Ball Roll Investigation

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Mrs. Doyle

Well, we have 1 of our cumulative tests down, 3 to go! While we were studying for our science HATS test, we decided to create an investigation. The students wrote up a scientific investigation to see how far a ball would roll, depending on the slope of a ramp.

(Actually, we already knew the answer due to our study of force, motion, and energy, but it was a fun way to review the steps of the scientific method.)

Our “measure-er” carefully measured the distance traveled from the end of the ramp to the back of the ball:

The observers were careful not to touch the ball as it rolled (although they were worried about the waves in the carpet):

Our investigators had to be careful to do the same thing for each of our 15 trials.

The directions (written by the students):

Our results:

Posted in Science | Leave a comment

Thank You Chaperones!

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Mrs. Doyle

Wow, what a fantastic day we had at the Science Museum yesterday! Between the giant Newton’s Cradle, the electricity demonstration, rat basketball, and the IMAX movie “Coral Reef,” it was a terrific, science-filled day!

Thank you so much to our chaperones for the great job you did yesterday! Check out all of the messages from our class to you in our comment section.

Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments

VA Studies: Marathon to the Mansion

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Mrs. Doyle

Good afternoon! I know that several of you are coming to the blog in order to do your Geometry homework. I thought I would also surprise you with some information about our VA Studies review program: Marathon to the Mansion. Here is how it works:

1. We will have Marathon quizzes on Tuesdays and Fridays.

2. Students will move on to the next checkpoint if they get a 90% or higher on the Marathon quiz.

3. The students will receive a grade for the first time that they take a Marathon quiz.

3. If a student receives a 100% on the first time that they take a Marathon quiz, they will receive a bonus sticker.

4. In order to study and be prepared, students will have flashcards that match the questions on the Marathon quiz. Students will not receive the quiz questions back, but they will know which card numbers they should study.

5. If a student does not feel prepared on a Marathon quiz day, they may choose to “pass.” This will not alter their Marathon status or grade. It simply allows for them to have a breather and study while others are quizzing.

If you want some virtual study cards, you can join our grade’s Quizlet page. Parents, go to http://quizlet.com/ and join the website (for free). Students should not sign up, as it requires the account holder to enter their birth date. Once you join, search for the group:

4th Grade Marathon to the Mansion
Password: sges

For now, to access the flashcards, click on the user “smallwoodstars,” and then click on the appropriate checkpoint. We will change these settings soon.
We’ll see you at the finish line!

 

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Geometry Links

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Mrs. Doyle

We are starting to study our final unit of the year in math: geometry! Check out these great links and videos. For this assignment, I want for you to watch (and do) each of these links that has an asterisk (*) by it. For the modules on Kahn Academy, you can look for a hint if you get stuck.

*Polygon Song by Peter Weatherall
This is such a catchy song! I have been singing it all weekend.

*Lines, Line Segments, and Rays

*Recognizing Rays, Lines, and Line Segments Module

*Identifying Rays

*Language and Notation of Basic Geometry
This shows you how to name and write with geometric terms. Focus on how to write each of the lines, line segments, and rays. There are some great enriching vocabulary words and concepts in this video as well.

Identifying Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

*Quadrilateral Overview
Focus on the following terms: quadrilateral, trapezoid, parallelogram, rectangle, rhombus, square.

Quadrilateral Properties

Once you have watched these videos and completed the module, comment below. Make sure that you specifically write about what makes sense and what is still confusing. Don’t just write that everything makes sense (although I am happy if that is the case). Elaboration and detail are the keys to good writers!

Posted in Math | 31 Comments

Indoor Recess Keva Planks

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Mrs. Doyle

Look at what some of our students created during indoor recess yesterday! We love Keva Planks in Room 31!

Posted in Children's Engineering | 1 Comment

Probability: Khan Academy

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Mrs. Doyle

The week after Spring Break, we will be talking about probability. Visit these Khan Academy videos to see some explanations before we talk about them in class. I encourage you to watch these videos more than once. The concepts will make more sense if you watch them a couple of times.

Basic Probability

Simple Probability (using a word problem)

Probability with Playing Cards and Venn Diagrams

You know the drill. Share your thoughts in the comments section. What was something that made sense to you? What was confusing? Be specific!

 

Posted in Math | 20 Comments

Reviewing Q1, 2, and 3 in VA Studies

Posted on March 29, 2012 by Mrs. Doyle

Students, can you believe that we have studied about 300 years of Virginia history already? Don’t you just feel smarter? I have been so proud of your hard work, especially as we get ready for our Virginia Play!

In class, you have been making social studies review games for your peers. Why don’t you give us a little taste of it? In the comments section, post one of the questions that will appear in your game.

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Reviewing Fractions

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Mrs. Doyle

This week, we will be reviewing fractions in preparation for our third quarter math benchmark. Here are some great videos from Khan Academy that you can watch at home! Some of the links have practice activities.

Identifying Fraction Parts

Identifying Numerator and Denominator

Equivalent Fractions Introduction

Equivalent Fractions Word Problem

Comparing Fractions using lowest terms
*a little advanced in explanation

Comparing Fractions (simplifying and finding a common denominator to compare)

Fractions in Lowest Terms (simplifying/reducing fractions)
*a little advanced in explanation, but shows the concept

Ordering Fractions (finding the common denominators of multiple fractions to order them)

Proper and Improper Fractions (ignore the information from  55 seconds to 1 min 20 sec)

Mixed numbers and improper fractions (converting between the two)

Converting Mixed Numbers to Improper Fractions

Changing a Mixed Number to an Improper Fraction

Changing an Improper Fraction to a Mixed Number

Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Adding Fractions with Like Denominators

Subtracting Fractions with Like Denominators

Finding Common Denominators

Adding Fractions with Unlike Denominators

Adding Mixed Numbers

Adding Mixed Numbers with Unlike Denominators

Subtracting Mixed Numbers

Subtracting Mixed Numbers 2

Adding Mixed Numbers Word Problems

Subtracting Mixed Numbers Word Problems

Least Common Multiple (LCM)

**For your response, please respond in the comments of this post:

1. Which videos and/or activities did you view or do?

2. How long did you spend on Kahn Academy?

3. Which one(s) did you find most helpful?

4. Is there still something that confuses you?

Posted in Math | 45 Comments

Animal Adaptations with Google Docs!

Posted on March 22, 2012 by Mrs. Doyle

Today, as we were studying animal adaptations (behavioral and structural), we researched different animals and their adaptations. Just to add that 21st century twist, students were able to collaborate in real-time with their peers as they worked on a single Google Doc. Click on the link to check out our work! Students, you can even add more at home.

https://docs.google.com/a/henrico.k12.va.us/document/d/1w9_BAlGy08SGalR_t9USLtQWj-F_aVDluXZNnNLEC1w/edit

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Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Mrs. Doyle

We had so much fun celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday with our kindergarten buddies! Enjoy this slide show showing some of the fun!

Dr. Seuss’s Birthday Celebration

Posted in Children's Engineering, Language Arts, Science | Leave a comment