Cell Quiz

Cell quiz tomorrow. Students will have 10-15 questions. You need to study notes and class worksheets.
Homework tonight is a review sheet on the cell to help students study.

This is what we learned today to help for the quiz.

Levels of Organization of Living Things
There are in all, five levels of organization. These levels in sequence are the cells, tissues, organs, organ systems and organisms.

Cell: The cell is considered as basic unit of life. In other words, it is also known as the building block of life. A cell is bound by cell membrane and possesses a nucleus which acts as the brain of cell. Cytoplasm which surrounds the nucleus, contains cell organelles like mitochondria, ribosomes, vacuole, endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplasts, peroxisomes and ventricles. The average number of cells in a human body is 100 trillion. 

Tissue: The tissues are a collection of cells which perform specialized functions. Cells which form a tissue need not be identical however, should have the same origin. Different types of tissues which together form organs are the nervous, muscle, connective and epithelial tissues. Connective tissues are fibrous in nature and they are made up of cells separated by extracellular matrix. Muscle tissues, the active contractile tissues of our body are useful in producing force and motion. Skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscles are the three types of muscles. Nervous tissues form organs like brain, spinal cord, etc. Epithelial tissues cover the surface of body organs.

Organ: An organ is the next level in the organization of living things. It performs certain functions with the help of different tissues. The different organs of animals include lungs, brain, liver, etc. Roots, stem and leaves, etc. are different organs of plants. Organs can be classified on the basis of the functions they perform. For example, in case of animals, the tongue, ears, eyes, skin and nose are the sensory organs. Flowers and seeds are the reproductive organs in plants. Organs are formed of tissues which serve a common function. There are two types of tissues which form an organ: the main and sporadic tissues. For example, in the heart, myocardium is the main tissue while blood, nerves and connective tissues form the sporadic ones.

Organ System:: The organ systems are complex mechanisms which carry out important functions of the body; examples are the circulatory system in animals and vascular system in plants. Organ systems of an organism are interdependent, i.e. they take each others' help to carry out various functions of the body. For example, the digestive system which carries out the process of digestion is formed of salivary glands, stomach, esophagus, gallbladder, liver, intestines, pancreas, rectum and anus.

Organism: Amongst the different levels , this one is the highest. An organism could either be unicellular or multicellular. Organisms that are closely related can be grouped together under a single species.

These are the basic, 5 levels of organization of living beings. However, you can go ahead and add more levels like population, community, ecosystem, biome and biosphere. It is necessary to note that the higher we move, it becomes difficult to clearly define the levels of organizations; which means they are not as clearly defined as cells, tissues, organs, etc. For example, the ecosystem though is placed one level above community, the former is not a group of communities. Roughly defined, it is an environment where organisms of different populations live together and evolve. So, let us now delve into details of these levels.

Population: It is the term used in reference with a group of organisms which belong to the same species. Organisms which belong to the same population undergo interbreeding and share food and space.

Community: Two or more populations together constitute a community. A community is characterized by interactions taking place between its constituent populations. There are many different ways in which populations belonging to different species interact with each other. The different ways are competition, parasitism, predation, commensalism and mutualism.

Ecosystem: As we move up the ladder of levels of organizations of living things, the complications tend to increase. For instance, the term ecosystem is defined as an area or environment where a community thrives and flourishes. An ecosystem is however, not the same as community. In fact, it is a greater entity that provides space for a community.

Biome: A biome is an entity very much similar to ecosystem. Definition of biome is made in terms of condition (and not just space) suited to a group of communities (plants, animals, microbes, etc.). Classification of biomes of earth is carried out on the basis of condition/environment in which the constituent organisms live. Structure of plants is amongst the important criteria used for classifying biomes. Structural differences place the plants into groups like shrubs, trees, grasses, etc.

