Oh no! Frogs are going extinct!

Did you know that because of a certain fungus the Earth's population of frogs is facing extinction? Just like the dinosaurs, frogs may one day no longer exist. The fungus is called the chytrid fungus and feeds on keratin, which is a part of the skin that makes it sturdy and tough. Scientists believe that a third of the Earth's population of frogs may face extinction, and some species have already been wiped out. Currently there is no effective treatment for the fungus, but scientists are working hard to help the frogs.

Our first BINGO Luncheon!

Yesterday three students were invited to the first BINGO luncheon of the year for getting a BINGO on their reading cards. In Ms. Lipsky's class we have a Reading BINGO card where every square is a different genre, or type, of book. The three students that made it each read at least five books from different authors, and on different subjects. One student read four books that had won Newbery Awards! We ate lunch outside in the beautiful sunny, yet breezy weather and enjoyed orange and blue cupcakes. :) Will you be invited to the next BINGO Luncheon?

Recent Space Discovery

Last week scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) discovered a giant ring around Saturn. The ring is made up of ice and dust particles and is -316 degrees Fahrenheit. That's realllly cold! The ring starts about 3.7 million miles from Saturn, and extends another 7.4 million miles. "The newly found ring is so huge it would take 1 billion Earths to fill it," a JPL scientist said. No one had ever looked at Saturn with an infrared telescope until now, so they were never able to see it. The discovery of the "super-sized" ring may answer questions about Saturn's moons and their dark spots.

In the picture (which is an artist's interpretation of what the ring looks like) you can see the huge ring tilted around the planet Saturn. The inset (the picture in the circle) shows an enlarged Saturn.

Comment with your thoughts:

1. What do you think of this new discovery?

2. Think about the main idea of this article and write a new title.

3. What was the author's purpose of this article?

Ouch! My brainPOPPED!

Hey 5th graders!

If you've got some extra time on your hands you should watch some BrainPOPs at home! There is a BrainPOP movie for practically everything!

Here are a few that would be helpful for what we are working on in school:

1. Go to BrainPOP.
2. Sign in using the username and password I gave you.
3. Go to Math, click on Numbers and Operations and watch the movie on adding and subtracting fractions.
4. Try the quiz or activity for fun when you're done.
5. Go to English, click on Grammar, and watch the one on punctutation.
6. If you want, you can try the review quiz afterwards.

Search through the other sections for interesting topics like chocolate, color, and even Swine Flu!

Click on the BrainPOP logo in the top left to get back to beginning.

Leave a comment about your BrainPOP experience!

Pipiolo and the Roof Dogs Vocabulary

Good Morning 5th Graders!

Today I want you to practice using our vocabulary terms for the week. Go here and play the vocabulary activity (under vocabulary and spelling activities). Then come back here and leave a comment with a sentence (or two) that uses as many of our vocabulary words in context. Remember to use conjunctions to fix run-on sentences!

Spelling City

Spelling City is a useful website that lets you practice your spelling words. Go to our class account at www.spellingcity.com/lipsky/marino/ and practice spelling this week's words (Forests of the World). Then come back here and leave a comment on this blog. Write a sentence about Spelling City's games using at least two of this week's spelling words. Make your sentences as creative and funny as you want! Watch your spelling (duh!).

Welcome 5th Graders and Families!

I am so glad you are visiting our classroom blog. We will be using it for a variety of reasons this year. You can always check here for updates and announcements about what is going on in our classroom and at Stephen Foster. Important dates and reminders will also be posted here. The students will also be using it in class to work on their reading, writing, researching, typing, and comprehension skills. So come back often to see stellar student work and to get a glimpse into the life of a Stephen Foster 5th Grader!

Important Dates

Meet the Teacher is on Friday, August 21st from 12 to 2 p.m.
School starts on August 24th at 7:45 a.m.
Open House on September 3rd at 6:15 p.m.

I'm excited to begin the school year!