Spring Sing Tonight & Flaming Science in class!

Homework

4th Grade Math:  No homework.

5th Grade Math:  POW (due Friday), Stock Market conversation


Reading 20 minutes:  Historical Fiction book club books!  (don't forget to record your reading in the planner)  

Upcoming Events: 

Save the Date:  May 29, 6:00-8:30pm, Performance of Learning & 5th Grade Tribute in the classroom and Depot.

Field Trips

• Wednesday, May 7 (8:45-3:15)  Oakland Museum History Gallery
• Friday, May 23 (8:45-3:00)  Sailing on Bay and nautical skills workshop.
• Thursday, June 5 (7:45-4:30)  Marshall Gold Discovery State Park, Coloma CA
• New Field Trip:  On June 5 we are headed to Gold Country!  We have an early departure of 7:45am and a late return of 4:30pm (traffic depending).  We will need drivers.  It is a long drive, but a fun trip.  We will explore and tour the town, visit the museum and Sutter's MIll, followed by panning for gold in the South Fork of the American River.

Today in Strawberry:  Flaming Science? Thanks to science guru Jeff Sandler in the middle school, we had an exciting set of demonstrations as a finale to our chemistry unit. The demonstrations included chemical and physical changes including the formation of precipitates, color change, disappearing foil, expanding soap, smoke, fizz and fire!  Along with the dramatic changes to observe, the students discussed what they thought was happening in each demonstration and are now writing a report demonstrating their understanding about one of the reactions from today.  We will reveal more of the chemistry behind the demonstrations after the students have a chance to finish writing about them.

Demonstration 1:  Two clear liquids combine to instantly form a yellow substance surrounded by oily-like liquid.

That's not orange juice!

Demonstration 2:  Copper chloride and aluminum foil.  

Taking the temperature of the copper chloride.  This was followed by a large piece of 

aluminum foil being stirred into the solution.  The foil fell apart and disappeared into 

the liquid which rapidly changed from blue to grey.  

The blue liquid transformed to become clear and foggy, with a large deposit of 

brownish red substance on the bottom.  We will reveal what happened after the students

have a chance to theorize and write about their observations.

 Demonstration 3:  Liquid Glycerin and Potassium Permanganate powder

First, the glycerin was added to the powder.  Nothing seemed to happen.

Then, fizzles and smoke . . . and then . . .

It burst into flame.  Whooee, now that's science!

And, boy did it stink.  We took an outside break after that.

Demonstration 4:  Ivory Soap and a microwave!

We placed a bar of Ivory soap on a dish and put it in the microwave for a minute.

We watched it rise and expand into a puffy glob. 

The glob of Ivory soap.

Hope to see you tonight at the sing!

West Branch Library & Historical Fiction Books

Homework

4th Grade Math:  No homework.

5th Grade Math:  POW (due Friday), Stock Market

Wordly Wise:  20 minutes

Reading 20 minutes:  Historical Fiction book club books!  (don't forget to record your reading in the planner)  

Upcoming Events: 

Spring Sing, 4/30:  Tomorrow night, 6:00-8:00.  

Save the Date:  May 29, 6:00-8:30pm, Performance of Learning & 5th Grade Tribute in the classroom and Depot.

Field Trips

• Wednesday, May 7 (8:45-3:15)  Oakland Museum History Gallery
• Friday, May 23 (8:45-3:00)  Sailing on Bay and nautical skills workshop.
• Thursday, June 5 (7:45-4:30)  Marshall Gold Discovery State Park, Coloma CA
• New Field Trip:  On June 5 we are headed to Gold Country!  We have an early departure of 7:45am and a late return of 4:30pm (traffic depending).  We will need drivers.  It is a long drive, but a fun trip.  We will explore and tour the town, visit the museum and Sutter's MIll, followed by panning for gold in the South Fork of the American River.

