Let's Talk Math and Science
Miss Sumpter's 5th grade class
Math
We are closing our unit on Division this week. My hope is that mathematicians learned new strategies for dividing. These strategies included the traditional algorithm, partial quotients, and using a model with base ten blocks to divide. As we started to divide larger numbers, mathematicians lost confidence in division. Please reassure your mathematician that although the numbers get larger we are still using the same concepts to divide. Next week we will start to inquire into Chapter 6 which is Multiplying and Dividing Decimals. We will start with estimating the products of whole numbers and decimals, using models to multiply, and multiplying decimals by whole numbers. Mathematicians need a lot of support at home with learning these new concepts, please go over homework every night.
We have also started to goal set in math. Mathematicians take a pretest before we start a new chapter, based on their pretest they get to set a goal for their post test. After they take their post test they reflect on the goal they set for themselves. I really love this process, because it gives each mathematician responsibility and accountability.
Science
Our Environmental Science Fair was a Success!!! It was exciting to watch students explain their process in such a confident manner. We spent so much time working on these in class, and the the hard work paid off. The winners of the Fair will be announced at our Tag of Honor Ceremony Tomorrow.
Next week in Science we will start our Forces and Motions Unit of Study. Our Touchstone Experience for this Unit of Study will be our trip to the Challenger Center on February 9th 2016. We will start our Unit of Study by defining what gravity, motion, and friction means.