Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Week of September 29th - October 3rd

This week, the 5th graders learned some differences between experimental and theoretical probabilities.  Check out this video for a recap.

HW: p. 21 and 23


In 4th grade, we learned how to solve for variables when they have a specific value by completing addition and multiplication variable puzzles.  Then, we tried to create some of our own puzzles, which proved to be pretty challenging.  Next week, we can share some of these puzzles and see if we can solve them!
HW: p. 17 and 19


In third grade, we used a variety of tools to measure various body parts, like our height, reach, distance around neck, and our radius and tibia.  We discussed how using measuring benchmarks can make estimating measurements a lot easier.  Check out some of our measuring experts in action!
HW: p. 9 and 11


Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Week of September 22-24

This week, the 5th graders played some probability games where the possible outcomes were unequally likely.  One of them involved an interesting way of assigning homework.  A teacher had a bag labeled "Heads" with one red cube in it and a bag labeled "Tails" with 3 red and 4 blue cubes in it.  He flipped a coin, picked out of the appropriate bag, and if he picked a red, there would be homework.  Blue meant no homework.  Can you figure out the probability of getting homework vs. not getting homework?  At home, students will redesign the rules so that the probability of not getting homework is greater than that of having homework.
HW: p. 13 and 15

In 4th grade, I did a magic number trick for the kids, and by the end of the class session, everyone was able to use algebra to figure out how the trick works.  I told them to try it out on family and friends at home.  It's sure to amaze them!
HW: Finish p. 8 and complete p. 9 using your new number trick cards that you made up.

Friday, September 19, 2014

Week of September 15-19

In 5th grade, we began our unit on probability.  We did some experiments involving coin tosses and picking colored cubes out of a bag, and we discussed what it means for outcomes to be equally likely.  We realized that equally likely does not always mean that the probability equals one half.  If there are 8 different colored cubes in a bag, the likelihood of picking each one is 1/8.
HW: p. 7 and 9 in the mathematician's journal (Remember to use the rubric to make sure your writing is the best it can be!)

In 4th grade, we started our Algebra unit by playing some guessing games involving mystery numbers.  Through these games, we learned the meaning of the term variable. We also learned the difference between expressions and equations and how these differences affect the definition of a variable.
HW: p. 3 and 5 in the mathematician's journal (Remember to use the rubric to make sure your writing is the best it can be!)

In 3rd grade, we talked about the importance of accuracy when taking measurements.  We learned how to convert millimeters to centimeters and measured various items around the classroom.  We discussed how different tools are appropriate for different types of measurement.
HW: complete p. 5 in the mathematician's journal.  List 8 more body parts to measure, decide what tool would work best, and explain the steps you would take to measure that body part.

measuring the height of the table

working together to get accurate measurements

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Week of September 8-12

This week was awesome because I was finally able to meet with my students and get down to business. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces this week and to meet some students new to the program as well! Our motto this year is, "If you've never failed, you've never tried anything new!" We watched a video about some famous people who were once considered "failures" but did not give up on their dreams, and the students came up with some terrific messages like:

  • If you don't make mistakes, you won't learn from them.
  • No one is perfect.
  • It's okay to get mad, but it's not okay to give up.
  • If you fail 1,000 times, try 1,001.
Thomas Edison
Albert Einstein

 Michael Jordan













The homework for this week is to research an invention that happened by accident or after many failures.  Choose one invention to write about and explain in your own words in your notebook.