I miss you guys!

I hope everyone is having a great summer and staying busy! Feel free to get on the blog and review previous math concepts you learned this year. You can never have too much practice! :) There are so many different resources you can use online to prepare yourselves for sixth grade! This website, IXL, has a lot of different tools and information for you to review and teach yourself. If you have found any on your own, post them in the comment section. Let me know what you're up to! I miss everyone so much! 

Look who has been keeping me busy this summer! Her name is June and she's a 9 week old lab puppy!  In the picture below, she was only 4 weeks. She's doubled in size and she is the sweetest!

Ratios

As you are "stepping up" into sixth grade, we are learning about ratios! Ratios are all around us! We discussed the ratio of girls to boys, brown eyes to blue eyes, food dye to water, oatmeal to milk and many more! Below you'll find a great video that reteaches what we have worked on in class, but also takes it a step further with finding equal ratios and proportions which we will continue into next week! 

Have you been to Math Playground? It's another wonderful resource for math videos, word problems and games! You are going to be fully prepared for sixth grade, but I can't believe the year is almost over!

Blabberize

Blabberize is a fun website to make pictures talk! After you get your parents permission, if you go home and make a commercial about a math topic, I'll give you a free homework pass! If you use your actual face, I won't be able to post it on the blog, but take a picture of your dog or cat and have them teach a math topic. That would be awesome! Remember to never send pictures of yourself to anyone!

Fraction song to review and also extend your learning!

This song is great to use to review adding and subtracting fractions with like and unlike denominators, but you can also work towards multiplying and dividing fractions as well! You're so lucky to have great resources at your finger tips!

Build your own graph!

Being able to display your data in a graph is a great way for you and other people to be able to understand information you are presenting. I challenged you this afternoon to go to this website and create your own graph, email it or bring a copy, and you would receive a homework pass! My email has been beeping all night! I am so thrilled with how many of you went home and extended your learning. I plan on updating this post with the graphs YOU created! Bookmark this website so you can use it in your presentations next year.

Made by Mrs. B

Made by: Makenna

Here are some other wonderful graphs!

Adding and Subtracting Fractions Game

This game allows you to start with adding and subtracting fractions with like denominators, but then it gets more difficult with adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators. Are you up to the challenge? Comment below with the level you got to! There are a lot of other great games you can check out!

Message from an alien...

You can make your own Voki here! Be sure to ask your parents first!

Equivalent Fraction, Decimal, and Percent Bouquets

We have been working on finding equivalent fractions, decimals, and percents for a given fraction. We let out creative juices flow with this project and it turned out great! On each flower, you will see three equivalent fractions, a decimal, and percent for the center fraction. Great job kiddos! A special thank you to the ladies that helped create vases for the flowers to go in. They look outstanding!

Stepping Up Lesson: Equivalent Fractions

Today we worked on simplifying fractions. Here is the game I showed you in class! Remember, the most efficient way to simplify is by finding the Greatest Common Factor (GCF)!

Geometry Map Final Products

Here are some of the great Geometry Map Final Projects! My students did an outstanding job becoming cartographers while also using their fine-tuned math skills. Incorporating "real-life" skills into their math projects is one of my favorite parts of teaching. I am proud of how well they did!

 

Here is the backside with rubric and directions from at least three locations to another location.

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!

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! :)

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! :)

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

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!

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...

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!

Sum Dog Contest!

I am so proud of all of my students for competing in the Sum Dog Challenge against other schools in Fort Worth. Their eagerness to win is electrifying! Keep up the outstanding work! Here are the

Top Five so far:

1. Donovan
2. Daisy
3. Madison
4. Angelina
5. Ruphaly
   
   
   

   The contest ends THURSDAY! Get to "doggin" it!

Simplest form

Breaking down fractions to their simplest form or lowest terms doesn't have to be a headache if you know the steps!

1. List factors of numerator and denominator.

2. Divide the numerator and denominator by the greatest common factor (GCF).

3. Check to make sure the numerator and denominator cannot be divided again!

Fraction Shuffle!

Here is a great video that will review concepts we have learned this year, but you can also extend your learning and be prepared for sixth grade!

Less than two weeks until STAAR! Ya'll are going to rock it!

Prime factorization

Here is another wonderful video on prime factorization! It breaks down how to find the prime factorization with examples. 

What are prime numbers?

I hope you're having a wonderful and relaxing spring break! Still having a difficult time remembering what prime numbers are? Here is a video to help you remember and it includes all of the prime numbers through 100! Something to remember, the only even number that is prime is... 

2! 

All others are composite. Enjoy!

Prime or composite GAME!

One of our favorite ways to review is through games! Today we reviewed prime and composite numbers. Here is a link to an awesome game called Fruit Shoot!

Enjoy this prime number maze game from worksheetworks.com 

Probability and conversation hearts!

This week students have been working with probability and what better way than with left over Valentine's Day candy? Students created tables to collect and organize their data. Once they wrote the probability as a fraction, they reduced to lowest terms. Most of the candy boxes had 28-30 pieces in them, so students extended their learning by predicting how many of each color there would be if there were 60, 90, and 120 pieces.