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 30

Geometry

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Polygon Game

Polygon Mini-Lesson

Practice Measuring Angles

Drawing Angles Game

Alien Angles Game

Triangles!

 

What's the MATTER?

 (This is Alex, Mrs. Sol's son, when he was in 5th grade!)

Data Charts: What's the Rule?

 

(click on the chart for a close look)

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!