Good evening!

What a busy, busy day! Today we started off by working through our new math unit. Both grades are studying multiplication and division at the moment. We are also both learning alternative strategies for multiplying. One strategy we are using, is to use smaller, more familiar multiplication facts.

Eg. To find 9 x 14

Find 9 x 10 = 90  and 9 x 4 = 36.

Since 10 + 4 = 14, we can add the products of the multiplication facts (90 + 36) to discover that 9 x 14 = 126.

We are also using multiples of 10 to work in the opposite direction, and using subtraction.

Eg. To find 29 x 3

Find 30 x 3 = 90  and 1 x 3 = 3

Since 30 – 1 = 29, we can subtract the products of the multiplication facts (90-3) to discover that 29 x 3 = 87.

We have also explored using benchmark numbers and number lines, as well as counting on strategies.

In Science today we started an experiment which has us testing the temperatures of different substances. We are trying to determine which material will heat more quickly: water or sand. Today we measured their initial temperatures (28 ‘ C, and 20 ‘C respectively), and tomorrow we will place them under a heat lamp, so that we can test the rise in temperature in both substances.

We also created small ornaments to give to our buddies next week, as a holiday gift. They turned out wonderfully!

Homework: Multiplication quiz – 3s and 10s (TOMORROW)

                         Read for 20 minutes

                         Reading Journal (TOMORROW)

                         Spelling Quiz (TOMORROW)

                         Language Arts – Grammar Quiz: nouns, verbs, topic sentences, and end punctuation (Monday)

                         Math: Gr. 5 – pgs. 90-91 #1-7, 10-12

                         Science: Climate Project (January 10th)

                                           Weather Watch Unit Test (Wednesday)

                         Health: Home Activity #3 (Relax for 10 minutes)

                         Winter Concert – Div. 2 (Tuesday, Dec. 18 @ 7:00 pm)