Spotlight on Specials
Fifth Grade
Exploratory Team
Library
In our library classes this quarter students practiced ordering nonfiction call numbers. They worked in pairs or independently to locate books in the nonfiction section using call numbers. We talked about encyclopedias and their usefulness when researching a topic. We watched a preview of some of the exciting books that were coming to the Scholastic Book Fair during Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences. We discussed the use of a thesaurus to enhance word choice in our creative writing. Students enjoyed practicing the use of a thesaurus by looking up a word and finding synonyms for that word. They then determined which of the synonyms fit the answer for a given clue. Just a reminder for students who chose to participate in the William Allen White Reading Program this year -- the deadline to submit reading logs is April 22nd. No reading logs will be accepted after that date. A copy can be found on the William Allen White Reading Program tab of my website at http://riverviewlibrary.weebly.com/ We will be voting for our favorite in April.
P.E.
The time is flying by! Third quarter was filled with scooters, throwing games, climbing, and basketball. We began the quarter with scooter hockey. The students seemed to really enjoy it and quickly picked up the skills needed to play the game. They learned how to dribble (with a whiffle ball instead of a puck), how to pass to a teammate, and how to shoot and score a goal. The students were great at all the skills and did a great job at putting them all together in actual scooter hockey games. Many students got to be goalies and try to stop the other team from scoring. It was a great unit! We were able to play some throwing games for fun as well as throwing practice, such as Sink the Ship and Star Wars 2. We then began our climbing unit. The students climbed both the rock wall and the cargo net. They were all a spotter at one point, where they made sure their partner was staying safe, following the rules, and were there to help their climber when they needed it. It was fun for me to hear from the students that couldn’t reach the top last year and were now able to this year. They showed great strength and balance during that unit! We ended the quarter with basketball. Just like many other sports, it is important to learn the skills first. It was fun to see what some students already knew, and what they learned by the end of the unit. We learned how to properly dribble (with finger pads, eyes up, dribble low), pass, and shoot. The students learned the acronym B.E.E.F. (Balance, Eyes, Elbow, Follow through), which helps them with their shooting form. We played many basketball related games such as Hot Shot, Knockout, Dribble Knockout, and Hot Spot. P.E. can be a competitive setting, and I love seeing the students try their best and work hard to achieve their goals. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that in the end, it is just a game. We talk a lot about that and how we shouldn’t get too wrapped up in the game to where it alters our attitude and tempts us to make poor decisions. The students’ positivity and loving hearts amazes me! The words we focused on this quarter were maneuver, fundamentals, leader, balance, flexibility, hustle, foul (basketball term), and trustworthiness.
Music
I’m Mr. Relf, and I was the student teacher in music for 3rd quarter. I had a great time at Riverview Elementary teaching music. Every student was a delight to see in class during the quarter. We had lots of fun learning about music together. I wish the best for every student in 4th quarter and in their future years of making music! Here’s a little about what we did in third quarter:
3rd quarter for 5th grade has been a very busy and exciting quarter preparing for their “5th Grade Extravaganza.” Students had a great deal of input for their class spotlights and were able to show some of what they have learned in music throughout their time at Riverview. Every student put in a lot of effort preparing for their program, and Ms. Kellogg and I were very proud of how the students came together to put on a fantastic show!
Counselor
In Guidance with Ms. Munsey this quarter, we finished our unit on the Zones of Regulation. We also started a unit with our new curriculum, “Too Good for Drugs”. Our first lessons covered goal-setting and decision-making. Students worked on identifying goals in given situations, then applying the skills to form their own goals. Several students have already worked hard and accomplished their goal. Fifth graders recently learned about the harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol. I am also very excited to have a fabulous intern, Natalie Arbaugh, working with me from February through April. She has been a great addition and works so well with all grade levels teaching guidance lessons and working with students.
Technology
Art
During the third quarter, fifth grade students have been busy in art! Students began the semester by learning about Native American culture and the weaving process. Students listened to a story called A Goat and The Rug, which explained the weaving process from the goat’s perspective. Students created their own radial weaving on a paper plate. Next, students discussed how artists prepare their work for an art show by finishing their work, mounting “framing” their own two-dimensional pieces of art, signing their names, and writing an artist statement to go along with their work. They learned that artist statements are important because they help the viewer understand their work, thought process, what materials were used, and why their art work is meaningful. Currently, students are starting a clay project. Each class has selected a different clay project to complete. Mrs. Roush’s class will make masks; Mrs. Dondzilla’s will make fish; Mrs. Gleason’s will make Frogs; and Mrs. Floyd’s will make story teller dolls.