Have a Great Vacation!!!

We had such a fun day today.  What a way to spend the last day before vacation :)

 I am SO SO SO SO proud of everyone for their efforts in their secret snowflake gifts.  Every year I get more and more impressed with how thoughtful you are.  

I hope everyone has a great holiday with their families!

Snow Globe Activity

 

                                                      Tree video              Penguin video

Secret Snowflake Reminders

Secret Snowflake Starts Today!!  

Please keep your secret snowflake a secret!!  It takes the fun out of the game when you tell your friends who you have.   I look forward to seeing the creative gifts made for your classmates! 

 I hope you enjoy it too :)

Wednesday Dec. 20th -Handmade card
A Happy Holiday card wishing your classmate well to show you care.

Thursday Dec. 21st - A Poem

You want to decorate an acrostic poem of the recipients’ name (or any poem about recipient).  I will provide special winter themed paper if needed.

Friday Dec. 22nd - Handmade gift 

A gift made from the heart!
Do not feel the need to go out and make purchases.  Be creative and put some thought into it.

Here is a link to craft-like homemade gifts for ideas:

http://teachbesideme.com/kid-made-gift-ideas/

Some of these examples are a little more intricate that others, but it gives you an idea if you're totally stuck.  In the past we have had students make ornaments, bracelets, snowflakes, a frame out of popsicle sticks and decorated, etc.

Chapter 4- Multiplying and Dividing Fractions

Here are some links to videos on multiplying and dividing fractions.  I hope you use them to help you as reminders in studying and doing homework.  

Criss Cross SIMPLIFY!!!

Multiplying and Dividing Quick Tutorial

Dividing Fraction Rap

Word Problem 

Also different models to represent multiplication and division of fractions.... 

5.NF.6 Solve real world problems involving multiplication of fractions and mixed numbers, e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem.

5.NF.7 Apply and extend previous understandings of division to divide unit fractions by whole numbers and whole numbers by unit fractions.

This month's superpower is COMPASSION.   Today we had a discussion of what this means and how we can show it.   It is important to be thinking of others not only this month but at all times. 
We read The Hundred Dresses in class today, which is a great example of this superpower.  

How you will YOU show compassion this month?  

Comment Below.

The Ladder Method

How Do Ladders Help With Math???

I can't tell you enough how much I love the Ladder Method!  To be honest, I didn't like it at first.  Believe it or not, a few years ago was the first time I learned it! Like many of you, I was hesitant to use it because it was a new concept to me and it wasn't how I was taught. Learning new ways to do something can be hard for people to accept and use. Even though I wasn't a big fan of it, I taught it to my students and showed them how to use it.  We used it as a strategy, but primarily used listing factors as our go-to solution.  

I was determined to like it, because other teachers really liked using it.   How did I get over my frustrations with it?  I practiced, practiced, and practiced some more!  Now when I use the Ladder Method, it makes so much more sense.  I love that you can use this one tool to figure out 3 different concepts!   Once you get the hang of it, it is a real game changer and saves some time.      Here is a video that explores this concept step by step!  

Something you really need to know is your PRIME NUMBERS.  It helps you get a good start when using the Ladder.  You really need to use the smaller ones.  It is good to have the first 5 or 6 memorized. 
  You also need to know your MATH FACTS!  If you struggle with knowing your basic math facts fluently, then practice, practice, practice!  You want it to be automatic.  

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.NF.A.1
Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators (including mixed numbers) by replacing given fractions with equivalent fractions in such a way as to produce an equivalent sum or difference of fractions with like denominators. 

For example, 2/3 + 5/4 = 8/12 + 15/12 = 23/12. (In general, a/b + c/d = (ad + bc)/bd.)

Let me know what you think!!  

Are you starting to enjoy the Ladder Method???  

Comment below and share your thoughts :)

Wild Robot Prediction

Delayed Halloween Fun

           Enjoying some Halloween breakfast....                                                    

Costumes....

 

M&M Math...

 

Roz and Brightbill Predictions

Please take a moment to comment on the padlet below about some predictions you may have.  

Persevering Through Word Problems

Word Problems got you down? Feeling Stuck? Overwhelmed?  

