November 20, 2014

The fifth grade classes are finishing a unit on 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional geometry with a focus on area, perimeter and volume.  Throughout this unit the focus has been moving from models to generalizing mathematical ideas in formulas.  Over the past few weeks we have focused on observations involving maintaining a constant area and experimenting with perimeter and maintaining a constant perimeter and experimenting with possible areas.  Next week and a few days after break we will have a mini unit on addition and subtraction concepts.  This past week we completed a preassessment for this unit and extension problems will be available for those with solid strategies already.

The sixth grade is also working toward completing a unit on 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional geometry, though the focus has been slightly different than the fifth grade.  We have moved through finding the areas for triangles and parallelograms to working with those same shapes on an x y coordinate grid.  Throughout this exploration some students started using all 4 quadrants (which include negative values for x and y) in placing coordinates on these grids as well as other extensions using side unknown side lengths and area.  Over the past week we have focused on moving from nets for rectangular prisms to a formula for finding the surface area of a rectangular prism.  Next week and after break we will be moving into volume and surface area for rectangular and triangular prism. Those ready for a challenge will work with prisms with a bases other than triangles and rectangles.

Over the course of these units, as with the all units for both grades, I have and will continue to use formative assessment as a key instructional tool.  On the majority of days students are given an exit question at the end of class that relates directly to the math goal of the day.  These questions are also aimed to elicit a variety of solution responses and strategies as well as gain insights into possible student misconceptions.  Each day these exit questions are analyzed in preparation for the next days lesson, with an emphasis on allowing each student to be challenged while moving toward the math goal for the next day.  This process also allows me to meet the needs of those who may have had misconceptions as we move forward, while also challenging those who had a solid understanding of a concept.  While writing tasks I can then tailor the numbers within a task and complexity of a problem to fit the needs of each individual or group of students.  I've posted a link in the resources section relating to formative assessment in mathematics.  Page 4 of the document has a good visual of the process.  In my next post I'll address the role Student Reported Grading plays in formative assessment and student ownership of the mathematical learning objectives.

As always, if you have any questions feel free to email.

Week of November 3rd

The fifth grade is continuing our work with volume, and toward the end of the week will begin to work toward surface area of rectangular prisms.  This week we will be working from a design and engineering perspective and creating a shipping container that will fit exactly 36 individual boxes from a consumer goods category.  Each student (or pair) will be given a box (shoe box, cereal, light bulb, egg carton, etc.) and use dimensions to design a shipping box for 36 of their item.  They will be responsible for the design and communication of their design, and toward the end of the week we will open the task to include the concept of surface area.

The sixth grade classes are finishing our work in a unit working with rational numbers.  This week we will be making connections between all the platforms we have used to look at numbers: rates, ratios, fraction and percents.  As the week progresses some students will be using a website called Kahoot to create a multiple choice style game show to challenge some of their classmates.  

Over the course of the week expect to see Self Assessment come home at least three nights plus at least one content practice homework.  

As always if you have any questions feel free to email.