MATH

The grade 5's are finishing up their unit on fractions and decimals and will have a test early next week.  They are explaining some of the main ideas in their math journals and did several short reflections today (examples below).

The grade 4's are working on their multiplication and division unit.

Visualizing how we can break up a number, multiply the parts, and add them together at the end.

Using arrays to demonstrate how we can break up a number, multiply the parts, and add them together at the end.



Although some students know the quick method to multiplying large numbers, we are practicing this method (above) so they can demonstrate their understanding of the place value of each of the numbers.
For example, this way they can show that 4 x 600 = 2400.
Next week we will work on the shorter method that we all learned in school!

SCIENCE

Tug of War Pulleys:  Using broomsticks, we created a simple pulley system like the one shown above.  Students held onto the broomsticks, and one student pulled the rope in order to bring both broomsticks together.  It was somewhat difficult when the rope was only looped around once (single pulley), but it became increasingly simple as we added more pulleys!

Students brainstormed different uses for simple machines.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Students are reviewing the provinces, territories, and capital cities of Canada using maps and atlases.
If you would like some more review (and want a song to get stuck in your head), check out these links:
Stompin' Tom: Capitals Song
Stompin' Tom: Capitals Song - Hip Hop Version