Grade 4 Math-
Students worked on dividing larger numbers using the area model and a multiplication menu. We are using real life problems to model how the remainder in division is really tied to the actual story problem. Sometimes you round it up, sometimes you break it down into a fraction or decimal, while other times you may ignore it completely! Our March calendar is an Input/Output machine and we are working to determine the rules. Every so often the rule will determine the rule. We will be graphing the various rules as we move along.
Grade 5 Math-
Students just finished the part of the unit focusing on multiplying fractions. We are now moving to dividing whole numbers by fractions and fractions by fractions. We are using the area model and number line to show how these operations actually work. It is challenging! Up until now students have always ended up with a larger product when multiplying and a smaller quotient when dividing, but they are noticing this is not the case now. They are testing out lots of their ideas to come up with some generalizations about how all of this works!
4/5 Literacy-
The Wax Museum was a huge success. Students worked hard and were very proud to share everything they learned with you. Thank you so much for coming. It really does make their whole day knowing you are coming!
We are finishing up our last book groups and moving towards another one. Students will be responding to prompts in writing while working on ways to collaborate and have discussions. We are also continuing to read Harry Potter, our read aloud.
We dove into our Inquiry Unit last week as well. We will be researching various aspects of the national parks. We have Skyped with Denali National Park in Alaska, Joshua Tree National Park in California and the Badlands in South Dakota. We have one more set up this week with Yellowstone. I think these are great opportunities to learn about not only the specific park we are speaking with, but also about the park systems and park rangers. The ranger from the Badlands had his BA in geology and his MA in paleontology. He worked on various archeological dig sites and provided a wealth of information! We also read a short story: The Camping Trip that Changed America. It is about how John Muir and Roosevelt went on a camping trip and what that led to. Ask your learner about it!
Students will begin narrowing down their focus by the end of the week. Feel free to help with this process. Explore the national park website with them and get intrigued about something! It will probably rub off and they will become excited to learn more about that particular topic. We aren't just studying a particular park, but a specific aspect related to national parks. Some topics from last year included: What is happening to the bats at Carlsbad Caverns? What is Yellowstone going to do about drones? How are the layers of rock formed at Bryce Canyon? What happened when they reintroduced the wolves to Isle of Royale? How can I become a park ranger? Students study the topic, write to the park that could help them the most and write a report that includes their learning. Then they come up with a project to demonstrate their learning. Unlike the wax museum, these are much more varied! We will then share it all with you at some point in May. As soon as I know the date I will let you know!
KIDS ON THE RUN WILL BE POSTPONED UNTIL MARCH 21st DUE TO THE FORECASTED SNOW! If something changes and the forecast is incorrect I will let you know.
Talent show forms are due tomorrow and basket raffle tickets are on sale, 1 for $1.00 and 6 for $5.00.
Thanks for reading,
Bethany
Students worked on dividing larger numbers using the area model and a multiplication menu. We are using real life problems to model how the remainder in division is really tied to the actual story problem. Sometimes you round it up, sometimes you break it down into a fraction or decimal, while other times you may ignore it completely! Our March calendar is an Input/Output machine and we are working to determine the rules. Every so often the rule will determine the rule. We will be graphing the various rules as we move along.
Grade 5 Math-
Students just finished the part of the unit focusing on multiplying fractions. We are now moving to dividing whole numbers by fractions and fractions by fractions. We are using the area model and number line to show how these operations actually work. It is challenging! Up until now students have always ended up with a larger product when multiplying and a smaller quotient when dividing, but they are noticing this is not the case now. They are testing out lots of their ideas to come up with some generalizations about how all of this works!
4/5 Literacy-
The Wax Museum was a huge success. Students worked hard and were very proud to share everything they learned with you. Thank you so much for coming. It really does make their whole day knowing you are coming!
We are finishing up our last book groups and moving towards another one. Students will be responding to prompts in writing while working on ways to collaborate and have discussions. We are also continuing to read Harry Potter, our read aloud.
We dove into our Inquiry Unit last week as well. We will be researching various aspects of the national parks. We have Skyped with Denali National Park in Alaska, Joshua Tree National Park in California and the Badlands in South Dakota. We have one more set up this week with Yellowstone. I think these are great opportunities to learn about not only the specific park we are speaking with, but also about the park systems and park rangers. The ranger from the Badlands had his BA in geology and his MA in paleontology. He worked on various archeological dig sites and provided a wealth of information! We also read a short story: The Camping Trip that Changed America. It is about how John Muir and Roosevelt went on a camping trip and what that led to. Ask your learner about it!
Students will begin narrowing down their focus by the end of the week. Feel free to help with this process. Explore the national park website with them and get intrigued about something! It will probably rub off and they will become excited to learn more about that particular topic. We aren't just studying a particular park, but a specific aspect related to national parks. Some topics from last year included: What is happening to the bats at Carlsbad Caverns? What is Yellowstone going to do about drones? How are the layers of rock formed at Bryce Canyon? What happened when they reintroduced the wolves to Isle of Royale? How can I become a park ranger? Students study the topic, write to the park that could help them the most and write a report that includes their learning. Then they come up with a project to demonstrate their learning. Unlike the wax museum, these are much more varied! We will then share it all with you at some point in May. As soon as I know the date I will let you know!
KIDS ON THE RUN WILL BE POSTPONED UNTIL MARCH 21st DUE TO THE FORECASTED SNOW! If something changes and the forecast is incorrect I will let you know.
Talent show forms are due tomorrow and basket raffle tickets are on sale, 1 for $1.00 and 6 for $5.00.
Thanks for reading,
Bethany