Build a Budget

Our latest math exploration is building a budget.  The children decided what they want to be when they grow up.  They took this information and figured out how much their yearly income would be.  Then they had to:

Watching the children conquer this dilemma was impressive.  They determined both the state and federal tax rates.  They slowed down once they got the answers, not sure exactly what to do next.  Suddenly I heard, "What?!"  Mystery solved, taxes take about 1/3 of our income right off the bat.  Yuck!

To stay stay true to our learning, I asked the students to determine their weekly salary after taxes.  They had to remember that a year has 52 weeks.  This was met with more apprehension.  "Really?"

Our final reality check was the idea of bills and expenses.  "What do you mean a list of expenses?"  

Just wait til they have to use the circulars to determine the groceries, the Sunday paper to buy a car (and gas prices), as well as rent or a mortgage.  We will be sure to keep you posted!

Math Post 2/7/14

Over the past few weeks, we have been multiplying and dividing decimals.  Do you think you can tell us when you would divide or multiple with decimals?  Write your explanations in the comment box below.  Make sure you put your first name at the end.

Latitude and Longitude Treasure Hunt

Ahoy there mateys!  Room 103 set out on their first live expedition.  After reviewing latitude and longitude, performing several activities to determine coordinates and direction, room 103 set out to find Cap'n Cooksie's lost booty.  We used GyroCompass to determine our location and set out on our adventure.  Here's how it went.  First, the children had to figure out our location and compare it to the coordinates of the treasure.

Next the children had to decide what direction we have to travel to head towards the treasure.  They even came up with exact locations to go to to get a new set of coordinates to compare.  First stop the office!  Second stop, the gym.  Next, the corner of the gym.  And finally, the storage closet, but where is the loot?

Were we able to pinpoint the treasure with coordinates?  But of course!  The treasure was found and the children (and I) were quite excited.

The treasure was a set of secrets only the select few were made privy to.  A set of teacher pictures from way back when.  A series of secrets only shared with a select few.  Who sported big hair and batons?  Who danced or rode horses?  You may never know, but the children do.  

In the end, the treasure box was filled with weekend fun starting with the mustaches the children all wore home Friday afternoon.  So the pirate booty was full of good times, learning and imagination.  What more could we all ask for?  Have a great weekend!

Math Challenge

This is the first time we are trying to use the blog as a place to post work.  Let's see who accepts my challenge.  Over the past two weeks, we have been multiplying decimals with hidden questions, extra information and multiple steps.  Do you think you can write one of your own?  Write your word problem in the comment box below.  Make sure you put your first name at the end.

Look at these Nonfiction Writers: Click on the Pic for Some Great Animal Facts

Nonfiction Rain Forest Books

Throughout the beginning of this year, our ELA class has been researching and creating individual rain forest animal books.  Our read alouds have provided us with great examples and opportunities to try new writing ideas and styles.  In Notability, we have been taking notes on these Interesting Writing strategies to hook readers and make our writing more exciting by incorporating the senses, personification and more.  In the art room, we have been sketching our environment and animals.  The children are all excited to start painting and loading our books onto Book Creator and finally onto our shelves.  Now we are taking all the pieces and putting them together to complete our projects.

This week we started our new page to weave a tale 'explaining' an attribute of each student's researched animal.  We read about Jabuti the tortoise and heard one example story about why ants march in a single file. I can't wait to hear what the students conjure up.

The weeks to come have more in store for our animals friends using our sense of persuasion.  I know the children will love their interaction with the school community both on the page and in person.  Stay tuned in for our final pieces.

Constitution Videos

How is the Constitution organized?




What were the challenges the founding fathers faced when making the Constitution?



What is the Bill of Rights? What are those rights?



Why did the US need to make a new government?



Why do we need government?