Patterns in Multiplication

In math class, we have been working on becoming fluent with multiplication combinations. Last week, we took a closer look at related multiplication problems and patterns that happen as a result.  Check out our two anchor charts that show what we noticed when multiplying by multiples of 10. 

During our lesson, the students recognized some very important patterns. More incredibly, they were able to explain WHY the patterns happen. Often times the "why" is the hardest part to explain. 

Students: Using what you learned in this lesson, what is 67 x 10? Leave us a comment and don't forget to write your first name only! :) 

Math Skills Block Happenings

Recently in math skills block, students have been focusing on math standards that requires them to be able to compose, decompose, analyze and classify shapes using angles and sides.  Students have been enjoying working with Tangrams.  Tangrams are a Chinese geometric puzzle consisting of a square cut into seven pieces that can be arranged to make various other shapes.  Students had to manipulate the pieces by sliding, flipping and turning them in order to get them to fit into a new arrangements.

This is an example of the Tangram puzzles with which the students have been working.

In our closing sessions, we have focused on the congruent and similar shapes, different angles (acute, obtuse, and right), parallel sides, and many other attributes! We will have a short quiz on these concepts on Friday.  Students can review these concepts by visiting the following sites:
Slides, Flips and Turns 
Congruent and Similar Practice
Angles Practice

Gizmos are Awesome!

On Thursday, students were introduced to an awesome tool called a Gizmo.  A Gizmo is an online simulation that powers inquiry and understanding of math and science. Students worked in pairs to explore the Measuring Volume Gizmo.  They learned how to read the volume of water in a graduated cylinder.  The even explored the volume of irregular shaped objects such as a rock.  They found that the difference between the water with and without the rock, told them the volume of the rock.  Students loved exploring the Gizmo. Today we continued our exploration with a guided student sheet.

As students are ready, we will slowly unveil more and more Gizmos.  Today, we have unveiled three more Gizmos for students to use at home: Cargo Captain (Focus: Multi-Digit Subtraction), Number Line Frog Hop (Focus: Addition and Subtraction), and Cannonball Clowns (Number Line Estimation). Feel free to explore Gizmos at home. Each student has the username and password in the back of their planner. What's your favorite Gizmo so far? There are many more to come!

Subtraction Strategies

In math class, we have been working on finding the distance between two numbers (subtraction). The following chart shows some of the strategies that students have been using in their work.  Every student is at a different point in their learning journey. When we come to our daily "closing meeting" during our math workshop, students are always looking for ways to make their work more efficient and sophisticated.