9-Square!

Have you heard that there's a new game in town? We borrowed a 9-Square court from another school for the week. Here are a few pics of us playing. Ask us how to play! :)

  

Magnet Exploration

Today, we started our new unit in Science: Energy! We started by discussing the difference between contact and non-contact forces. 

A contact force is when an object pushes or pulls another and it starts moving. The two objects have to touch. Some example are: kicking a box, pushing someone, throwing a ball, or pulling a rope. 

A non-contact force is when something moves without being touched. Non-contact forces are invisible. Some examples are: a black hole, wind, gravity, magnets.

We will be focusing on magnets for the rest of our unit. We got to explore magnets by testing them around the classroom to see how they worked. 

"Some magnets are stronger than others. A non-contact force is 'the force.'" ~ EF

"I saw how that blue magnet was holding up six magnets." ~ Viaan

"I know that magnets are a part of physics and that it's really fun to play with magnets. The reason they're magnetic is because they're made of iron." ~ Oscar

"Today, when we were exploring magnets, I learned that magnets can be very strong. They can affect how electronics work." ~ Effie

"Sometimes, it can be bizarre, like a magnet connected to a hat." ~ HC

"I observed that all objects that are magnetic are either made of iron or metal." ~ Wynn

"I learned that some magnets can not stick on to the object but only you could feel its pull." ~ Cora

Zoo Designs

In Math with Ms Elder, we are using our Multiplication skills to calculate the area of rectangles. We are using our creativity and art skills to design zoo enclosures. For the Math, we calculate the dimensions and area of each enclosure. Here are some photos of us working: 

Adding and Subtracting Quiz

 

 Adding and Subtracting Quiz

April 1 (Wednesday)

We have been working hard on our adding and subtracting skills. After the break, we will put those skills to the test on a quiz. The quiz will include calculations of 4 digit numbers in both operations and problem solving.

Should you wish to practice any of these skills, questions and exemplars can be found on google classroom.

Rover Building!

In Science, we have been learning about Space with Ms Elder. We researched Mars and learned about its conditions, like it is very hot and also very cold, it has big winds and dust storms, and it is rocky. We split into groups and learned about rovers scientists have sent there. Then, we got to design and build our own model rovers!

Our rovers needed to have: wheels to move, an arm to collect samples, and a compartment to put the samples in. 

We planned first on our own, and then Ms Elder paired us up and we had to collaborate to make a new design. Here are pictures of us building and of our final products!

Multiplication Work

A Class Favourite: Multiplication Luck!
Rules are posted on the Google Classroom

Over the past five weeks, we have been learning what Multiplication is, how to represent it, and how to solve problems related to it. While doing so, students have explored patterns in the Multiplication table and gained fluency when solving equations up to 12 x 12. We will now be moving on to Area, which reinforces an understanding of Multiplication arrays, and then larger Multiplication equations, up to 3-digit by 1-digit numbers.  

It is essential that students know their times tables up to 12 x 12. As we build on this foundation, the problems will increase in difficulty. If they cannot skip count yet, they need to practice at home. 

On Google Classroom, there are a plethora of resources for helping students. Some kids learn best by singing their times tables, some enjoy card or dice games. There is an interactive Multiplication Grid where students can highlight multiples of each number and colour-code them. In class this week, we started creating one more tool for helping: a "Multiplication House." 

Students chose the times table they most need to practice. They created their own design that has flaps, such as a school bus with windows that open, a pizza with pepperoni flaps, or a cell phone with swinging keys. On top of each flap, they wrote the factor they are multiplying by. Under each flap, they wrote the answer (the "product"). This is a tool students can use independently for practice. Stay tuned for more pictures next week of our finished product! 

Parents, thanks for your help in ensuring your child knows their times tables up to 12 x 12! :)

Reminder: Space Quiz on March 18

Students, this is a friendly reminder that you have a Science Assessment on Wednesday, March 18. You will need to be able to: 

• Define Space vocabulary practiced in class (ex: Sun, Moon, Planet, Constellation, Galaxy, Solar System, Universe, Rotation, Revolution, etc.)
• Compare the lunar and solar (standard) calendars (explain similarities and differences between them)
• Identify common constellations (ex: Big Dipper, Little Dipper, Orion)
• Identify important stars (ex: North Star/Polaris)
• Explain how stars/constellations are used for navigation
• Compare different technologies for viewing space (ex: telescope, binoculars)

If you have any questions, please contact Ms Elder. If you're looking for ways to practice, review the material under "Classwork" -> "Science" on the Google Classroom.