DAPHNE, Ala.—In fifth grade, students are learning about cells and body systems. A cell is the basic unit of structure and function in living things. Cells are often microscopic.  Cells also form tissue. There are four kinds of tissue in your body: epithelial, connective, nervous and muscle tissue. There are seven systems in your body: digestive, circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, muscular, nervous and excretory.

This week in Mandy Ames’ fourth-grade class, they are learning about measuring with fractions. The fractions they are measuring by are one-half, one-fourth, and one-eighth. In our math book, it will show on the ruler one very long mark, which is the whole mark; one shorter mark, which is the one-half mark; and one very short one, which is the one eighth mark. It is very fun and challenging for the students but, it helps them learn. So if you ever get a chance to learn about measuring with fractions, you will love it!

On Friday, Feb. 20, the fifth-graders are invited to Night at the Gym to play from 5:30 to 8 p.m. It is open to the first 50 students who return their permission slip from their parents. It will be a night of fun, games and activities. The cost will be $10 and dinner will be served. All proceeds will go toward the purchase of our new playground equipment.

Since the students got back from Christmas, the main focus in P.E. has been basketball. First, students worked on their dribbling skills. Then, they perfected their passing skills, such as the bounce- and chest-passes. Finally, they practiced shooting. Once all the primary basketball skills had been worked on, the students got to play! They play a version of basketball called “sideline basketball.” The game is played just like normal basketball, except that when a foul is committed, the ball is passed to the sideline, and someone on the sideline throws it back in.

In sixth-grade science, students are learning about planets. Our science teacher paired students then assigned planets. The students drew pictures and wrote about the planet’s moons and four interesting facts, along with additional information. The projects were presented Feb. 10. 

Did you know that if all the water was spread out evenly over the Earth, it would be 1-inch deep?

Did you know that Jupiter is light enough to float on water?

All of this and more was presented by the students on their colorful posters.