Inch by Inch, Row by Row, We're Going to Make This Butterfly Garden Grow

Toady you may have received a special surprise from you child after school. After gathering the goods from our school garden today, students were able to take home a few vegetables and herbs for you to enjoy at home. Following the harvest, students proceeded to plant flowers that are known to attract butterflies. We also planted a few winter crops. Take a look at all the hard work the children put into making our school look amazing!

Big Changes Are Taking Place!

This past week has marked the arrival of our new unit of study. Students are carefully observing the growth and change of their very own caterpillar! These wiggly creatures are helping us fly into our metamorphosis theme and the students are enjoying every moment. Each morning we are taking time to write down our observation in our butterfly journals. It won't be long now until they turn themselves into a chrysalis!

What's In A Name?

September has been a busy month! We have finished two large projects and are wrapping up our life cycle reports this week. Here are some pictures from our "What's In a Name" project. Look at how the students used lettering to convey their personalities!

How Does Geography Impact You?

In class we have been thinking about the five themes of geography. Location, where a place is located on a map. Place, what makes one place different from other places; these differences could be physical features, climate or the people who live there. Human-environment interaction, the relationships between humans and the environment and how people have changed the environment to better suit their needs. Movement, the patterns of movement of people and how they get around, products and ideas. Region, characteristics of the area, politics, language, religion. We are taking a look at how these five themes shape the lives we live. For myself, having grown up in the Northwest, my childhood was full of trips to the coast and hikes in the mountains. Now, as an adult, these are some of my favorite places to visit. Would I have different preferences if I had grown up in the Mid-West? Think about how your geography shapes who you are. Over the next few weeks, ask people in your family and your friends, how they think geography has shaped who they are.

The First Day of Fifth Grade

I can't believe how much we got done today! I learned so many new things about my amazing students. You are talented, fun, smart and ambitious young people! Of the many things we did today, my favorite activity was learning about your names. We have such a wide variety of names in our class originating from places and civilizations all over the world. I was impressed by how everyone got right to work crafting the story of their name. I can tell that this is going to be a very personal and special piece to all of you. Don't forget to show your parents our day planner that shows all the activities we did today. And most importantly to give them the green letter that went home at the end of the day. This letter tells your parents how to help you find a treasure to bring in to school tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!

Welcome Back to School!

metamorphosis |ˌmetəˈmôrfəsəs|

noun ( pl. -phoses |-fəˌsēz|) Zoology

• a change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one, by natural or supernatural means

ORIGIN late Middle English : via Latin from Greek metamorphōsis, from metamorphoun ‘transform or change shape

Dear Fifth Grader,

Welcome back! I hope your summer has been full of rest, relaxation and adventure. This year will be FULL of changes. To transform or change shape is to undergo metamorphosis. Just as a caterpillar metamorphoses into a butterfly, you too will emerge from fifth grade as a confident, successful, thoughtful individual.

In order for you to be ready for the first day of school there are a few items you must prepare. One of your first projects will be an exploration into the origin and meaning of your name. Please complete the attached questionnaire and bring it with you on the first day of school. The second thing you will need to do is to choose an animal you would like to study in depth. Please investigate this animal's life cycle. Please bring your findings with you on the first day of school. Lastly, please have your parents complete the attached sheet, "In a Million Words or Less."

Enjoy your last few days of summer… I am looking forward to seeing you at the Ice Cream Social on September 1, 2011 from 4-6 p.m. Please bring your labeled supplies so you can prepare your desk for the first day of school.

Affectionately Yours,

Mrs. DiResta