Today in Strawberry: After MAP testing and a rehearsal for the Spring Sing we headed down to the new West Branch Library on University Avenue.  We met with the Children's section librarian who led the students on an interactive exploration of the Berkeley Public Library website.  She showed links to informational data bases which we plan to make use of in our research in the future, and demonstrated how to use the online check out system to have books ordered and sent to the library of your choice.  We ended with a brief tour of the Children's section and the students had a few minutes to peruse the books.  We hope to have time to return soon.

 Historical Fiction Book Groups:  The students have been partnered with classmates to read a historical fiction novel, and meet and discuss it.  Our theme is "identity" and how identity impacts characters and situations.  The students are marking locations in the story where identity is an issue (personal or cultural), as well as when it is an advantage to the main characters or plot.  Along with reflecting the social justice topics we are learning about in class, the topic of identity is also part of our social conversation goals as a group.  As the students read their books, they will also be planning a "scrapbook" about a character in the book.  

MAP testing this week, starting tomorrow at 8:45.  Please arrive on time.

Homework

4th Grade Math:  No homework, MAP testing tomorrow.  Today in class we reviewed a variety of mathematical terms and methods from the year and learned about congruency.

5th Grade Math:  POW (due Friday), Stock Market

Handwriting or Typing Club:  15 minutes of handwriting practice in the book or typing practice at Typing Club (username is student name, password:  strawberry)

Reading 20 minutes  (don't forget to record your reading in the planner)  

Upcoming Events: 

Spring Sing, 4/30:  Wednesday night, 6:00-8:00.  

Save the Date:  May 29, 6:00-8:30pm, Performance of Learning & 5th Grade Tribute in the classroom and Depot.

Field Trips

• Wednesday, May 7 (8:45-3:15)  Oakland Museum History Gallery
• Friday, May 23 (8:45-3:00)  Sailing on Bay and nautical skills workshop.
• Thursday, June 5 (7:45-4:30)  Marshall Gold Discovery State Park, Coloma CA
• New Field Trip:  On June 5 we are headed to Gold Country!  We have an early departure of 7:45am and a late return of 4:30pm (traffic depending).  We will need drivers.  It is a long drive, but a fun trip.  We will explore and tour the town, visit the museum and Sutter's MIll, followed by panning for gold in the South Fork of the American River.

Today in Strawberry:  The students are close to finishing their short screen plays, and beginning to practice in preparation for filming.  We played rousing games of Words Their Way BINGO, and after a special music rehearsal, kicked off our focus on Energy during Science this afternoon.  Students learned about potential and kinetic energy.  With a partner they drew an example of a form of energy, and shared with the class.  Our science lab focused on radiant energy, harnessing the sun's rays with magnifiers.  

Partners represent a form of energy in writing and drawing.

Electrical energy!

Sharing about the different forms of energy.

Harnessing the rays of the sun.

Angling the lens to focus the sunlight into a point.

Burning the letter "A" into the redwood.  

Each student was given a letter as part of a phrase to burn into the wood.

Final BIG Field Trip Scheduled!

New Field Trip:  On Thursday, June 5 we are headed to Gold Country!  We have an early departure of 7:45am and a late return of 4:30pm (traffic depending).  
We will need drivers.  Please look to the wiki which will be updated soon to sign up to drive.  It is a long drive, but a fun trip.  We will explore and tour the town, visit the museum and Sutter's MIll, followed by panning for gold in the South Fork of the American River.

Upcoming Events: 

Save the Date:  May 29, 6:00-8:30pm, Performance of Learning & 5th Grade Tribute in the classroom and Depot.

Field Trips

• Wednesday, May 7 (8:45-3:15)  Oakland Museum History Gallery
• Friday, May 23 (8:45-3:00)  Sailing on Bay and nautical skills workshop.
• Thursday, June 5 (7:45-4:30)  Marshall Gold Discovery State Park, Coloma CA

Terrific Day at the Museum

Homework
4th Grade Math:  Due Friday - Division/Multiplication.  Optional problem solving work:  On Balance (progressively challenging problem sets).

