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.

Secret Snowflake

Secret Snowflake

    ‘Tis is the season of spreading kindness.  In class I’d like our students to participate in the concept of a “Secret Snowflake”. 

It isn't about buying anything, but more about making something/doing something nice and from the heart for our secret pal each day.  

   

This activity helps build upon the caring community in our classroom.  It also reinforces that one person can make a difference.

On the days below you will leave a special treat for your secret snowflake.  On Wednesday and Thursday you can secretly give me the card/poem and I will put them in the student mailboxes.  You may also leave a clue as to your identity if you wish. It is nice to put time and effort into these special treats for your classmates.  

 I have done this for the past few years in class, and each year I am blown away with the thoughtfulness behind these acts of kindness. 

Wednesday Dec. 18th - Handmade Card

A card wishing your classmate well, to show you care.

Thursday Dec. 19st - A Decorated Poem 

Could be an acrostic of  the recipients’ name or any poem about recipient!

I will provide special winter themed paper if needed.

Friday Dec. 20st - Handmade Gift 

This gift is made from the heart!

You will have from (Dec. 12th- when we pick names ) to work on this gift. 

I look forward to seeing the creative and thoughtful gifts made for your classmates!! 

Some Helpful DIY gift websites:

https://www.shutterfly.com/ideas/diy-gifts/

https://dreamingindiy.com/the-best-do-it-yourself-gifts-fun-clever-and-unique-diy-craft-projects-and-ideas-for-christmas-birthdays-thank-you-or-any-occasion/

https://www.thriftyfrugalmom.com/20-inexpensive-homemade-gifts-kids/

Do You Want to Add Some Fractions???7

DO YOU WANT TO ADD SOME FRACTIONS.......

Using the Ladder Method to find GCF and LCM

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 :)

Happy Halloween

Ahoy, Me Hearties! Our Pirate Escape Room was a success!  You all worked well as a group to solve the problems and open the boxes. I'm glad to see there was no mutiny about.  Blown me down, creating your treasure chests were fun to watch.  I hope you enjoyed the Halloween activities, you Landlubbers 😜

Working hard on our Pirate Escape Room 

Some of us had to WALK THE PLANK

STEM Challenge: Create a Treasure Chest

Wicked Witch Willebrand Winners!!

5th Grade Pirates...  I mean... Teachers 

Persevering Through Word Problems

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 we have done in class, step by step with explanation.  This is a great reminder of what we did in class. The videos I found follow the strategies we do in class, very closely. 

The two videos below break apart lesson 7 into the two parts, we did not focus on part 2 in class but I have included it as reference..

Part 1: goes over different types of word problems such as, using remainders in quotient, increasing quotient, and multi-step problems. They also show the importance of finding meaning in each step and labeling.
Click Here: Part 1 of Lesson 2.7 (Practice 7)         

         

Part 2: goes over comparing models and finding the unit amount, as well as using organized charts to solve problems.
Click Here:     Part 2 of Lesson 2.7 (Practice 8)

                                                 

The video below follows two other examples of word problems.

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)

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 :)

Mentor Sentences in Word Study

  "Richard gave me one of his extra-rotten, weasel-eyed, green-toothed grins."  

  Last week we read the story, "My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother", by Patricia Polacco.  We used it to discuss story elements as well as well as using it to focus on some grammar activities. The sentence above was known as our 'mentor sentence'. We used it to discuss parts of speech, types of sentences, author's craft.   One of my favorite parts of this activity was the last day of analyzing the sentence.  Students had to imitate the sentence using the same structure Patricia Polacco used.  They came up with some great sentences!  We started some grammar centers in Rti and then continued them later on in the day in ELA.  In our grammar centers we worked on mentor sentences,  parts of speech BrainPop, parts of speech task cards, and a grammar board game we tend to play in Rti.      

Math Workshop

We officially started Math Workshop this week!  We rotated through four stations correlating to what we are learning in Chapter 1- Place Value.  I was so proud of the hard work everyone showed and am excited to see it continue next week!

T- Technology: Practicing  Xtra Math 

I- Independent: Working on MIF Extra Practice 

M- Making Meaning: Playing a Mystery Number Game

E- Extension: Problem Solving 

COMMENT BELOW AND SHARE:
WHAT CENTER WAS YOUR FAVORITE AND WHY?

First Few Days...

The first few days have flown by!  I hope you guys are having as much fun as I am. We have spent some time to building our classroom community.  It is important to get to know each other and establish some familiarity in the start of the school year.  I love learning new things about everyone.

On the first day of school we played played an activity where students had to get into groups and form new words with the letters of their names.  It wasn't as easy as it sounds... but after a while they figured it out.  :)

We also played "Scoot".  There were cards on everyone's desks and you had to read it and do what the card tells you to do. It was important for everyone to participate, because someone else's card could have depended on what you did on your card.  For example card #1 said to yell "I'm #1" as soon as you read the card, and then another card said something along the lines of "when you hear someone say' I'm #1' say 'I like to move it move it' and dance".  Then someone else had to yell 'SHH I'm working'.   It was a little nerve wracking in the beginning but it was so cute to see everyone come out of their shell and get excited about it :)

Last week,  we had a very challenging activity!  Everyone was in groups and had to recreate a design I made out of paper.  You weren't allowed to touch it, and you had to work together.  I went around the room and noted some things people were saying such as...

