WHO IS A SCIENTIST? This assignment is for all 5th graders and it is due Monday, 12 SEP 2011. The task is to draw and color a scientist (include, the scientist, the place where the scientist works, and the equipment the scientist uses). This assignment should be done on 8.5" X 11" printer paper. 

Note: Drawings on lined paper will not be accepted. Tracings of other pictures will not be accepted.

Today we all took a pre-test to see how we, as 5th graders, understand specific scientific concepts.  I will be posting the results soon in the 5th grade productivity section of the Bobcat Labs website.  The benefit of a non-stressfull evaluation at the beginning of the school year is that I (as the teacher) can identify misunderstandings and thus, tailor the school year around what is already known, what information is not known, or what incorrect ideas are among the students.  Everyone did a great job on this online test.

Today, we began work on our laboratory safety contract.  As I explained to the students, it would be easy to simply give them a contract I produced, tell them that those are the rules and enforce them.  However, I have chosen to go a different route.  We all participated today in discussing what sort of things could go wrong in a science lab.  Then we discussed ways that we could prevent things from going wrong.  I will now take those suggestions, combined with the suggestions created by the Science 6 and Intro to Engineering students, and create a contract for all students to sign.  This allows them to be the ones deciding upon the rules, policies, and consequences to ensure that the science classrooms and labs remain as safe as possible for all people in the labs.

Today in class, we spent our time getting to know one another. I showed the students a presentation which let them see my progress from when I was a 5th grader to present day - where I came from, my background, how I ended up here as a science teacher, and how I see that as important to how I teach them.  I also was able to learn a great deal about each of them.  I asked each one: Where he/she was born, what is his/her favorite food, and to describe something that he/she has done for which he/she is proud.