Starting Geometry

We introduced a new unit in math today. There is a picture of kids working on the problem with a partner and a picture of the question. This is the type of open-ended question that all learners can attempt to answer. This question will lead us to create success criteria that we will use throughout the unit. 

Interesting Parenting Article

Interesting article that makes some great suggestions to help students be prepared for the classroom. Click on the link below to get to the article. It's rather long but their are some good suggestions at the end of the article that parents can try.

ARTICLE

Colour Value Art

We are learning to use white to change the value of our primary and secondary colours. Artists use value and tone to convey different feelings and meaning in their art. We will also be examining some artist work that play with tones and colour values.

Math Test Rubrics

I want to just take a few minutes to explain the math rubric that will be coming home in the next few days. There is a picture of a sample one below. First of all you will notice that I have written in some words on the left side of the page. There are 4 parts to the test. Part A is normally 'mathematical operation' questions. Part B are questions that revolve around Understanding of key mathematical concepts taught this unit. Part C is usually one or two problems that require problem solving. The final section is looking at how the student communicates their  mathematical thinking. This could be using the appropriate math symbols, explaining their word problems etc. I place a check mark at the level the student achieved for each part of the test. The final Communication mark does not have a separate section in the body of the test.  Inside the body of the test you will see an individual mark for each section A,B and C. For example, a student may get 10/15 for part A, 5/5 for Part B and 3/5 for part C. If you have any questions or comments about the math rubric or your child's mark please feel free to call me to set-up a time that we could meet.

Word Problems

Ask any student and they will tell you that they HATE word problems. Students don't know where to begin or how to methodically go about solving most word problems. Today we introduced a 5 step method that will help them organize their ideas and methodically break down a word problem. Along with this system we will be introducing a variety of Mathematical Strategies for them to try and apply to these problems. The chart below will be up in the room all year and students can refer to it whenever they like. Please go over this with your child over the next few days when they begin to bring home word problems to solve. We did several sample problems together today to show the students how to go about organizing their ideas and mathematical information. Below is a sample problem that we did today. 

Norbert the gnome and his pal Malcolm measure 100 cm together. Norbert is 16 cm taller than Malcolm.How tall are the gnomes? 

(we highlighted key words and numbers)

Question: How tall are the 2 gnomes?

Facts: both gnomes = 100cm

          norbert is 16cm taller 

Solve: ( we introduced guess and check as our first strategy today)

1st guess:Norbert = 60 cm and malcolm is 40 cm

                     60cm + 40 cm = 100 cm that matches our first fact

                     60 cm - 40 cm= 20 cm, no they are not 20cm apart, they should be 16 cm apart.

                    ( this first guess should help them get closer to the final answer)

2nd guess: I'm close because they are 20cm apart not 16 , so I will change my guess by 4

                 Norbert = 58 cm and malcolm is 42 cm

                  58cm +42 cm = 100 cm matches my first fact

                  58cm - 42cm = 16 cm, matches my second fact

Norbert is 58 cm tall and Malcolm is 42 cm tall. (Finally they should look at the answer and see if it makes sense)

Math Quiz Oct 13th

I want to give parents and students plenty of notice about a short quiz we will be having on Thursday, October 13th. I will encourage students bring home their math workbooks this week to review some of the work we have done. I will also be sending home some short practice worksheets starting tonight for them to practice.

GRADE 3

• creating and representing numbers in multiple ways: as words, use base ten blocks, expanded form, using place value and in standard form.
• continue a number pattern and determining the pattern rule
• several short answer word problems involving 2 and 3 digit addition and subtraction
• comparing numbers using number lines and various manipulatives
• rounding numbers to the nearest whole number (2 digit numbers) 

GRADE 4

creating and representing numbers in multiple ways: as words, use base ten blocks, expanded form, using place value and in standard form.

continue a number pattern and determining the pattern rule

several short answer word problems involving 2 and 3 digit addition and subtraction

comparing numbers using number lines and various manipulatives

find numbers that make math equations true: 11+3=____ + ______

rounding numbers to the nearest whole number (3 digit numbers)

Terry Fox Walk/Run

We finally were able to get to go on our Terry Fox Walk!! Check out some of the pictures below.