GEOMETRY TEST DEC 3RD

Our Geometry unit is coming to an end. We are targeting Wednesday Dec 3rd for our unit test for both grades. Continue to practice measuring angles at home. Last week I provided a link to a website that helps create worksheets to practice their protractor skills.

GRADE 5 TEST FOCUS

• BE ABLE TO USE A VARIETY OF ATTRIBUTES TO NAME 2D SHAPES (A TRIANGLE CAN BE ACUTE, EQUALATERAL, A PARRALLELOGRAM CAN BE A QUADRILATERAL )
• BE ABLE TO NAME, CREATE AND MEASURE ANGLES
• BE ABLE TO CONSTRUCT A GIVEN POLYGON GIVEN THE ANGLES
• BE ABLE TO CREATE TRIANGLES GIVEN SIDE LENGTHS AND ANGLE MEASUREMENTS
• BE ABLE TO DESCRIBE WHICH NETS OF 3D SOLIDS ARE ACCURATE AND WHICH NETS COULD NOT MAKE A 3D SOLID

GRADE 6 TEST FOCUS

• BE ABLE TO NAME, CREATE AND MEASURE ANGLES
• BE ABLE TO USE A VARIETY OF ATTRIBUTES TO NAME 2D SHAPES (A TRIANGLE CAN BE ACUTE, EQUALATERAL, A PARRALLELOGRAM CAN BE A QUADRILATERAL 

• BE ABLE TO CREATE TRIANGLES AND QUADRILAERALS GIVEN SIDE LENGTHS AND ANGLE MEASUREMENTS
• BE ABLE TO SORT POLYGONS GIVEN A VARIETY OF ATTRIBUTES

GEOMETRY PRACTICE

We are having some issues with being able to consistently measure angles correctly. Before we can move on to measure angles in shapes (triangles, quadrilaterals) they have to be able to accurately and consistently measure angles. I am including a link to a website that allows you to create worksheets (and answers!!!) to practice measuring angles. Yesterday we starting working on creating shapes (triangles, quadrilaterals) given specific angle measure and side measurements. This was a little challenging for most. We will be continuing with this today.

ANGLES WORKSHEETS

From Theory to Practice

Math Part Three!!

Today is when we put into practice the work we have been doing over the last two days. We explored the concepts together in the CONSOLIDATION  portion where students discussed how they solved the question and what they learned in the process. Then, we took that information and created an ANCHOR CHART that stays in the classroom, as a reference tool.Now is the time that we practice. The students are playing a game that allows them to put their new knowledge to work. The game involves coming up with a secret rule that uses a particular ATTRIBUTE of a 2D shape. The idea is that by being able to link a variety of shapes to certain ATTRIBUTES they begin to understand what attributes match which shapes. This guided practice gives them a chance to try out this new information in a fun and engaging manner without the stress of having to know all the information on their own. When we return Monday they will have individual seatwork that they will complete in their math books and math journals.

                                  

Math Part Two!!

 The next step is referred to as CONSOLIDATION. While the students were working on their math questions yesterday, I was walking around and observing their work. I'm making notes and deciding which pieces of work I will highlight later that day or next day. This morning I took out all their samples and spread them all on the floor. I'm looking for samples of work that highlight the curriculum expectations we are trying to address. Sometimes we may even choose to show a sample that misses the mark. The point being, that there is value in errors and misconceptions. We can take something positive away from these samples as well. These are pictures of the students presenting their work to the rest of the class. Each sample addresses a piece of the particular curriculum expectation we are trying to teach the students. Once we discuss each of the groups work, we create an ANCHOR CHART that goes up in the classroom.  

Why is my kid on the floor?!

Our focus for math instruction is for kids to experience it. We give students a guiding question and then have them attack it. In today's example they are asked to 'sort the triangles according to their measure'. It's up to them to decide how to do that. Something very interesting happens with these Open type questions, there is really no right or wrong answer!! They are free to explore and decide for themselves what they want to focus on. Something very special happens--any child, regardless of math 'smarts' can contribute. We use their work later to showcase specific strategies that kids developed to address the question. The variety and scope of their answers and strategies is enlightening. Once this stage is done we move onto consolidation--stayed tuned. We will discuss this stage tomorrow.

FILLING IN THE GAPS!!

I still remember Mrs. Strong in grade 3 standing at the front of the class with her set of multiplication flash cards! I'm getting butterflies and my hands are sweating just like they did those many (many, many, many) years ago. It was very stressful, but I learned my multiplication facts. We need to be a little more creative, but  our students MUST  get better at their basic math facts. There are a number of links to math website on our class website. I strongly suggest you look at these with your child and decide which ones they will use to help support their work with mastering their math facts. Follow this link to the class website. Another very effective way to practice these facts with a game called MATH PRODIGY. There is a free version that anyone can play and there is also a paid version that allows parents to track progress. Follow the LINK to go to game site.

Book Fair

The St.Gabriel book fair arrives this week. It's a great opportunity to get some early Christmas shopping done. Our class viewing time is Friday Nov 14 from 9:20 to 9:50. Kids can make wish lists and ho over them with parents. Then we return Monday Nov 17 at 9:50 to 10:15 to make our purchases.

GEOMETRY RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

We will be starting our unit on Geometry this week. There are many key learning goals in this unit for both the grade 5's and 6's. We will be learning how to identify, sort and name a variety of 2d figures and 3d solids. We will also be measuring, constructing and naming angles. I have a variety of geometry resources on the class website. Follow the THIS LINK to get to the geometry resource page. If you have trouble accessing the page through the link, please go to the school website. Once there you can go to the staff folder and find my name with a link to the website.

Food Bank Pickup

We did such a great job collecting for the mission food bank!! Here we are creating a human chain of charity - loading all the food onto the missions truck. 

LINK FOR ANCHOR CHARTS NOT WORKING?

I received a comment that the link for the anchor chart on a previous blog post was not working. TRY THIS ONE. This link should take you to the class website. Once there look to the tabs at the top and click on the one that says, ANCHOR CHARTS. That should take you to the slideshow of the anchor charts.
thank you

Parent-Teacher Interview Forms

Please look through your child's agenda tonight for the Parent-Teacher Interview form. We are trying something new this year! You will have access to an electronic form that will allow you to book your own time for interviews. POWER TO THE PEOPLE !! All kidding aside, I think it's a great idea that gives parents an immediate response and allows them to pick a time that best suits their schedule.  If you have any problems or issues trying to log on, please contact the school and we can help.

Guardians Give Back

It's time for our Guardians Give Back Project. This year Mrs.Cosman's class and our class will be giving back to community by donating breakfast items to one of our local schools for their Breakfast Program.  Students can help by donating cereal, granola bars, oatmeal etc. By participating in this project your child will see, first hand, the importance of giving to those in need.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Thank you for your continued support.