We started our first math unit on whole numbers. We looked at number lines, place value, comparing numbers and representing numbers in different ways. With such a big lesson they only had time to do one page in their homework books. The grade 6's did p. 16 and the 5's did p. 10. Everyone was able to finish in the limited time we had and got their work corrected and made changes.
In language, we took a closer look at the back bulletin board which has posters that describe what good readers do. We went through each of them and we came up with examples to explain them further and reflect on what they meant. Following that, we started our novel which is "The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler." I read first and then Molly and Ella were great risk-takers and read aloud too.
For our unit of inquiry, we discovered that matter is anything that has a mass and takes up space. We performed an experiment that showed how air takes up space in liquids and can prevent a paper towel from getting wet. We also discussed how the molecules in a solid are close together, the liquid ones are further apart and the gas ones are really far apart. That explains we we can walk through gases and liquids, but not solids. The students are doing a great job demonstrating what they would look like in the pictures below.
We have had a good start to the year and I'm eager to get going next week. Have a great weekend.
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| Solid |
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| Liquid |
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| Gas |
