Division

This week we began learning about division.

 

To make it easier, we have talked about division using something the students are already very familiar with - arrays.

Students created arrays using a given number of tiles, and wrote division problems that described the array. For example, they might have made an array that was 4 tiles down and 6 tiles across. The total was 24 tiles. Written as a division expression, it would look like "24 / 4 = 6", or "total number" divided by "rows" equals "number in each row". 

We learned about "remainders", or what is left over when a number cannot be divided evenly. We talked about how remainders can be written as XrN, with the quotient, R meaning remainder, and N as the number remaining. We also practiced writing remainders as a fraction of the original number, because this will help them tremendously in 5th grade.

We often use dry-erase boards for quick formative assessment in class. It helps me see immediately who is understanding the concept and who needs more practice. We used the dry erase boards to practice solving division problems in class once we were comfortable with the concept. 

STEM - Halloween Pumpkins

STEM Project - Halloween Pumpkins!

Happy Halloween!  The classes had a BLAST building structures today with toothpicks and candy pumpkins. They made some really great pieces!

I hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween!

Energy Cumulative Project

Electricity and Our Final Energy Project

The last component of energy we learned about was electricity. Each class completed a KWL chart at the beginning and end of the week. 

We learned that electric current is caused by moving electrons inside atoms. Students learned to distinguish positively charged atoms, negatively charged atoms, and neutrally charged atoms based on the number of protons and electrons. 



Students learned about simple and complex circuits. We also had guest speakers from Alabama Power come and do lessons about electricity, power lines, and safety.

We culminated our study of energy with group projects. Students created interactive posters displaying different forms of energy based on the following rubric:

Friday, each group presented their interactive poster to the class!

Spooky Fraction Avenue

I'm finally caught up! Yay! :)

With Halloween approaching, I wanted to incorporate the theme into math. 

This week, students created Spooky Fraction Avenue!  

They were given the following criteria for creating their "spooky street":

Students had to determine how many houses fit each piece of information. In some cases, they needed to convert the fractions to 8ths.

I think they did a terrific job, don't you?

STEM- Roller Coasters

STEM Project: Roller Coasters!

As an exciting project to coincide with our study of energy and forces, students had the opportunity to create paper roller coasters in class. Marbles were used on the coasters to demonstrate potential and kinetic energy, centrifugal force, gravitational force, acceleration and deceleration.  Students were asked to present their coasters to the class and describe all of the components. A rubric that included demonstration and application of knowledge, teamwork, and planning was used for grading.

Before we made the 3D, working coasters, students were given the following:

"Congratulations! You have been chosen to design a new roller coaster for Six Flags! Use your knowledge of energy and forces to draw, label, and present your new coaster. Don't forget to give your coaster a name!"

The final products were AWESOME!  Here are a few examples.

"Rainbow Road"

"Zip-iddy-do-dah-YAY"

"Wonderous Winder"

"The Dizzy Dome"

Students brought in materials such as cardstock paper, construction paper, toilet paper and paper towel tubes, tape, glue, and craft sticks to create their marble coasters. 

The goal was to create a marble coaster that included demonstrations of potential energy, kinetic energy, gravitational force, acceleration and deceleration. Some groups were able to create centrifugal forces through "time-wasters", cones, and even a loop!

Here are videos of 2 of the final coasters.

The students did a GREAT job and really showcased their knowledge of energy!