MATH
This week’s math class highly integrated the areas of Language Arts and Social Studies as we focused on the “language of algebra” and the strategy of “working backwards”. We began the week by learning how to read, interpret, and write algebraic expressions and equations. Through an interactive PowerPoint (click here to view), we focused on key vocabulary, thereby leading us into the process of translating back and forth between written, verbal statements and mathematical statements. For example, given the words “Two times the quantity of seven decreased by a number” students learned to read, interpret, and then represent the same information in a mathematical format: 2(7-x).
The latter half of the week we focused on the strategy of working backwards to solve equations through a super NCTM article that involved map-making and map-reading. Students were given the following situation:
Robert is visiting his grandmother in her new home. She asks him to run some errands and gives him directions to walk three blocks north to the cleaners, 8 blocks east to the hardware store, then 10 blocks south to the florist, and 2 blocks west to the ice cream parlor for a sundae.
From here, they were instructed to draw a map outlining the directions given above. It was really fascinating to watch different students approach this task. After drawing the map in their daybook, students were then asked to write directions back to Robert’s grandmother’s house based on the maps they constructed. I then had them make connections between this activity and the math we had been learning in class. Here are some of the comments from the students:
• Maps and math both use coordinates.
• We had to follow directions, just like we have to follow directions to solve problems.
• We translated the words into pictures and symbols, and then turned the pictures and symbols back into words.
Then I introduced the “Forward/Backward/Solve” Chart. In this chart, we always start with x, and then step-by-step follow what happens to “x.” This led to a nice review of the order of operations or PEMDAS. (Click here to view the PowerPoint used in class). After tracking what happens to “x” in the forward column, we then started with the output, or what is on the other side of the equals sign, and worked backwards using inverse operations. Just as Robert had to do the opposite of his original directions to get back home to grandma, the kids realized that they could work backwards using the “opposite” or inverse operation to derive the value of “x.” I found this high-level thinking activity to be a wonderful way to challenge students to form a deeper understanding of linear equations. (Click here to view the Maps and Algebra PowerPoint).
On Friday, to sum up learning activities for the week, students participated in a problem-solving activity called “Equations Dominoes” in which they matched word problems with algebraic expressions. Lastly, we reflected in our daybooks on what we’ve been learning, as well as how we’ve been learning it. To view what your child wrote, please see his/her daybook.
A Quick Note About Homework
All homework that was assigned last Thursday, November 19th, is due December 3rd. If completed this week on a “regular” schedule, this will give your family some well-deserved “homework free” time for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
SCIENCE
"Rocket science has been mythologized all out of proportion to its true difficulty." John D. Carmack , co-founder of Software and founder of Armadillo Aerospace
This has proven to be very true in water rocket science too! Successful launches were had on Tuesday. We had very high apogees with your children in utter amazement at the force of the bottle launch! It was so exciting to see the joy of successful planning and creation of our reconstructed rockets implemented in dizzying heights and fun twirls of the rockets in the air! Monday was a different story. We had trouble with the air compressor and had to revert back to the foot pump which was disappointing to all of us. I felt just terrible for your children! The problem has been corrected and we will relaunch the rockets for our Monday group on November 23rd. Your children will have an opportunity to experience the joy of powerful rocket launches!
The North Carolina Writing Assessment for the content writing in science was concluded this week. The students finished their papers and turned them in on Tuesday. Ms. Kreit and I assessed the papers on Wednesday and Thursday. The papers were the conclusion of two weeks of writing and was a multi step process. I feel like the laboratory writing experience really gave all the students a deep understanding of rockets. I have really enjoyed reading the applications of force to rockets, it makes me so proud!
The science assessment on Force and Motion was Wednesday. Thanks to Mrs. Voncanon , many of the assessments are evaluated. The students did very well! I love that they are taking ownership of their learning and studying so hard for successful acquisition of knowledge! I will be returning the assessments on Monday and Tuesday. The students will be responsible for revising any incorrect responses. We will review this in class as a reteaching moment. I will continue to assess lab investigations, reading and writing passages and exit slips. I do find value in studying for the unit assessments as great practice for advanced learning environments. This also gives me an opportunity to see where students need help and I am able to review any of concepts that misunderstood. I plan on continuing to administer planned unit assessments throughout the year. Please let me know if you ever have any concerns or questions about these assessments. Please take a moment next week to look at the assessment. They will be located in the math/science binder!
When we return from Thanksgiving Break we will be studying cells, cell theory and life science. This will be a fun unit! Microscopes are one of my favorite science "toys" and we are going to have an amazing time looking at different cells under the microscope! I can't wait to get started!
This week’s math class highly integrated the areas of Language Arts and Social Studies as we focused on the “language of algebra” and the strategy of “working backwards”. We began the week by learning how to read, interpret, and write algebraic expressions and equations. Through an interactive PowerPoint (click here to view), we focused on key vocabulary, thereby leading us into the process of translating back and forth between written, verbal statements and mathematical statements. For example, given the words “Two times the quantity of seven decreased by a number” students learned to read, interpret, and then represent the same information in a mathematical format: 2(7-x).
