Measurement Questions: Non-Standard Units

1.  Suppose you measured the length of the gym in hockey sticks, then in tennis racquets. Which measurement would use the greater number of units? Explain

2. Julia measured a table and said it was ten sticks long. Nicholas measured the same table and said it was 12 sticks long. How might this happen? Explain.

2-D Geometry Test! Thursday, December 4

There will be a unit test, based on what we have covered in 2-D geometry, this Thursday.
It will include questions on:

Classifying and drawing polygons
Classifying and constructing equilateral, isosceles, and scalene triangles
Measuring and labelling acute, obtuse, and right angles

There will be a homework sheet sent home this week to reinforce review being done in-class.

Online Math Support

During interviews, a few parents asked me if there was anything they could use to support their child at home. Here are two useful resources.

This is the Nelson Education website where you can do sample questions using 'Try it Out' or follow a 'WebQuest'.

http://www.mathk8.nelson.com/math5/studentcentre/studentcentre.html

 You can also try Math Frog, which  is created and maintained by Professors and students from the University of Waterloo. All of the content is Canadian Curriculum based and is updated and maintained frequently. 

http://cemc2.math.uwaterloo.ca/mathfrog/

2D Geometry

We have completed our patterning unit and have begun looking at 2D geometry. Today I sent homework home involving symmetry. It is due on Thursday, November 13.

Patterning Unit Test

Hello,
 A note to let you know that there will be a math unit test on Wednesday, November 5. We have been working on this for a number of weeks. Students should have a number of examples of the type of work, along with the homework they have completed, to show you what they have been doing. We will be doing review in class on Monday and Tuesday, so they should bring their questions then!

Mr. C.

Spelling

A number of parents have expressed interest in their child's spelling. In our English program, spelling is embedded throughout our reading and writing assignments and tasks. As such, I don't run a specific spelling program. I am including a couple of resources here if you would like to provide some spelling support at home.

http://www.readingrockets.org/article/basic-spelling-vocabulary-list

"This list was created to help teachers know which spelling words should be taught to kids in grades 1–5. The list contains 850 words that account for 80 percent of the words children use in their writing — the ones they need to be able to spell correctly."

I suggest going back to the grade 3 spelling list and working forward.

http://www.spellingcity.com/

Spellingcity can be used in conjunction with the reading rockets lists. It allows you to create customized spelling lists that can be used for quizzes, games, and other activities.

New Math Unit - Number Patterns

We have wrapped up our operations unit. Unit tests will be coming home this week to be signed and returned.
This week we are starting number patterns. For example, today we learned that 2, 6, 10, 14, 18 is a growing pattern where you start at 2 and add 4 each time.
Today students also learned the definitions for term, growing patterns, shrinking patterns, repeating patterns and alternating patterns. Parents: quiz your child to see if they remember!
We will be spending the next two or so weeks working on this.

Apologies

I want to make a quick apology that this was not up and running as I wanted it to earlier but from now on I will be updating this regularly. This will be a place where students and parents can find information on upcoming units and assignments, as well as homework when it is assigned. 
Thank you!

Mr. C.

Descriptive Writing

In language arts, we have been working on descriptive writing. Students have been practicing and are in the process of writing a descriptive paragraph about a place of their choice. This will be due Friday, October 17. I will be giving students a rubric that they can go over with their parents to ensure they are meeting all criteria.

Mr. C.

AMENDMENT: Due to the holiday and various extra-curricular activities, I am going to give students a slight extension on this assignment. I will give them time to work on it this week and it will be due Monday, October 20.

Math test

Hello!
Tomorrow (October 9) we will be having a math test. This test will include addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers. I have sent home a practice sheet to help students prepare. We have done a lot of class practice and I have been holding recess sessions for extra help.

Mr. C.

It's here! I'm pleased to announce that student accounts are now set up with Prodigy. This is a curriculum based math game that the students can play online at home and school. I currently have the settings filtered to grade 5 curriculum only. I have given students their individual usernames and passwords. It is a great way for students to practice and for parents to explore the math with their children. Follow the link and enjoy!

www.prodigygame.com

Welcome to my blog for both M McSharry's and Mme Maloley's grade 5 students. This is where you will find updated information regarding the English Language Arts and Mathematics programs.

Please feel free to email me at philip.cummings@ocdsb.ca if you have any questions.