Mrs. Spence’s Class

We’ll it’s the last day of February and that means we had another calendar month full of learning! This month, we focused on geometry and 3D (three dimensional) figures -figures that have a length, a width, and a height. We discussed the attributes of 6 shapes: cones, spheres, rectangular prisms, cubes, cylinders, and square pyramids. Their attributes included their faces, vertices, and edges. With these shapes, we were also able to find patterns on the calendar. They were in diagonals and in various multiples. Using the calendar numbers on the shape pieces, we found the least common multiples (LCM) and the great common factors (GCF).

We continued our count of school days and today we were at 1.13. How is that written in word form? Send a comment.

This month also focused on customary measurement. We covered length with a “giant inch”, marking off each section from sixteenths, eighths, fourths, halves, and finally the entire inch. We were able to see equivalent fractions, such at 4/8 = 1/2.

What is an equivalent fraction for 12/16? Send a comment.

We also covered capacity. Using a gallon divided into cups, pints, and quarts, we were able to discover which measurements were equivalent. For example, we could plainly see that two cups were equivalent to one pint. We even took it a step further by finding the smallest unit, a fluid ounce.

What is equivalent to 1 quart? Send a comment.

We also worked with weight. Using Play-Dough, we formed ounce pieces for each day on the calendar. When we reached day 16, we had one pound. Our scale said so! Using graph paper, we tracked our progress and were able to make fractions up to a pound. After day sixteen, we could make improper fractions like 1 4/16.

Do you know the definition of an improper fraction? Send me a comment.

Today was a very special day, February 29. It only comes around once every four years. Each year, the earth loses approx. 6 hours in the revolution around the sun. So after four years, we’ve lost 24 hours. Twenty-four hours makes a day, and that day needs to be made up. Today is that extra day!

Do you know how many hours in a day? Days in a week? Weeks in a year? Days in a year? Send a comment.

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