5th grade

Canyon names the planet in order starting with the sun.

Like the class I work with, Canyon does not take the Benchmark tests in the Spring. Instead little samples of work are compiled together in a 'portfolio' of all the standards for the grade level and sent to the state for grading. It takes for every student having a 'portfolio' put together, about 5 months of work. One of the many things 5th graders study are the planets. One of the tasks with the planets are putting them in the correct order. Canyon has brought home several worksheets about this activity and today he just blurted out the planets. I couldn't believe that he repeated them in perfect order about 10 times. I'm guessing that they are not learning Pluto as a planet tho because he left it off each time. It's a shame that useful things and life skills can't be used or taught for the portfolio tho. It would be so great to show he has mastered money or telling time. Instead he will have to show he knows the difference between an acute and obtuse angle, fractions, parts of a plant...things nice to know, but not necessary for everyday living.