Fractions, fractions, fractions... that is what both third and fourth grade math students have been learning about lately in our class. While third graders are just beginning to understand equivalence with fractions, fourth grade is moving on to use equivalent fractions to create decimals and percents. Third graders master the concept representing fractions greater than one (otherwise known as mixed numbers) while fourth graders learn how to add and subtract mixed numbers (mastering those with the same denominator and beginning to understand what to do when they don't have the same denominator.) Regardless of which class you would peak in on, our focus is on truly understanding these concepts with visuals and manipulates, as well as creating number models and mathematical algorithms for our work. Fraction understanding is SOOO important in the elementary grades so both of these groups will be spending the next couple weeks making sure our learning is solid. Fifth grade is taking a test on our geometry unit on Tuesday. We have been measuring angles and looking at relationships of angles within polygons (new terms like supplementary, complementary, transversals, adjacent, and more have entered our daily conversations.) We'll continue with geometry for our next unit of study looking into concepts related to perimeter, area, and volume of different 2D and 3D shapes. I try to connect our classroom learning in math to real-world mathematics as much as possible. One of the ways that I work with fourth grade to do this is through Scholastic's DynaMath. Each month the students get a current-event magazine that has articles and math problems related to those articles. Students get their copy at the beginning of the month, and they have the whole month to complete it during class and some homework time. The last school day of each month, we take time to review the answers and discuss strategy. If you have a fourth grader, the kids get a paper copy each month. However, there is also a version online that includes videos and games. If you would like to check it out or your child would like to try some of the extra activities, you can login with the following steps: Go to http://dynamath.scholastic.com/ On the top right click on "Student Sign In" Our class password is - Werner1234 Have fun! Lastly this week, fourth and fifth grade participated in the the fourth of five Math Olympiad contest. There will be one more competition March. I had March 4th set aside for our school contest, however, because of CMAS (PARCC) scheduling and an already stressful day of testing, we'll complete our last Math Olympiad on Thursday, March 5. There will be a PSD Math Olympiad tournament Wednesday, May 6, at Bethke Elementary. Due to restrictions this year, I will only be able to take 10-5th graders. Please take a peak at your calendar to see if this date is available. I'll be asking for interested students to sign up after Spring Break.
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Tracey BeanWerner Elementary Archives
May 2018
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