Biosphere: After all these complicated and bit confusing descriptions of terms like biome, ecosystem, community, etc. you would find the definition of biosphere quite easy to understand. Biosphere is simply the place, area, zone where life exists on earth. The hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere together constitute the biosphere.
Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/levels-of-organization-of-living-things.html

Free Science Camp

http://www.moreheadplanetarium.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page&filename=sis_overview.html

Our next unit will be on cells and the human body. My plan is to finish this unit by Spring Break, then after break teach a 2 week unit on Heredity/Genetics. That will give us about a month to study for the EOG.

After we learn each system I plan to have a short 10-15 question quiz. So, students may have a quiz once a week on the topic. There will also be one final project for the year which I will give in a few weeks. I cannot believe how time flies!

*** I have already put posters on the walls of the systems of the body. Please inform your child that we will be discussing body parts that might seem funny, especially when talking about the digestive system. I expect students to be mature and understand that normal functions of the body have to occur so we can remain healthy. *** Thanks.

Test tomorrow!!! Please study.

Several students have missing work and I will not take makeup work after the test. Your child knows what they are missing but if you have questions please email me.

Thanks.

Annual Auction Theme Baskets

Auction Baskets- Due to difficulties with Mrs. Fail's basket theme, we have requested permission to change themes to something less costly. Our new basket theme is Bedtime. Anyone willing to help with the baskets can donate children's books, blankets, night lights, stuffed bears, sleeping bags, pillows, or anything that is bedtime related. I feel this will be much better since everyone can donate a small portion.
Items due Friday, March 8. 

Thanks,
Mrs. Fail

Weekly Reminder:
Progress Reports will go home Wednesday. 

Roller Coaster Links

5A- Link

5B/5C- Link

These links on the left side will help you study for the test on Thursday. :-)

• Force and Motion Flashcards
• Force and Motion Quizlet
• Physics4Kids
• Newton's Laws
• Simple Machines Flashcards
• Simple Machines Test
• Force and Motion Crossword
• Force and Motion Interactive
• F&M Jeopardy
• 
  

Extra Credit

Name________________________________________________Period_________Score______/10

List the six simple machines, their principles and uses.  Draw a sketch of each one.

Machine	Drawing	Principle (how it works)	Examples of Use

Simple Machine Vocabulary:  Define and explain how the following works.

Balanced and Unbalanced Force
Gravity on Earth and Moon
Momentum

Compound machines have two or more simple machine concepts working together to make work easier.  List three compound machines and describe the two or more simple machine concepts found within them.

Compound Machine	Combination of Simple Machine Concepts

Test 2/28/13

Things to know:

All Simple Machines. Know how they work and be able to identify pictures. 

How to read Distance/Time graphs. 

Speed=Distance/Time

Gravity differs on the moon. How?

3 Laws of Motion- be able to read examples and state the law. 

The things that influence a pendulum's swings. 

Vocabulary:

Force

Gravity

Speed 

Motion

Friction

Momentum

Velocity

Acceleration

Graph- constant speed

Graph- no motion

Pendulum

Inclined plane 

Screw

Pulley

Lever

Wedge

Wheel and Axel

Newton’s Laws (1-3) 

Homework tonight is for 5A to finish their Newton's Law booklet. 

We had a good day today, let us keep up the good work!

Mrs. Fail

Newton Scavenger Hunt
Life
Life, Laws and Quiz
Once you finish, you may complete the quiz on the website. 

Today we learned how to calculate speed using the formula speed=distance/time. Tonight's homework is a review sheet on distance/time graphs.

5A- please remember to bring old magazines or newspapers for class tomorrow. We will do creating a fun booklet.

I was glad to see everyone had a great break. 6 more weeks to spring break!!!!!!!!!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Many students were asking about the Europe trip next year. Please visit the link for more information. We would love to have you come!

Education Travel Tour-Update

If you attended the information meeting last evening, then you left very excited about our upcoming tour. We had people enrolling during and after the meeting. Thank you for attending.

If you could not attend the meeting then its okay. I will be happy to meet with you at a time convenient to you so I can share some more information with you. please remember that the $100 discount ends on Feb. 28th so you want to enroll to secure that discount. It only takes $95 to enroll.