5th Grade Math:  Due Friday - p. 142 & 143 in packet

Wordly Wise:  20 minutes Weds and Thurs nights  (depending on overall homework time)

Reading 20 minutes  (don't forget to record your reading in the planner)  

Upcoming Events: 

Save the Date:  May 29, 6:00-8:30pm, Performance of Learning & 5th Grade Tribute in the classroom and Depot.

Field Trips

• Wednesday, May 7 (8:45-3:15)  Oakland Museum History Gallery
• Friday, May 23 (8:45-3:00)  Sailing on Bay and nautical skills workshop.

Photos from the Field trip

The infamous coy pond.

We began by breaking into small groups for a tour of the Cordell Bank exhibit.

Explaining upwellings.

Studying the animals in the Cordell reef.

Jaws

Discussing the ocean in the theater area.

Plastic sky.  A section of the exhibit is dedicated to ocean trash and the affects on ocean life.

Looks like the stuff we find too by the bay.

Baby albatross, fed plastics mistaken for food by parents.

After a break from the tour we went to the science lab.

Squid dissection!

A hands on experience.  (Food grade squid)

The syphon is found.

Cutting the mantle.

Pulling out the "guts."

A backpack sherpa.

Field Trip Tomorrow - Depart 8:35.

Please note, we will need to depart as soon as possible tomorrow.  We are walking to North Berkeley BART, so if you arrive late and we have left you can catch us on the walk there (University to Acton to station).

Homework
4th Grade Math:  Due Friday - Division/Multiplication.  Optional problem solving work:  On Balance (progressively challenging problem sets).

5th Grade Math:  Due Friday - p. 142 & 143 in packet

Wordly Wise:  20 minutes Weds and Thurs nights  (depending on overall homework time)

Reading 20 minutes  (don't forget to record your reading in the planner)  

Upcoming Events: 

Thursday, April 24,  Field Trip:  Oakland Museum's Cordell Bank exhibit and squid dissection science lab.  Permission slips for this trip have already been collected. Students will need a snack and lunch.  Depart:  8:35, Return by 3:15 (possibly earlier).  Transportation: BART

Save the Date:  May 29, 6:00-8:30pm, Performance of Learning & 5th Grade Tribute in the classroom and Depot.

Other Upcoming Field Trips

• Wednesday, May 7 (8:45-3:15)  Oakland Museum History Gallery
• Friday, May 23 (8:45-3:00)  Sailing on Bay and nautical skills workshop.

 Homework

4th Grade Math:   4/21 Division Classwork/Homework Continue from class to complete the division word problems.  Students who were finished in class have other assignments or the  On Balance problems to work on.  These are meant to be challenging, and the students are not expected to finish the packet, but to spend about 20 minutes working through them as best they can.  We will share solutions in class over the week.

5th Grade Math:  Pages 140 & 141

Reading 20 minutes  (don't forget to record your reading in the planner)  

Upcoming Events: 

Thursday, April 24,  Field Trip:  Oakland Museum's Cordell Bank exhibit and squid dissection science lab.  Permission slips for this trip have already been collected. Students will need a snack and lunch.  Depart:  8:45, Return by 3:15 (possibly earlier).  Transportation: BART

Save the Date:  May 29, 6:00-8:30pm, Performance of Learning & 5th Grade Tribute in the classroom and Depot.

Other Upcoming Field Trips

• Wednesday, May 7 (8:45-3:15)  Oakland Museum History Gallery
• Friday, May 23 (8:45-3:00)  Sailing on Bay and nautical skills workshop.

Today in Strawberry:  

Sharing the results of the water audit at the all school assembly.

Demonstration of how much water an "average American" uses each day.  You actually need to DOUBLE the number of 5 gallon buckets on the table!

Our march to the bay to pick up trash.

