Gail’s Math Class

There will be a test on Wednesday, September 24, on the topics we have covered since the beginning of the school year.  There will be review this Monday and Tuesday. The topics are: place value, rounding to nearest 10, 100, 1000, 10,000, 1000,000, estimation and approximation using compatible numbers, multiplying and dividing by numbers ending in zeroes, word problems and order of operations.  Pages 6 through 25 in the textbook demonstrate each topic covered. I suggest the students review a few problems from each lesson in their text book or in their workbook to make sure they remember how to work the problems.  

Million Dollar Project

The Million Dollar Project began as a math project. Its purpose was to give students a “real” experience with the concept of a million and to reinforce how to make fractions into decimals and decimals into percent and, to make a pie chart (graph) showing the percentages spent on each major category of expenses. It has since evolved into not only a math project, but social studies and Jewish values as a tsedakkah project. In addition, it has also evolved as a way to learn computer skills such as how to make a spread sheet, make an advertisement, design titles and find information. It deserves its name because it integrates so many skills and develops many important concepts.  The fifth grade students have been introduced to this project which will be our theme for most of our computer lab sessions during the year. They have been shown projects done by students in past years and, I will continue to give them samples of work for every aspect of this project. Most of the work will be done at school, either in class or during computer lab periods.

       The first assignment, which will be due October 3, is a written proposal explaining what they would like to do for their Million Dollar Project. I have given each student two examples of written descriptions done by two former fifth graders.   The assignment is to write one paragraph explaining and describing the project you would like to create with the million dollars. Keep in mind that it must be something which benefits a community, a group of people, the world, the environment, etc.  Some examples of the past have been: a cooking school and restaurant for the homeless, a summer camp teaching Vietnamese culture, a mobile mammography clinic to poor neighborhoods, an after school tutoring and computer learning center, an animal rescue after natural disasters, etc.  And, write a second paragraph telling why you think this is an important project and why you personally would like to do it.   It would be convenient if this write-up would be typed, double spaced so that it can be developed easily for later use in writing a final description.   Every student should have brought home the two pages with the sample proposals. I’ve encouraged students to talk to their families and older friends about ideas. This will help each child to think about the kind of issues that exist in the world that might need their help and that of a million dollar funding. I encourage parents to see this project as a vehicle for growth for your child not only scholastically, but also with regards to fulfilling the Jewish idea of repairing the world.

Ceative Output for Studying History

We have been studying the Age of Exploration in History. Recently, we have been learning about Columbus’s seven year effort to convince various rulers of Europe to finance his proposal to sail west around the globe to find a sea route to The Indies (Asia). After repeatedly being turned down because the expedition was seen as dangerous, stupid and far too costly, Columbus convinces King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain to finance him. The fifth graders in Gail’s class were given roles to enact this scene from history. Their task was to write a script; write their own lines in the context of the story. The students far exceeded expectations when Avi Duhan and the group he was working with decided to make it a musical. The next thing I knew, Soluna, Amalya and others made up “raps” to go with their lines. It was so charming and creative. If we only had a lot more time, the students could have made the whole skit a musical presentation. As it is, they were all great. So many good actors and writers in our class! I don’t think they will ever forget the pros and cons that the monarchs’ advisers had to debate. Tomorrow, they will be writing a letter of petition to the King and Queen as if they were Columbus. This activity not only ensures an interesting history lesson, but prepares our class for learning how to write persuasive essays and how to debate.

Homework 9/16/08

Math: Gail’s math class- Workbook pages not completed through page 23.

Science - Due Wednesday: What do you think is the most important invention of all time? See p.3 of Invent Booklet to get details of requirements of this assignment. Talk to your family and friends and get some ideas and opinions from them. Use the internet (with parent permission) to research the invention you have chosen or even to get some good ideas. Don’t forget that inventions are in many categories such as food, medicine, convenience, health, tools, transportation, communication, etc. Be prepared to tell the class why you chose the invention you did. Do write-up on an index card or a paper the same size and don’t write on the back of the card but you may use more than one card. Have fun with this.

Homework 9/11/08

Math: Gail’s group- Workbook pages 22 and 23 (show work)

Literature – last worksheet page for chapters 1,2 in Charlotte Doyle

History  -   re-write your part for skit about Columbus’ requesting Spain’s support for his proposed voyage

                   (since you are writing your own part, make it meaningful and persuasive).

News and Homework 9/10/08

We had a very exciting and interesting field trip experience yesterday at the Deer Hills Ranch. The weather was cool and comfortable and the scenery was bucolic. The ranch had chickens, mules, peacocks, ducks and horses. Our outdoor educators organized our students into one large group for some team building activities and then into three groups for more challenging activities. Our students were thoroughly engaged. They learned that succeeding in these challenges required concentration, focus and good team work. The ropes challenges were especially challenging yet every child accomplished more than they ever imagined possible. No one was pushed to do anything he/she did not want to do. Every child went away feeling they had achieved success on some challenge. We hope these lessons and good feelings will carry over for the rest of the year and beyond.

Homework :  Literature – All worksheets from Prologue and chapters 1,2 are due by Friday. 

                       Math- workbook pages 18. 19 (finish textbook page 20 if you haven’t done it in class) due tomorrow.

Homework 9/4/08

Gail’s math class:  Workbook pages 13 and 14

HOPE TO SEE PARENTS AT BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT 7:00 PM  IN THE GYM AND THEN WE’LL MEET IN GAIL’S CLASSROOM

Homework 9/3/08

Gail’s math class: workbook pages 12 and 13