Math

We will continue with addition and move into subtraction of 4-digit numbers as well next week. It would benefit the students to practise strategies they have learned in order to add and subtract numbers quickly with mental math.

Addition strategies

We have been practising our mental math strategies. These are ways we can solve problems involving 2-digit numbers without having to rely on our fingers, manipulatives, calculators, or even paper (everything should be done in our heads). Adding 20 to 30 is easy because it is only having to add the tens (2+3). Adding 20 + 36 is similar because we can just add 20 to 30 again, but add the extra 6 as well. This can now help if you have a problem like 19 + 36. We know 19 is one less than 20, so therefore the answer will also be one less than 20 + 36. Having your child get used to such a strategy can help with their mental math.

Picture Day

Picture day is tomorrow, so make sure students are dressed appropriately for their first pictures of the year!

What Independent Writing Looks Like In Our Classroom

We have been practising our independent writing for this week. Students were given a writer's notebook where they could record their ideas for writing and write texts of their own. The grade fives have been working hard in these notebooks and some have filled out numerous pages already! Here are some pictures of the hard work they did today.

Spirit Wear Orders

The order forms for John Campbell Spirit Wear were sent home today. If you wish to order, the order form and money are due in the office by Friday, November 7th.

Math Tests

I handed back the math tests today. Please review them with your child to discuss where they had troubles and ways they could improve. I have informed them that they can bring any questions about the test to me, so that I can clarify things for them (I already had a couple of students ask their own questions about the test). Please sign the test and return it as soon as possible.

Tuesday, Oct. 14 Homework

Students need to complete work on p.32-33 #1, 2, 3, 5. We have begun practising our addition of numbers up to 4 digits. Students should review the strategies we discussed in class (p. 31-32 in the text).

Thanksgiving Weekend Homework

In the math textbook we worked on page 30, #1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 in class. Please complete these over the weekend. If a student finished theirs in class I asked them to write it in their agenda as homework and bring it home to show it to someone at home. This way, you know if it is completed and it can be checked over to see if your child is on the right track.

As well, a reminder that book orders for this month are due on Oct. 21st.

Enjoy your long weekend together!

Comparing game

We played a math game today with a deck of cards, to help us with comparing numbers. We discarded Jacks, Queens, Kings, And Jokers. We counted the Ace as a one and the ten as a zero. We each drew the same number of cards (3, 4, 5, or 6). With the cards we chose, we tried to come up with either the largest or smallest number (you can choose which before you play a round). You then compare the two numbers to see who has the larger (or smaller) number created.

For instance: If I chose 5, A (1), 3, 9, I could arrange them as 9, 5, 3, A(1) to make the number 9 531. I would then compare it with my partner's four digit number to see who had a larger or smaller number.

Try it at home for extra practise and have fun!

Mock Government

Today we had two students represent a government for our class. They told us things we had to do, and we were supposed to do them. The class were a bit irritated when they were being told to "put their heads down" or "don't smile", so we chose two representatives to be the Supreme Court. The next rule was for chocolate bars to be given out, one per student, once a week. Some people really liked this idea, but one student brought forth the idea that this was not a healthy idea, and others agreed. We then discussed how the student had the right to disagree with her government's rule, and how the Supreme Court had the ability to decide whether the law could be allowed, or not. It was a very fun way to explore our government.

Music Test

The students will be having a music test next Friday.

How to compare numbers

As a class we came up with the following steps to help us compare two or more numbers:

1. You can line them up, one on top of another, in the proper place value columns.

2. Look at the number of digits each number has. If one number has more digits, it will be larger than      the other and you are done.

3. If they have the same number of digits, look at the first digit on the left side of the number and compare those digits. The digit with the higher value will also be part of the larger number.

4. If the digits on the left are the same, compare the digits in the next column to the right.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the students who went to our Cross Country Meet today! The students tried their best and had a great day. Some of the students in our class have even made it to the finals next week! Great job! 5S is proud of you!

Rights, and Whole Numbers

Today we discussed the Canadian Charter of Rights and the importance of each right and freedom. We also touched on the voting process and how it is important to us especially with the upcoming elections. I suggested to the students to begin watching local news broadcasts to see coverage of the campaigns.

We have also begun a new unit in math. We will be talking about whole numbers in this unit, which will include place value up to 100 000, comparing and ordering numbers up to the same value, addition and subtraction, and multiplication and division. It is a lot covered in one unit, so it would be good to practise these skills at home each night. Today we began with identifying the place value of different digits in a number, reading numbers and writing them in words, and comparing numbers to find out which is larger/smaller, or ordering a list of numbers from smallest to largest (and vice versa). We will continue with practising these skills tomorrow.

Tuesday, Oct. 7 Homework

Students have to finish their booklets for French. The booklets are due Friday.

Reading with Someone

Part of our mornings are spent reading. This morning we were practising our "Reading with Someone" skills.

Math Test

The math unit test has been pushed back one day, it will be tomorrow now.

Friday, Oct. 3 Homework

A reminder that we have our math test for patterning on Monday. Please review the lessons over the weekend to ensure the students are ready for the test. A little practise each night can make a big difference! Enjoy the weekend.

Oct 2 Homework

Students are to finish questions #5-7 on page 18 in their math textbooks. They had #1-4 for homework the night before, and we were working on 5-7 in class today. If you feel that your child is having difficulties with certain parts of the homework, please write me a note so that I may review that concept with them personally. Thank you for your assistance.

Mini-Me Art

We have been working on an art project using a cutout of our own faces and paper-doll bodies to create a mini-me or bobble-head of ourselves. The students were excited to design their own outfits and accessories.

Math Test for Patterning Unit on Monday

As most of you may have noticed in the agenda, we have a math test coming up on Monday, October, 6th. This will be on Patterning. Please review the textbook lessons with your child each night to prepare them for this. There will be questions asking students to continue patterns, such as 2, 3, 5, 8, 12... Where they will have to give the next terms, as well as identify the pattern rule. They will also be asked to identify the missing terms in a pattern, such as 42, 38, ___, 30, 26, ____, 18. They will need to identify and continue patterns in tables, as well as create their own tables based on patterns of numbers or attributes of shapes. They will also need to be able to solve word problems that involve patterns. It would be a good idea to review each lesson in the text, and the "Show What You Know" on pages 22-23 of the textbook would be a good practice for the test.