Math

The fifth and sixth graders are off to a great start in math!  We began with revisiting and reviewing daily and weekly routines for the year from the quiet time activities that begin each class period to the daily mental math selections. 

Our first investigation of the year was Consecutive Sums.  The students worked in random groups of 3 to problem solve ways to write the numbers 1 – 35 using consecutive numbers only.  For example, the number 9 written as a consecutive sum would be 4+5.  I warned them that there would be some “impossibles”, numbers that could not be written as a consecutive sum and to be looking for a pattern that could help them predict other impossibles.  I was interested in how they worked as a group, what method they used to record, and what patterns they noticed as they worked through the investigation. 

Last week, the students reviewed some basic geometric terms, created geometric designs, and then began and continued the independent work in their Key to Geometry books.  I am encouraging students to work on the books at home; however, I would like them to have their books at school every day.

On Thursday, the students had their first facts quiz of the year – a practice quiz.  Next week, they will begin recording their individual scores on a line graph.  The schedule currently is a facts quiz every Thursday.

A number of students expressed interest in having the option of homework each week.  I am happy to have optional homework each week for those who are interested and am encouraging the students to practice the multiplication and division facts weekly and to work in their geometry and algebra books independently at home.  There will be times that I assign homework for the entire group for a project or investigation.