Math

Our main focus right now is multiplication. We are working our way through the multiplication unit created by educator, Marilyn Burns, which really delves into making multiplication real and showing multiplication facts as seen in the world in arrays such as candy boxes.

I began by dividing the students into smaller groups. Each group of students completed a large chart listing Things That Come in Groups. The idea is to list things that almost always come in that number.

Now, each students is creating a table for each multiple in his or her math activity book, using items from the list.

For each times table, the student then colors in the multiples on a 0-99 chart, notices the patterns, and extends the pattern on the chart.

Meanwhile, I have taught all of them the game of Circles and Stars, a great multiplication game I encourage you to play at home. You need to create a booklet by cutting an 8 x 11 piece of paper in half and then placing one half on top of the other and fold to create a little booklet. Staple the spine. Create one for each player and collect one die.

Next we will be exploring the game of Rectangles. I will continue to post directions on the blog and I hope that you will try these activities at home.

Also new, the Length of Day project from our Everyday Math curriculum. Students have glued a bar graph inside their math activity books and every Thursday they record the time of sunrise and sunset that day. They then have to determine the number of hours and minutes for the length of the day.

Highlight, we had a guest teacher visit. Rachael ‘Spatula’ who came last year and taught a lesson on creating mandalas using numbers from the golden ratio, came back to teach a part 2 on using the golden ratio to create a more complex mandala. Students really enjoyed this lesson which incorporated measuring with centimeters, using compasses, bisecting angles, and creativity.

Rachael, teaching the lesson.

On another note, we have been so lucky to have Michael (Collins) help in the math cabin for this half of the year. I have Matt on Mondays and Wednesdays, and Michael joins us on Wednesdays. It has been wonderful to have the opportunity to split the students into smaller groups or have another adult to support the learning. Michael will be returning to Germany at the end of February. If there is another parent/family member/nanny/au pair who would like to join us on Mondays or Wednesdays from 12:45-1:45, I would be happy to have you. Happy return home Michael and thank yo for all your help!