Fraction Models and Equivalent Fractions

Today we talked about Fraction Models.

We already knew what a fraction is (a number that represents a part of a whole using a numerator and denominator) but talked about what models are.

Basically each class determined that a model is a visual (something you can see) representation or example of something.  We talked about Role Models, modeling clay, building models, scale models and fashion models.

(Some Zoolander humor)

By putting them together, we realized that fraction models are visual examples of fractions.  We spent time in class today naming and creating fraction models and using them to help us find equivalent fractions.

Examples from class:

Tonight's homework is to complete your Fraction Fact Sheet.  You received a blank Fraction Fact Sheet and your fraction in class today.  Please include your fraction, five equivalent fractions, and a fraction model of your fraction (you can do more if there's room and you want to add more).  On the bottom of the page, please determine the decimal equivalent and percent equivalent and let me know if your fraction is closer to 0 or 1 (would it round down or round up?)  My example of 1/2 is below!

Get creative and have fun with this assignment!  Helpful hint:  If your fraction has an 8 or 40 for a denominator, your decimal will go to the thousandths place!!!

-Miss K  :)

What an Incredible Day!

Thank you for a wonderful day at Camp Hazen!!!!!

-Miss K  :)

Take a look at this...

As a math person, I like looking at this temperature line graph...

As a fall/winter/spring person, I like Saturday...

As a New Englander, I'm not surprised at all!



-Miss K  :)

Our First Full Week!

It was great to see you today in class!  I missed you on Friday, but had a very nice time celebrating my holiday!  Thank you for your good behavior on Friday for the sub!

Today we began exploring fractions, decimals and percents and began to get our minds working a bit!  We will continue working with fractions, percents and decimals on Wednesday, but tomorrow we go to Camp Hazen!  I can't wait because I was a camper there when I was your age and it's one of my favorite places!

Remember to bring a bagged lunch and clothing that you don't mind getting a little messy (just in case) and be sure to wear sneakers!

Have a good night!  See you tomorrow!

Miss K  :)

Playing with Patterns

Nice work today in class!  I really enjoyed looking at various patterns with you!  If you would like to share "Regifting Robin" with your family or friends, please visit the site or just click on the image below!

There is no homework tonight and no school tomorrow because of the Holiday!  If you are celebrating Rosh Hashanah, I hope that you enjoy your day!  I will be celebrating tomorrow and Friday and will be out of school on Friday due to the holiday!  I have left information for the sub for class on Friday, so you will be busy.  Please bring a book to read in case you finish the class tasks early!


Thanks again for a fun day!  See you on Monday and please be good on Friday!

-Miss K  :)

Perseverance

Today we talked about perseverance and defined it!

According to dictionary.com, the definition is as follows:

per·se·ver·ance

  [pur-suh-veer-uhns]

noun

1.

steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

We tried our patience and learned that we could persevere by playing the dice game, "Petals around the Rose."  Together, we found that we each felt frustrated, struggled to figured out a pattern, came up with an idea that didn't work in the end, but finally got to the solution.  I admired everyone's willingness to work hard and continue to work even as friends "got it" near by.

We also learned about Jessica Cox.  There are two videos about Jessica below.  You can watch them here or check out her website at http://rightfooted.com/.  I encourage you to share the videos with your friends and family if you get the chance.  I think she's an amazing person for two reasons...

#1  She's accomplished so much despite her physical limitations.

#2  She knows that we can each accomplish amazing things if we persevere.  Whether it is a new sport, an artistic skill, a new level in Candy Crush, making a new friend, changing for the better or doing something you're scared to do, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!





Tonight's homework is to fill out your index card with something that you were eventually able to do because you persevered.  It doesn't need to be a long description and you can add more than one thing if you'd like.  Examples:

Thanks for being amazing and for persevering today in class!

-Miss K  :)

First Friday of the year!!!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful first week of school!  I had a great time too, but I super tired!!!!!  I can't wait to get some extra sleep and enjoy the long weekend!!!

On Tuesday, please come to class with your signed orange packet and your Name Page completed!  If you needed to finish your Olympic rings, please turn those in to your homeroom teacher on Tuesday as well!

Have a lovely and relaxing weekend!  I can't wait to see you all on Tuesday! (After I get some sleep!)

-Miss K  :)

Math class information!

Hello all!

Hopefully more of you are seeing this blog post since I gave out information about the blog site and my class.  I will regularly post on this blog to give you information about homework, provide class notes, share video tutorials, link to games that you can play to practice your math skills and share stuff that I find interesting, cool or inspirational.

Today we completed mini posters about ourselves!  If you weren't in class, please try to complete the assignment this evening for homework.  My example is below.  You should put your name in the center of your paper, and then divide the background into four sections. 

