Next Math Unit - Fractions!

We are beginning a new unit in math - Fractions! This is often a challenging unit for students, but it is vitally important since a strong understanding of fractions assists students in better understanding other concepts such as decimals, percent, ratio, rates and probability.

In this unit, we will be learning about:

• what a fraction is
• equivalent fractions
• mixed numbers and improper fractions
• comparing an ordering mixed numbers and fractions (on a number line and otherwise)
• Adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators

I have begun compiling some websites that can help students practice these concepts at home in a Blendspace unit. Here is the link:

Fractions Blendspace Unit

After learning about fractions, we will be moving on to decimals, and from there working on percent, ratio, rates and probability.

Grad T-Shirt Orders - Coming Soon!

This week, students will be signing the emblem for the Class of 2016 T-shirts which we give students the chance to order each year. We will also have students try on some sample shirts to get the right size. They will write down their size in their agendas, and I will be recording their sizes as well.

Once we have the emblem signed by everyone and sizes arranged, we will send home the order form. We look forward to seeing our grade 6's in their Class of 2016 t-shirts!

Grad Photos - February 24th

Grad photos for our class will happen on February 24th. For these photos, the photography company will provide the cap and gown for the pictures. Boys will need a white collared shirt or golf shirt, and girls will need to wear a white blouse. Please remember to send your child with a white shirt or blouse on FEbruary 24th for their grad photo.

It is important that students DO NOT miss this day, as there is not a retake day, and if you wish to get your child's photo done on a later date, you will have to make arrangements directly with the company.

Proofs will be sent to parents for photos soon after the pictures are done, along with order packages.

Math test Postponed until Monday

The math test which I had planned for Friday this week will instead happen on Monday, February 22nd. We are delaying the test due to the snow days. I will send home a review sheet on Thursday. In the meantime, watch the videos from my previous post about the math test to review the concepts. Good luck!

Math Test Friday!

On Friday we will be having a math test to assess our learning about perimeter, area and volume of parallelograms, triangles and triangular prisms. I will send home a worksheet to help students study this week. Here are some videos and blendspace lessons that can help students to understand the concepts.

Area of a Parallelogram




Area of a triangle:



Volume of a triangular prism:




Volume of triangular prism - missing side:





Surface Area of Triangular Prisms:








Blendspace lessons:

Area of Parallelograms

Area of Triangles

Volume of triangular prisms

Entrepreneurial Adventure Progress

Today we began working on our project for the EA (Entrepreneurial Adventure) Program. First we decided on a publishing date for our cookbook, and then began to work backwards figuring out how long we thought it might take to get all of the tasks done which will be required. Students decided on a publishing date of March 31st.

We also decided that we want to do some marketing for the cookbook at the News Show. We decided we needed a website announcement, some posters, a skit and short speech, and a way to allow parents to pre-order the cookbook. We decided that we will show a short skit at the News Show to advertise our cookbook, and then have a stand outside the gym after the show to give parents a chance to pre-order the cookbook (with a deposit) as a way to gather some seed money to support the printing costs.

We then broke up into a number of groups to divide up the work that needs to be done. We will be working on this for the next few days until the News Show.

Additionally, I am posting the students presentations below, because all of them were done quite well. I am really proud of our class for the work they have done so far, and the task that they are taking on. I am truly amazed by their enthusiasm and generosity.

Novel Study Questions for Week 3

Area of a Triangle

Today in math students discovered how to find the area of a triangle by using their understanding of rectangles to assist them. We learned that the area of a triangle is half of the area of a rectangle with the same base and height. Together we developed the formula for a triangle:

Area = Base x Height / 2

We also looked at a variety of triangles and tried to prove that they were exactly half of a rectangle. For an explanation of how we explained this in class, I put together a short video to explain:

National Sweater Day Thursday (tomorrow!)

Tomorrow we will be turning down the heat by 2 degrees, so students are asked to wear a sweater to stay warm! There will be a contest for a number of categories. Here is a slideshow to explain teh day:

Entrepreneurial Adventure Presentations a Great Success!

Today students in our class presented their business proposals to Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. DiLabio, Mrs. Weir (the person who organizes the entrepreneurial adventure program) and myself.

The judges (especially me!) were all extremely impressed with the quality of everyone's work! Each of the presentations were well thought out, interesting, and a pleasure to watch. It was wonderful to see students apply the characteristics of quality presentations and the elements of persuasion in their final presentations. It was also amazing to see their application of the math concepts we learned to figure out per unit costs and profits.

Excellent job to everyone! We will discuss where to go from here tomorrow! I am really proud of each and every one of you!

Novel Study Questions for Week 2