Mapping put to practice

The students have been making and using maps containing the necessary map elements i.e. title, symbols, legend, and compass rose.
They used what they have learned to create a map that was created of Stuart Scott's P.S. playground to recognize a wide range of features i.e. the playground, track, field, trees, bicycle rack, etc by representing them using different colours on the map.
Students were later asked to create directions that would lead their peers to a desired location of their job.  They did a great job- well done grade 3's!!

Practice test sent home

Students have been provided with a practice test that was sent home.  This is a great opportunity for students to practice what we have been learning on patterns. We will be taking the test up tomorrow, so please make sure you put in the work to get it completed.

Reminder

This a reminder to my students that I have assigned the following pages
as homework which is to to be completed for Mon, Oct 3, 2011.  They are as follow:

Grade 3's-  correction to previous homework along with lesson 3, 4 and 5.

Grade 4's-  correction to previous homework along with lesson 3 and 4.

This is great practise for our pending math test that will be on Wed Oct 5, 2011.

If you have any trouble, please make a note of it so that we can discuss it in class.

Grade 3's - Patterning and Algebra

I have been working with the grade 3 students on identifying, extending and creating a repeating pattern involving two attributes  (e.g. size, colour, position, number, etc).  They have been describing the pattern using the following rule:

The attributes that are changing are:    (list the attributes)  -   (how it is changing) 

For example, describe and extend the repeating pattern.

Answer:  The attributes that are changing in the above pattern are:

Shape-  circle and rectangle

Colour- white, white, black and black.

The students have also been extending repeating, growing and shrinking number patterns.  The pattern rule for numbers are:

• Repeating pattern:   The core of my pattern is ... 

    

For example:    7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 ...  

The core of my pattern is 7.

• Increasing or Decreasing Pattern:  My pattern starts at _(first number)  and goes  (up or down)  by  (amount).

For example:  5, 10, 15, 20, 25 . . .  

My pattern starts at 5 and goes up by 5.

The students have been given some math homework to practise the pattern rules.  Students are required to complete lesson 1 and 2 for tomorrow.  

Have fun!

Welcome to our class BLOG!

Dear Parents, Guardians and Students:

My name is Ms. Garcia and I am very pleased to be teaching and mentoring the student's in Mr Claus grade 3 and 4 classroom.  This site will be used for you to explore and become familiar with what we will be learning in our classroom.  You will find updates, games, links and information that will be useful for you to practise what we have been learning in class.  I will also use this site to send out weekly reminders, so please visit it regularly.

Sincerely,

Ms. Garcia

Number Sense and Numeration- Equivalent Fractions

Equivalent fractions are fractions that represent the same part of a whole or the same part of a set or object.  They have the same value.


Examples of equivalent fractions are:

1/2 is equivalent to 4/8.

1/3 is equivalent to 4/12.

You can practice matching equivalent fractions with Fraction Frenzy.  I also found a fun activity and game that will let you practice some more equivalent fractions.  I hope you enjoy them.

Understanding Matter

My grade 5 students began exploring the concept of matter.  Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space.  We learned the three states of matter: solids, liquids and gases.

Solids - keep their shape unless they are broken.  They do not change their shape and have strength because they are held tightly by particles.  The particles do not flow (move) however, they can jiggle (vibrate) and they keep their volume.

Liquids - do not keep their shape. Instead, they take on the shape of any container.  For example, water takes on the shape of the glass or cup that it is in. The particles in a liquid can flow (move) because they are arranged closely together and keep their volume.

Gases - has no shape, however, they can fill the container that they occupy.  The particles are separate and they can flow (move) quickly and fit into a smaller volume.

We will continue exploring and investigating the differences between the physical changes (reversible) and chemical changes (non-reversible).  However, if you would like to challenge yourself, do so by playing this solids, liquids and gases game.  Good Luck!