Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Geometry Map Project: Lines, Angles and More!

I found the following project online and tweaked it to meet the needs of my students. They are pretending to be interns for Hasbro while using their geometry knowledge! We talked about what an intern's roll would be and they did an outstanding job of relating it to college. Here are some great works in progress. Most are finishing up their rough drafts today and will be starting their final product on a larger Manila paper tomorrow. I can't wait to see their final project when they present on Friday!














Geometry Map Project:  Lines, Angles and More!               
                                                         
Goal                                                                                                                                                    
Your goal is to design a map that includes several different kinds of lines, angles, and geometric terms.

Role                                                                                                                                                   
You are an intern at Hasbro, a company that designs board games.

Audience                                                                                                                                                
The audience is your immediate supervisor and a group of volunteer testers between the ages of 8 and 15.

Situation                                                                                                                                               
You have been asked to create a map of a made up place for a board game.  Upon completion of this project you will present your map to the class as if you are presenting your map to your supervisor and the volunteer testers.

Product Performance and Purpose
You need to draw a template of the map for the board game.  Your map must include the following:
                                                                                            
  1. Two sets of streets that are parallel
  2. Two sets of streets that are perpendicular
  3. Streets that intersects another street to form an obtuse angle, right angle, and acute angle (three different angles).
  4. Three streets that are a line segment, ray, and line
  5. A minimum of five local attractions (such as an ice cream parlor, swimming pool, school, gas station, movie theater, etc.)
  6. Two buildings that are congruent to one another
  7. Title and Compass Rose
  8. Scale (For example, 1 inch= 5 miles)
  9. You are also to write out + different sets of directions from one place to another. Each set of directions must have one of these terms: parallel, intersecting or perpendicular. These directions should be able to get your volunteer testers from one place to another on your map without getting lost!
  10. Bonus math term that is incorporated well into your map.
                                         
Standards and Criteria for Success                                                                                                                
Your map needs to include:
v  Accurate representations of each of the requirements listed above
v  Complete directions with correct use of terminology
v  Neat and attractive design


Here is their rubric:


CATEGORY
20
15
10
5
Participation
Completely on task and working accountably during the assigned time given for project. Project was turned in on time.
Mostly on task and working accountably during the assigned time given for project. Project was turned in on time.
Somewhat on task and working accountably during the assigned time given for project. Project was turned in on time.
Rarely on task and working accountably during the assigned time given for project. Project was turned in late.
Neatness of Color and Lines
All straight lines are ruler-drawn, all errors have been neatly corrected and all features are colored completely.
All straight lines are ruler-drawn, most errors have been neatly corrected and most features are colored completely.
Most straight lines are ruler-drawn, most errors have been neatly corrected and most features are colored completely.
Many lines, corrections of errors, and/or features are not neatly done.
Geometry Components
The map includes at least 10 of the required geometry components.
The map includes 8 or more of the required geometry components.
The map includes 6 or more of the required geometry components.
The map includes fewer than 6 the required geometry components.
Directions
Three sets of directions are written and each direction has one of the following terms: parallel, intersecting or perpendicular.
Two sets of directions are written and only one of the directions has one of the following terms: parallel, intersecting or perpendicular.
Only one set of directions are written and it has one of the following terms: parallel, intersecting or perpendicular.
Only one set of directions are written but it does not have one of the following terms: parallel, intersecting or perpendicular.
Presentation
Map is presented clearly to classmates showing all geometry components and both sets of directions were easily followed.
Map is presented clearly to classmates showing all geometry components but only one set of directions were easily followed.
Map is presented clearly to classmates showing all geometry components but neither set of directions were easily followed.
Map is not presented clearly to classmates showing all geometry components and at least one of the directions was not easily followed.


Word Wall

Have a math term on your homework and you're not sure what the meaning is? Here are a few pictures of our math word wall. I think it's important to include a picture with each word to serve as a reminder of its meaning. Above the word wall, you'll find a place value chart from the billions period through the thousandths place. It is constantly being referred to!












Monday, April 22, 2013

Working towards sixth grade with PEMDAS


Here is the fun video we watched in class today and its lyrics!



