We have been hard at work in math!! We've spent time learning about place and number value, addition, subtraction, and now... multiplication! Along with all of this, we have spent time exploring math in real life and learning how to be problem solvers. The students have done a fabulous job of identifying real life math situations and working with others to be solve math problems. Over the next few weeks, we will continue working on multiplication. We will be sending home a variety of multiplication "at-home" resources over the next few weeks. Please take a little time each evening to practice and review the multiplication concepts. Also, please check the "Learning Links" tab for links to online multiplication resources.
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We have been VERY busy the last few weeks! In addition to taking the CRCT, we've learned a whole lot of new information!! We've had so much fun exploring this new content in many different ways. Here are some pictures of our learning in action!! ice melting race (applying our *heat* learning)fractions in math with ipadsthurgood marshall research projectSometimes it is challenging for students to understand "why" we learn things... connecting the information they are learning to their world and to the real world. This week, going into the Winter Break, we are going to be further exploring how our learning fits into the real world. Learning how to apply their knowledge is a vital part of the learning process. To start our "REAL LIFE" lessons, we began by using our math, reading, and science skills to bake some delicious cookies! We used our reading skills to read the recipe. The recipe had several unfamiliar words and the students did an awesome job of using their word attack skills and the context clues to determine the meaning. We then used our math skills to measure ingredients... the students were VERY surprised at how much fractions really do matter! Ms. Kathy in the cafeteria then helped explain how heat (science) is used to cook things. Finally, the students used their multiplication skills to figure out how many cookies were on each sheet... amazing array models! The end results were some delicious cookies and many "AHA!" moments about how the things we are learning relate to the real world. And, the students learned a lot about how the Hollydale Cafeteria works and how food is prepared for 600+ kids each day. Here are some pictures of our Cookie Adventure. The cookies are coming out of the oven...preparing the cookiesWe have spent A LOT of time over the last few weeks learning about fractions! The students have done an awesome job of representing fractions in many different ways and solving problems involving fractions. It's awesome to think about all of the ways that we use fractions each day!
Can you believe it's been almost 3 weeks!? What an awesome start to the year! I wanted to post this parent letter here in the blog and it will be sent home as well (English and Spanish). This letter introduces an alternative addition strategy, or a different way to add two numbers. This is what we're learning in class. Hope this provides you with an understanding of this addition strategy. To read or print the letter, just click on the "Print" or "Fullscreen" links below. Did you know that talking is one of the most important components of math in our classroom? In fact, we do a lot of talking during math! We talk through the problems and through the processes necessary to solve the problem. The students are often asked, these questions: 1. How did you solve it? 2. Why did you solve it that way? 3. Is there another way to solve it? 4. If you made a mistake, where was it? Where did you go wrong? 5. How would you explain your solution to someone else? These are great questions for you to ask your child when they are completing their math homework. Talking through their solutions really helps students develop a strong understanding of the concepts. If they can explain something, they really understand it.. and that's the goal! As we progress through the year, we are seeing such growth and progress with the MATH TALK! When the students come to the board to "Teach the Teacher," their explanations are accurate and detailed, and they are becoming quite engaging little teachers. Take a look at some of their teaching experiences, and the processes they are using to solve/model problems! Teaching the class... She was AWESOME! Working together to explain the solution Setting up the problem before explaining it! Working through a long one! Check out the models used to solve this multiple step problem! Way to go Brooklin! Getting read to talk about it! As many of you know, the students in our class are divided into four Houses. The Houses compete each week for points (earned through achieving learning and behavior goals). At the end of the week, the points are used to earn Trashketball points. This week, we have added the "Make 15 Challenge" to Houses. With this new challenge, students must correctly solve 15 math word problems to earn bonus House points. The students were so excited as we began this new challenge! We are excited to see how quickly students earn bonus points by showing their problem solving super star skills!!
This week, we have spent a great amount of time continuing to refining our math problem solving skills. We have been focusing on multiple step word problems (word problems that require two or more operations to solve.) We are continuing to use the UNRAAVEL strategy to break down these word problems. Please continue working on word problems with your child at home and we will continue to practice in the classroom. |
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June 2015
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