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Math/Science-Mrs. Carey
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SCIENCE The students are enjoying Earth Science. They created Photo Stories using the Microsoft download - Photostory - about catastrophes and presented them to the class. Their choice of pictures, music, narration, and text helped us to understand the catastrophes that change the earth's surface in a sudden and often violent way. Later, we will learn about slow changes that occur on the earth's surface - such as plate movements and rock formation. We examined fossils at stations throughout the lab and analyzed data about ancient fossils of a prehistoric three year old found in Ethiopia. In January we also learned more about germs and how to keep ourselves healthy. We look forward to our study of the Heart in February which will culminate with the after school sheep heart dissection on 2/14 and 2/16 and STEM Day on 2/24 - which is our school wide ShowCase about everything related to Science - Technology - Engineering and Math! MATH NEWS - The students are working hard in math and learning more about fractions - decimals - and percents and how they are all related. We have played dice games, card games, pizza games, Beatle math, Super Bowl math, and good old fashioned text book math in order to reinforce the fraction skills.
- We measured heads in class in order to find the mean - median - mode of our head sizes. Later we graphed the results using a bar graph. We will also survey the class to find out which is our favorite Super Bowl commercial. Students need to see all the ways that data can be displayed so they understand how to read and interpret the graphs. Whenever you see a graph in a magazine or newspaper, encourage your child to read the graph and share with you his thoughts and analysis. It is an important math skill.
- It also would be great to do more practice with measuring - at home and in school. We will continue to measure heads, pumpkins, map measurements, etc..... but it is always apparent that students need more practice becoming comfortable with metric and customary measurements - as well as being precise. Any practice the students can get at home with measurements - carpentry tasks, recipes, pouring, calculating, looking at dosages for cough medicines, examining measuring cups and yard sticks at home, rearranging gardens or bedrooms - all help the students develop measuring SENSE and ease.
- Homework Monday - Thursday is a must - it's the only way students can build on skills that were introduced during our 45 minute math class. Homework will be checked in class each day. All work must be done in pencil. No calculators, please. Red pens are necessary for checking work each day. Please have the small drill book in class each day for reviews and drills.
- Absent students need to check the website for assignments. The online math book can be used for reference and instruction while at home. Math help can also be found on the websites listed in my "links" on this site and also -
One good tutorial website with mini-lessons for math can be found at www.khanacademy.org
Please check out this website! Working quickly and accurately in math is a school-wide focus, so timed math quizzes on basic math skills will frequently be done throughout the year. It is an expectation that all 6th graders can quickly and accurately perform all multiplication facts. Practice at home is essential! Use flashcards or parent created short quizzes to help the child gain speed and confidence. Encourage them to play online math games and to use the online version of our textbook for reference. One good site is www.howstuffworks.com/math-mastery. This site has two minute tutorial videos that teach how to perform calculations using decimals and fractions and percents. The videos can be used as a great review at home. Always come prepared for class with books and supplies. The drill book must be with you at every math class and a red pen for checking.
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Shrine Catholic Grade School
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