A full week of school...oh my!

A wonderful week was had by all...I have so much to share...

Language Arts
We've been polishing our biography reports...and writing and publishing poetry...we are headed into reading science textbooks...I think I'm also going to throw in a novel, too...gotta get through the Wax Museum, and then its full steam ahead!!

Science
Man, these kids LOVE science. We have active compost bins and now we are experimenting with and testing rocks and minerals...we've been discussing the difference between rocks and minerals and using them to make predictions and experiment. First we looked at seven stones trying to decide how to sort them...some sorted by color, some shape or size, and a few by weight...then I told them that three were rocks and four were minerals...they tried to determine which was which...then we made predictions about which rocks/minerals would float or sink and tested our theories. We were able to draw some conclusions based on the observations. Then today, we used our fingernails and a penny to test the hardness of the four minerals...they were able to determine the order from softest to hardest based on their tests and then we verified the information using Moh's Hardness Scale. The kids were surprised with some of the results, but if you ask them the number on Moh's Scale for talc, calcite, feldspar, graphite (they may not remember this one, it's 1.5) and/or diamond, my guess is they can spit out the rankings...they love facts and were really intrigued with the scale. We will be heading into different types of rocks (sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic), how weathering and erosion affects rocks, the water cycle, and many other fun topics before we hit the fossils part of the unit.

Math
...division, division, division...estimating division, using manipulatives to divide, teaching long division so they can master the algorithm, solving problems using division, rules of divisibility, basic facts...division, division, division...

How can I help my child in math? Here is the answer to this question...if they do not know their basic multiplication facts, make them learn them...and you can tell them I said so...there are a few kids who do not know them at all and it is hurting their ability to think on their feet...I am a very patient person, but your kids are not...if they can't get an answer quickly, they're mad...and if you don't know your multiplication facts well, you can't do division even moderately quickly...(if any kids are reading this...moderately is an adverb!!) ;-)

I will hop off my soapbox now, but math is just harder as the years progress and I can firmly say that each one of your kids understands what multiplication is...if I give them the problem 4, 567 x 4, they know to add it four times even if they can't remember the algorithm...sooooo...its not a matter of not understanding the concept, its a matter of not memorizing....I think I said I'd get off my soapbox, didn't I?!??! Sorry....

Special Thanks...
THANK YOU DR. HOFFRICHTER!! We were fortunate to have Dr. Hoffrichter visit us this past week and talk with us about dental care...the kids learned a lot and enjoyed his visit...he also brought each kid a wonderful goody bag full of things to help with healthy teeth! We love to have parents visit and welcome any of you to come in and share your expertise with us!

REMINDERS...
1. have your child continue to practice his/her biography...volume and eye contact are the most important factors...I got to watch everyone today and am impressed with how many kids are practicing
2. bring Valentines on Monday if you haven't already
3. there is an economy test on Tuesday...the kids have had "study econ vocab" on their agendas for a week, so hopefully that has been happening!
4. the Hall of Innovators Wax Museum is THIS THURSDAY...9am in the cafeteria for all parents...plan to stay a little over an hour...the kids have been working hard and we can't wait for you to see them in action! Just FYI...it is a walking tour so you don't have to get there early to "get a good seat"...however we will start on time!!

As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email me...have a wonderful weekend! And if you missed the earlier post from today...scroll on.