What is Multiplication?

We have spent the past four weeks investigating this question and have had many thoughtful conversations, like the ones we had today after reflecting in our math journals and sharing our entries:

Sydnee lead our discussion of multiplication as repeated addition, a more efficient way for combining equal groups.

Shardaisa reminded us of some of the properties of multiplication we're starting to learn:

 

Commutative Property of Multiplication: numbers can be multiplied in any order, and the product will be the same (just like in addition!)

Zero Property of Multiplication: the product of any number and zero is zero

(Students: There are two other properties we'll learn, but I'm going to wait until one of you discovers them before I tell you! :-) )

 

Shardaisa also gave a good try at using a more challenging example to support her explanation!

Ryan R. connected multiplication to skip counting.  We also had an interesting discussion of his statement, "It is not adding or subtracting."  He modeled multiplication using arrays, one of my favorite multiplication strategies!

Garrett also remembered the Commutative Property.  He did a great job connecting skip counting (multiples) to multiplication.

Joseph helped us understand what "times" has to do with multiplication.

 We will continue looking for and discussing patterns to help us learn our multiplication facts!

Boosterthon Fun Run

We are so proud of all of our students for running 35+ laps on a chilly morning!

Ms. Kirkham and I were so busy marking laps on t-shirts that we will probably have strange dreams about running away from numbers tonight!

Our school is 22 years old, and in recent years, we've had to remove some aged, weathered, and unsafe playground equipment.  We are looking forward to using the funds raised to replace equipment on the playground behind us! 

Thanks to those of you who came to cheer on our students.  We would also like to give a special thank you to our room moms for sending in post-run orange slices.

Today students received an envelope for collecting pledges--please return any outstanding pledges to us as soon as possible.  We are even planning a surprise bonus reward for our classes if we collect all of our pledges.  If you didn't have a chance to contribute, you can still send in flat donations in the envelope, which will count towards our class' points.  Thank you once again for supporting our school!

Happy Veterans Day

I hope you are able to stop by and see the spectacular Veteran Tribute Projects our students have created.  We've received so many compliments from passers-by!  I've already passed on the letter I sent you describing the assignment to other teachers who asked for it, so hopefully this will become an Alimacani tradition.  The projects will be on display throughout the month of November as we celebrate our character theme of patriotism.

We are so thankful for all of our veterans and active duty military (and their families), each and every day for the sacrifices they make to protect the freedoms we (too often) take for granted.  Thank you for serving our country!

I Choose Learning

Today’s Choice Challenge is to CHOOSE LEARNING. Our Highway Hero is Thomas Edison and students learned about how he changed the world through inventions.  All of his success began with a desire to read and learn how the world works.  We hope this will help continue to reinforce the desire for knowledge we are trying to create in our classroom.

Students, remember you “Weekend Challenge.”  Any student that gets to $2 per lap or $60 flat donation over the weekend will receive a “bonus prize” on Tuesday.  Rise to the challenge--your support has been blowing us away!  :-)

MOSH Field Trip

We spent the day exploring the Museum of Science and History, viewing many exhibits on the human body, water cycle, marine life, conservation/recycling, space, and the history of Jacksonville.

We participated in What's the Matter?, a program connected to our science standards.  It reviewed what matter (anything that takes up space) and mass (how much matter something is made of) are, the states of matter (solid, liquid, gas, and plasma), and how we can change matter from one form to another by increasing or decreasing the amount of heat.

A few of our students making plasma

What is plasma, you ask?  When gas is heated to a very high temperature, its particles become charged, resulting in plasma.  We find plasma in televisions, neon signs, fluorescent lights, lightning, and stars.

 Plasma ball

We will continue our study of matter in science workshop this quarter, also investigating how matter can be measured (which also ties in nicely to our math measurement standards).   One advantage of going on a field trip before we are deep into a unit is creating common experiences, which we can refer to during our studies and use to build our understanding of concepts.

 
Afterwards, we had lunch next to MOSH at Friendship Park, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine!

The bus ride back to school was amazing--Ms. Kirkham challenged the students to fall asleep (many did and most were very still and quiet).  Genius!  :-D

I Choose Character

Today’s Choice Challenge was to CHOOSE CHARACTER, and our Highway Hero was Abraham Lincoln.  We hope that Lincoln’s story about how he earned the nickname “Honest Abe” and talking about how character means to do the right thing even when no one is looking encouraged our students.  Students will find themselves in situations where making the right choice is difficult, but when they feel the tug to do the right thing, we’re challenging them to always CHOOSE CHARACTER.

Tonight's challenge is to contact family and friends in other states or countries.  Presently, we have pledges coming from Florida, Colorado, Georgia, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, and South Carolina!

I Choose Leadership

Today our classes participated in our first Boosterthon choice challenge—to CHOOSE LEADERSHIP. The Highway Hero was Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Boosterthon team taught our students that leaders are bold, they set a good example, and they make others feel stronger with their words, just like Dr. King did.

We also received a copy of the Highway USA children’s book, which was created to help the event's theme come to life for our students.  We look forward to reading it together!

Remember to log on to www.funrun.com tonight, so we can win lunch with the Boosterthon team!

 

Mock Presidential Election

Today our school held a mock election for all students to vote for president (Mitt Romney or Barack Obama).  Students in each grade level brought their ID (scan card) to their precinct (voting location), cast their vote confidentially in a booth, and even received stickers for voting.  We look forward to the results being announced on Election Day tomorrow!

Political Season

All students at our school will be voting in a mock election on Monday.  When you discuss the upcoming election with your student, if you tell them who you are voting for, be sure to discuss why you are choosing that candidate.  What makes this person a good leader for our country?  In social studies, we have talked about how important it is to research, discuss, and make informed decisions before voting and not just making a choice because of what our friends or other people think.