Classroom Memories & News

10/31/11

All the different digestive juices (fluids) found in the digestive system.

Here is a question someone asked in class..."How many different kinds of fluids are there?"

Well, here it is... For the sake of 5th grade, just know that fluids are needed to help breakdown foods we eat into tiny particles, so it can be absorbed into the cells for energy.

Table 1: Digestive Juices

Salivary Glands

  Bicarbonate fluid        Lubricates food during chewing
  Salivary Lipase          Prepares fat for digestion

Gastric Secretions

  Acid                     Initiates digestion of protein,
                           and kills bacteria

  Pepsin                   Aids in initiation of protein digestion

  Gastric Lipase           Initiates digestion of dietary fat

  Mucous                   Lubricates and protects lining of
                           stomach

  Intrinsic Factor         Aids in absorption of Vitamin B12 by
                           small intestine
Liver Secretions

  Bile Acids               Detergent that helps dissolve dietary
                           fat

  Phospholipids            Promotes absorption of fats

  Cholesterol              Excreted in bile

  Immunoglobulins          Protect from bacteria and other
                           harmful organisms

  Mucus                    Protects from bacteria

Pancreatic Secretions

  Bicarbonate              Neutralizes acid and protects
                           digestive enzymes

  Water and electrolytes   Fluid delivery system for digestive
                           enzymes

  Amylase                  Digests dietary starch and glycogen

  Lipases                  Digest dietary fat

  Proteases                Digest dietary protein

10/25/11

The significance of Columbus reaching the New World

Columbus might not have reached his original goal of trying to reach Asia, but he did have some lasting impact on the rest of the world. He was one of few explorers who connected the lives of the eastern hemisphere to the people in the Americas. He introduced Europe to many different crops that served to increase their food source. He prompted other nations to start their own expeditions to discover and settle new lands. The lives of the Native Indians would also be forever changed from this point on.

Both American and European lives were changed in what is sometimes referred to as the “Columbian Exchange.” Europeans became acquainted with corn, chocolate, potatoes, tomatoes, and various peppers and spices. These imports vastly changed the diet in the Old World. Tobacco also began to exert its impact.

Life in the Americas was changed by the importation of chickens, goats, horses, oxen, cattle, donkeys, sheep, coffee, rice, bananas, sugarcane, wheat, and barley.

On a more lethal level, diseases also were apparently exchanged. The Europeans brought a host of infectious maladies unknown in the New World, the most damaging of which was smallpox.

10/20/11

Week in Review with Christina and Jackie

10/17/11

Spelling Words - Week of 10/17/11

9/26/11

Cool Website for studying the human heart

http://www.holomatix.com/assets/heart/index.html

9/10/11

Vision

To my current 5th Graders and parents,

I came across an inspiring video clip on vision. It is called "Celebrate what's Right with the World." It is a bit complex and it would be great for you guys to watch with an adult and to have a discussion about it. It is a 22 min video, free of charge, just need to register to view the free trial preview option.

Some points for discussion may be on the importance to have a vision for our lives, seeing life through positive perspectives, and that we are capable of anything we set our minds and passion to.

Click on the link below. It can be viewed only once per registration. If you want to view it again, you have to register again.

http://www.celebratetraining.com/

Enjoy.
Mr. Lee

6/24/11

CONGRATS TO MY 4TH GRADERS FOR A JOB WELL DONE!

hey guys,

I hope you all have a wonderful summer and stay safe (hydrated and "sun-blocked).

Here is the video for the end of the year in case your CD didn't work.

Love you all.

Mr. Lee

3/31/11

Class trip to Old Bethpage Village Restoration

3/3/11

Making of the Longhouse - Student Version

Great job guys!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was great to see you guys working together to get this project done.

3/1/11

The Iroquois Longhouse

The longhouse was a symbol of great importance to the American Indians. It showed the unity and closeness of the families that lived together under one roof.

Enjoy the video of us making a model of the longhouse.

4Lee

2/2/11

SNOWDAY

Het students,

I can't believe we have another snow day! Here is something that we are going to do next week. We are going to try to build our very own long house.

If you are out playing today, try to pick up some skinny sticks and bring then indoors to dry off. Next week, we will bring them in and start building like the Iroquois Indians did.

Sticks should be 12 inches long or 6 inches long. We will use a shoebox and cover it with the sticks. Make sure you don't go and damage a tree or a bush!

Here is a model.

You can read more about the longhouse from this website.

http://nativeamericans.mrdonn.org/longhouses.html

On this site, you can play a game to see how a longhouse is built.
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/settlement/kids/021013-1606-e.html

ps. Not sure how many kids will see this today. If you can, spread the word.

Mr. Lee