Investigate 5 and 6 Write-Ups

Here is Investigate 5

Here is Investigate 6

Citric Acid Saturation

How much citric acid did it take to saturate the water? Use the words solute, solvent, and saturated solution in your answer.

Saturated Salt Solution (say that three times fast)!

How much salt did it take to saturate your 50ml of water?

Boston Massacre

The revolutionaries used the Boston Massacre for propaganda. They wanted the incident to help get people angry at the British Government. Why do you think John Adams, who later became the second President of the United States, rose to the defense of the soldiers involved in the incident?

Ben Franklin's Cartoon

What did Ben Franklin want his newspaper readers to learn from this cartoon? Click here for an excellent resource for this cartoon.

Plants in Gel Revisited

If you recall from earlier posts we discovered that seeds planted in diaper gel alone do not grow. We also turned the seeds that sprouted upside down to examine gravitropism; unfortunately the experiment didn't work, the roots dried out because I didn't cover them. Then I planted some beans that sprouted in the gel to see if they would grow. If you look closely at the pictures you can see they did not do well, the roots started to mold. The plants that grew in the cotton and paper towels are doing very well, however.

The Stamp Act

This is a stamp used during the colonial times. Why did the colonists disagree with the Stamp Act?

What's a Solution?

Can you help me out with the answer?

Separating Salt and Water

Can a solution of salt and water be separated? If so, how?

Edublogger Nominations

The class video blog at Vodpod was nominated for the best educational use of video. Here is the link if you want to check it out. Be sure to vote for your favorites.

What books should fifth graders read?

Go to skrbl and give your opinion. Keep in mind the variety of reading levels and interests in fiction and nonfiction. Are there any authors you would recommend or series of books?

What Will They Do?

The roots of the bean plant above are growing down into the container. This is an example of gravitropism.
I turned the beans upside down so the roots go up. Will they continue to grow up, or will they start to grow down?

Gel Alone Grows No Seed

As you can see from the picture, the beans didn't grow in gel. They did rot quickly, though. Check this link to see what Steve Spangler recommends for the growing of plants.

Male Flower Parts

What are the Male parts of a flower? What are its parts and what do they do?

Leonardo's Horse

Leonardo da Vinci created many incredible works of science and art. Why do you think he was so upset about not finishing the horse?

Class Pets

Help me decide what animals we should have in the classroom. I am looking at creating a desert biome to go with the river ecosystem we already have. I also have the fish tank and an extra tank as well. What animals should we get?

The rules to follow are: The animals must be user friendly- no cantankerous animals. No animals that require expensive or demanding feeding. The animals must be able to live in the available tanks, no elephants, whales, etc.

Can you think of some animals? Click this link to get some good advice before you decide.

Click here to post your ideas on SKRBL.

Ms. Owens Creates a Podcast

Check out Ms. Owens', Noel's friendly librarian, new podcast! You can click here to go to the site.

Colonial Trade- Cooper

Listen to this link, making barrels, from Colonial Williamsburg and then answer the questions in the comments.

Question 1. How long does an apprentice usually serve?
Question 2. Were there women coopers in the colonies?

Transcript of the podcast can be read here.

Noel Fifth Grade Toys for Tots Promo

2007 Watershed Festival

Holes Discussion Chapters 5-9

Do you think Elya made the right choice when he chose not to marry Myra?

Holes Chapters 1-4 Responses

Do you think Stanley made the right choice when he chose Camp Green Lake? Explain.

Basket Weaving

What use did the American Indians have for baskets?

Log Canoe

Do you think this canoe will float? Why or why not?

Ivory Floats

This site explains the myth behind Ivory soap. Why do you think the other brands of soap don't make their bars float like Ivory?

Boats on the Move

Why was the shallow hull of the Viking Boat important? Hint: The answer was in the "Boats on the Move" article.

Record Sheet 5A

Is there a relationship between the weight of an object and its ability to float?

Investigate 3 Buoyancy

Testing our hypothesis.

Soap Boat Float

Mixtures

You watched the video and went through the experiment. Click here for a pdf review of what you did.

Was the mixture you created homogeneous or heterogeneous? Explain your answer.

What Would You Take?

The success or failure of a party depended most heavily on their choice of equipment and supplies for the journey. Every emigrant insisted on taking along some luxuries and items of sentimental value. Chamber pots, lanterns, mirrors, Bibles, school books, clocks, and furniture were crammed into odd spaces in almost every wagon. Emigrants were advised not to overload their wagons, but many underestimated the magnitude of the trek they were setting out on and were later forced to discard nonessential cargo. Hard stretches of the Trail became littered with such castoffs as emigrants lightened the load for their weary animals.

Certain accessories and tools for making emergency repairs to a wagon were necessary to bring along. These included rope, brake chains, a wagon jack, extra axles and tongues, wheel parts, axes, saws, hammers, knives, and a sturdy shovel. Cooking utensils were also required -- few overlanders were without a Dutch oven and a good iron skillet -- and the trip was simply not possible without a water barrel to get the party and their animals through dry stretches of the Trail. Weapons and kits for casting bullets were essential, as well, though they were far more commonly used for hunting than for fighting Indians.