The key to unlocking the mystery of word problems is to slow down and work on it step by step!  Often times we panic and throw our hands up and give up too quickly.  I find it helpful to go through mental checklists, similar to this one we pasted into our notebook the other day. 

Step-by-Step Videos

I have included some videos below that go through a few word problems like the ones we will do in class, step by step with explanation.   The videos I found follow the strategies we do in class, very closely. 

The video below follows two examples I showed in class today on the Smart Board.

One example was Mandy and Nacha's age comparison using a table.  The other example is figuring out the price of a washer when knowing the total of refrigerator, washer, and dryer.

Organized Chart and Bar Model Comparison example

                              (click link above)

The two videos below break apart lesson 7 into the two parts, also like we will in class.

Part 1 goes over different types of word problems such as, using remainders in quotient, increasing quotient, and multi-step problems. They too show the importance of finding meaning in each step and labeling.

Part 2 goes over comparing models and finding the unit amount, as well as using organized charts to solve problems.

Part 1 of Lesson 2.7 (Practice 7)                                      Part 2 of Lesson 2.7 (Practice 8)

             (click link above)                                                                                            (click link above)

Lastly, this last video is more for parents.  Hi Parents! Hopefully you're reading this post.  Comment below and let me know if this video helps.  It compares the basic standard way you and I probably would have solved a problem when we were in school.  It then compares the same problem to how our Math In Focus (Singapore Math) program will approach it.  I know sometimes it feels as though as this math program is a foreign language.  Sometimes it is!  However, I found it helpful to see the connection between the two methods.

Comparing "Old Math" to "New Math"

                    (click link above)

Common Core Standards:

5.NBT.5 Fluently multiply multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.

5.NBT.6 Find whole-number quotients of whole numbers with up to four-digit dividends and two-digit divisors, using strategies based on place value, the properties of operations, and/or the relationship between multiplication and division. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models

Was this helpful??
Comment below and let me know if these videos helped you with your homework or studying.
I look forward to hearing from you :)

Does McDonalds Sell Cheeseburgers?

Did you know that this question could help you remember how to divide? The question is an example of a mnemonic device.  A mnemonic device is technique a person can use to help improve their ability to remember something.  Each letter represents a step to long division, as you can see in the steps to the right.  (The C in Cheeseburgers stands for CHECK, before you bring down) 



 


We will be learning another mnemonic device next week.  
Hint: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally :)  




I know some of us were a bit stressed out yesterday, going over the long division steps.   I have provided some videos below to help visualize the steps and use as reference for homework if needed.

Click Here for step by step division

Click Here to watch a video from Khan Academy

Click Here to review multiplication

States of Matter

Today we finished the unit on Matter's Structure.  In doing so, you were to make a model to represent how particles are arranged in the three main states of matter.  Next, we will be getting into Matter's Properties. 

                       

Global Real Aloud

This year we are participating in the Global Read Aloud.  We will be connecting with a classroom somewhere in the world who will also be reading this book.  By using this blog, we will respond to some questions and comments about the book.  We got a head start on the book today.   By using the padlet below, tell me what you think about it so far!   Double click on the padlet or click on the + at the bottom. Don't forget to include your name before your comment.  Click anywhere outside comment for it to save. 
                       Click Here to learn more about GRA2017

GROUP work

We do a lot of group work in class! 
Last week some examples of group work consisted of our Summer Reading Books, Math Workshop, and we did a Science Tools Safety Lab as well. Working with other students is a very important part of learning.   
Use the acronym, 'GROUPS' to remember some important ideas when working together. 
Get Along:We will not argue.

Respect Others: We will listen to everyone.

On Task Behavior: Are you doing your job? Are you on task?

Use Quiet Voices: Only your group should hear you. Participate: Do your part- don't let others do your work.  Stay in your group: Raise your hand, ask 3 before me!

Using the Pan Balance to measure mass of crayon boxes

Measuring water in Graduated Cylinders. 
Got a bit messy :)

Measuring water in Beakers.

Measuring water in Beakers.

Using a Stop Watch to time how many jumping jacks we can do!

Measuring our feet using Rulers.