Introducing Greek Mythology!

As we near the end of another school year, I decided I wanted to branch out from our current curriculum.  I remember learning about Greek Mythology when I was in 5^th grade and how I loved every second of it.  I figured if I love something this much, maybe my students will too!  I did some searching on Teachers Pay Teachers and discovered amazing units by Nicole Shelby (find her units here).  Because Greek myths can be a bit racy, she took the main myths and re-wrote them in kid friendly language.

We are a week into the unit, and my kids are in love!  They walk in every morning and ask when we are going to do more Greek mythology.  Music to my ears!! As we finished our first week, I had the students write their favorite thing they’ve learned so far or one new thing they have learned.  I hope these make you smile as much as they made me! J 

My favorite thing I learned so far is King Midas is a greedy man and powerful man.  I learned that Zeus is the boss of all the Gods and is married to Hera and his brother Hades is the God of the underworld.

- Juan

Something new I learned in from the Golden Touch is never like gold more than your family because you can get sad when something happens.

- Lupita

My favorite thing I’ve learned so far is King Midas because he had the golden touch and because he learned his lesson that family is more important than money.

- Emily

My favorite God is Zeus because he is the king of every God and the king of lightening. 

- Luis

My favorite thing that I've learned so far was sometimes there is bad luck and good luck.
- Josh T.

My favorite thing I've learned so far is King Midas got the golden touch.  One new thing I've learned is never wish a foolish wish.
- Priscilla

More to come every Friday!

Compare and Contrast Part III

Chimpanzees and Gorillas
By: Breanna and Nylah

                Do you know a difference between a Chimpanzee and Gorilla? First, Chimpanzees and Gorillas both don’t have hair on their faces.  Second, Chimpanzees have brown fur, but Gorillas have black fur. Third, Chimpanzees have flexible arms, but Gorillas arms are longer than their legs.

Have you ever wondered what Chimpanzees and Gorillas eat? First, they both eat bananas, fruit, and flowers. Next, Chimpanzees eat small mammals, apples, sprouts, and seeds. Third, Gorillas eat bamboo, berries, young twigs, tree bark, and plums.

Do you know where Chimpanzees and Gorillas live? First, they both live in Africa, Rwanda, and Uganda. Then, chimpanzees live in Rain forest, middle of Africa, Burundi, and Jungles. Last, Gorillas live in Mountains, Dense Jungles, in small groups, and Western Lowland.

FUN FACTS ABOUT CHIMPANZEES! IF Chimpanzees stand up they are 4 feet. Baby Chimpanzees stay with their mom about 8 or 9 mouths. When a mom dies another mother adopts it. Chimpanzees use tools to help them. Chimpanzees can be 6 or 7 times stronger than a human. Chimpanzees can get the same diseases as humans.

FUN FACTS ABOUT GORILLAS! There are two different kinds of Gorillas a Eastern and Western. Gorillas are the world’s largest primates. Gorillas are almost related to humans, but they are 98% different. Adult Gorillas can eat up to (30kg) of food each day. Female Gorillas only give birth three or four times.

I hope you had fun learning about Chimpanzees and Gorillas!

Gorilla

Chimpanzee

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Follow Deer and Chinese Water Deer
By Eimy

                Can you tell a different between a Chinese water deer and Follow deer? First, both have small tails and have small legs and small horns. Second, A Follow deer have white spots or dots and have red and brown fur A Chinese water deer only have brown fur. Third, A Follow deer can be brown or black, A Chinese water deer can be white or black.

Do you know what a Chinese water deer and a Follow deer eat? First, they both eat grass. Second, A Chinese water deer eat wheat, But a Follow deer eat fruit berry. Third, A Follow deer eat leaves, and chest nuts.

                Do you know where a Chinese water deer and A Follow deer live? First, A Chinese water deer and a Follow deer both live in grassy places. Second, a Chinese water deer live by small trees, but a Follow deer live in woodland and in deer park. Third, a Chinese water deer live around river and streams, But a Follow deer live in the Isles, Europe and in North Africa.  Those are some facts about a Follow deer and a Chinese water deer.        

Chinese Water Deer

Follow Deer

Compare and Contrast Part II

Basking Shark and Great White Shark
By Brian

You will learn about what Basking shark and great white shark looks like. First, basking shark has no teeth but great white shark have sharp teeth. Next, basking shark and great white shark are both 14 feet big. Then, basking shark swallows his food whole, but great white shark chows his food.
I will tell you about what basking shark and great white shark eat. First of all, they both eat seals and krill. Also, basking shark eats small fish. Great white shark eats big fish. After that, great white sharks eats sea lions and other sharks and basking sharks eat everything.

I will tell you where basking shark and great white shark live. In the beginning, both live in the ocean. Secondly, great white sharks live in North Africa and basking shark live in Southern California. Finally, both sharks live in Australia. I hope you liked my essay on Great white shark and basking shark.

                                                                                Thank you.

Basking Shark

Great White Shark

Compare and Contrast

The last few weeks, the students have been researching two animals and writing compare and contrast essays about those animals.  We've also been discussing blogging and how when we blog, the whole world can see our work, not just their teacher and parents.  We've discussed how motivating it can be to know that so many people around the world could view our work and make comments.  The next few posts will showcase some of our best work!

Camels and Kangaroos
By Emily and Lupita

You will learn about what kangaroos and look like. To begin with camels have small ears however kangaroos have big ears. Second, in common they both are mammals. They both have brown fur.  Another reason, kangaroos have straight necks and camels have curved necks.  Camels have humps on their back.

You will learn about what kangaroos and camels eat. First of all, camels eat thorns. Furthermore, they both eat plants but camels eat salty plants. Third, kangaroos eat grass and baby kangaroos eat small bugs or plants.

You will learn about what kangaroos and camels live. First of all, kangaroos live in New Guinea, Arabia Islands, and New Zealand. Besides,  in common they both live in Australia but camels live in the Australia  desert. After that, camels live in South America. I hope you liked my nonfiction writing. 

Fun Facts

You usually see Kangaroos in zoos and animals parks. Some kangaroos live in groups name mobs. Camels they find their way in a sand storm with their eyes closed.