3 Years of GT

I can't believe how much you've all grown and changed! Check out some pictures from all three years we've been together.

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Best Wishes!

FBI: The Truth

5th Grade students have become movie directors and producers. They researched settings, wrote scripts, and filmed their own movie in front of a green screen. Who knew the FBI could stand for "Federal Bunny Investigators"? Check out the student video HERE.

5th Grade Guest Authors

Earlier this year, the 5th grade students wrote children's books with the theme "overcoming fear". Eight books were selected to have the author go and read the stories to all of Birch's first grade students. What fun! Nice writing and illustrations!

Claymation Movies

Fifth graders have been working hard at producing "didactic" (story with a moral) claymation stories. They were created in the app "Stopmotion" and then pulled into iMovie to add music and sound effects. Check out these stories to see what lessons you can learn! Click HERE to Watch!

Fabulous Flipbooks!

Fifth graders really showed off their animation skills in these fun flipbooks - They were actually created in PowerPoint with tiny changes on each slide so it makes objects appear to be moving. Click HERE to view the animated movies.

Courtroom Drama

Fifth graders put their acting skills to action and experienced the events that might happen in a courtroom. They participated in scripted trials and definitely brought drama to the courtroom! Check out the 4 minute video.

5th Grade Collaborative Problem-Solving!

5th graders had to work together using clues and communication to correctly create a perfect example of Sierpinski's Triangle - a mathematical design of repeating triangles. Their discussions and teamwork is fun to observe! Check out the short video for a peek in the classroom.

Welcome to the World!

WELCOME POSEIDON!

Poseidon hatched today (December 18, 2014) at 12:34PM. Nate, the Marine Biologist, came in and helped Poseidon out. Check out this wonderful video of Poseidon coming out of the egg and into the world! (Video does not play on tablets or iPads.)

Poseidon will be making a new home at the Aquarium of Boise. For the first few months he will be found in the hallway across from the drinking fountain with a name tag on his tank. After that he will be moved to the tanks where kids can pet him. What a great experience watching him grow and develop!

Poseidon, we will miss you!

Poseidon's Window

Poseidon, our bamboo shark got his (her) window to the world when Nate, the Marine Biologist from the Aquarium of Boise came in to cut open the shark egg and place the window. Watch the video to see this amazing change!

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5th Grade Law Vocabulary Game

This game is fun. That is not just hearsay, so check it out!

Poseidon the Shark

Poseidon, the shark, is getting so big! He (or she) nearly fills the egg and his yolk is getting much smaller! Check out the video to see him now!

What Makes You Scream?

5th graders learned about Expressionism in art and the use of color to portray emotion. We explored Edvard Munch's famous Expressionist painting "The Scream", and then created their own works of art as a backdrop. Check out this project on things to make you scream.

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Coaster Thrills!

Fifth graders explored The Law of Conservation of Energy as they designed thrilling coasters! 5 points for loops, 3 points for hills, and 3 points for banked curves. Check them out as they go through the design process and present their final coasters.

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Parent Night

If you weren't able to make it to our Parent Night, don't worry - The presentation is here!

Uses for a Straw A-Z

Fifth graders attempted to think "outside the box" to come up with new and unusual uses for straws. They then had to demonstrate the new use in less than 10 seconds in a silent film. . . Check it out!

Thrills and Chills Vocabulary Game

Hey 5th graders - This is your chance to blast your way to a larger lexicon. Play the game to practice this unit's vocabulary words. Just click "start" to begin.

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Shark Egg!

We are fortunate this year to be included in the Aquarium of Boise's Shark Egg program. Nate, the marine biologist delivered our class Shark Egg last week. We will get to watch this little guy/gal develop in its egg until it hatches (probably in Dec.). Nate will be coming in periodically to check on the egg and talk to us about what is happening! What a great opportunity!

Get a glimpse of our shark in its egg below. The brown thing is the actual egg shell, the dark spot at the bottom is the yolk or food for the shark, and the wiggly worm thing is the shark. Enjoy!

And now. . . Introducing our first 5th Grade Unit

Students have been wondering what our first unit in GT will be. Take a look at the clues and see if you can figure it out!