Growing Bacteria! Exploring the Monera Kingdom!

Last Thursday and Friday, our 5th grade students conducted a their first lab that studied a member of the Monera Kingdom:  Bacteria.  I read some background information on Bacteria, and spoke to the students about areas we would want to check for bacteria.  I also guided the students through a generated worksheet that asked them to develop a Hypothesis, Prediction, Procedure, Materials, Observation and Conclusion.

The procedure included labeling petri dishes of the sample each group of students were going to collect.  We were careful at attempting to maintain a sterile environment.  Students were instructed how to collect a sample using the cotton swabs and petri dishes that were provided by me.  The students were very eager to work in groups to collect the samples from the classroom and adjoining areas.  After the samples were collected, they were placed in an incubator, a plastic bowl with a light. Some of the samples included: rubber door mats, the area beneath a desk, the stage, the shower area in a locker room, and the inside of a student's mouth.

The pictured sample was from the door handle to the classroom.  Needless to say, I wiped down the door handle soon after.  On Monday, we further discussed our findings and implications.  The students did a great job!!  The students also realized anything that is commonly touched by students in the classroom (even the hand sanitizer dispenser) can have bacteria on it.  One of the things we took away from this lab is the necessity for cleanliness!!

5th Grade Newsletter

5^th GRADE NEWS

Bethlehem Lutheran                                                  Monday, September 26th               apaveglio@bethlehemsaginaw.org

Hello Bethlehem Families!  Welcome to the first full week of Autumn!  Our 5^th graders are in the 5^th week of school!!!

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THIS WEEK:   

MAP Testing Continues! 

Homework:  Refer to this letter throughout the week in order to follow up with your child.

Memory: (Memory will be due on Wednesday and Friday)

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2a). “

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).”

Religion: This week we shall study “How do we find things in the Bible.”  This will review using the Bible Dictionary, Handbook, Concordance, and using Scripture to Interpret Scripture.  Following this lesson, we shall learn, “How do we learn about Bible places and people?” 

Math:   Problem-Solving Strategy:  Using the 4-Step Plan, Chapter Review and Test over terms such as: Place Value, Standard Form, Decimals, Expanded Form and Compare and Order Numbers. 

ELA:  We are reading “ Island of the Blue Dolphin.”  Genre:  Novel.  We study:  How do people survive in the Wilderness? The Literary Elements we are studying are:  Theme and Setting.  Conventions:  Independent and Dependent Clauses.   We shall also begin to talk about how people meet personal challenges.

Spelling: (Spelling pre-test on Thursday.  Final test on Friday)  supplied, supplying, denied, denying, decided, deciding, included, including, admitted, admitting, occurred, occurring, qualified, qualifying, identified, identifying, delayed, delaying, satisfied, satisfying, occupied, occupying, criticized, criticizing, omitted, omitting.

Science:    We are finishing our lab discussion on Growing Bacteria.  Students worked in groups last Thursday to collect samples from around the classroom and nearby school rooms, to check for bacterial growt . We grew the samples in a petri dish filled with broth, for 24 hours.  On Friday we began answering our lab sheet.  Monday we will wrap up our conclusion and get to Chapter 1 Review.  The Chapter Test shall be this Friday. 

Social Studies:   We continue to read about the ancient cultures of the Desert Southwest, followed by the Northwest Coast and the Artic cultures. 

Testing in Progress!!!

The 5th grade students just completed their first round of testing today.  Each student gave their best effort.    The next round of testing is this Thursday, from 2:20 until 3:15.  The weather is supposed to be warm again for that day.  Be sure your student is well rested.  Pictures are tomorrow.

I have adjusted this weeks plans to place any major tests until next week, in order to be focused for the formal testing.  Memory is still Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

It was a pleasure to meet with the parents who attended tonight's PTL meeting.  Your participation in tonight's events, and your commitment toward your child's education, truly shows howGod is on the move in all of our lives.

During the 5th grade meet and greet tonight, Hartley Nature Center multiple day program was brought up.  Afterwards, I met with Dr. Frederick.  She told me we will be checking into our options shortly.   I will keep you posted!

Below is a picture showing how my door was decorated up until the end of school day today.  The sign was special because I had everyone in 5th grade sign their names on the white paper, to show how they are apart of the 5th grade community.  On the way out, a student caught the door with their foot, causing it to tear.  This is an excellent example how all things on earth are temporary, and how believing in one true God  His Word, will  help us to keep relaxed, not worrying about the door that took over an hour to put together! Let the Word of God give you the strength to make a difference in your community today!

Peace!

Weekly Letter (updated from the paper version). From: Mr. Paveglio's computer.

(Modified document since the evening of 9/19)Greetings Bethlehem Families!  We are now entering our 4^th week of school (and the first day of fall beginning later this week!!).

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THIS WEEK:   

We welcome a new student to 5^th grade:  NAYA JOHNSON.  Naya’s addition to our 5^th grade means we now have 22 wonderful children of God ready to learn about His word and His people.

Formal MAP testing will be Tuesday and Thursday of this week.  Pictures are on Wednesday.  Order forms, for pictures, went out Friday.  If you ordered Smart Cards, and have not received any by Monday after school, please let me know.   

Also, I have had some students who have had missing or late assignments over the past few weeks.  This has impacted my ability to grade and return papers promptly (I apologize for your child being unable to show you his/her work in a timely fashion.). I will be working extra hard to get caught up with my grading, and getting a list of missing assignments, as well as academic areas that need enrichment.   Therefore, beginning this week, each day an assignment/project is late will mean an assignment will be reduced by a half a grade.  For instance, an A will go to an A-. 

Homework:  Refer to this letter throughout the week in order to follow up with your child.

Memory: (Memory will be due on Wednesday and Friday)

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (Isaiah 40:8). 

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105).

Religion: Last week we finished “What is God’s Word?” and had a quiz over the first three lessons of our Religion books.  Beginning this week, we begin with “How did God give His Word to us?”, followed by “How has God preserved His Word through the Years?” Finally, we are pretty much settled into our school routine.  Please encourage your student to keep practicing our Bethlehem School’s song for this year: “God is on the Move.”  You may find the Youtube clip on our school website.  I will be playing it this week to get us ON THE MOVE!!!  We have traditional chapel this week.   Please be sure to turn in devotions.  

Math:   Comparing Decimals, Ordering Whole Numbers and Decimals, and Introduction to Problem Solving. We will be reviewing previously challenging concepts with students as well.  

ELA: Read “Thunder Rose.”  Genre:  Tall tale.  We continue to study the way Nature challenges us through story and personal experiences.  Vocabulary and comprehension questions from  the story  will be explored. 

Spelling: (Spelling pre-test on Thursday.  Final test on Friday) coast, feast, speech, wheat, Spain, paint arrow needle charcoal, praise, faint, maintain, crease, grain, breeze, willow, appeal, bowling, complain, sneeze.  Challenge words:  dungarees, speedometer, bungalow, referee, campaign.

Science:    How are Plants Classified?    Students will be having a Chapter One Review On Friday, with a Test on Monday. 

Social Studies:  We will continue to study how early Native American civilizations formed, as well as the cultures of the Desert Southwest.  Worksheets, as well as short answer lesson questions, should be expected to be completed this week.  Be on the lookout parents!!!  

I plan on updating my blog with future weekly newsletters and classroom activities.  Stay tuned!