However, most of the space in the emigrants' wagons was reserved for food.

Excerpt from the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center


After reading the selection, what three things would you take as a 11-12 year old boy or girl in the 1850's? Make sure they are appropriate for the time period, no video games, tv's, cell phones, etc.

Compare and Contrast

After watching The King and I and Uncle Tom's Cabin you should be able to identify some similarities and differences. Comment on one way the movies are alike and one way they are different.

Adding Fractions with Different Denominators

After watching the video, answer these 4 problems.

1. 1/2 + 1/3
2. 1/4 + 1/3
3. 1/5 + 1/4
4. 2/3 + 1/2

Animal Behavior

What behavior does this video show? Do you think it is inborn or learned?

Paul Revere is not a Horse

Paul Revere was made famous for his "Midnight Ride". Read the poem then you can go to his Wikipedia page to learn more about him. After you read about him, check out this video. Then read this excerpt from:

THE TRUE STORY OF PAUL REVERE

By Charles Gettemy

"Most men like Revere--- somewhat above the average of the mass, but not possessing the usual elements of enduring fame-- pass out of life eulogized by their fellow-citizens; remembered by a circle of admiring and respecting friends until they also pass away; and are ultimately forgotten, finding no place upon the pages of written history.Â

"Paul Revere was rescued from this fate by an accident-- the witchery of a poet's Imagination. His famous ride on the night of the 18^th of April, 1775, remained unsung, if not unhonored, for eighty-eight years, or until Longfellow in 1863 made it the text for his Landlord's Tale in the Wayside Inn.

"It is to Longfellow's simple and tuneful ballad that most persons undoubtedly owe their knowledge of the fact that a man of the name of Revere really did something on the eve of the historic skirmish at Lexington which is worth remembering."

Does our society honor Paul Revere as the great hero, or does our society honor the real Paul Revere who simply did his job? Explain your opinion.

Tulsa Time Capsule

If you remember, I found an article in the Joplin Globe about the excavation of a time capsule that contains a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere. Here is a link to a slide show of the capsule. The capsule will be opened in June for the 100th anniversary of Oklahoma statehood.

If I Say It, It's and Opinion, If Somebody Else Says It, It's a Movement

Learning isn’t about being productive or being able to compete in today’s world or even being entrepreneurial. It is about making choices for yourself, being in control of your own destiny, about leading a good life, being the best you can be, however you define ‘good’ and ‘best’ to be.

Stephen Downes

Sounds like me, don't you think? The ability to make choices comes from education. Those without an education have few choices. Those with an education have many more. Will you be one of the 25% or one of the 75%?

Can I Subtract a Larger Number from a Smaller Number?

Can I Subtract a Larger Number from a Smaller Number?

Mr. Lett asks a Question

Listen to Mr. Lett's question, then post your answer.

The Power of Erosion-Mud Slides

Maybe you should think about where you buy your next house!

Did You Know the Earth had 24 Different Time Zones

Follow the Drinking Gourd

What was the Drinking Gourd?Post your guess on the comments page, then use this NASA link to find out more about the song. Comment again on whether you were right or wrong.

Where Did Zero Come From?

How Long is a Meter?

How Long is a Meter?

History Dude Winner!

Dylan's explanation of his pick for favorite historic figure you learned about so far sealed the deal. Click here for more information on the winner!

M.C. Escher's Tessellations

M.C. Escher was a famous artist. In art you will create tessellations using his technique. Click on his website here. Click on the picture gallery link on the left side and then click on the symmetry link on the page to see some of his tessellations. Then click here to see how he did it.

Why Do We Need Fractions?

Why do we need fractions?

MLK I Have A Dream Speech

This video is almost 18 minutes long. You may want to watch small parts of it at a time. After you watch it, leave a comment about the speech.

Make the Connection

This petition for Women's Suffrage was signed by Frederick Douglass. Why would Frederick Douglass understand the need for Women's Suffrage?

The World isn't Flat, It's Uphill All the Way

Watch the video and leave your thoughts, you don't need the audio to read the information. If this doesn't make you want to study, then prepare to pluck chickens. (If they don't invent a machine to do it first!)

The Cotton Gin

What were the effects of the cotton gin. Watch the video and then comment.

Wind Erosion

Watch the video. It shows dust storms from the 1930's. We know that overfarming contributed to what we now call the Dust Bowl. If you had been living then, what advice would you give the government to help stop the wind erosion? There is no sound for this video.

Have You Ever Eaten Too Much?

Have you ever eaten so much you made yourself sick? If so, what was it you ate?

Math as Art

Cindy created a very cool piece of art with her math polygon assignment, it is the hotness! What piece of art could you create through social studies or science?

150th Anniversary of the Dred Scott Decision

One of the most important cases ever tried in the United States was heard in St. Louis' Old Courthouse. Dred Scott and his wife Harriet filed suit against Irene Emerson for their freedom on April 6, 1846. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court which decided the case in 1857, hastening the start of the Civil War. Two thousand seven marks the 150th anniversary of the Supreme Court Decision and Jefferson National Expansion Memorial is commemorating that anniversary with special events and an exhibit.

