I hope everyone enjoyed their second track-out!
Of course we are now in ridiculous make-up mode.
Today we jumped right into subtraction with fractions, and how we can use the same strategies we used with addition. We also talked about how oftentimes it is easier to subtract fractions (and also sometimes add fractions) when they are in improper form. It can be easier to do something like 13/10 minus 8/10 than to see something like 1 and 3/10 minus 8/10.
Tonight students have a few subtraction problems to do. They should show me what form of one they multiplied or divided by in order to find equivalent fractions, and they should simplify their answers! We did one together as an example.
SubtractingAndSimplifyingFeb23
In Language Arts we talked mostly about doing research and how we are doing our best to become an expert on our chosen topic. We are *not* typing in a string of questions in google and copying down some answers. We talked about how many of our questions will lead to more questions that we must answer.
We then spent some time in the computer lab, on Ncwiseowl and Britannica doing preliminary research on our topic. Students have until Friday to possibly change their topic, but by Friday we will have started an outline, and they will be locked into whatever they have chosen.
Tonight students have a short passage to read and some questions to answer on theme. We will be moving on from our discussions of theme to figurative language this week, so this will be the last passage focusing on theme for a bit.
That was pretty much all we had time for. Our days will be packed and I don’t see us getting to nearly everything we have to, so we might be doubling up on work going home, but I’m not quite sure just yet. Let’s hope we can get back on track, even with this ridiculous weather!
so tl;dr
fraction subtraction problems: SubtractingAndSimplifyingFeb23
Show me the form of one you use! SubtractionExampleFeb23
Cat passage (theme): The Life of a Cat
and questions (with reasoning): CatQuestions
Also, all North Carolina Children’s Book Awards books MUST be turned back in tomorrow. I have to return some and recheck some others out.
As always, read for 35 minutes!
As the students don’t yet have a new reading log, just getting a piece of paper signed will be fine.
Have a good one!
-Mr. Potter