March-April

 

 

 

 

Some helpful hints for each concept-

 

Multiplication with fractions and mixed numbers-

The most common error is not converting all numbers to fraction form. We have been practicing converting from mixed numbers to improper fractions and vice versa. Students should be able to explain the steps with concrete Clues such as 1 and 1/2 equals 3 halves-3 over 2. It makes sense. We will practice reducing fractions at this time too. The easiest way for students to reduce is to find the multiples that match. For example 9/12 (most of them already know it is 3/4) reduces to 3/4 by removing 3/3. 9/12 equals 3x3 over 3x4, so we cancel 3/3 out.

Area-

We use concrete Clues to try and understand that area is measured in square units. We then use our concrete understanding to begin using formulas for regular shapes. Most commonly length times width of rectangles.

 

Division-

The focus of long division is to relate the more complicated work to the basic steps they already understand. Many students struggle with the sheer volume of steps in order to complete the problem correctly. Estimation of the answer is also included in our studies.

 

On nights that I do not assign homework, I suggest a review of the work we have been doing over the course of the year. Pick a page from the textbook and see if there are problems you can solve.

 

 

 

LOGIC PUZZLE

Spring Gardening Class

 

Six children named Alyson, Tony, Carla, Lisa, Brett and Kristen joined a gardening class.  Each child decided to grow one kind of plant.  The plants were: daffodils, basil, parsley, strawberries, carrots and a pine tree.

 

Which child grew which plant?

 

Clues

 

1.    Kristen was wearing a bright yellow T-shirt from her trip to Key West.

2.    Carla’s plant could be eaten.

3.    Lisa was mad at Kristen and said, “I will never grow a plant the color of your T-shirt!”

4.    Brett’s plant had five letters in its name.

5.    Alyson’s plant was very small but it would one day grow larger than anyone else’s.

6.    The food part of Lisa’s plant grew below the ground.

7.    Tony’s plant was often used to make jam.

 

Matrix for the Gardening Class

 

 

 

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