Homework for 12/2/08

In class today we briefly reviewed estimating decimal sums. Then we discussed finding decimal sums and differences. We then segued to an activity on "Grocery Store Decimal Math". We were unable to finish this activity in class so I assigned its completion for homework tonight (due 12/4/08).

*Optional Extra Work
Estimate what is would cost to purchase all the items necessary to make a Thanksgiving meal. Check your estimate by comparing actual costs on grocery store receipts.

Getting our minds back to Mathematics

Hello everyone,

I hope you all had a relaxing break. I am going to wait to post my blog this week until after our first class today. I am not sure what was accomplished over the past 2 weeks and want to assess the situation before assigning any work. Stay tuned for an update later tonight or tomorrow.

Topics & Assignments for 11/18/08

Our focus in Math 6 class has turned to working with decimals. Topics for this week include estimation strategies for adding & subtracting decimals, and then actually adding and subtracting decimal numbers. I had planned an in-class activity for practical use of these skills that we'll do when we return after Thanksgiving.

In the mean time I am asking that parents please keep your grocery store receipts for items you purchase for your Thanksgiving meal. Students will be asked to estimate and then calculate the cost of feeding their families for Thanksgiving (after we complete our in-class activity).

I have uploaded a packet to the Yahoo site that covers Section 3-4 (Estimating Sums & Differences) and Section 3-5 (Finding Decimal Sums & Differences). If you wish, you may also work out the odd numbered problems in your book and check the answers in the back. We will applying these skills in class so any work that can be done over our mini-break will be helpful!

You can find the packet here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theoneroomschoolhouse/files/Math%206/lessons_3-4_and_3-5.pdf

Finally, we are still working hard on multiplication, so please continue to work on the basic multiplication facts!

As I come across some interesting websites and resources for working with decimals, I'll pass them along under a separate blog entry.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Fun with Decimals

For a fun game that works on place value, try this site:
http://www.decimalsquares.com/dsGames/games/placevalue.html

Here's a game on decimal estimation:
http://www.decimalsquares.com/dsGames/games/darts.html

If you are interested in identifying decimals, check this one out:
http://www.decimalsquares.com/dsGames/games/beatclock.html

For comparing and ordering decimals, here is a good game:
http://www.interactivestuff.org/sums4fun/switch.html

If you are in need of more practice worksheets, there are some good, short ones here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/numbers/fractiondecimalpercentage/decimals/introductiontodecimals/worksheet.shtml

Doing Decimals.... topics for the week of 11/11/08

Sorry for the delay in posting my weekly blog...

This week we are beginning to discover the world of decimal numbers. First, we'll focus on numbers and place value, which will lead into saying and writing numbers with decimals. To reinforce place value, we'll talk about numbers in expanded form:

EX: 145.32 = (1 x 100) + (4 x 10) + (5 x 1) + (3 x 0.1) + (2 x 0.01)

The next topic will be comparing and ordering decimal numbers, and inequalities. We'll continue to focus on place value, and annexing zeroes when necessary to help with the comparision.

Finally, we'll discuss (and review) rounding decimals.

From here, we are going to work on the four basic operations with decimals (addition, subtraction, multiplication & division). I realize that long division is a tricky skill, so when we get to decimal division, we're going to spend some time on long division of whole numbers first. To get ready for this important skill, students must be well versed in the multiplication facts. Please continue to work together on mastery of the basic multiplication facts. We'll be doing the "mad minute" in class each day as practice. Ask your kids about this activity...

Homework assignments by section and estimated day:

Section 3-1: Representing Decimals (Tuesday)
* Pages 140-141 #'s 13-33 odd, 43 (OPTIONAL -- Challenge #'s 38, 39, 40)

Section 3-2: Comparing & Ordering Decimals (Thursday)
* Pages 144-145 #'s 7-29 odd, 33, 36 (OPTIONAL -- Challenge #34)

Section 3-3: Rounding Decimals
* Pages 148-149 #'s 9-28 all, 30, 34, 36-40 all

This week's topics are coming soon...

Sorry folks...I haven't had a chance to post this week's topics and assignments. I will try to finish up tonight. We are working on decimals & place value, and brushing up on multiplication facts. Ask your kids about the famous game of Nim.....

Electoral College -- Why is California so important?

There will be a long lay-off between our Thursday classes and during that time we will be electing a NEW PRESIDENT -- how exciting! In keeping with this event, we will be discussing the Electoral College system. I will be giving out an optional assignment that involves some data collection. I have listed some good sources for finding these data to help in your research.

http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?ID=151
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Electoral_College
http://www.nationalpopularvote.com/pages/electoralcollege.php

I hope you will all use this activity as an opportunity to discuss the election with your families.

