5th Grade Classes (Monday) Spring 2010

Journalism:  Yearbook

Ms. Schneider

Have you ever wondered what goes into creating a yearbook?  Here's your chance to find out!  In this class, you will be responsible for producing and promoting the GALACTIC 5th Grade Yearbook- both a paper copy and a DVD version.  You will be responsible for planning, writing,  filming, editing, and producing the yearbooks to sell to the GALACTIC 5^th Grade!!

Robotics

Mr. Beck

Engineering, programming, teamwork, and problem solving are the major components of this challenge based class.  Students will work in teams of two or three to design, build, and program Lego Mindstorm robots capable of completing increasingly complex tasks.

Mighty Math Minds

Ms. Curran

This is a great class for tomorrow's problem solvers!  The open-ended content will challenge the brightest student while also teaching those students who want to improve their math skills. We will be exploring middle school geometry activities involving spatial thinking  and building a strong foundation for middle school algebra.  There will be a combination of individual as well as group activities in this class. Students will be taken beyond what they get in the regular math classroom and be given the opportunity to develop their sophisticated thought processes in higher-level problem solving situations. Strain those mathematical muscles and take the challenge!

20th Century American History: Decades -1950 and Beyond

Ms. Winkler

Let’s investigate how our country and our lives are different than 60 years ago.  What was school like in the 50’s? Technology in the 60’s? Dance in the 70’s? Music in the 80’s? Life in the future?  We’ll research how politics, art, music, clothing, food and technology have affected our lives in the past and what surprises the future may hold.

Acid Music

Ms. McDonnell

Dream of having a career in music, but you don’t play a note? Here is your opportunity to create your own CD with a computer program that is user friendly. Learn how to “build” a song, mix it with special effects, record your voice, and “burn” the results. Rock on!

Forensics

Mrs. Williams

In  19190 Edmond Locard said, “Every contact leaves a source.” This theory of crime scene clues is what drives forensic scientists. Students will investigate fingerprints, bones, footprints, DNA, fiber, hair and other evidence to determine what may have happened at a crime scene. It is the work of these experts to educate and explain what the evidence means. What happens next is up to the legal system. Students will work in investigative teams to investigate crime scenes an;d help solve crimes using trace evidence.

Psychology for Kids

Mrs. Binuyo

Oxford defines psychology as, “the study of the mind and how it works.” Together we will explore what makes us unique, an individual. We will also delve into what it means to be “gifted”. Interest inventories, strategies for success, fun surveys like what our favorite color says about us, role playing, keeping a journal, and creating a bio box are activities planned for this class.

Competitions:  Equations                     

Ms. Schneider

Needing a math challenge?  Tired of practicing your basic multiplication facts for the millionth time.  This class is for you.  Prepare for your future!  Learn the game of Equations and practice math skills to apply to the game.  Many students will use their skills to compete at the Academic Challenge Cup event in March.  For more information about the competition, visit the Gifted Resource Council web page.

Geometry II:  Geometric Constructions

Mrs. Smith

Visual Arts:  Cartooning

Mrs. Buchert

Students who have a natural love of drawing will perfect their skills as they learn new terminology and new techniques for drawing cartoons.  How do you show a character who is excited? angry? scared? animated?  Find out in cartooning class!  Here is the chance you've been waiting for to express your creativity.  We will study expressions, animals, movement, and political cartooning.  By the end of this class, you will feel like a professional cartoonist.

Anatomy and Physiology

Mrs. Lederer

Several animals will be compared to and contrasted with human anatomy.  Body systems of one invertebrate (an earthworm) and two more complex vertebrate animals (a frog and a fetal pig) will be studied.  After learning how to use laboratory dissecting equipment, we will dissect these animals to observe and learn about how their body systems and organs work together.  It will be a real "hands-on" class!

Competitions:  LinguiSHTIKs

Mrs. Smith

Energy:  Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond

Mrs. Williams