a little lesson in factorization....

Today in Math, we were challenged by the task of taking a big number and factoring it down to prime numbers. In addition, we were then required to write the final factorization using exponents. Here is what one looked like (taken straight from the study guide). using a calculator is ok.

1080 (a composite - find 2 factors that make that number)
2 x 540 (1080 is even, so 2 will always break down an even number)
2 x 2 x 270 (520 was even too - hey so is 270...will this madness ever stop??)
2 x 2 x 2 x 135 (ok, here's a new one.. 135 is not divisible by 2, but it is by 5)
2 x 2 x 2 x 5 x 27 (nearing the end..I can feel it - what makes 27? 3 and 9)
2 x 2 x 2 x 5 x 3 x 9 (9 is a composite, so I need to break that down! )
2 x 2 x 2 x 5 x 3 x 3 x 3 (all primes, so that part is done - now the fun part, put those primes together!)

Ok, I don't know how to make an exponent on the computer, but here is what it would read like: 2 to the 3rd power (since there are 3 of them) times 3 to the third power (since there are three of those) times 5 (no exponenet needed since there is only one).
SO..... the prime factorization of 1080 is what is in bold right above. I hope this helps. Try a smaller number first.

HOMEWORK
5th grade - math test tomorrow (study guide due and finish 1.9 - time was given in class today)

Fluency

Spelling activities

band/orchestra tomorrow

bring environmental club sheet tomorrow (if interested)

GOAL BOOKS SIGNED?? $2 in your bank!!

See you tomorrow... :-)

Bring on the WEATHER

Yes, we are beginning our study of weather. Today's science homework is to find out how much of the earth is covered by water. We will learn how the water on earth affects the weather. We will study the layers of the atmosphere and do some neat experiments.

Here is our homework for today:
Math (5th) we will have a test over Unit 1 on Thursday and the study guide is due back tomorrow. IF your child doesn't have their SRB (reference book), remind them of your expectations to be prepared to study for a test.

Spelling - ONLY 2 activities this week and next - due to the shorter weeks.

If your child is off contract (5 students), no activities need to be turned in (but studying should still be done!)

FLuency - your child should read this to you and you should sign it somewhere on the page or on the back. THEY ARE NOT TO DO THE QUESTIONS AT HOME (although they can study them and talk tbout them with you).

LATE START TOMORROW _ Be here and in your seat working by 9:15 (doors open at 9:00)
:-)

Over the weekend

Parents,
Another successful week! Next week, we do not have school on Labor Day! I'll see your kids Tuesday morning. Remember that we have late start on Wednesdays for the rest of the year.

Some kids do have some homework to finish up that they did not finish today in Math (journal page 25 and the top of page 26 (5th grade) and 6th grade has 1.8). Also, Unit 3 spelling list went home, the pretest for that will be on Tuesday and next week, only 2 spelling activities are due on Friday.

This week, we began using the laptops that our school received this year. Our class learned how to unplug them, carry them, and care for them at their desks. We were very excited to use them in our classroom. A suggestion was made for kids to purchase a "flash drive" or "zip drive," which is a little memory holder for them to keep their work on. They really just need one that has 512 megabytes, unless they are going to use it for LOADS of pictures or data. A small one for writing projects should run you about $5 - 7. You can pick one up at Target or Walmart in the video section. Just ask a worker to show you where they are and just tell them your child will be using it for school work - documents, papers, etc. This is completely OPTIONAL (a safe way to protect your work).

Have a great weekend!
:-)

The importance of knowing the facts!

If you are checking this blog send this word to school with your child: Responsible. That word will earn them one monster buck.

Thank you for taking the time to look at this blog. I hope you find it helpful and a resource to help your child at home.

Due tomorrow:
Math (5th) study link 1.7

3 spelling activities

fluency - should have been read at least once to a parent and signed. The questions on the back should not be completed until class tomorrow.

we have our first reading test over the story, "Hot and Cold Summer" Your child should have their reading book at home to reveiw the vocabulary and the story.

we take our 2 minute math fact test on Fridays. If you are noticing that your child is not advancing through the levels of the math facts each week, please take some time to sit down with him or her(3-5 minutes each night) and make some flashcards and practice together. Make sure your child is reading the entire fact, including factors and the product. If your child struggles with a fact, tell the product and have him or her repeat the whole number sentence 3 times. This repetition will greatly increase their memory of the fact. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE for supporting your child. From this point on in school, knowing those multiplication facts, automatically, is necessary for success! Please let me know if you would like extra Otter Creek tests for practice at home. I am happy to provide flashcards for home as well!

Have a great weekend and Happy Labor Day to all!

Happenings

We had a terrific day today in 5G. Did your childtell you that we have earned our first Game Day? This is a class incentive for following our Rules of Thumb for the classroom. This class could be a role model for how cooperative grouping should look. No matter how the kids are placed in groups, they are meeting my expectations. We are having a fun time modeling what each part of our day should look like. Ask you child what brain break we did today? Who knew "Simon Says" could be a brain break? Thanks for the idea, Rumi! Tomorrow, we get to use the laptops for the first time. I can't wait.

Homework:Math: 5th - link 1.7 (kids had time in class to work on this and it will be graded tomorrow) our test will be next week on Wednesday or Thursday (we will do the first study guide together in class on Tuesday - subsequent study guides will be done as practice at home and we will go over in class).

Spelling: Everyone is still on contract this week - so that means 3 activities due Friday

Fluency: Your child should read the passage about the crayon to you at least one time (building fluency) and you should sign it when they do. This is due back on Friday and the questions on the back should not be done at home (although they can be looked at and discussed).
Writing: mental homework - think of a good school memory you can share during "storying" tomorrow

See you tomorrow! Get your fingers ready for the laptops!!

Science Fun!

Sorry I didn't post last night, I couldn't get on - I must have added something and it was preventing me from getting on anywhere. Luckily, I took off a few things I added and now it seems to be fine. Here is our homework for yesterday:

MONDAY
Math - (5th) Link 1.6 and (6th) Link 1.5
Spelling - 3 activities due Friday - test Friday
Fluency - read to at least one parent and have him or her sign the sheet by Friday. Questions can be looked at and discussed, but NOT filled in. We will do this in class on Friday morning.

TUESDAY
Spelling and Fluency - same as above
Math : (5th )Journal box page 19 (6th)box pages and link 1.6
Science - study the steps to the scientific method (kids should have science journals at home)

We continued our investigation of pendulums using the scientific method today. Ask your child about that! Also, ask your child about Crazy 8's!!