The top left should be some of your favorite things...  food, color, games, teams, whatever you like. 

The top right should be how you feel about math.  It's okay to be truthful, but be sure to be kind!

The bottom left is a place to tell me what you like to do in your free time.

The bottom right can be some interesting facts about you.  Cool places you have been, things you have done, special talents or random facts.

Here's mine:

Tonight's homework is to complete the Name Page and get the orange papers signed!

The papers you received in class today should look like the images that follow.  If you can't find your bright orange packet, please let me know and I will give you a new copy in class tomorrow.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!  

Have a great day!

-Miss K  :)

The First Day of School

What a wonderful first day of school!

Thank you for coming to school with so much enthusiasm and excitement!  I can't wait to work with all of you this year!

Tomorrow we will have a regular schedule and I will pass out information about my class!

Have a great night, get some rest and come just as excited for tomorrow!

-Miss K  :)

Wise words from Astronaut Chris Hadfield Zen Comics

-Miss K  :)

Try, try, try!

-Miss K  :)

Remind 101

Hello all!

I know that the first day of school is still a few weeks off and I'm not even sure that students know who their teachers will be, but I am so excited about this that I wanted to get it online right away!

I have signed up for "Remind 101."  By signing up for this service, you will receive text messages from me about upcoming tests and quizzes, reminders about special homework, etc.  Please sign up and encourage your parents to do the same by texting the following...

After sending your text, you will receive a confirmation about joining and a request to share your name.  Your name will only be shared with me, I won't be able  to access your phone number and I will be the only one able to send out messages via this service.  The message is send to an account set up by Remind 101, so that phone number is property of the service (so you can't reach me through that number).



I'm looking forward to communicating with all of you this way!

Remember:

to:  (203) 533-4536
message:  @misskah

Enjoy the remainder of the summer!

-Miss K  :)

Despicable Me 2!!!

I am going to go see Despicable Me 2 this Thursday (July 11th) at 3:20 pm in Westbrook!  Please come if you are around and pass it on to everyone!!!  Write me in the comments to let me know if you are coming!!!

-Miss K  :)

Try and try again!

-Miss K  :)

Hooda Math Games!

Nice work on the Hooda Math games in class today!  If you want to play at home, we played:

Cloudy,  Sugar, Sugar 2 and Full Moon.

Have a great night!

Miss K  :)

Library books dominoes!

-Miss K  :)

Integer Test this Thursday!

Integer Information:





Study, study!  We will continue to practice writing expressions with integers tomorrow!  Homework is to study for Thursday's test!

-Miss K  :)

Great job on Today's Test!

Grades are posted!  Let me know if you have any questions!  No HW tonight!  Enjoy your evening and watch out for the cicadas!  I hear that they have shown up!!!

-Miss K  :)

Distributive Property Reminder

The test is tomorrow and I think everyone is going to do a great job!  Remember the steps to PEMDAS, work carefully on exponents and distribute evenly!

Here are some of the examples from class on distribution and check out this previous post on the distributive property to help you!

Review your study guide, previous hw assignments and the blog to prepare for tomorrow!  By the way, you will be able to use your orange sheet, but no calculators.  Sorry!  :(

-Miss K  :)

Test on Thursday!

Please complete the study guide for class tomorrow!  Many of you have already finished the packet!

-Miss K  :)

Distributive Property!

Hey everyone!

We just started working on the distributive property today in class.  Watch the Professor Perez video below for an extra explanation!



Homework is to complete both sides of the distributive property worksheet.  Work carefully and don't expect to get an "answer" when you do the problems!

Have a great night!

-Miss K  :)

Final Pemdas paper!

Just six problems and most of you completed it in class!  Try the challenge problems to really impress me!

-Miss K  :)

Review worksheet

Homework is to complete the review worksheet, both sides!  You may use a calculator on the front and should skip #'s 12-18.

Good luck!

Miss K  :)

This made me happy! (and tear up a little bit)

-Miss K  :)

Playing with Order of Operations!

Everyone has been doing a nice job with order of operations and following PEMDAS!

Here are the answers to the homework from Thursday night...

Today in class we played a game in which we tried to get close to target numbers using random numbers, any operation we could think of and our logical minds.  For example, here are some answers for the target value 10 using the numbers 3, 8 and 3.

We'll play the game again tomorrow, but in the meantime, you have homework tonight on Order of Operations.  Please complete both sides of the OoO worksheet!  There are six problems on each side, but if you get 10 correct, your paper can go in the 100's box tomorrow.  Please note that none of the answers are decimal values, but #6 on the the "review" side is a negative number.

Good luck!

-Miss K  :)