It's December?!

Yep, December is here!

Work hard to get caught up this month, so you can enjoy winter break.

The goal is 38% by December 18.

[click on the calendar to enlarge it]

If you're still behind on December 18, do some work over break! 

The first semester ends on January 31, so now's the time to catch up.

2-Digit Multiplication

This week in Class Connect we are learning how to multiply multi-digit numbers (2-digit numbers to be exact.

Let's review a couple helpful vocabulary words from this lesson...

Here is a video tutorial to help you understand how to multiply multi-digit numbers.

Don't forget the magic ZERO to hold your place before switching to the tens place!

When solving problems like this, it's very important to write neatly and keep everything lined up. By using a data box, all information will be in one place. The grid helps with lining numbers up before you add.

Here is an example of a data box. Thanks Matthew!

[click on the image for a closer look]

In math class this year, you have learned about partial products too.   When solving multi-digit math problems, use the strategy that works for you.

Thanks for the sweet graphics Mr. Elementary Math!

Here's a video to help understand partial products, if that's more your style.

X GAMES!

Partial Product Jeopardy

The Amoeba Multiplication Game

multiplication.com

Timez Attack

Happy Thanksgiving!

US History: Colonial America

5th graders are continuing along with the study of early American history. This week, Colonial America!

Here is today's lesson. Use this video as a review and to copy the vocabulary definitions into your SLASH notebook.

Use the lesson above to complete this week's SLASH assignment (due Friday):

Multiplication

4th graders are reviewing multiplication this week. We'll start with single digit multipliers. Next week, we'll kick it up a notch.

Please watch the video below, then complete the practice page.

Remember that Multiplication Chart I sent out earlier in the year? 

That may come in handy!

Click the image below for this week's Quick Check printable...

Please send me your answers before Friday. You can k-mail them, e-mail them, or text them to me. Just remember, no calculators are allowed on this assignment.

 Seriously, Darth?

Thanks guys!

Happy Hierarchies :)

Hey kids!

This week 5th graders are continuing a study of polygons in math class. If you need a refresher as to what a quadrilateral is, check out this movie. I apologize in advance if it gets stuck in your head for, like, ever.

Woooaaahhh...Woooaaahhh... Quad-ri-later-als... Quad-ri-later-als...

During our last class we learned some important vocabulary words we could use to describe a polygon:

Plane, parallelogram, congruent, quadrilateral

to name a few.

Below you will find  our lovely Polygon Brainstorm.

As with all images on this site, click on the picture for a larger view.

Now, we will take the info we already have in our brains (and notebooks), and learn to classify polygons. Here are a few images to help you get started. 

Our 5.G.3 notebook pages include vocabulary words and three handy charts. You may need several pages to fit all of the information. Check your k-mail for printable pages!

hi·er·ar·chy

ˈhī(ə)rärkē/

noun

1. a system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.

A hierarchy in geometry is very similar to the definition above. Except instead of talking about people (like military ranks), we are classifying shapes based on their properties. You start with a broad category at the top of the chart, like "Polygons." As you add branches, you split off to define specific properties of shapes. 

Here is the example we used in our math notebooks. In the chart below, "Quadrilaterals" is at the top of the hierarchy. As you branch off from that general term, you get more and more specific. I enlarged the chart on this page, so you can use it to complete your math notebook page, if needed.

Here is another hierarchy chart I found online. I know how you like happy shapes, so you may want to add this chart to your math notebook. That's what I'm going to do! Click on the image for a printable version. Thanks Ms. BBZ!

Awwwww... Such a cute and happy polygon family!

Here are four fun and interesting math resources that have to do with this week's math concept.

Quadrilateral Shape Game

Exploring Shape Classification

Quadrilateral Hierarchy Diagram Activity

5.G.4 Video Lesson

Click here for a few flashcards to help you remember the geometry vocabulary you learned in Chapter 2 and in Class Connect. 

Now, on to fractions!

Read a Good Book Today

Looking for a good book on this rainy Saturday? Check out...

What Should I Read Next?

