In math this week, students are finishing up our unit on multiplication by continuing to practice their basic facts and solving multi-digit problems. We practiced estimating products and deciding when it is appropriate to estimate and when an exact calculation is needed. We worked on three-digit by one-digit multiplication using expanded form. Another strategy we learned this week for solving multi-digit equations is using regrouping. Students are free to choose the strategy that they are the most comfortable with. In preparation for our upcoming test next Thursday, students were given a multiplication practice sheet to complete over the weekend and return on Tuesday to go over in class. The sheet is attached below in case it was misplaced: Multiplication Practice Sheet In science, we learned all about gears and how they work. Gears are wheels with teeth that mesh together to transmit torque. We watched some videos about different kinds of gears and discussed where we find gears in everyday objects. We built machines with gears using the K'NEX kits such as a crank fan, a car window, a blender, a phonograph, an eggbeater, a stationary bike, and a chainsaw. Many students enjoyed the challenge of playing an on-line gear game and were able to master many of the levels! Students also had the opportunity to build levers and pulleys in table groups using additional K’NEX kits. Students worked together to build such levers as a hockey stick, scissors, a seesaw, a balance scale and a wheelbarrow. Pulleys were also built including a sailboat, a flagpole and a block and tackle. Great teamwork and problem solving was evidenced as students worked cooperatively in their small groups.
Enjoy the warmer weather and remember to turn your clocks forward this weekend! —Ms. Jagger
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March certainly came in like a lion as we participated in anti-bullying week with daily activities. The biggest highlight of the week was attending the “Be Brave” Hitmen game at the Saddledome on Tuesday. Students showed lots of Kodiak Spirit as we cheered on the home team! As well, 4A is currently in art option this term and have already created some amazing pieces. Please visit the visual art blog below to view what your child has been working on! https://kodiaksart17.weebly.com/ In math this week, we started multi-digit multiplication by learning to use a strategy of using arrays to split up larger factors. Example: 5 x 14 = 5 x 6 + 5 x 8 5 x 14 = 30 + 40 5 x 14 = 70 We also learned and practiced how to use expanded form to multiply 2-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers. Students practiced their multiplication skills by playing the game “Four in a Row” with their peers. They were able to choose different game boards to practice specific times tables that they felt they needed more practice in. Today we looked at vocabulary associated with multiplication word problems. Students practiced their skills by working on an art/multiplication activity in class in which they answered multiplication word problems and depending on the product they chose, it directed them what to draw and colour on their car outline. In science, we studied the pulley in more detail this week. We read a book together and watched a short video about what pulleys are and how they make work easier. We talked about where we find pulleys at home (garage doors and blinds) and at school (the flagpole and elevator). We learned about the fixed pulley, which is used to lift lighter loads like a flag up a flagpole, and the movable pulley, which moves with the load and is useful in lifting very heavy objects. Movable pulleys provide a big advantage because they reduce the effort by one half. Students worked together in groups to build a simple movable pulley using string, a paper clip and a plastic spoon. By combining pulleys (using a fixed and movable pulley together), very heavy items can be lifted. We experimented with different kinds of pulleys by using the pulley simulator on-line. I’ve attached the link so students can continue to experiment at home (Pulley Simulation Link).
Stay safe and warm this weekend! —Ms. Jagger Hope everyone had an enjoyable Family Day on Monday! We are looking forward to our field trip to the “Be Brave” Hitmen game next Tuesday. There are also daily activities happening next week for anti-bullying week—read all about them on the grade 4 home page. Students also wrote their monthly letter of their learning in February, which went home today. In math this week, we celebrated the 100th day of school on Tuesday with students working on some “100” challenges in class. Some problems we tackled were: -Show how to make $100 10 different ways -Add up the numbers from 1 to 100. You can work with a partner and use a calculator. But first, estimate how much you think the answer will be: ______What is the actual answer? -Each letter of the alphabet has a point value. A=1, B=2, C=3 etc. Can you write words that equal 100 points? How close can you get? 4A & 4C did an excellent job on these challenges! Students also continued to work on building their personal strategies when working with multiplication, and practicing using these strategies to recall their basic facts. We looked at the patterns in the nine times table and learned a few strategies to recall them more easily. One strategy we looked at was that for every 9’s fact, adding the first number and the last number of the product always equals 9. Example: 9 x 6 Step 1: Subtract 1 from the number you are multiplying by 9. Subtracting 1 from 6 equals 5. 6 – 1 = 5 The first number in the product is 5. Step 2: Adding the first and last numbers in the product will always equal 9. Add 5 plus 4 to equal 9. 5 + 4 = 9 The last number in the product is 4. Step 3: 9 x 6 = 54 We also learned a neat finger trick you can use for your nine facts (see below). Hopefully these strategies will assist students in recalling their nine times table facts more easily in their “Mad Minute” questions. We also played a few rounds of “Multiplication Bingo!” which was a lot of fun. In science, we continued to study levers and where we can find examples of them out in the world. We made first-class levers with rulers, erasers & weights in class, and realized that if a load is heavier, we need to move the fulcrum closer to the heavier end to make the ruler balance. Students also made a simple lever using an eraser and pencil to lift a heavy book. Students discovered that if the fulcrum was closer to the book, it was easier to lift but you had to push down on the pencil further. As opposed to if the fulcrum was further away from the book—you pushed down with less distance but it was much harder to lift. Students documented their findings and observations in their visual journals through writing and labeled diagrams.
