We continued our study of fractions and looked at fractions on a number line. We discussed mixed fractions (where there is a whole number with a fraction) as well as improper fractions (when the numerator is greater than the denominator). Putting this skill to use, we looked at a ruler. First I made a mark on the ruler and had them write out the fraction that I had marked. Another way to practice was for me to write a fraction and they checked each other in pairs to see if they were pointing at the correct measurement on the ruler. One thing to look out for is when putting fractions on a number line, while we may be talking about fourths, you still need to label the number line accordingly. Instead of writing 0, 1/4, 1/4, 1/4, 1, Temescalians should be writing 0, 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 1. We also talked about equivalent fractions and how to reduce fractions. In the case of fourths, we talked about how 2/4 is the same thing as 1/2. Why? You look to see what the two numbers have in common and try to divide them. Looking at 2/4, you see that they’re multiples of 2. Numerator: How many times does 2 go into 2? 1 time. Denominator: How many times does 2 go into 4? 2 times. So the fraction 2/4 = 1/2.
We also looked at pattern blocks and talked about equivalent fractions in that way. If a hexagon is one whole, it would take two red trapezoids to make that whole and one trapezoid would represent a 1/2. Three blue rhombi would make up a whole and one rhombus would represent 1/3 of the whole. Six green triangles would make up a whole and one triangle would represent 1/6 of the whole. As we were using each shape, we talked about how a hexagon can be different shapes, as long as it has six sides. Playing with the shapes to create a six sided figure was challenging and fun, especially when one discovered a new one, or noticed that a shape was like one already recorded, except rotated!
Our study of fractions this week lent itself beautifully to thinking about Pi Day on Thursday! We read Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi to learn more about what pi is. We attempted to put the idea that pi is 3 1/7 times the diameter to the test by using string to measure the circumference of round things and then seeing how many times that length could be stretched across the middle, or the diameter. In theory, it’s supposed to go across 3 times and a little bit, regardless of the round object. We also created “pi puns” that incorporated the word “pi” in it. Temescalians came up with so many puns like “pice cream”, “octopi“, “pineapple”, “pi way” (like a high way), “pirate”… we’ll be putting these up in the classroom soon! Please take time to appreciate our Temescalians’ “punniness”!
We, of course, had to also enjoy some pie, and boy, was there a plethora of pie! Thank you so much for sharing pie with our class! There were 11 pies for our class, and of those 11, there were only two that were similar! We invited other grownups from our community to partake in the pie and celebrate Pi Day with us too! Each Temescalian got to choose 3 different types to try. We made very clear that even if only two people selected a certain type of pie, they would not get a whole half of a pie! We talked about reasonable sizes for slices of pie, especially since they were going to be able to try three different types. Fourths was definitely too large, and not enough for the more popular pies. Eighths even seemed to be too large, considering they would have 3/8s of a pie, so we settled on cutting each pie into twelfths. Ask your Temescalian how much of a pie they actually got in the end. (They got three 1/12s of a pie… what is its equivalent fraction?)
In writing, our Rocket Write prompt was either to write about a hot drink they enjoy on a chilly day and any memory connected to that drink, or to write about their weekend. At this point, we are expecting Temescalians to write a minimum of four to five sentences within the seven minutes of writing. Many are writing way beyond this, and we are encouraging them to keep going!
To deepen understanding of figurative language, we defined a simile and metaphor. We first write examples of similes, using “like” or “as” in our comparisons. Then we tried to convert those similes into metaphors. After practicing together on the rug, we gave the Temescalians a list of ordinary classroom supplies and tasked them with creating a simile and a metaphor for each, and then incorporating them into a poem. We went around the table spots and those who wanted to share their poems, did! The images these Temescalians came up were vivid and playful.
We are making our way through the lowercase letters for cursive and this week, we did the letter “c”. A fun way to practice is to choose a word and write it on a partner’s back. This partner needs to guess what the word was. Something to emphasize for all of the letters in this stroke family “c, a, o, d, g, q” is the connection when the letter is used in the middle of the word. The connection from the previous letter needs to first form a letter “c” before being turned into the actual letter. Please keep a sharp eye on your Temescalians as they practice their cursive.
Inspired by Greta Thunberg, The Berkeley School joined the worldwide climate change strike to show that we young people have a voice and this is an important issue for us! In class, we talked about climate change and how in the past, change was happening, but over thousands of years, whereas we are seeing the climate change at a much faster pace! I was sharing how within my lifetime, I have noticed and experienced the change in average temperatures for each season. We talked about the effects of climate change such as the ocean warming up. When the ocean warms up, the glaciers melt at a much faster rate than before and water levels rise and also do no allow arctic animals like polar bears, seals, and such to adapt to the change. We talked about Greta Thunberg and what she decided to do to let those who are making decisions how dire this situation is. Our conversation connected to the recent strike Oakland teachers had. We came up with a list of slogans we might put on our banner and put it to a vote. We decided on “Save Our Earth and Help Our Climate”. At the assembly on Friday, peers shared more about climate change, Greta Thunberg, and how our voices together with people around the world can show what we need to happen!
Before we marched, we shared what we are marching for: “My cats”, “future generations”, “trees”, “the earth”, “penguins”, “the ocean”. As we were marching we had a lot of support from motorists along University Ave. Cars, trucks, and motorcyclists showed their support by honking! (To watch the videos, use the password: TemescalCreek! )
Tying in with our study of natural disasters, we had a flood design challenge. Given limited resources of 10 popsicle sticks, how would you adapt your house so that it would be able to withstand a flood, and still stay at the same address? We first sketched our ideas, and then Julianne came in to talk more about how to translate a 2D idea into a 3D structure. Many opted to create stilts but some were telescopic stilts that could contract or expand, according to the amount of water. Some reflected that the process of designing to actually building was a challenge in and of itself because they had to deal with the reality of gravity and making their adaptations structurally sound.
Other glimpses from this week:
Upcoming Events:
March
22 – Field trip to Coyote Hills. We’ll be going rain or shine so please send your child to school dressed in layers and for the weather. Umbrellas are not effective so dress in layers and have a rain resistant outer layer and rain boots. We will be eating lunch there so please send your Temescalian to school with a packed lunch. Please leave candy, gum, and sugary drinks at home. Finally, we need to leave at 8:30am in order to arrive in Fremont for our 9:30am program start time. Please make sure that your Temescalian is early to school that day! We’ll meet in the classroom, but we may need to leave without your child if they arrive after 8:30am.
Thanks for making the learning so interesting, engaging, fun and delicious!