Extra Credit Update:
The highway/Xmas Tree cleanup was rescheduled to Saturday, 1/24. Get details here. Thank you to those who did clean up last weekend in your own neck of the woods despite the nasty weather. There are still lots of holiday decorations out there on trees and that threaten the wildlife in the greenbelt. If you can help, please do.
Credit: Participating students will get a free 100 in Science.
Math
This week we have moved on to a new unit in math. We are focusing on those tricky multi-step math problems using a visual diagram to help organize the information we need to solve the problem (WIK) and identify the missing variable (WINK). So far we have focused on addition and subtraction, be we are leading up to using all 4 operations in various combinations in any given word problem. Many students are eager to skip the diagram and just write the equations. However, the TEKS do require students to be able to use strip diagrams which means it will be tested on STAAR. (TEK5A: represent multi-step problems involving the four operations with whole numbers using strip diagrams and equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity) Therefore, for this unit students are required to create a strip diagram as part of their solution.
Next week we will mix operations up and add multiplication and Division. I plan to have a test on the unit either Friday or the following Monday.
Science
This week we did investigations that focused on condensation and evaporation. The students read about how this cycle of water condensing and evaporating depends on the uneven heating of earth materials and the movement of warm and cold air that is heated through conduction.
Next week we do a lot of work with the water cycle.
Last but not least, we have our first field trip this Thursday at Zach Scott Theater. As of right now, we are going to the theater early to eat an early lunch in the park nearby before we see the play. However, if the forecast is cold and wet, we may just eat an early lunch at school and arrive at the theater just in time for the play. We will keep you posted.
Have a great 3 day weekend!
The highway/Xmas Tree cleanup was rescheduled to Saturday, 1/24. Get details here. Thank you to those who did clean up last weekend in your own neck of the woods despite the nasty weather. There are still lots of holiday decorations out there on trees and that threaten the wildlife in the greenbelt. If you can help, please do.
Credit: Participating students will get a free 100 in Science.
Math
This week we have moved on to a new unit in math. We are focusing on those tricky multi-step math problems using a visual diagram to help organize the information we need to solve the problem (WIK) and identify the missing variable (WINK). So far we have focused on addition and subtraction, be we are leading up to using all 4 operations in various combinations in any given word problem. Many students are eager to skip the diagram and just write the equations. However, the TEKS do require students to be able to use strip diagrams which means it will be tested on STAAR. (TEK5A: represent multi-step problems involving the four operations with whole numbers using strip diagrams and equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity) Therefore, for this unit students are required to create a strip diagram as part of their solution.
Next week we will mix operations up and add multiplication and Division. I plan to have a test on the unit either Friday or the following Monday.
Science
This week we did investigations that focused on condensation and evaporation. The students read about how this cycle of water condensing and evaporating depends on the uneven heating of earth materials and the movement of warm and cold air that is heated through conduction.
Next week we do a lot of work with the water cycle.
Last but not least, we have our first field trip this Thursday at Zach Scott Theater. As of right now, we are going to the theater early to eat an early lunch in the park nearby before we see the play. However, if the forecast is cold and wet, we may just eat an early lunch at school and arrive at the theater just in time for the play. We will keep you posted.
Have a great 3 day weekend!