Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Summarizing with Ormie!

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In class this week, we are working on summarizing...


When writing a summary, focus on the most important details. Keep it short and use your own words to tell what happens. An easy way to stick with what's important is to use the SWBS Method.




For example, here is a SWBS Summary of Cinderella:



Now let's use our skillz to summarize "Ormie" by Arc Productions!






Now it's time to put SWBS to work with Pippi Longstocking!

 

Think about Chapter 7-8. 

Summarize one scene or event using SWBS.

Friday, February 12, 2016

MATH 5: Post Test 3 Prep

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5th Grade: POST TEST 3
Thursday, 2/18 @ 12:00 PM

Remember, due to the holiday, we will not have math next Tuesday. Instead we will take a test on Thursday, 2/18 at 12:00 PM.



CONCEPTS - Click the link to access each blog post :
Please review your math notebook pages before the test! I am attaching a practice test, too. You can check your answers AFTER you take the practice test. Here is the key (click on the image for a closer look):


Class Connect recording links are now live on your Weekly Plan. If you want to review a concept, that's a great place to start!

Thursday, February 11, 2016

MATH 4: Post Test 3 Prep

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4th Grade: POST TEST 3
Thursday, 2/18 @ 10:00 AM
Test Concepts:
 After you take the practice, you can check your answers...

 [click on the pic]

Use your notebook and this blog to review, if needed!


Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Comparing (and Eating) Fractions

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QUICK REVIEW! When dealing with fractions always remember that the numerator is the number on the top and the denominator is on "de-bottom."


Moving on...

This week, we learned how to compare fractions.  In math, we use universal symbols like 
<
>
=
to compare one number to another.

If you forget which way the symbol faces, just think of the ol' alligator.

He opens his mouth to the larger number. Why?


He LOVES big numbers. He DEVOURS them!

HE WANTS MORE!

Especially when you're talking about pizza, pie, or Hershey bars.


Who wouldn't want 8/8 of a pizza?

In the problem above, the denominators are the same. This makes comparing the two fractions easy. 

When comparing two fractions with like denominators, the larger fraction is the one with the greater numerator. Let's look at the example above. 8 is greater than 5, sooo...



Now, let's look at some more examples of comparing fractions with unlike denominators.


When you have fractions with unlike denominators like the two above, there are a few ways to figure out which is greater. One method is to find the Lowest Common Denominator (LCD).

First, write down all the multiples of each denominator...


Circle the lowest number that they have in common. This will become the new denominator for both fractions.

As we learned before, when making equivalent fractions you have to X or ÷ the denominator and numerator by the same number. 


Now that the denominators are the same, we can look at the numerator to see which fraction is larger. Which is greater 6 or 5? 6 is larger, soooo...



When I was in 4th grade, I learned another way to compare fractions. I've taught this technique to my students over the years because it's a little quicker than the LCD technique!




5 is less than 12, soooo...

This technique is also known as The Butterfly Method. Can you tell why?





This video will help explain a couple different ways of comparing fractions. Use the method that works for you!



When cross multiplying or finding the LCD, it may help to use a Multiplication Chart. Click the picture below for a cool chart to add to your math notebook!

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fclassroomsol.weebly.com%2Fuploads%2F1%2F1%2F2%2F0%2F1120439%2Fmultiplication_chart.pdf


Fun games, lesson and other resources.

Here is this week's notebook page. Please make sure your math notebook is up to date!

[click on the image for a closer look]

Keep up the great work, kids!

Monday, February 1, 2016

FEB-RU-ARY is HERE!

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Here is our class calendar for February. Please check your k-mail for a printable version!

[click on the calendar for a closer look]