October STEM Challenge

This month we are going to design catapults that will FLING autumn-ish projectiles 6 feet or more!

Catapults use weights and levers to send large rocks or other things into the air. They were commonly used as weapons during the Middle Ages. Catapults do not throw as far as modern weapons do and are not useful in modern warfare.

During the Medieval Period, catapults were used as weapons to throw rocks or other things such as hot tar, that would cause damage to something else. Often, catapults were set on higher ground or on castle towers to let them shoot farther. They shot rocks to break castle walls or hot tar to set the target on fire.

Let's design mini-catapults!

Use items from around your house to design a free-standing mini catapult that will launch October themed projectiles farther than 6 feet! Projectiles can be anything related to fall - apples, mini pumpkins, acorns, fall-colored pompoms, Halloweeny stuff, etc.

Send Mrs. Sol pictures or movies of your experiment to share in class.

DUE OCTOBER 18

Geometry

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Polygon Game

Polygon Mini-Lesson

Practice Measuring Angles

Drawing Angles Game

Alien Angles Game

Order of Operations

This week in math we're learning about the Order of Operations.

Numbers 

and Operations

in a Formation...

Watch this video and you'll see what I mean!

Do NOT blame me if that song is stuck in your head until 2034.

Many things in math are not up for interpretation. We need to agree on certain math rules in order for  for humans to calculate numbers and communicate accurately.

For example, if you are ordering new carpet and the guy at Carl's Carpet Center asks you what the square footage of your bedroom is, you should both have an understanding of area. If you calculate differently, you may end up with too much or not enough lime green wool shag. (I had lime green shag carpet in my bedroom when I was your age, so don't laugh.)

"The Order of Operations is very important when simplifying expressions and equations. The Order of Operations is a standard that defines the order in which you should simplify different operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. 

This standard is critical to simplifying and solving different algebra problems. Without it, two different people may interpret an equation or expression in different ways and come up with different answers. The Order of Operations is shown below." (algebrahelp.com)

What's the difference between parentheses and brackets?

Sometimes parentheses are called "round brackets" because of their shape.

( )

Square brackets remind me of staples that hold the numbers together.

[ ]

When dealing with parentheses and brackets...

For more information, games and other resources, click the links below!

Cool Math

Khan Academy

Dad's Worksheets

Order of Operations Game 

Watch this video for a review!

Ain't Nothin' but a Coordinate Plane

In math this week, we are working on geometry. To be more specific, we are learning about the parts of a COORDINATE PLANE.

First things first. Let's start with the vocabulary words. What is a coordinate plane, anyway?

Other important parts of the coordinate plane are...

In geometry, a coordinate plane includes all numbers, both positive and negative. It is divided into 4 QUADRANTS. We write the quadrants as roman numerals and the order travels around the coordinate plane in a counter-clockwise fashion.

In your math future you will plot points on all of the quadrants, so pay close attention to the coordinates. Are they positive or negative?

Today, we will stick with QUADRANT I where the x and y axes are positive (+,+).

When you use coordinates to plot points, you always travel across the x axis first. Then, move up the y axis. Across, then up.

 

This trick may help you remember what to do...

RUN across and then JUMP up!

 Thanks Mario!

Let's practice. Are the answers on this activity correct?

 

Now we'll do the plotting. On this activity, we were given coordinates. Are the points in the correct places? 

I believe they are! Nice work!

No lesson would be complete without a song. Am I right? Here's a catchy tune about the parts of a coordinate plane. Turn up your speakers and feel free to sing along!

 Yoooou ain't nothin' but a coordinate plane...

Thanks Mr. Phillips!

 For games and other resources to go with this lesson, click on the links below!

Locate the Aliens

What's the Point?

Coordinate Grid Games

Additional Video Lessons
 

Check your email for a Coordinates page to add to your math notebook and keep up the great work!

Hooray! First Day!

Our Class Padlet: 

https://padlet.com/rondasol/mrs-sol-s-class-2024-2025-21l8ejzcq1kz30sb

Choose the + 

Type your first name at the top.

Take or upload a picture of you.

Add 3 facts about yourself!

Click PUBLISH & wait for Mrs. Sol to approve it.