Math: We took a "doozy" of a formative today that we'll review tomorrow in class. It was completely 4th grade content that required them to apply their understanding of variables to function tables...not as impossible as it seems. However, tonight's homework contains three word problems that ask them to identify the knowns/unknowns while writing an equation to solve it.

Language Arts: We finally made it to the lab today and most of us began typing our brochures. I have conferenced with just about every student so far - they are required to conference with me prior to typing. I did notice that many times, collectively, we seemed to struggle with understanding what it is they included in their organizers. This pattern suggests they aren't necessarily comprehending what they have read, but I suspect the research aspect proved to be a bit confusing for them...I also wonder about their natural curiosity, too.

By the way, I hope you like the new blog - I felt we needed to inject some more life into it! Please check out the Campbell's Labels for Education link to learn more about what we are doing as a school with this project.

Math: I'm please to report the class did a fantastic job composing their own story problems when given a multiplication or division problem! This is further support (in this case at least...) that by taking time to develop their conceptual understanding, it makes for an easier time when introducing more complex skills (application). Tonight for homework they are to answer three questions in their math journals: factors for 32, multiples of 16, and p-46=123.

Language Arts: We spent a lot of time working on our city brochures - we will begin typing tomorrow!

On a side, I purchased some new games for indoor recess this past weekend. Today they had a chance to play some of them, and if you came to our math night, you have too... In our link list to the left, you can try three different "Thinkfun" games that encourage visual-spatial thinking in a challenging, yet, engaging way...try them out! If you like them, you can find them online, at educational stores, and even at Target (no, I don't profit from these unfortunately).

Math: After reviewing some of the trouble spots from last week's quiz, we delved into writing story problems. In the past I taught this a bit earlier but decided that it may be more efficient, instructionally, to do it towards then end when they've had time to develop a strong foundational understanding of multiplication and division concepts. It seems to have worked - tonight's homework will tell us a lot!

Language Arts: Our routine has been purposefully "off" lately with our city research project going on. We will have our brochures completed this week so that chapter can close as we begin the third quarter of curriculum. Today we spent quite a bit of time converting our notes into complete sentences for our brochure...the process has been powerful while the product may or may not meet our expectations. We'll know more in a day or two...