Enjoy the final weekend of February! —Ms. Jagger It was a very short week with no school on Thursday and Friday. Students celebrated Valentine’s Day on Wednesday by handing out valentines to their classmates. We also watched the movie “Shaun the Sheep” which has no real dialogue and had the students work on the literacy skills of inferencing and making connections to construct meaning. Students really enjoyed the movie as they lounged in their pajamas and ate their treat from home—a fun way to end our shortened week!
In math this week, we have continued to practice our multiplication strategies. Students learned how to multiply numbers ending in zeros, which is an important skill to know when estimating products. We also spent some time on “Prodigy” and multiplication websites. Students are encouraged to keep practicing their basic facts over the long weekend so we can continue to see progress in their “Mad Minute” bar graphs. In science, students learned about another useful simple machine—the lever! Students learned about the components of a lever (the fulcrum, load and effort), and the three classes of levers and how they work. A first-class lever has the fulcrum in the middle between the load and the effort (ex. a seesaw & a balance scale); a second-class lever has the load in the middle between the fulcrum and the effort (ex. a wheelbarrow & a bottle opener); and a third-class lever has the effort in the middle between the load and the fulcrum (ex. a shovel & tweezers). We worked on some fun “Machine Pictograms” (see below) in our table groups. We also watched a Bill Nye video and students needed to listen carefully to complete their fill-in-the-blank questions about simple machines. Next week we will continue to look at levers and do some in-class experiments. Enjoy your extra long weekend—see you back in class next Tuesday! —Ms. Jagger It was a cold and snowy week with lots happening at NCS! Report cards went home today and we ask that students return the signed envelope next week. After reviewing the report card, this might be a good time to set some learning goals with your child as we start the second half of the year. Letters went home this week for our upcoming field trip to the Saddledome for the “Be Brave” Hitmen hockey game on February 27th. We ask that forms and payment be handed in by Tuesday, February 13th. We will also celebrate Valentine’s Day next Wednesday by handing out valentines to our classmates (this is an optional activity & a class list went home on Tuesday). In math this week, we have been working on describing and applying mental math strategies for multiplication. We worked on some multiplication strategies by representing an equation in multiple ways including in arrays, repeated addition, words, fact families and sketching it in equal groups. Students learned they can use skip counting to multiply, and we practiced this skill when we played a class game of “Sparkle” which the students really enjoyed! We also learned how you can double (or halve) the facts you know to calculate other multiplication facts. For example: Solve: 4 x 8 Think: 2 x 8 = 16 Double the 16 or think 2 x 16 = 32 So: 4 x 8 = 32 Then 8 x 8 = 64 This is a great strategy to use for the 2, 4, & 8 times tables, as well as the 3 & 6 and 5 & 10 times tables. We also started our "Mad Minute" multiplication booklets and I encourage students to practice their basic facts everyday to gain mastery. In science, students continued learning about our new unit "Wheels and Levers." We practiced the skill of highlighting important information when we went through an informational sheet about each of the simple machines. We looked more closely at the wheel & axle and the importance of this invention. We talked about rollers and how they were the forerunner of the wheel and axle. Students discussed where we can find rollers in the world around us, like rolling pins, paint rollers, steam rollers and roller ramps for loading and unloading (like the luggage at the airport!). Students experimented with objects in the classroom to use as rollers in moving a book across the floor or a desk. Some of the materials used were: paint bottles, markers, crayons, glue sticks, and pencil sharpeners. It was agreed that a cylindrical and smooth surface worked best. The students had lots of fun experimenting and sharing their results with their peers! We discussed how when we move a heavy load, we have to use a great deal of force to push it because of friction and gravitational force. A wheel and axle fixes this by reducing the friction and as a result it takes less effort to move the load. Students researched more information on the laptops about the wheel & axle to include on a visual journal page to document one of the best inventions in history. Today, grade four students worked on a design challenge in their homeroom class. They were presented with a problem, and asked to plan and then build their solution to the scenario. Students did a great job collaborating and problem solving together to come up with some practical solutions. Many groups used the “cylinder” provided to build a wheel & axle, or use it as a roller in their human transport device. The challenge scenario is attached below.