The latter half of the week we focused on the strategy of working backwards to solve equations through a super NCTM article that involved map-making and map-reading. Students were given the following situation:
Robert is visiting his grandmother in her new home. She asks him to run some errands and gives him directions to walk three blocks north to the cleaners, 8 blocks east to the hardware store, then 10 blocks south to the florist, and 2 blocks west to the ice cream parlor for a sundae.
From here, they were instructed to draw a map outlining the directions given above. It was really fascinating to watch different students approach this task. After drawing the map in their daybook, students were then asked to write directions back to Robert’s grandmother’s house based on the maps they constructed. I then had them make connections between this activity and the math we had been learning in class. Here are some of the comments from the students:
• Maps and math both use coordinates.
• We had to follow directions, just like we have to follow directions to solve problems.
• We translated the words into pictures and symbols, and then turned the pictures and symbols back into words.
Then I introduced the “Forward/Backward/Solve” Chart. In this chart, we always start with x, and then step-by-step follow what happens to “x.” This led to a nice review of the order of operations or PEMDAS. (Click here to view the PowerPoint used in class). After tracking what happens to “x” in the forward column, we then started with the output, or what is on the other side of the equals sign, and worked backwards using inverse operations. Just as Robert had to do the opposite of his original directions to get back home to grandma, the kids realized that they could work backwards using the “opposite” or inverse operation to derive the value of “x.” I found this high-level thinking activity to be a wonderful way to challenge students to form a deeper understanding of linear equations. (Click here to view the Maps and Algebra PowerPoint).
On Friday, to sum up learning activities for the week, students participated in a problem-solving activity called “Equations Dominoes” in which they matched word problems with algebraic expressions. Lastly, we reflected in our daybooks on what we’ve been learning, as well as how we’ve been learning it. To view what your child wrote, please see his/her daybook.
A Quick Note About Homework
All homework that was assigned last Thursday, November 19th, is due December 3rd. If completed this week on a “regular” schedule, this will give your family some well-deserved “homework free” time for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
SCIENCE
"Rocket science has been mythologized all out of proportion to its true difficulty." John D. Carmack , co-founder of Software and founder of Armadillo Aerospace
This has proven to be very true in water rocket science too! Successful launches were had on Tuesday. We had very high apogees with your children in utter amazement at the force of the bottle launch! It was so exciting to see the joy of successful planning and creation of our reconstructed rockets implemented in dizzying heights and fun twirls of the rockets in the air! Monday was a different story. We had trouble with the air compressor and had to revert back to the foot pump which was disappointing to all of us. I felt just terrible for your children! The problem has been corrected and we will relaunch the rockets for our Monday group on November 23rd. Your children will have an opportunity to experience the joy of powerful rocket launches!
The North Carolina Writing Assessment for the content writing in science was concluded this week. The students finished their papers and turned them in on Tuesday. Ms. Kreit and I assessed the papers on Wednesday and Thursday. The papers were the conclusion of two weeks of writing and was a multi step process. I feel like the laboratory writing experience really gave all the students a deep understanding of rockets. I have really enjoyed reading the applications of force to rockets, it makes me so proud!
The science assessment on Force and Motion was Wednesday. Thanks to Mrs. Voncanon , many of the assessments are evaluated. The students did very well! I love that they are taking ownership of their learning and studying so hard for successful acquisition of knowledge! I will be returning the assessments on Monday and Tuesday. The students will be responsible for revising any incorrect responses. We will review this in class as a reteaching moment. I will continue to assess lab investigations, reading and writing passages and exit slips. I do find value in studying for the unit assessments as great practice for advanced learning environments. This also gives me an opportunity to see where students need help and I am able to review any of concepts that misunderstood. I plan on continuing to administer planned unit assessments throughout the year. Please let me know if you ever have any concerns or questions about these assessments. Please take a moment next week to look at the assessment. They will be located in the math/science binder!
When we return from Thanksgiving Break we will be studying cells, cell theory and life science. This will be a fun unit! Microscopes are one of my favorite science "toys" and we are going to have an amazing time looking at different cells under the microscope! I can't wait to get started!
We would like to wish all of our wonderful students and families a very blessed and wonderful
Thanksgiving Holiday! We certainly are grateful for the opportunity to work with such loving, supportive, caring folks! On this very special Holiday, we give thanks for each and every one of YOU!!! We love you!
Mrs. Smith and Mrs. V
Thanksgiving Holiday! We certainly are grateful for the opportunity to work with such loving, supportive, caring folks! On this very special Holiday, we give thanks for each and every one of YOU!!! We love you!
Mrs. Smith and Mrs. V
