Multiplying and Dividing by Powers of Ten

Last week, 5th grade math classes were using this place value chart to help them think about and find patterns.

We started by dividing by ten. Using the chart, we realized that if you have 1 group of millions it was easier to divide if you regrouped the million into 10 one hundred thousands. From there it was easy to divide by ten!

We did something similar with multiplication. Before long students were seeing a pattern.

When you move the decimal point to the right you are multiplying by a power of 10. If you move it to the right two places, you are multiplying by 2 powers of ten (or 100), etc

If you move the decimal to the left, you are dividing by a power of ten. If you move to the decimal to the left two places, you are dividing by 2 powers of ten (or 100), etc

Have a Mathematical Week!

Marshmallow Challenge

Another way we have fostered community and risk taking was through the marshmallow challenge. Students were put into groups with 20 pieces of spaghetti, a yard of tape, a yard of string and a marshmallow. The challenge was to build the tallest, free standing structure that would support a marshmallow. Below are students working working together to come up with a design.

This challenged proved very difficult for the students! Marshmallows are much heavier than you would think. Out of 12 groups, only 6 groups were able to make a structure to support the marshmallow. Here are a few of the groups who had success.

Making Squares

This week my math classes have been collaborating and solving different problems. On this day, students were put into groups and given 5 envelopes. Each envelope contained some of the pieces needed to make 5 squares, all the same size. 

For the first 5 minutes, they were not allowed to talk each other or ask in any way for a puzzle piece. Students had to offer pieces when they thought their piece might help another student. After the 5 minutes were up, the students were able to talk freely.

When we debriefed, students found that making the squares went more quickly when they all worked together, could talk out their ideas, and continually revised their ideas. These are all practices we will be working on this year during math.

Specials Schedule

The 5th grade has been divided into two groups for specials; the green group and the white group. Your child knows which group they are in and here is a look at their specials for trimester 1.

     Green                                                                  White

French and PE                                                     Art and Art

Orch/Study Hall and Health                                Orch/Study Hall and Art

Band/Study Hall and French                               Band/Study Hall and Art

PE and Guidance                                                 French and PE

Health and Health                                               PE and French

New this year, 5th grade students are required to change for PE class, so remember extra clothes on those days!

Great First Day!

Our homeroom class spent the first day of school reconnecting with old friends and meeting new students.