If you have interest in this tour and may not be certain at this time or if you are pretty sure you want to travel with us please visit our tour webpage (www.eftours.com/1392519) and click on "tell my teacher i'm interested" located above the GREEN "enroll on this tour" button. This will let me know that you have an interest and I can keep in contact with you and send you an information package.

I look forward to talking to you over the next few days so I can get you started on the road to a wonderful tour experience. Please email me at rknight@neusecharterschool.org .

Richard Knight

For Laptop Groups today

Friction

Gravity Fun Facts
Just for fun for students to review at home.

Tonight's homework: Students from each class have a worksheet to complete on Force.

Valentines Day

There will be a Valentines Day Party on Feb. 14 in the cafeteria from 11:15 to 2:00. Students can exchange Valentines Day cards, eat snacks, and watch a movie.
Parents:
1. If you would like a class list for cards, please email me.
2. If you are planning to help with the party, please arrive 30 minutes early to help.
3. Donations of paper bags are appreciated for students to hold cards.
4. Sign up where to bring food/drinks    Link

****Just a reminder that a student does have an allergy to red dye****** Please consider purchasing some items without red coloring

We are looking forward to a wonderful time together!

I just finished grading the tests and want to thank everyone for their hard work! You all did excellent!!! If you took your EOG folders home this weekend keep working hard. Next week we will be starting a new unit on Force and Motion. This will be the topic we will be working on throughout the end of February. For a lab, I need those who have Hotwheels cars to please bring one in. (Please put your name on the car) Also, if 5A has any magazines we can cut up for a college of Force and Motion we could really use them later on.

Students have Jump Rope for Heart sales. The more money we raise, the more P.E/recess equipment we can get!

Everyone have a great weekend

Love, Mrs Fail

TEST TOMORROW!!!! Please see the post on Feb. 1 for details about what to know and extra credit.

Some parents would like to know which EOG prep books I recommend if they want to buy one. I have purchased this book: Coach EOG However, my book does not have the practice tests. If anyone purchases this book, may I please see it for a day or two??? Thanks. I know some teachers say Competitive Edge books are great also. However, the website confuses me a little on how to order. Hope this helps.

England, Ireland, and Wales trip meeting is in the media center on Feb. 12 at 5:00pm. If you are interested at all, please come to hear detailed information about the trip! I have been to London before and would encourage anyone to go once in their lifetime! Even if you are unsure now, just go to the meeting before deciding. :-)

For the past two days we have been learning how to save energy. I thought this website was nice to explain why energy is important.

Kids Energy

Please continue to bring in the $8.00 for the play. It is due Friday.

There is a test on Heat Transfer and Energy on Friday. Please study.

I have decided not to require each student to purchase and EOG prep book. I have found lots of resources for us to use. However, if you want to purchase one for your child, I have several I can recommend and would encourage you to buy one if you feel its necessary.

Thanks,
Mrs. Fail

Reminder!!!! $8.00 is due Friday for the play. 

Today we completed a Paideia on Energy. As a reflection students are to: 

Research ways to save energy at School, Home, and Work (for Parents)

Write a letter to me and answer the following questions:

1.                       Why is saving energy important?

2.                       Pledge things that you will do to save energy. (3/4 to 1 page)

Use this link to help. 
Kids Energy

Test and EC

Extra Credit for Test on Feb. 8

Vocabulary:

Heat

Friction

Kinetic Energy

Potential Energy

Electromagnetic

Insulator

Conductor

Convection

Conduction

Radiation

Temperature

Thermometer

Mechanical energy

Thermal energy

Know:

How heat moves from warmer areas to cool areas

How molecules move when it is hot or cold.

Dark colors absorb heat while shiny objects reflect heat. 

What is magnetism and how to magnets work. 

