Math Standard 3: Knowledge of Measurement

This week in math, we're focusing on measurement. There are some key forumlas involved in our lessons this week:

Perimeter of a polygon = the sum of all the sides of the polygon

Area of a parallelogram = base x height (this includes rectangles)

Volume of a rectangluar prism = length x width x height

Area of a triangle = 1/2 x base x height

You can use these formulas to find area, perimeter, and volume. You can also use them to find a missing dimension of a figure. For example, if you know the perimeter of a quadrilateral is 10 and three of its sides are 3, 4, and 3, then the fourth side must be 2 because 3 + 4 + 3 + 2 = 10.

These lessons in measurement will not take us long. Standard 3 is one of the shortest standards in the 6th grade math curriculum. However, we will continue to review these objectives as we get prepared for the FAST 2 in January and the MSA in March.

Bank of Ridgecrest

The Bank of Ridgecrest is now open and taking deposits of Rocket Rewards. The Bank of Ridgecrest offers 5% interest compounded monthly. Today in class we went over how multiplying decimals and compounding interest affects the amount of money you have. Can you say in your own words how bank interest and compounding interest works?

KF

Girls in Math and Science

Students, your thoughts on these articles?

http://www.livescience.com/health/070827_girls_math.html
http://www.livescience.com/culture/090601-gender-math.html

KF

Multiplying Decimals

This week, our focus in math is on multiplying decimals. You should multiply decimals the same way you multiply whole numbers. To place the decimal point in the product, first count the number of places in both factors. Place the decimal point that many places from the right in the product. For example,

0.028 x 0.4 = 0.0112

There are three digits to the right of the decimal in the factor 0.028.
There is one digit to the right of the decimal in the factor 0.4.
So, there are four digits to the right of the decimal in the product 0.0112.

Can you think of times in real life when you multiply decimals? We've had plenty of examples already in our star problems. KF

Power Word

In order to finish your Science Research Reports in class on Friday, you will need to have collected sufficient content. That is why we spent so much time in class gathering facts.

For 1 bonus point on your Power Word Quiz, explain what sufficient means using the context of these sentences.
-Ms.R

STEM Fair

Don't forget to work on your STEM Fair Projects!!!

Extra Credit- 3pts.

Can you identify the variables in the "Truth Decay" experiment?
This was the experiment you analyzed in reading class.

Blog or bring in your answer Monday 11/30/09.

-Ms.Kopczak

WeSeed, Skippy the Stick Man, and Mock Portfolios

Today we learned about how companies split themsleves into fractions called shares. People can buy and sell shares of their favorite companies. This is what creates the stock market. The example of Skippy the Stick Man showed how businesses can use stocks to grow and how normal people can make (and lose) money by owning shares of the companies.

We're now going to take it to the next step. Ridgecrest students will get to manage $10,000 of fake money on WeSeed.com. Together, we will put together a portfolio. Along the way, we will use our math standard of multiplying decimals and other forms of analysis to make good decisions. In order to participate in the Ridgecrest group, you must have an email address. If you do not have one, we can create one for you.

Those Three Dreaded Letters - B C R

A Brief Constructed Response. Sometimes hearing those words or their initials creates fear in the hearts of students. However, it doesn't have to be this way. BCR's are a great opportunity to display your knowledge and creativity.

Grading last week's BCR homework, I was impressed with how many scores of 2 I was able to give. These students not only found the correct answer to the problem, but they also explained how they arrived at their answer. Here are some tips for excellent BCR answers:

• Label everything. Make sure the reader knows what every number is.
• Explain every step. Don't assume that the reader understands you. Break down your strategy into small, simple steps that can be easily explained.
• Use complete sentences whenever possible. Again, we want to make life easy for our reader. A complete sentence gets your idea across.
• Write neatly. Ask any adult who has spent hours grading papers, and they will tell you that the neat papers make it easier for them to focus and find good things in your work.
• Don't be afraid to draw if you can clearly show your idea.

KF