Congratulations Math-letes!!!

Today was our first Math Masters meet. Technically, it was the second, but we missed the first one due to a mix-up with the school van. Anyway, my six team members headed to the Grand Rapids Middle School to compete against other fifth graders from Grand Rapids and Bigfork. I am very proud to say they placed first and took home the traveling trophy for the month of February!

We will be back practicing Monday afternoon for our March and April meets. Wish us luck!

Reif Center Field Trip

Today we took a bus into Grand Rapids for a perfomance at the Reif Center. It was called Joe Chvala and the Flying Foot Forum. It was basically tap dancing and percussion. The four dancers created rhythms with their feet and other objects as they acted out little stories. The students really enjoyed it - especially when three of their classmates got called up on stage to participate in a little rhythm exercise. Of course I spent the rest of the day telling my boys to quit making so much noise (they were doing percussion with their pencils, hands, neighbors, or anything else they could find...)

Let it snow...

Because it isn't snowing outside, we decided to make it snow inside! During the month of January we have been having a snowflake contest. Each group has been making snowflakes and hanging them above their desks. Today we counted the snowflakes and dropped them from the ceiling. It looked like a blizzard! The winning group had over 50 snowflakes hanging above their desks!

Welcome to the zoo!

As an introduction to our animal unit, the students got to design zoos. They had to include at least 25 different animals, classifying them into exhibits. They also had to include paths, bathrooms, concessions and at least one other special feature. When they were done, they gave the class a tour of the zoo using action figures as tour guides.

Native American Projects

Seminole by Georgia

Lakota by Delaney F.


Menominee by Taya

Cherokee by Christian

Tuscarora by Tanner

Inuit by Austin

Pawnee by Grace

Dakota by Caitlyn

Pueblo (Hopi) by Jacob

Nez Perce by Sigrid


Apache by Kierra

Crow by Thomas


Mohawk by KC

Shawnee by Alaina

Iroquois by Delaney N.

Ojibway by Katira

Navajo by Jarrett

Choctaw by Brent

Shawnee by Brianna

Aren't these just amazing? The 5th graders worked so hard on their Native American projects. Thanks to all the Moms, Dads, Grandpas, Grandmas, and other people that helped out.

What is wrong with this picture?

Here is what is wrong with this picture:

1. It is January 9.
2. There is no snow.
3. The kids are playing football in their t-shirts.

That is what is wrong with this picture!

Eating Angiosperms

Angiosperms are plants that produce flowers and fruits. Today I brought in 19 different fruits and 19 knives and gave them to my 5th graders! What was I thinking?!!! Fortunately, nobody cut anything that wasn't a fruit (except for me - I cut my thumb) and the kids got to explore all kinds of fruits that surround the seeds for a plant. Some favorites - pomegranate, lime and mango. Some not-so-favorites - papaya (one kid said it smelled like meatloaf) and avocado.