I have been trying to help them remember that the letter or variable stands for "something." So in the above question, something plus 15 equals 35, so how are we going to find out what that is. The tricky part is it is not always the opposite operation. In the above example, they need to subtract the two numbers they have to find the unknown, whereas in a question like 35= 41 - x, they are not doing addition with the numbers, they still have to subtract. We are slowly working through figuring out what to do when!
In our math pattern unit we have been working a lot on variables. A variable is either a constantly changing number, as is the case in the first picture below, or the variable can be the unknown that we are trying to find, as in the next two pictures. We are learning how to figure out x + 15 = 35, for example. What seems to confuse students most is when it is written a different way 35= x + 15. It means the same, but they get thrown off by the equal sign at the front of the equation.
I have been trying to help them remember that the letter or variable stands for "something." So in the above question, something plus 15 equals 35, so how are we going to find out what that is. The tricky part is it is not always the opposite operation. In the above example, they need to subtract the two numbers they have to find the unknown, whereas in a question like 35= 41 - x, they are not doing addition with the numbers, they still have to subtract. We are slowly working through figuring out what to do when! This week, along with art, social and math, we have been working on our latest religion assignment. We have been learning about the symbolism of the rock, and what that means in relation to Peter. Peter's name means rock, and he is said to be the foundation of the church, the first Pope, ordained by Jesus.
Students are working on an assignment to learn more about St. Peter. They are creating a "profile" for him using Microsoft Word. The template was already made, they just need to add the information that they have found. Here are a couple examples so far! Our latest art project is a silhouette of a major city. We are still in the beginning stages, but the finished product will hopefully look something like this! We are looking for geometric shapes and lines and drawing it using pencil.
With Progress Reports coming home today Mr. Lee & I thought it would be a good time to do a post on assessment.
A few things for parents to remember... it is a Progress Report because it is a report of their progress so far this year. Their marks are determined by more than just tests, they are through conversations, observations as well as products. Examples of each are listed in the picture below. Something that should be emphasized is that AC means acceptable. For what Mr. Lee & I expect them to be able to do in grade 5, and what the curriculum says they should know or be able to do, that would be an AC. An AB is earned when students can extend their thinking, and apply the knowledge they have learned to other situations. An EX is achieved when this is done consistently. Please remember that just because a student gets 100% on a test doesn't mean that is an EX. It depends on the kinds of questions that were asked and the complexity of them. I also want to talk briefly about the NY. This does not mean your child is failing. It simply means that of the concepts that they are supposed to know, they are just not there yet and have some things to practice. It is a way of communicating that they need to put in some extra time studying and working through a concept in order to understand it. Students are finishing up their second social project, and we have talked with students what we are expecting from them. Parents have been wondering, so hopefully this post will answer some of your questions! The first thing that is important is what they write. Anyone can copy and paste information from the website, but we are looking for how they explain it to show their true understanding of the information. Can they put it in their own words? Can they show that they understand where the region is by giving some of the attractions that are found in the major cities etc. The next is audience. If students have chosen to write a post card, it shouldn't be a list of facts that they found - they should be writing it as though they are in the region and experiencing it for themselves. The final thing that is important is does the way they have written it, or the way they have presented it, leave a lasting impression? The point of these projects is to help them understand the regions, not to just learn it for the project and then forget it later. Below you will find some examples of some of the projects so far. Some are teacher generated, but most are student examples from the first project they did. This post will be updated with more examples as we move through the unit. Post CardBrochureArt FlagIn the novel Maniac Magee, his real name is Jeffrey and he has been given this nickname from people in town because of his actions. This inspired nicknames to go along with everyone in our class! Ask about their nicknames, and come check them out on our wall next week during interviews!
We have moved onto air pressure this week, exploring what that means, and how that relates to weather. We are going to make a class barometer next week to see the difference in pressure in the classroom. Unfortunately we don't have supplies for each student to make their own, but if they would like to try at home, the directions are found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah8F-xmvB2
This week in science we have been working on a mid unit review. I decided that instead of giving students a test, I would give them another way to show their knowledge. We have been working on mind maps - a visual way for students to represent everything they know about science so far. I gave them guidelines of what to include, and then upon handing them in, I asked them questions about what was on their map to see what they are understanding about it.
We have been working on Picasso portraits up until now, so this art project switched focus to Piet Mondrian, who is famous for his work "Composition in Red Blue and Yellow." We attempted to model our art after his, with straight lines, and blocks of color.
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June 2016
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