Science Newsletter - December 2006

Rotation

Fifth-grade students rotate four times a week, Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays for science and social studies. Ms Arios’ students come to my class, Room 27, for science. During this time, I am teaching students the science they are expected to learn this year according to the State of California’s content standards. If you have any questions or concerns about science, please e-mail me or send a note with your child.

Homework

I assign science homework out of the science workbook each time we finish a lesson. Most chapters are comprised of two to four lessons. Students are to complete the page and return it to me the next time we meet. If I assign it on Monday, then it is due Wednesday; if I assign it on Thursday, then it is due Friday. I do not accept late homework. Students are free to use their notes and/or their textbook to help them complete the homework assignments.

Tests

After we finish reading a chapter together in class, the next day is set aside as a review day. We review the last homework assignment, and review any concepts or ideas that the students might have questions about. I strongly encourage students to ask questions, to be actively involved in their own learning. The next time we meet, I give the students the chapter test. All science tests will be strictly “open brain.” Students are not permitted to use their textbooks or notes during tests.

A Day in Mr. Walker's Class

Currently, I am reading the textbook aloud with the students. We stop at the end of each section and students suggest ideas for notes. I then write these ideas down on the board using the Cornell method of note-taking. Ms Arios and I are both modeling and encouraging students to take notes. This is essential for their success in school.

Content Standards

You can see the detailed science standards for fifth grade at http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/scgrade5.asp

In summary, in physical sciences we study matter and energy. In life sciences, we study plant and animal structures for respiration, digestion, waste disposal, and transport of materials. In earth sciences, we have three units of study: 1) the water cycle, 2) weather, and 3) the solar system.

All of these may be tested on the STAR test in the spring.

Studying Science

I am assigning homework from the science workbook. I am also assigning homework from the textbook: questions from the lesson reviews and the chapter review. I go over the homework directions when I assign them. But fifth-grade students need to do more than just complete homework assignments, they need to actively study the material. They are especially weak when it comes to vocabulary. They can match terms to definitions, but most cannot use vocabulary terms in sentences with accuracy.

I will continue to remind students what a powerful study tool making flash cards can be. They are easy to make using 3x5 cards, with the term on one side and the definition and/or sentence on the other. Students can test themselves or each other.

Reminder: No student is to leave my room without understanding how to complete the homework assignment. I also always review the homework the next time we meet, including answering any questions the students might have, to clear up any confusions or misunderstandings.

Reteach Worksheets

Many students did poorly on Chapters 2 and 3 of Unit B. Over half of all fifth-graders got an Unsatisfactory or Needs Improvement grade on those two tests. Accordingly, I have given the students an opportunity to improve their grades. If they did not earn a Competent grade or higher, I have given them a Reteach Request form. It informs them of their score, and what worksheets they need to do to improve their grade. This is entirely voluntary, but I hope you will encourage your child to take this second chance, to put forth more effort in improving in science and bettering their science grades.

What Can Parents Do?

Monitor your child’s homework. Is he or she completing the homework? Are they “forgetting” it, or do they complete the assignment correctly and turn it in on time?

Help them learn and refine their study skills. Put the responsibility of studying on your child, but help them become better students.

STAR Test

Fifth-grade students have a science component of the STAR test that will be given in the spring. Those science questions are 60% from fifth-grade science content and 40% from fourth-grade science content. Which means we not only need to finish all of the fifth-grade units of study, but also review all of the fourth grade science content.

Fourth-grade science includes units on: 1) Electricity and Magnetism, 2) Rocks and Minerals, 3) Waves, Wind, Water, and Ice, and 4) Organisms.