Be able to read scenarios and determine if it is conduction, convection or radiation. (Conduction is heat transfer through solids by touching, convection is heat transfer through gas/liquid by currents, radiation is heat transfer through waves) 

Be able to read scenarios and determine if it is kinetic or potential energy. 

Insulation is the opposite of a conductor and prevents heat and electric flows. 

Metals are good conductors while things like rubber are good insulators. 

Sound travels by waves

Pitch is highest when there is a high frequency of sound waves. 

We have read over 100 scenarios of conduction, convection and radiation, and some students are still mixing them up. PLEASE know the difference.

Also, some students are still missing classwork/homework assignments. 

Fun sites:
Sound Facts
Frequency/Pitch
Human Ear
Magic Schoolbus Game

Today we learned about sound and I found these link that were fun.

Students: Here is the music video from class today.
K and P energy

Homework tonight for 5B and 5C is a Forms of energy review sheet.

Today in class we completed a lab on conductors using metal and plastic spoons.

Mrs. Fail's homeroom basket theme is "Around NC in a day." Which means tickets to different places in NC such as museums, amusement parks, theaters, zoo, aquarium, concerts, historical sites...and so on. 

5A and 5C have a review sheet on Conduction, Convection and Radiation for homework. Some students in 5B have not turned in the review sheet and need to complete as well. The beginning of the 9 weeks has begun and I already have students with missing grades. Please make sure everything is turn in on time.

Also, students were asked to bring in an object tomorrow to test for a conductor or insulator. (Something small)

Thanks,
Mrs. Fail

The National Young Scholars Program (NYSP) is an exciting and interactive program that unleashes the learning potential within the nation's most promising young students. The NYSP offers a 5 day program for students who are interested. At the beginning of the year, I nominated 10 students with high averages to be contacted with information. If you are interested in your child attending and did not get in information packet, please contact me or contact NYSP directly.

Thanks,

Mrs. Fail

http://www.nationalyoungscholars.org/contact.cfm?user=educator

I hope everyone had a restful weekend. Some students are having difficulty with applying Conduction, Convection and Radiation to different scenarios  This quiz may help.
Quiz

Please return signed report card envelopes on Monday. 

We will be learning about Heat Transfer for about two weeks. Students can use these links to help them.

• Online Book: Motion and Energy
• Heat Transfer
• C,C and R Basketball
• Types of Energy
• Types of Energy 2
• Kids Geo- Heat
• What is Energy?
• Insulators
• 
  

Parents,
I am in the process of grading the midterm assessment. Overall, I can tell most students studied and tried their best. When grading, I broke down every question and will be able to tell you exactly what subtopics for your child to study. Hopefully, if all goes well, I will be able to attach a note to the report cards. Please do not feel overwhelmed if there are many topics I wrote down, for we have studied numerous topics this year. Thursday we will be starting a new chapter on Heat and Energy. Students can study these links on the side:

• Heat Transfer
• C,C and R Basketball
• Types of Energy
• Types of Energy 2
• Kids Geo- Heat
• Insulators

I plan to spend about two weeks on this topic and will be adding more information as we go. Thank you for helping at home, it will pay off. 

Love, 

Mrs. Fail

For Class:

Conduction, Convection, Radiation

Please visit Signup Genius website for the Valentine's party needs.

Signup Here

5th Grade Valentine's Movie Party

We will be watching a movie and having refreshments in the cafeteria on Valentine's Day. The cafeteria has been reserved for us from 11:15a-2p. Please sign up to volunteer and/or bring items needed so we can celebrate this special day!
DATE: 2/14/2013 (Thu 11:15AM - 2:00PM)

LOCATION: Cafeteria

CREATED BY: Tomeico Faison CONTACT

Available Slot

Valentine's Cookies (140)  Popcorn (70) Enough for 70 children  Drinks (70) individual drinks so we will not need cups  Bowls (70)  Small Plates (70) For cookies  Leaders (6) Arrive early, serve refreshments, clean up  Movie The Sandlot or Radio  ****Just a reminder that a student does have an allergy to red dye****** Please consider purchasing some items without red coloring. Thanks!