Rounding Numbers Practice

I've found another website that has an excellent array of skills practice. Through the activity we begun in class on Tuesday I uncovered a skills weakness that all the students have: rounding. We are going to spend some time in class on Thursday discussing rounding numbers. If you want to follow up at home, you may find this website quite useful:

http://www.dadsworksheets.com/v1/Worksheets/Rounding%20Numbers.html

Mean, Median & Mode Practice Website

For those of you who want a little more practice with mean, median & mode, try out this website for a slightly different practice experience:

http://www.algebralab.org/lessons/lesson.aspx?file=Algebra_StatMeanMedianMode.xml

Topics for the Week of October 28, 2008

On Tuesday we will be discussing the measurements of central tendency (mean, median, mode & range). We'll work on these skills through fun, in-class activities. We'll use the data we collect to reinforce how to make bar graphs and we'll also talk about other types of charts that help to make sense out of data.

On Thursday we'll continue to gather data and calculate mean, median, mode and range and we'll discuss what is the "right" number to describe a set of data. We'll also discuss what outliers are and how they affect our data sets.

We will also investigate the Electoral College and how we choose a president, and begin to answer the question, "Why is California So Important?"

Most of the follow-up assignments/activities will center around real-world data and situations. We will begin collecting survey data to see if we can draw conclusions.

Optional Extra Skill Work:

• Mean
  Pages 105-106 #'s 10-20 all, 27, 28
  
• Median, Mode & Range
  Pages 111-112 #'s 6-9 all, 11, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21

Optional Follow Up to M & Ms Activity
1) Research the actual distribution of colors in the "average" bag of M & Ms.
2) Research the history of the M & M -- have the colors you see in your bag always been there? If not, why and when did they change?
3) When was the M & M invented and why?
4) Did all your bags of M & Ms have the same percentage of each color? If not, then why would the actual number of each color be different in different bags?
5) Choose a different type of M & M (dark chocolate, peanut, peanut butter, etc) and calculate the frequency of each color, the fraction of each color, decimal equivalent & percent of each color. Are these percentages equal to the actual distribution of colors? If not, why not?

Math 6 Topics for Week of October 21, 2008

We will continue our work on charts and graphs, and visually displaying and interpreting data.

On Tuesday, we'll learn about making and interpreting line graphs. We'll use that vocabulary we learned last week (scale, interval, horizontal axis, vertical axis) to create new line graphs and read ones that are already made.

On Thursday, we'll talk about stem-and-leaf plots. We'll learn what they are, how to create them and how to read them as well. Thursday's homework will include some review of reading line graphs.

I will assign the following homework by section:

Section 2-2 Bar & Line Graphs (continued from Thursday)
Pages 84-85 #'s 5, 6, 15

Section 2-3 Interpreting Line Graphs
Pages 90-91 #'s 7,8, 12-19 all, 23, 24

Section 2-4 Stem-and-Leaf Plots
Pages 94-95 #'s 6-16 all, 20-26 all
*Worksheet Skills Practice 2-3 Problems 1-8 all

Week of 10/14/08

On Tuesday, we'll be going over the Chapter 1 Review and answering any questions that students have on the material we've discussed so far this school year. Students will be asked to complete the Chapter 1 test independently.

On Thursday, we'll begin our work on Chapter 2. First, we'll discuss problem solving using frequency tables, then we'll work on bar graphs.

I will assign the following for Homework:

Chapter 1 Test

2-1: Problem Solving
Page 79 #'s 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 14

2-2: Bar & Line Graphs
Pages 84-85 #'s 3, 4, 14, 16, 17

Chapter 1 Test -- Due 10/16/08

Now that we have completed our work on Chapter 1, it is time to assess how well students are learning the material. I will be sending a test home with the students on Tuesday. I am asking that all students work on these by him or herself, and that parents not help their children with the test. This exercise is designed to gauge how well students are mastering material taught in class and to see where there are any holes in instruction.

Students should "study" these sections before sitting down to take the test, and the test should be completed during one block of time. I am asking that students not use a calculator. So that they have the best chance of success, students should find a distraction-free environment in which to take the test. Use as much paper as you need and show all your work!!

I will be collecting the test on Thursday, October 16th and will check it and provide feedback to students.

A Cool Website

If you are in need of something to do, or just like to be on the web playing around with math, check out this website: http://www.coolmath.com

There are all kinds of fun things to do on this site including a fun way to get extra practice, games and other goodies. Thanks to Nina for finding it! Have a nice weekend!

This Week in Math 6

We will be finishing up our studies of Chapter 1.

Topics will include

• Problem Solving -- Guess & Check Strategy
• An introduction to Equations
• Area Formulas

I will assign the following homework problems by section:

1-7: Problem Solving
Page 55 #'s 3-7 all, 9, 11, 13

1-8: Algebra - Equations
Pages 59-60 #'s 9-31 odd, 39, 42, 43, 44

1-9: Area Formulas
Pages 65-67 #'s 7-19 odd, 20-22 all, 28, 29, 31, 32

CHAPTER 1 REVIEW
Pages 68-72 #'s 1-49 all