Math and Science for the Week of November 7th-11th

Dear Parents,  
It was great seeing all of you at field day last week!  We hope to see you again this Friday for the Veterans concert that your child will be singing in.  
On Friday we took a pop quiz over Math concepts we have been working on over the last two weeks.  The quiz consisted of Measurement in customary units, Perimeter, Time, and Temperature.  I was very pleased with the mastery that was evident of these concepts!  The students are really improving with time to the minute.
In Math this week we will be moving on to a new concept.......Multiplication!!!  Students will brainstorm things that come in groups: 2 eyes, 3 wheels on a tricycle, 8 sides on an octagon, etc.  We will discuss that multiplication is actually just equal “groups of” things.  Through a game called “Circles and Stars”, students will represent 5 “groups of” 3 with 5 circles and 3 stars in each circle.  Students will use repeated addition ( 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 15) to discover the total amount of stars.  We will then connect this to the multiplication sentence of 5 x 3 = 15.  Students will also be introduced to the concept of “arrays”.  We will learn equal rows of things such as 4 rows with 3 cookies in EACH row ( 4 x 3 = 12).   Please look out for any opportunities at home to point out “arrays” or “groups of” things.  Example:  If your family is making cookies, use multiplication to find out how many cookies are on the pan.  If the football team scored 3 touchdowns, use multiplication to find out how many points in all.
Our Fast Fact Friday Quiz will consist of addition/subtraction facts combined and will be recorded in the gradebook.  Students should be studying facts every night for at least 5 – 8 minutes. 

In Science this Week the students will take the Energy, Force, and Motion test.   Students have a study guide AND flashcards to help prepare for the assessment.  It was given to them on Friday to take home and begin preparing with you!  We also will spend the week preparing for the test with different activities as well as a fun game of Jeopardy is planned.