Discussing safety for the clean up.

Water Audit!

 Homework

4th Grade Math:   4/21 Division Classwork/Homework Continue from class to complete "Knowing When to Multiply or Divide" (both parts), and the Missing Factors page.  For students that completed this section in class try the On Balance problems.  These are meant to be challenging, and the students are not expected to finish the packet, but to spend about 20 minutes working through them as best they can.  We will share solutions in class over the week.

5th Grade Math:  3rd page in your packet.

Reading 20 minutes  (don't forget to record your reading in the planner)  

Upcoming Events: 

Tuesday:  We will walk to the Berkeley Marina at 10:15 to clean our stretch of shoreline as part of our continuing effort - as well as honoring Earth Day.  We will return by 12:00 for lunch on campus.  Bring a Raincoat just in case, and good walking shoes.

Thursday, April 24,  Field Trip:  Oakland Museum's Cordell Bank exhibit and squid dissection science lab.  Permission slips for this trip have already been collected. Students will need a snack and lunch.  Depart:  8:45, Return by 3:15 (possibly earlier).  Transportation: BART

Save the Date:  May 29, 6:00-8:30pm, Performance of Learning & 5th Grade Tribute in the classroom and Depot.

Other Upcoming Field Trips

• Wednesday, May 7 (8:45-3:15)  Oakland Museum History Gallery
• Friday, May 23 (8:45-3:00)  Sailing on Bay and nautical skills workshop.

Today in Strawberry:  

As part of our Earth Day focus, TBS began a water audit today.  We tracked water throughout the day, collecting wash water in a bucket, keeping track of the amount of drinking water from faucets, and noting the number of flushes!  Tomorrow, at our school assembly we will review the results and connect it to the bigger picture of water use.

Our return from break saw us eagerly delving into research about the topics for our performance of learning in the end of May.  The students gathered more information in the first part of the day, then began script/screenplay writing int he afternoon.

Free Speech Movement group reviewing historical pieces online.

Rosie the Riveter/Woman's Movement group highlighting sections of text.

A few pics from the Read-a-thon before the break.

Welcome back!

New Almaden field trip

Photos from the New Almaden Field Trip:

Our tour began by connecting how Ohlone people used cinnabar found in the area.

Cinnabar - the ore mined for mercury.

Discussing life in the mines.  100s of miles of tunnels down to 650' below sea level.

How to drill dynamite holes.

Electrically charged dynamite.

Visiting the house of an 1800's Victorian style life for the mining camp bosses.

Mercury mining Bingo.

Our walk in the neighborhood brought us past adobe houses (still lived in today) to mining equipment.

Cranking the kiln and condenser (where the mercury was extracted/vaporized from the ore)

Sharing about new information learned.

We ended our "educational" walk at the cemetery - our third cemetery this year.

The most notable tombstone (above) marked the burial of Bert Barrett.  Barrett died many years later and was buried in a different location.

Kevin led the kids in "Ships & Sailors" before we packed up and began our journey home.

Much thanks to Kevin, Moira, Anne and James for driving today!

Upcoming Events: 

Readathon, April 11:  A day of reading.  Students may come in pajamas and bring sleeping bags, pillow, a stuffed animal and of course, books for a day of lounging and reading.  Adults are welcome to join us to read.  

Schedule for Readathon:

• 8:30-8:45 - Set up cozy reading spaces
• 8:45-10:00 - Reading time with active break
• 10:00-10:20 - Special snack for Readathon
• 10:20-11:00 - 2nd Reading time
• 11:00-11:45 - PE
• 11:45-12:15 - Recess at the park
• 12:15-12:45 - Lunch
• 12:45-1:00 - Read aloud
• 1:00-1:30 - Reading with Buddies
• 1:30-2:00 - Choices
• 2:00-2:15 - Jobs and Dismissal

Save the Date:  May 29, 6:00-8:30pm, Performance of Learning & 5th Grade Tribute