Monday, September 21, 2009

Multiplication Strategies

Each of the 26 classrooms at JC Sawyer received 24 tickets to the county fair. How many students will be able to go to the fair from JC Sawyer?

I am wondering who will be the first 5th grader to post a solution to the following story problem using one of the multiplication strategies we've been exploring this year. (other than the traditional algorithm!!) The 4 students who post a message explaining in words or numbers how to solve this problem using ONE of the multiplication strategies (breaking the numbers apart, creating an equivalent problem, changing one number to make an easier problem, lattice) will be able to select a prize from the prize basket and receive and extra 100% participation grade!

(Nathan & Ashley are ineligible:))

Sunday, March 15, 2009

All About Triangles

We have been learning quite a bit of information regarding triangles over the last few weeks. The challenge for this blog post is to see who can identify the most properties of triangles.

I have come up with 16 properties of triangles. How many of you can beat me?????

Good Luck and Have fun!!

All About Quadrilaterals

How many properties can you identify in regards to quadrilaterals? Use your vocabulary to help you.....diagonals, triangulating, congruent, parallel, intersecting, angles, adjacent, supplementary, opposite, sides, perpendicular, etc....

I have come up with only 15 properties of quadrilaterals.....How many of you can beat me?

Conjectures about Diagonals of Quadrilaterals

We've been studying properties of diagonals in various quadrilaterals (squares, rectangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, rhombuses, and kites).

What would you say is the connection in regards to the sides and angles of the quadrilaterals in relation to it's diagonal properties? (perpendicular or intersecting; congruent or non-congruent)

Draw, think, conjecture & justify!!!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Extra Credit Opportunity #5

Fifth grade students often have a hard time distinguishing between when to find the L.C.M. (least common multiple) and the G.C.F. (greatest common factor). We've been learning how to add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators and we have just started reducing fractions to lowest terms. With both of these objectives G.C.F. and L.C.Ms were discussed. How would you explain to a frustrated classmate the difference between the two and when to use them to help him/her understand? Any tips? Rules? Pointers?

Extra Credit Opportunity #4

Chaz lives 5/8 of a mile from school, Alex lives 7/10 of a mile from school, and Logan lives 2/5 of a mile from school. Which boy lives the farthest from school? Which boy lives the closest to school? Explain the strategy that you used!

Extra Credit Opportunity #3

While playing a round of Hexagon Duets, Maggie spun 1/3 and 1/12 and Anna spun 1/6 and 1/4. Will their team total be more than one or less than one? Explain how do you know?