Problem solving

Today Miss Chow was in full control for the day as part of her practicum. In Maths we worked together in random groups to use ice block sticks and play dough to create the tallest and strongest tower. 

Goods and Services

Today we discussed what goods and services are. We brainstormed ideas and added them to our class poster. 

We used an app on our iPads to create our own pizza business. We had to work together to see which group could earn the most money in half an hour. 

When we were finished playing we compared our profits and discussed what we had learnt about running our own business. 

Tessellation

I shared this google doc with the class on which they found  the link to the Blendspace lesson on Tessellation.  The children worked independently through the lesson, watching videos and completing activities.

One of the activities was to create their own tessellation pattern using Google Draw.

The second activity was to watch a YouTube movie on making their own tessellation template by following instructions.  Most of the children were highly successful and everyone reflected on if their pattern worked or not.

Shapes

We are starting our new strand in Maths learning about shapes. Today we sorted a variety of shapes and gave our reasons for sorting them into the groups we did. 

Maths and RWC

In maths we used our skills at making enlargements to create a Rugby World Cup display for our classroom.

Transposing from a small grid to a larger one is harder than you'd think!!

Fractions and Movies

Today we learnt how to make stop motion movies while demonstrating a fact about fractions.  Here are some photos of us at work. Finished movies to follow below.

Link to YouTube Stop Motion Fractions movie

The Stop Motion app we used is available for free on your iphone or ipad.  It's super easy to use!

Fractions

We are learning how to write improper fractions as mixed numbers. 

Salute!

Our class enjoys playing a fun game called Salute. Two players receive a card which they put on their foreheads without looking at. A third player decides if the round will be addition, subtraction, multiplication or division and says the answer to what the two cards total. The player who guesses what their card is first wins.

Maths - position

We designed houses by drawing and writing a description of the plan. We then traded books with a friend and built a house using their plan. We are master builders and designers!

A busy week in review

Another week has flown past!  Here are a few highlights from the week.

FITNESS

For fitness this week our focus has been 'games', so we made up one.  The children named it 'Hide and Guide'.  All of the children found a hiding spot in the nature walk behind our class.  Two children were 'it' and they had to close their eyes and be guided by a friend who gave them instructions to find the children who were hiding.  A lot of fun was had by all!

  

ART
Another layer of paper mache and newspaper went onto our letters.  This coming Wednesday will be the final day of paper mache when we add our last layer of plain newsprint.  Thank you so much to the parents who have been able to help us out!  This is the last week that we really need parent help for completing our paper mache.  If you are able to join us between 1.30 and 3 on Wednesday, it would be greatly appreciated!

MATHS
We have learnt a new game on our iPads.  It is called Maths Slide and can be played with 1 to 4 players.  It can be played using multiplication, division, addition, subtraction or place value.  Here are Juliet and Liam playing a game together.

THEME & BLOGGING
We have been busy posting to our blogs this week, as well.  The children have all completed a Google Slide show in which they researched a country and its culture and created their own slideshow.  Some chose to work independently and some chose to work with 1 or 2 friends.  Their slideshows, along with their Learning Intention, Success Criteria and Self-Assessment, have been posted to their blogs. Please be sure to stop by their blog and have a look and leave your own comment.  Here is one of the slideshows made by the students.

Symmetry

In maths today we carefully followed instructions and used measurement to create a mystery symmetrical pattern. 

Measurement

This week we have been working with measurement.  On Friday we had fun playing a game using measurement.  In groups of 4 we took turns choosing a card and naming a member of our group who we would measure.  We had to each estimate what the answer would be.  Then we measured the length and whoever was the closest won the card.













  

  

Maths Strategies

Today we worked with a partner to see how many different strategies we could use on one addition problem and one subtraction problem. We shared and explained one of the strategies we used with the class.

Math Whizz

Today we got to use our brand new Chromebooks to begin Math Whizz. First we did an assessment that took us through all the maths topics. When we finished it set our individual programme ready for us to begin using. Juliet was one of a small group of students who trialed Math Whizz last year so she gave us some tips and tricks for using the website. We are excited to get started on our own tutor lessons to earn credits.