SFDS eNews5th Grade

Buddies Stage a Community March

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:12:47 +0000

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the first and fifth grade buddies met to stage a community march. Just as Dr. King passed on positive messages for change in a community to children, the fifth graders encouraged the first graders to build community awareness. Together the students settled on a positive message to pass on to their neighbors and created a picket sign. Some popular slogans included: “Save paper!” “Reduce, reuse, recycle“ “Carpool, walk or ride a bike!,” and “Respect your neighbors!” After the signs were completed, the students took to the streets, proudly waving their signs and calling out their messages to passersby. The community cheered on our students with many friendly car horn honks and even a few bicycle bell rings.

Fifth Graders Explore the Outdoors

admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:30:34 +0000

The fifth graders spent a fantastic week following Thanksgiving break in the Headlands Institute. From its scenic location in the Marin Headlands, the Institute’s outdoor classroom offers a richly varied natural backdrop for exploring a variety of ecosystems. In addition to offering spectacular views and a great venue to work on team building strategies, the Headlands presents the perfect hands-on location for students to solidify their knowledge of the fifth grade science curriculum. Click here to view more photos of their trip.

Fifth Graders Visit the Marine Science Institute

admin — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 03:27:35 +0000

One of the highlights of our Bay ecology study is our annual trip on the Bay with the Marine Science Institute. This is a half day field trip in which students learn about the Bay first hand. Students spent a half-day as marine scientists aboard the 90-foot research vessel, the Robert G. Brownlee, discovering the Estuary’s ecosystem and discussing their own roles within it. Students collected and examined plankton, ran hydrology tests, and observed wetland ecology from the ship. Our young scientists delved through mud samples and discovered the fascinating invertebrates that thrive at the Bay’s bottom. Students also used a trawl net and caught a variety of fish species. They then identified the fish using a dichotomous key and, before releasing, MSI measured each fish for a bay monitoring program. This program offers students the chance to enjoy the Bays natural ecosystem while learning and reinforcing valuable scientific skills.