Did you know the Dred Scott decision was rendered at a courthouse in St. Louis? The courthouse is within short walking distance of the Arch. Would you like the History Club to visit St. Louis next year and visit this historic courthouse?

History Contest

Nominate your favorite historical figure you learned about in Social Studies this year. Include why he or she is your favorite. The winning post will see the name of the person in a star like the one above on the blog.

The Road Sign Winner is.....

Take My Survey!

Click here to take survey


This survey will help me make class more interesting for you!

Create Your Own Tartan!

I created my own tartan weave at the Interactive Tartan Website

Perspectives on Blogging

Watch the video and then post your opinions on blogging in education.

Eek, Alaska

We identified how we are similar to the school and community at Eek. We identified similar disadvantages we both have. The technology coordinator said that that "to be competitive in this world today, technology is absolutely imperative. Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

Zonkeys, and Ligers, and Wolpins, Oh, My!

Science geneticists are breeding hybrid animals now, what two animals would you put together and what would you call it?

What would you put on a sign? Would it be funny, inspiring, enlightening, or just plain silly? Best idea will be posted on a sign on the blog!

Make sure it will fit on the sign, if it is too long, it won't fit.

Good luck!

Making Mistakes (again)

Being human means making mistakes. What you do after the mistake is made is what separates the mature from the immature. A mature person recognizes the mistake, takes responsibility for the mistake, and tries to fix the mistake. Write about a time you made a mistake. How did you solve the problem the mistake presented?

Science Fair Winners from Noel

Science Fair Winners from Noel
Originally uploaded by Wm Chamberlain.

What do you think about the way Noel students won almost every award at the science fair this year?

Looking Ahead to Investigate 5

We experimented creating rivers with cups that had 1 and 3 holes respectively. Investigate 5 will return to the one hole cup. We will be trying to make the water go where we want it to go. What kinds of things can you think of to do that might make the water flow where you want it to go? Best post will win a prize!

Investigate 4 Recreating a River

The write up for investigate 3 was difficult for many of you. Did you find it easier with investigate 4? Why or Why not.

The Yang's First Thanksgiving

Identify the author's purpose, setting, and theme of this story. Be sure to use complete sentences.

Soil and Water Conservation Poster Contest

Soil and Water Conservation Poster Contest
Originally uploaded by Wm Chamberlain.

Did you make your poster showing water or soil conservation? Why did you choose it?

Noel History Club at historic Elkhorn Tavern

Noel History Club at historic Elkhorn Tavern
Originally uploaded by Wm Chamberlain.

We have had a great time this year with the club. If you are a member, share your favorite memory. If you are not a member, but would like to be one, write why.

Where do you play video games?

Where do you play video games?
Originally uploaded by Wm Chamberlain.

Where is the strangest place that you played video games?

Oops, I did it again!

Oops, I did it again!
Originally uploaded by Wm Chamberlain.

I don't mind the mess students make when they are willing to clean it up. Accidents happen.

Investigate 3 Variables in Stream Creation

Now that you created a stream, name some things you could change on the experiment to change the outcome of the experiment. For example, what would happen if you made the hole on the cup bigger?

Guest Postings

Now that it is even easier to get to the site since I bought the domain name noeltigers.info, I am hoping for postings by people not in my class. If you are reading through the site, please post a comment here. FYI, your comment will not be shown until I moderate it. I have to be careful about the information posted!

Steve Grant

Steve Grant
Originally uploaded by Wm Chamberlain.

What did you think of the speaker Steve Grant?

Water Cycle

Did the water cycle model help you understand the water cycle better? Why or why not?

Cheerleaders

Cheerleaders
Originally uploaded by Wm Chamberlain.

This is this years cheerleading squad. Are you interested in being cheerleader when you are in junior high?

Soil

After examining sand, clay, rocks, and humus, which do you think is most important to us?

From Texas with Love

Crystal is visiting Texas the week of February 12. Check here to see her post what she is doing while she is away!

5-6 Grade Basketball

Are you ready for the new basketball season? How well do you think our teams will do this year? Remember your comments will be published for the world to see, so don't embarrass yourself!

My Knee Surgery Went Fine!

My knee surgery went fine. It is a little sore and swollen, but it makes a really cool squishing sound when I bend it. It grossed Minden out. I hope you are all behaving well for the substitute. If you want to leave any messages to me, I will be checking the blog every day. If you don't want your message posted, tell me. I will be at school for a meeting Thursday afternoon. Maybe I will see you then.

Going With the Flow-Setting

What is the setting of the reading story "Going With the Flow"?

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

In your opinion, which is most important to help our environment: to reduce, to reuse, or to recycle?

Ice Storm

What did you do during the week we were out of school from the ice? Did you lose electricity? What things did you do differently because of the loss of electricity?

Water Conservation

After collecting the data on how much water you use each day and watching the video "The Mysterious Neighbor", identify 3 things you can do to help conserve water. Remember to use complete sentences in your answer.