Benchmark Fractions

It is often helpful to compare a fraction with a simple well known fraction - a benchmark fraction!

Today's homework:
     1.  Read for half an hour.
     2.  Math: p. 525-526.
     3.  What is the best mathplayground.com game?  Describe the game and explain what makes it the best.

Revising Your Writing

When you revise and edit your writing think of ARMS (see the poster above.)

Today's homework:
     1.  Read for half an hour.
     2.  Math: p. 519-520.
     3.  Rewrite and improve your draft.

Fort Ross

In our study of California history we are learning about Fort Ross.  This fort in northern California was settled by Russian fur trappers and traders in 1812.

Today's homework:
     1.  Read for half an hour.
     2.  Math: p. 521-522.
     3.  What would life on other planets be like?

Simplifying Fractions

We have already learned about equivalent fractions, fractions with different numbers for the numerators and denominators, but which are of equal value.  For example, 2/4 and 1/2 mean the same amount.  The equivalent fraction with the smallest possible numerator and denominator is called the simplest form.  Finding the simplest form for a fraction is called reducing it.

Today's homework:
     1.  Read for half an hour.
     2.  Math: p. 515-516
     3.  If you could be any animal, what would it be.  Explain.

Comparing Fractions: Like Denominators and Like Numerators

It is easy to compare fractions if they have the same denominator.  It is als easy to compare fractions if they have like numerators.  Look at the chart above!

Today's homework:
     1.  Read for half an hour.
     2.  Math: p. 509-510.
     3.  If you were a toy, what toy would you be?  Explain.

Cross Multiply

An easy way to compare fractions is to cross multiply, like in the picture above.

Today's homework:
     1.  Read for half an hour.
     2.  Math: p. 507-508.
     3.  If you could choose to live on a different planet, which one would you choose?  Explain why.

Equivalent Fractions

Modeling equivalent fractions

Multiply the numerator and the denominator by the same number

Two ways to figure out equivalents fractions:

     *  Make a model and compare fractions.
     *  Multiply the numerator and denominator by the same number.

Today's homework:
     1.  Read for half an hour.
     2.  Math: p. 503-504.
     3.  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?  Explain.

Fractions

Fractions are an extremely useful concept.  Fourth graders are learning to identify, classify, and perform operations with fractions.

Today's homework:
     1.  Read for half an hour.
     2.  Equivalent fractions worksheet.
     3. What is the best job in the world?  Explain.

Favorite Song

Today's homework:
     1.  Read for half an hour.
     2.  Math p. 493-495.
     3. If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, which song would you choose?  Explain why.

Field Trip

We had a great field trip to the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center yesterday.  Thank you to all the parent volunteers.

Today's homework:
     1.  Read for half an hour.
     2.  Math p. 487-488.
     3. Write a description of our trip to the park.  What was your favorite part?

Tessellations

"A tessellation is created when a shape is repeated over and over again covering a plane without any gaps or overlaps."    From mathforum.org

Today's homework:
     1.  Read for half an hour.
     2.  Make lists of things that do or and do not tessellate.
     3. What is your favorite historical period?  Explain.

What If?

What if you could speak another language?   Wouldn't that be cool!


Today's homework:
     1.  Read for half an hour.
     2.  Math p. 489-490.
     3.  If you could speak any other language (besides English) which language would you like to speak?

Empathy

As children grow to adulthood, it is important to develop empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.  One of the reasons we read stories is to develop empathy for the characters.

Today's homework:
     1.  Read for half an hour.
     2.  Math: no homework.
     3.  If you could be another person for a day, who would you be?  Why?  What do you think it would be like?