US History: European Explorers

In SLASH this month, 5th graders are learning about US History. First stop, The Age of Exploration! You did an excellent job reading in class today. Now it's time to take that information and turn it into a summary. Cool!

When writing a summary about a famous person, event, or topic, focus on the basic and important facts. Who? What? Where? Why? When?

Remember to...

• Keep your summary short.
• Write about the main ideas.
• Use your own words and key words from the text.
• Do not include your opinion or tell how you feel about the topic.

 

EXCEPTIONAL EXPLORER SUMMARY

For this week's assignment, you will write a summary about one of the explorers we studied. Choose an explorer from the slideshow above and complete the Exceptional Explorer notebook page. More information about explorers (and games!) from The Age of Discovery can be found on this site:

The Ages of Exploration  

This sheet outlines important facts. Use your notes as a guide for your summary.

The first step is to gather information about your explorer and take notes. Add a photo or colored drawing of your explorer in the frame!

Using the information above, type up a summary. Cut it out and glue it into the box on your notebook page (single spaced). Be sure to include an introduction sentence, all of the important information from your notes, and a conclusion sentence. Remember, do not add your opinion about the explorer... only add facts.

Before submitting your summary to the Google form, edit your writing. Check for misspelled words and re-read your summary to make sure it sounds the way you want it to.

Here is a helpful rubric for summary writing:

Key Instructional Elements for Non-Fiction Summaries:
Has a main idea/concept
Includes important facts and details
Is in the writer’s own words
Direct use of text from selections should have quotation marks
Reflects underlying meaning
Includes details in logical order

Here is a look at a completed Exceptional Explorer notes and summary page. If you send me a picture of your notebook page (complete, neat and colorful), I will give you +5 extra credit in the gradebook!

You can click on any image on this page for a closer look.

Washington State Symbols

What a great group of students I have. Nice job today! It's so fun to learn about Washington State with y'all!

Here are the slides from today's lesson. Feel free to use this information to help you with your Washington Report. You can fast-forward, rewind and pause as needed!

Here is a video which features Washington's State Dance!

This is Washington's State Song (that will get stuck in your head for 3 days).
Click here for the lyrics.

Turn up your speakers for both! 

State reports are not due until December 18. That's because I expect them to be accurate, colorful, detailed, and complete! 

The report below is not quite complete, but you can tell this student is off to a great start!

I can't wait to see them!

Mozart Smart

Sometimes music can help you focus on your school work AND help you retain information.

Mozart's music is the most popular and researched music for helping modify attentiveness and alertness. The structural and not overly emotional expression helps clarify time/space perception. It is not overstimulating and the structures of the rondo, sonata-allegro form, and variation form are basic ways in which the brain becomes familiar with the development and familiarity of ideas. (The Mozart Effect, pages 27-30.) 

You may find that listening to certain instrumental music will not only be soothing, but may help you concentrate and remember what you are learning during the day.

Want to see if Mozart helps you study? Click on the video below and turn up the speakers or put on your headset (not too loud!). Then get to work!

 

For more information on The Mozart Effect, watch this.

The Study Music Project was created by Dennis Kuo. Check out his YouTube channel for lots of cool studying music! He's always adding more songs, so it is a wonderful resource for new brain-fueling melodies!

Let me know what you think!

Washington State!

Hey Washingtonians!

I'm excited to learn about Washington State with you. Over the next few weeks 4th graders will learn about Washington and complete a super cool project!

Your Washington State report can be saved as a 11 x 25.5" poster...

...or as three notebook pages. Use the Grip & Rip technique to add them.

Bring your report pages to class each week, so you can add information as we learn about our great state! Check your k-mail or the CC recording for printable pages.

Final Projects are due the week before Winter Break.

Here are the slides from today's lesson. We will continue with Washington Symbols and Other Fun Facts on Monday.

See you in CC is on November 9th!

November!

Happy November! Here is our calendar for this month! A printable version can be found in k-mail. The goal is 30% in call courses by November 30.

[click on the calendar for a closer look]