PEMDAS: Order of Operations Lyrics by Mister C

Teacher teacher,
I need your expertise,
I’m stuck on a problem would you help me please, I said
Teacher teacher,
I don’t know what to do,
I’m stuck on this problem and I’m feeling so confused, confused


CHORUS: Parenthesis, exponents, multiply or divide, add subtract, easy as that use pemdas to get it right: 2X’s
  The first step, parenthesis
Hugging on the numbers that you need to complete
They’re always there just hugging them,
surrounding them, until they’re done,
Step two: exponents,
tiny little numbers yes,
floating up there in the emptiness, exponents, what you do next

Steps three and four, you already know,
mulitply, divide the entire row
go left to right now take it slow, just take it slow
so here you go
Steps five and six are the basic math,
Add’ em all up and then you subtract
PEMDAS, six steps they’re easy breezy,
And super duper cheesey cheesey

When you’re doing math,
Reminding you what to do first and last
Order of operations, a new sensation.
Use PEMDAS when looking at equations


CHORUS: Parenthesis, exponents, multiply or divide, add subtract, easy as that use pemdas to get it right: 2X’s


TEacher teacher , you showed me what to do
now i use the PEMDAS when I’m feeling real confused, I said
teacher teacher, you help me easily,
see the value of PEMDAS to solve the math problems accurately,
teacher teacher, could you sing one more time
cuz I will use the PEMDAS for my entire life



CHORUS: Parenthesis, exponents, multiply or divide, add subtract, easy as that use pemdas to get it right: 2X’s

Rock the STAAR test, baby!

You're ready and you'll rock it!



PEMDAS Style!

Here is my favorite parody of Gangnam Style, but with PEMDAS!



Feel free to dance! :)

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Dream Home Final Projects!

I spent quite a bit of time this weekend grading the outstanding Dream Home Projects that my class completed and they did an outstanding job! I had so many wonderful projects that I actually ran out of room outside my classroom!

This project encompasses many of the objectives that fifth graders are responsible for learning:
  • measuring to the nearest half inch
  • measuring area and perimeter
  • using a scale
  • adding to solve problems
  • multiplying to solve problems

College of Architecture here they come! :)









Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Circumference cont...


Today we investigated and found an estimated circumference for trees and other cylinder-shaped objects. Still confused about how to find the actual circumference? Scholastic Jams is a great way to review what you have learned. Up to a challenge? Test yourself!





Make a comment below below about how you did on the test and you will be rewarded!

Radius, Diameter and Circumference


In preparation for sixth grade, we have been working on finding the radius, diameter, and circumference of circles. We read, Sir Cumference: Dragon of Pi and worked with in our small groups to measure the diameter and radius. Using string we wrapped it around the perimeter of our circle to find the circumference. Many students noticed that the circumference was about 3 times as large as the diameter. Way to go! Here are some great websites to extend your learning. Tooday we will head out to the OLC to measure the circumference of trees and then estimate their radius and diameter.

Here is a great extension using the great website Flocabulary.com

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Tomorrow...

Begins a new SUMDOG competition! CHA won first place in the last Fort Worth Competition and I know we can do it again! You'll have the opportunity to compete in the classroom and computer lab, but you will also need to play at home in order to rank up enough points! Last I heard there would be more gift cards available for the top three fifth graders! Who doesn't like free money??



According to SumDog, "To be fair to schools of all sizes, schools are ranked on the average number of correct answers. Only 15 students from your school need to participate for your school to appear on the leaderboard.

Students are ranked on the number of correct answers. To make contests fair for students with limited access to computers, every student is limited to 1000 questions. However, it's fun to take part even if students only answer a few questions."

Have a great time gaming while learning!

Friday, April 5, 2013

Dream Home Project

Since our STAAR test, students have turned into architects! Their newest project is to create a blueprint of their dream home! They are working hard to measure the length and width of each wall and using a scale. Next, they'll find the area and perimeter of each room. They look great! Here is some of their great works in progress! Stay tuned for the final products...







Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Grateful!

I am so grateful for my fifth graders and how hard they have worked this year! Today they took their STAAR math test and I know they rocked it! I am glad it is behind us and we can look forward to fun things to come. Here is a great song that I think encompasses this year!