Decomposers, Producers, and Consumers = 5th grade Science!

Mr. Nix's class learned how to use a helpful online resource last Friday during their ecosystems research ... Destiny's Webpath Express. Destiny is our school's online media catalog. To access Destiny, visit http://destiny.dpsnc.net/ and click on Club Boulevard Elementary from the list. Webpath Express is the 3rd choice on the left. Webpath Express is a search engine (similar to Google) but it is kid-friendly. The results are safe, trust-worthy, and appropriate for our students. It is my first stop when conducting online research with our kids. Try it out the next time you need to find a website and let me know what you think!

21st Century Sticky Notes!

I experimented with a new online tool today during Mrs. Bumgardner's orientation--it's called Lino. Lino is a free, web-based sticky note service.The fifth graders worked in pairs on laptops to generate ideas to support how our Manatee Manners should be applied in the Media Center. As the students were typing, their sticky notes popped up instantaneously on the canvas. With the canvas displayed on the Activboard, students were able to see their thoughts in real time and we could discuss them collectively.

When I asked the students for feedback about this new tool, I received these positive comments: "I thought it was cool because we didn't waste a lot of paper writing down our ideas;" "It was fun because we each got to share an idea and everyone's voice was heard;" "I like the sticky notes--they are cool!" Thanks to these students for exploring this innovative collaboration tool--they did a great job and I know they will be prepared to use their manners when working in the Media Center.

Check out part of our canvas below. Click on this link to view the canvas in its entirety:
http://linoit.com/users/ehusketh/canvases/Media%20Manatee%20Manners%20

Battle of the Books!

Club's 5th grade Battle of the Books team competed in the district competition on Friday, April 16th. Congrats to these students who placed 4th out of 10 elementary schools!! The team met weekly in the Media Center with Miss Stitsinger to discuss the books and prepare for the competition. They read 12 great books and had fun along the way!

Battle of the Books

On Tuesday, May 5th, Club's 5th grade Battle of the Books team competed in the district competition at the Staff Development Center. These students read 12 novels this year and met every other Friday in the Media Center to discuss the books and prepare for the battle. The team place second after losing by just a few points to Pearsontown in the tie-breaker round. Congratulations to these students for all their hard work and accomplishments!

Pictures from Washington, D.C.

Check out these pictures from the fifth grade field trip to Washington, D.C. A few of the highlights were our visits to the Capitol Building, Library of Congress, Union Station, the Whitehouse, several monuments, and the museums on the Mall.

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5th grade to Washington, D.C.!

Last week our fifth graders had the amazing opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. One of the highlights of the trip was our visit to the Whitehouse and the students were buzzing with excitement! Listen as a few of our students answer the following questions: "If you could ask President Obama one question, what would it be?" and "What would you tell the President about Club Boulevard School?"

5th gd. Inauguration Celebration!

The 5th grade presented an Inauguration Celebration on Thursday, Jan. 22. Their model of Washington DC was complete with presentations of the national museums of Air and Space, Art, Natural History and American History. The presentations were followed by a concert by Sea Cow (a fabulous local rock band) with Club's own Sea Calves. A great time was had by all! If you weren't able to attend the celebration, check out the pictures below!

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