Sixth Graders Rock!

To all my students and their families,

Have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving. Do not worry about tomorrow or the things you may be lacking, Thanksgiving is about remembering all the wonderful things you are thankful for.

Love ya,

Ms. Walker

3-3  Skills Practice

Solving Multiplication Equations

Solve each equation. Check your solution.

1. 4c = 16                        13. -5b = 40

2. 10x = 50                      14. 32=2f

3. 42 = 6s                        15. -9x=63

4. 9c = 45                        16. 4g=52

5. 49 = 7y                        17. -5x=85

6. 11t = 44                       18. -63 = 7a

7. 15a = 60                      19. 0.6m =1.8

8. 72 = 12c                      20. 1.5z =6

9. 18x=162                      21. 0.6q = 3.6

10. 14d =154                   22. 1.8a =0.9

11. 24z =288                   23. 1.2r = 4.8

12. 16v = 256                  24. 2.4 =0.2t

Today’s homework may be a little more difficult than most days. It requires putting together an algebraic expression or equation after reading WORDS describing a problem.

For example: 
“twelve minus y” would be re-written as:    12 – y

“twice as many days” would be re-written as:      2d       The letter “d” stands for the number of days. The coefficient, “2″ represents the word twice as many.

“a number times four is 20 would be re-written as:     4x = 20

Students aren’t required to SOLVE the equation, only know how to WRITE one when given a set of words such as these.

Remember, if you need help with today’s homework, send me a comment. I will answer between 6pm and 7pm.

Thanks to all the parents who came out to Back to School Night. If you were wondering how to get in touch with me throught this blog, here’s how. Just type a comment in the comment section on ANY post on this page. I will see it and respond at my earliest convenience.

Also, don’t forget that we have our Friday Store starting this Friday, October 7. If you can donate bags of Hot Cheetos, Takis, or the assortment bag of chips, please send these items to school with your student.  Thank you for all your support!

Mrs. Walker

The last couple of days, in between testing, we have learned about Distributive Property. Here is a sample of what to do: 3(7 + 4). Of course, we know you can easily add 7 + 4 to get 11. Then multiply 11 by 3 to get 33. But we are SCHOLARS! with a capital S!  We don’t do things the easy way. We DISTRIBUTE the problem to a new form.  Re-write as

3(7) + 3(4) =
21 + 12 =
33

Students! Do you need help? Post a question. I will answer promptly.

Today our sixth graders learned that 3² means 3 x 3 not 3 x 2. It is read: “three to the second power” or “three squared.”  In order to solve this problem, we re-write it in standard form: 3 x 3 = 9.

Another example of what was learned today: Re-write 9 x 9 x 9 x 9 x 9 x 9 x 9 in exponential form. Our students would write 9⁷

I have an awesome group of sixth graders this year! I can not believe the level of achievement my students have shown me in just two days! Welcome back to school sixth graders. I know we will have a wonderful year!

Many third graders seems to be having a difficult time rounding even the simplest numbers – those between 11 and 99. We’re only rounding to the tens and hundreds place and yet some of  students just don’t “get” it. Even though the majority understand rounding, if I’m having trouble reaching some, I know other third grade teachers are having trouble as well. Here is one of my strategies for helping students with rounding.

Many teachers say, round down and round up. What happens with these instructions is that the term “round down” to many students mean if the number is 32, they are to take the tens place and make IT smaller! So they end up with 20 instead of 30!

WHO’S THE BOSS?

It is the TENS place that is the boss when rounding to the tens place. What I tell my students is that they LOOK at the ones place; 0 – 4, the TENS PLACE STAYS THE SAME! If the ones place is 5 – 9, ADD ONE TO THE TENS PLACE.

Yes, the TENS place is the BOSS when rounding to the tens, but keep in mind, the tens place DOES NOT round down. It either stays the same, or it increases by one.

Happy Rounding!

This year I’m teaching third grade! I think third graders are AWESOME! Thus, the title change. If you have followed my blog before, don’t be alarmed. You will see some of the same great math and homework tips as usual. The only difference is that the tips are geared towards third graders.

Our math program comes from MacMillan McGraw Hill. We are still using Open Court for our English language arts program. So get ready for some helpful homework tips.

As always, our most recent spelling words and vocabulary word lists are posted on our blog. Visit the link on the right. You will also find homework assignments. Each week I will keep parents posted on what we are doing in class.

Hope you enjoy and come back often!

Ms. Walker
Teacher of some awesome third graders!

Please continue to work on your projects both in class and at home. Remember they are due no later than next Friday February 26. Those working on the Class presentation for the assembly, please get your pictures and presentation ready.