Category Archives: Uncategorized

The End Is Here!

Wow, it’s hard to believe that the last day of the 2013-14 school year has come and gone!  We wrapped up the year with independent projects in order to dig deeper into our own interest areas.   There were projects completed on the history of favorite gaming systems, nuclear reactors, basketball, robotics, the Holocaust, and more.  We learned so much from each other and possibly found new interests for ourselves in the process!

The Oakdale 6th graders took “trips” to many different corners of the world and brought a piece or two back into the classroom to share.  We had a presentation day that included a world feast.  The food was delicious and such a great way to experience a new culture!  They encouraged us all to add a few new destinations to our bucket lists!  🙂

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It has been a great year full of new and exciting learning adventures!  I am so grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such talented individuals this year!  We are all learners in this process and I hope you all learned as much from me as I did from you!

Congratulations to all of the 6th graders on the close of one chapter in your lives and the amazing opportunities that await!  I am glad I was able to be a small part of your journey!

Enjoy your summer and always be on a mission to actualize your talents!

~Mrs. Skaggs

 

 

Loveland Peabody and Sherman Creations! Take 2

The students created short scripts about a historical event, person or landmark.  They researched their topic for facts that they embedded within their story.  We also learned about puns and the mechanics of script writing.  (Thanks to Reese’s mother for sharing her knowledge with us!)  We also learned about writing puns and the different types of puns.  Please enjoy the following short videos!

 

Will, Oliver & T.J.

Maren & Mara

 

Laila & Chiharu

 

Hayden & Ellie

 

Zach & Braeden

 

Max

Kenan & Korbin

 

Paul & Isaac

More Loveland Peabody and Sherman Videos

Loveland Peabody and Sherman Creations! Take 1

The students created short scripts about a historical event, person or landmark.  They researched their topic for facts that they embedded within their story.  We also learned about puns and the mechanics of script writing.  (Thanks to Reese’s mother for sharing her knowledge with us!)  We also learned about writing puns and the different types of puns.  Please enjoy the following short videos!

 

Erin, Zola & Claire

 

Avery, Jude & Luke

 

John & Abe

Braylon & Jack

Eleanor, Abby & Isabella

 

Max & Judah

 

Victoria, Bella & Katie

 

Ryan & Harrison

More Loveland Peabody and Sherman Videos

May Day Fun

 

Pizz

Over 160 slices of pizza were consumed Thursday morning at a Blind Taste Test at the Westside Community Conference Center.  Twenty 3rd-6th grade students had an opportunity to give their input on the pizza that will be served in Westside cafeterias next year.

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Later that day, over fifty 5th-6th grade students participated in the Brownell-Talbot Math Contest.  Students completed an individual and team contest in addition to several math challenge activities.  Congratulations to the following Westside students who brought home honors.

  • Ava from Oakdale placed 3rd in the 5th grade group
  • Gus from Rockbrook also placed 3rd in the 5th grade group
  • Chiharu from Loveland placed 5th in the 5th grade group
  • Graham from Swanson was a top scorer in the 5th grade group
  • Victoria from Loveland placed  1st in the 6th grade group
  • Kenan from Loveland placed 2nd in the 6th grade group
  • Theo from Paddock placed 3rd in the 6th grade group
  • Ashleigh from Paddock placed 4th in the 6th grade group
  • The Paddock team of Theo, Ashleigh, Emma, Cindy, and David scored 71 points and placed 2nd in the team contest.
  • The Loveland team of Victoria, Kenan, Korbin, Eleanor, and Bella scored 70 points and placed 3rd place in the team contest.

Congratulations to all students who competed!

 

The Chemistry of Cookies

Just when you thought science couldn’t get any more exciting!

cookies

This TEDEd video by Stephanie Warren explains basic chemistry principles through the process of baking cookies – from how the dough spreads out to how the oven temperatures kill salmonella.  Grab a glass of milk and a couple cookies and dive in to the science of cooking!

When you’re finished watching the video, complete the questions on the Google Form.

Video Link: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-chemistry-of-cookies-stephanie-warren

cookie picture taken from pdclipart.org

 

EY updates for Prairie Lane and Swanson

Hello! Here are some updates from EY!