Today was our first review day for the mid-term. I could tell some have studied, but most students NEED to spend time daily studying Weather, Ecosystem, and Matter. Just 10 minutes a day will help students store the information in their long term memory.

Tomorrow is our SS test, please study. We will be reviewing for our Science midterm for the rest of the week.
Friday there is no school, and Thursday is the end of the grading period.

Mrs. May wanted me to inform you that each class will be required to sing a part of a song by memory for multicultural day in February. I have labeled the parts per class so you practice. Can't wait to hear it! 

Quiz tomorrow on the 3 Branches of Government only.

The test on Tuesday will NOT include the branches because we have lots of other information to cover. I have posted vocabulary information and the extra credit. Please study.

Today we learned about Henry Ford and Alexander Graham Bell, two people who changed America forever!

Henry Ford

Biography (You may watch video clip)

Time Magazine for Kids

Ford's Life

Assembly Line

Assembly Line 2

Extra Credit for Test:

Research a machine invented during the industrial revolution and answer the following questions with detailed answers.
1. Who invented the it?
2. What date was it invented?
3. What does it do? Or how does it work?
4. How has this invention helped America?

Cite sources.

Needs to know:

Bill of Rights in order

Pioneer

Settlers

Migrate

Lewis and Clark

Checks and Balance

Bill

Veto

Constitution

Delegates

Compromise

Industrial Revolution

3/5 Compromise

Louisiana Purchase

Manifest Destiny

Indian Removal Act
Thomas Jefferson

Famous Inventors (no dates)

Person	Invention	Date
1.     James Watt	First reliable Steam Engine	1775
2.     Eli Whitney	Cotton Gin	1793
3.     Richard Trevithick	Locomotive (Railroad)	1804
4.     Robert Fulton	Regular Steamboat	1807
5.     Samuel F. B. Morse	Telegraph	1836
6.     Elias Howe	Sewing Machine	1844
7.     Alexander Graham Bell	Telephone	1876
8.     Thomas Edison	Light Bulb	1879
9.     Orville and Wilbur Wright	First Airplane	1903
10.                       Henry Ford	Model T Ford, Assembly Line	1908 1913

Please continue to study. We played a review game in class today on the branches of government and some students really need to study. Our quiz just on the 3 branches of government is Friday. Our test in Social Studies is probably going to be next Tuesday. I will post vocabulary soon. Also, use the links to the left to study for science midterm.

Thanks!

Lewis and Clark Links

Animal Discoveries
Plant Discoveries
Impact of Exploration
Trail and Timeline
Sacagawea
Reading
Discoveries
Trial and Questions

Today we learned about the Branches of Government. There will be a quiz on Friday just on this information. Here is a summary of the information, students may study their foldabe (5A) and study guide.
3 Branches

I am planning for a SS test to be on Jan. 15 and please remember to study the side links for the Science midterm. For those that do not have computer access, I have given those students a handout of vocabulary.

Have a great night!

Mrs. Fail

I hope everyone has a good weekend. Tonight some students may have homework. I gave them a worksheet on the Bill of Rights and if they did not finish in class, it needs to be completed over the weekend.

Please remember to be studying for the science midterm. The links on the left side will be helpful.

Bill of Rights

Amendments

Tonight's homework is to study the foldable made in class on the Bill of Rights. There will be a take-home sheet tomorrow and this foldable will help.

Have a good day.

Today for class:
About NC

NC Senators

2013 Governor

Fun Facts

House of Representatives Number

Hi everyone and Welcome back!

For the next two weeks we will be completing Social Studies, then reviewing for our mid-year testing in Science. Please get a head start on the studying so we can all do well. Remember, this is like a pre-EOG with similar questions.
Topics we have covered so far:
Weather
Ecosystem
Biomes
Properties of Matter

The test will include questions from these topics only. I will add important vocabulary information later. Meanwhile, students can study my side links (on left) from Study Jams to Matter Game. These are all great review links.