 "I can't do this!"     "I'm so confused"      "I messed up"      "Don't do that"   "You're doing it wrong"

These kind of things tend to be examples of a 'fixed mindset'. We will be working on how to change our way of thinking to a growth mindset, to see that challenges help us learn. It is okay to get frustrated and not understand things, but we want to look at the challenge in a more positive way.

Along those lines, I also heard things like....

"Ohh I see.."  "I know what you're trying to say.."  "Well, this part I understand..."   "So close!"

This shows me we are on our way to thinking positively and learning from mistakes!

Use the acronym, 'GROUPS' to remember some important ideas when working together. 
Give thoughtful feedback: We will use accountable talk. 

Respect Others: We will listen to everyone.

On Task: 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!

 I'm excited to see what the next few weeks will bring!

What was your favorite part of the first weeks of school?  

Comment below and let me know! 

(Don't forget to leave your name)

Welcome Back!!

Welcome to 5th grade!  I hope you have enjoyed your summer and are ready for the new school year. 
This year, you will be working with a team of teachers.  I will be your Homeroom, ELA, and Math teacher. Mrs. Bouffard will be your Science teacher, and Mrs. Medugno will be your Social Studies teacher. Mrs. Sanders and Ms. Stanton will be some other teachers working with our team who also teaches ELA and Math. 

We will be using this classroom blog daily!  It is where homework is posted nightly, as well as pictures and useful resources that we use in the classroom.  On the right side there is a place for your parents to enter their email and they will get updates when new posts are added.  

We have a lot of fun activities planned for this year.  I am very much looking forward to this school year to begin.  

Happy Summer!!!!

To my current 5th graders...
I hope you all have a wonderful summer.  Have fun and be safe!  It is sad to see you go and not have you in my class next year, however I love that I get to see you in the halls!  You better come by and visit me.  Thank you for all the great memories. You will have a wonderful year in 6th grade! 

To my new 5th graders... 
It was very nice meeting you today.  I can't wait to see you all again in the fall.   If you have any questions, feel free to comment on this post or email me.
It's not too early to get started on your summer reading!  Please go to Mrs. Gadbois' blog by clicking the link below. She has the directions and links to the list of books and the reading log.   
I hope everyone has a wonderful, fun, eventful, and safe summer!! 

SUMMER READING
Here is a link to Mrs. Gadbois' blog where it gives information about your summer reading requirements.
Incoming Grade 5 Summer Reading


Even though summer just started, I can't help but get excited about school supplies.  I can't walk into Target or Staples without picking up something school-related.  Here is the list I sent home with you on step-up day.  I also have included a link to a classroom wish list of supplies as well :) 

 

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

General:

(1) 1.5-inch Binder

(1) Laminated/Glossy two-pocket folder for HW

Colored pencils, crayons, or markers

Pencils

Colored Pens for correcting

Glue Sticks

Scissors

Zippered pouch for your personal supplies

Earbuds/headphones to be kept at school

Thin Dry Erase markers (optional)  

ELA:  

Small Post-It notes (2in x 2in)

(1) Laminated/Glossy two-pocket folder with prongs/fasteners

(1) Laminated/Glossy two-pocket folder

MATH:  (Mrs. Cummings)

(1) Laminated/Glossy two-pocket folder

(1) 3-subject Notebook

SCIENCE: (Mrs. Bouffard)

(1) Laminated/Glossy two-pocket folder

(1) 3-subject Notebook to be shared with Social Studies

SOCIAL STUDIES:  (Mrs. Medugno)

(1) Laminated/Glossy two-pocket folder

OPTIONAL CLASSROOM DONATIONS:

- tissues                 

- anti-bacterial wipes

- hand sanitizer

Classroom WishList

MCAS :)

I have to collect all electronic devices before each MCAS test can begin. 

They may forget homework and folders... yet they always remember to grab these before they leave! 

😂

One more day of testing... 
We can do it! 

Twin Day and Bruins Rally

Books in Bloom!

We have completed our Books in Bloom project!  It came out so cute.  The kids decided on a 'fairy garden' idea.  For our last literature circle book group, all of our books deal with social situations- and mostly take place in school setting. Many of the themes deal with bullying, acceptance, perseverance, peer pressure, and other elements of social awareness!

              

The books were, "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson, "The Revealers" by Doug Wilhelm, "Loser" by Jerry Spinelli, and "Flying Solo" by Ralph Fletcher.    In coming up with a common theme for all four books, we decided on  "ACCEPTING YOURSELF AND ACCEPTING OTHERS" Each group created a fairy garden, with a house for the author and a flower that connected the common theme to their book.