The students read about our national heritage today. We discussed the traditions that are common in our country and traditions that we celebrate that were brought over from other countries. I sent home a letter today detailing what is expected of students for out inquiry project the Heritage Museum. Please review the letter with your students so that you also understand my expectations for this project. If you have any questions, please feel free to email or call me.
Subtraction
Wow! The students were on a roll today! I was so impressed with how well everyone was apply the strategies we discussed yesterday to the concepts we covered today. The students went over subtracting across zeros. This concept can be difficult for students because they are required to regroup many times in order to subtract in a smaller place. We used the iTools from Houghton Mifflin to help us visualize what to do if you have to subtract across zeros. Using the online place-value tools allowed many students to see where they were making mistakes yesterday in order to successfully complete today's assignment. Students are also choosing to use the inverse operation of subtraction to check to make sure their answer is correct. A quick check in last night seemed to help students remember how to verify their answers.
Longitude and Latitude
The students learned about longitude and latitude today. We discussed how these lines of measurement form a global grid so that we have a universal system that allows us to identify exact locations. We practiced using lines of longitude and latitude today as we attempted to find islands on a map during a game called Message in a Bottle. The students will use their skills they gained today during class tomorrow in order to find as many islands on a map with lines of longitude and latitude. The assignment notebook code for tonight is for the students to identify the phrases we use to help use remember the direction of the lines. We use "latitude, fatitude" because the latitude lines make the globe look fat and "longitude long" because the lines of longitude are long. I hope you all have a great night and I look forward to another wonderful day of learning.
Below you will find the parent letter giving you detailed information on how to place Scholastic Book orders on-line.