride"

TIME designers in the STEAM lab

                                                             

TIME Designers
  

Fifth grade TIME designers are hard at work in the STEAM lab preparing for their October 29th event, honoring TCS's 60th anniversary!  Lots of measuring, planning and coloring went into executing the border and title layout for their magazine covers!