Design Challenge Have a great weekend! —Ms. Jagger Use the websites below to add information and examples to your visual journal page on wheels & axles/rollers:
http://easyscienceforkids.com/kids-the-wheel-and-axle/ http://mocomi.com/wheel-and-axle/ http://www.softschools.com/examples/simple_machines/wheel_and_axle_examples/517/ In math this week, we started work on multiplication concepts. After our initial brainstorming in groups last week, we discussed in more depth what multiplication was, vocabulary associated with multiplication, and different strategies they knew to solve multiplication facts. In grade 4, students should be able to recall multiplication and related division facts to 7 x 7. They should also be able to understand and apply strategies for multiplication and related division facts to 9 × 9. We played the multiplication games “Closest to 20” and "Closest to 50" to practice and reinforce their basic facts. Students also worked on a multiplication booklet that was good review of the work from previous years in terms of arrays, relating multiplication to addition, and skip counting. Over the next few weeks, we will be learning and practicing different mental math strategies to determine basic multiplication facts to 9 x 9, and working up to 3-digit by 1-digit multiplication to solve problems. In science, students wrote their “Light & Shadows” test on Tuesday. The test will go home next week in their assessment duo tang for a parent signature. Students started work on our new science unit “Wheels and Levers” by doing some initial research using interactive sites about the six main simple machines, which include the lever, the wheel & axle, the pulley, the inclined plane, the wedge, and the screw. Students learned that simple machines make our work much easier, and were able to get an initial understanding of how these simple machines assist us in our everyday lives. We also watched an informative video called “All About Simple Machines.” Some things we learned from the video are that simple machines help us use less force to move things, and they have very few moving parts or no moving parts at all. In the coming weeks, we will be looking at each of these simple machines in more detail through experiments and hands-on activities.
Stay warm this weekend! —Ms. Jagger Use the following websites below to research and answer questions relating to simple machines:
idahoptv.org/sciencetrek/topics/simple_machines/facts.cfm http://interactivesites.weebly.com/simple-machines.html In math, we went over the practice sheet given out in class last week before students wrote their test on addition and subtraction concepts on Wednesday. We played some more subtraction games early in the week such as “What’s the Difference?” and “Subtraction War.” They finished their "Mad Minute" booklets with the majority of students demonstrating an improvement in their recall of their basic subtraction facts. We also started work on multiplication concepts and strategies in class. Students collaborated in small groups and were asked the question “What is multiplication?” They were asked to brainstorm and record in words and visuals what multiplication is; strategies and tips they knew for remembering their facts, signs and vocabulary for multiplication; and any facts they could recall. Once they brainstormed and wrote all their information down, students went on a gallery walk to tour other group’s ideas. They remembered a lot from last year and had some really good information and strategies to share! Students also practiced their multiplication facts by playing interactive games using the laptops. The games are located in the sidebar and can be used to practice at home. In science this week, students continued our learning about shadows and how “a shadow is the darkness that is cast/made when light shines on an opaque object.” Students conducted an experiment in class by creating shadows and then changing the direction of their light source to observe what happened to the size and direction of their shadows. We watched some neat shadow puppet performances (I've attached one below that the students really enjoyed!). Many of the students were very talented in creating their own shadow puppets too! We are wrapping up "Light and Shadows", and students will write a unit test on Tuesday, January 30th. A study guide went home Thursday in preparation for their upcoming test. Students were encouraged to take home their science duotang and visual journal to help them study (reading previous blog posts for “Light and Shadows” is another tip we went over). I’ve attached the study guide below in case it was misplaced. We also toured the 2nd Annual Nose Creek Science Fair Thursday afternoon and were impressed by all the great science-related projects produced by our grade 6 and 7 Kodiaks. Light & Shadows Study Guide Enjoy the last weekend of January! —Ms. Jagger |
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at:
[email protected] Here's to a great year! Archives
June 2018
CategoriesNeed extra practice? Below are math printable e-books for extra practice at home:
Patterns and Algebra Reading and Representing Whole Numbers Addition and Subtraction Multiplication and Division Time Length, Perimeter & Area Fractions “Math Makes Sense” Practice and Homework Book: Can be found at the Virtual Learning Commons under “Student Links”: http://nckodiaks.ca/lc/ Username: kodiakstudent Password: M@th15fun! Practice Problem Solving Questions Math Dictionary Math Websites: Demolition Division Multiplication Games Multiplication Interactive Games Subtraction Games Hour of Code Prodigy Abcya.com Math Facts Games Math Fact Fluency Activities & Games Plant Growth & Changes: Plant Growth and Changes Glossary of Important Terms Seed Survivor Plants for Kids Easy Science for Kids Plants Elementary Science Wheels & Levers Resources: Wheel and Levers Glossary of Important Terms Simple Machine Facts Simple Machines Interactive Sites Light & Shadows Resources: Light and Shadows Glossary of Important Terms BBC Light & Shadows How We See Things Light & Shadow Activities Interactive Tutorials Waste & our World Resources: Waste and our World Glossary of Important Terms Recycle City Game EekoWorld |