Worried About Word Problems??

For the past few days in Math Class, we have been discussing word problems. We have talked about how you need to carefully read each problem, looking for those key words that helps us know what to do in order to solve. We have to look at all the numbers in the problems and decide what information is needed and what information is not needed. Then we have to decide what strategy we need to use to solve the problem:

• Guess and Check
• Draw a picture
• Make a chart
• Work Backwards
• Multi-Step

This week we have solved problems in groups, as well as for homework and classwork. Some problems have been open-ended. Some problems have been multiple-choice.

Now I would like to know....what worries you about word problems? Let me know, so I can know better how to help you in class.

Our Multicultural Classroom

Dear Students,

Last week our school held its annual Multicultural Week. We saw videos on different cultures represented by our school. We made posters showing who we are, where we are from, and what we are interested in. Some of our parents sent in foods from different countries. And we ended the week with a "Parade of Nations" and a sing-along in the gym.

We have mentioned before how our class is represented by 9 countries and our school represents 28 countries. I would like you to answer this question in the comments section. What do you think is the best part about having so many countries represented by our school and class? Explain why.

Mrs. Staton

"Capoeira" from Arts Connection.

For the past few weeks our school has hosted the Arts Connection group, and this was our week to have a representative from the group in our class. Mrs. "S", as she likes to be called, taught us about "Capoeira", a type of dance/martial arts from Brazil. "Capoeira" was orgininally performed by slaves who came from Africa to Brazil. "Capoeira" was really strength-training and self-defense for the slaves. They were able to practice in sight of the slave-masters because it looked like they were dancing. They learned to be bold, strong, and self-confident.

Since they were living in Brazil, they spoke Portugese, so we were able to learn some words in Portugese.

We learned ginga which was the basic movement in Capoeira.
We learned "au" which is a cartwheel.
We learned "esquiva" which is a block, or escape moved.
We learned "berimbau" which was the instrument that was played in the songs when they performed "Capoeria".

What will you most remember about Capoeria? What was your favorite move to peform? What did you learn? Share these thoughts with me!