Wrap up Q 3 Science Olympiad-Many of your children attended the Science Olympaid last week at the CCC. The event was a great success, and I am happy that so many of our students choose to participate. There were science challenges for all levels of students, and the hands on activities kept the students engaged throughout the day. The sessions were run by guest scientists, WHS science club members, and ESU # 3 staff. The team events were Pasta Bridge, Catapults, Estamania, Sink or Float, Metric, Mystery Boxes,  and Write It Do It.

Click here for pictures and videos from the event.

Q 4 Topic and Theme-The umbrella concept for Q4 is CONNECTIONS. We will study connections within social studies/history. The grade 5 an 6 students will study a historical event and then create Peabody and Sherman skit to alter history in some way. The students will format the scripts using Mensa for Kids as a guide.  Our grade 4 students will choose a historical event to research and create “Was it Possible” keynotes to share with the grade 4 classes.

Wordly Wise-We will continue Wordly Wise each week. I have been encouraging the students to use complete sentences when doing the response questions. These questions are sometime quite difficult, and I appreciate the extra time and effort from the students. If your child is having difficulty with the passage, please ask him/her to take the time to reread. This second reading will often make a huge difference.

Math Olympiad-Our 5th Math Olympiad contest is wrapping up. The contest is timed and the students only have 30 min to complete the problems.  After the contest, we spend quite a bit of time going over solutions and strategies for each problem. Some groups worked on solving the problems last week and some will do that this week. This time is valuable. After I provide a few hits, or strategies, they are able to work through problems that they perceive as “IMPOSSIBLE” and the kids are often quite proud.

Often the contest will start with a problem that most of the children can do by drawing a picture or making a table:

SAMPLE PROBLEM: How many combinations of pennies, nickels and/or dimes are there with a total value of 25 cents? 

The problems progress in difficulty.

SAMPLE PROBLEM: A four-digit perfect square integer is created by placing two positive two-digit perfect square integers next to each other. What is the four-digit square integer?

Try the above problems with your child at home! I’ll put the answers at the end of the post.

 

Math Contest-Grade 5 and 6-Brownell Talbot hosts a math contest for grade 5 and 6 math students each spring. We can only take 3 teams of 5 students. The combined scores on the Math Olympiad Contests will be used determine the 15 participants. The Brownell Contest will take place on Thursday, May 1 after school. I will send home permission slips before spring break.

 

Grade 4 Math-Grade 4 students will continue working on Khan through the end of April. Please remind your son/daughter to spend time at home working through the lessons, videos, and practice problems. I have taught all of the grade 5 skills, with the exception of decimal division. We will spend the next few weeks doing mini lessons over this.

 

Answers to math problems are below so stop scrolling if you want to try them!

 

 

 

 

SAMPLE PROBLEM: How many combinations of pennies, nickels and/or dimes are there with a total value of 25 cents? (answer: 12 combinations)

SAMPLE PROBLEM: A four-digit perfect square integer is created by placing two positive two-digit perfect square integers next to each other. What is the four-digit square integer? (answer: 1681)

 

Innovators at Westgate

Third quarter was full of innovation at Westgate!  On Feb. 22, a group of students participated in the 2014 Robotics Expo at Strategic Air and Space Museum.  The students competed in various events that required problem solving, teamwork, and critical thinking.  Fourth graders Alex and Caleb entered the documentation competition and earned first place for their innovative ideas.  Alex designed a customizable classroom chair and Caleb came up with an innovative way to keep his clothes organized.

Robotics  Documentation

In March, Westgate received grant funds from the Kids in Need Foundation.  We purchased nine Makey Makeys and the kids have been having a blast!  Check out the videos and pictures!

Makey Makey Video

Rock Band Makey Makey

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Although we missed the deadline, Google hosts an annual competition called Doddle 4 Google and sixth grader Tera came up with a great design!

GoogleDoodle

First graders Abigail and Marin earned honors from the Metropolitan Reading Council for the stories they wrote about a new and unusual superhero.

SONY DSC

Great job Gators!  Continue to think creatively, be imaginative and innovative!

Science Olympiad – March 25, 2014

What an amazing day!  Ninety-eight 4th-6th grade students from all ten elementary schools participated in the 1st Annual Westside Community Schools Science Olympiad.  Students had a fun-filled day exploring science concepts like density, simple machines, and measurement.  In teams of two, students used their observation and estimating skills to complete four activities.  Here are a few picture and video highlights from the day.

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Sink Or Float

Catapults

Write-It Do-It

Pasta Bridge

Mystery Boxes