We then read the book, Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi: A Math Adventure by Cindy Neuschwander. (It was a sequel to a book we read previously.) Sir Cumference had an upset stomach and his son, Radius, tried to find a solution. He went to the doctor’s office looking for a solution - found one (he thought) and gave it to his father. It was a BIG mistake. It turned Sir Cumference into a dragon! Now he had another problem - turning his dad back into a human and trying to do it fast enough before the other knights in the kingdom slayed him!

As the story continues, he visited his cousin, Lady Fingers, and she needed help making a pie. He used strips of dough to cover the pie, used the leftovers to edge the pie - but found that 3 strips wasn’t enough. He discovered that it took 3 and a bit more to complete the pie. To find out if Sir Cumference was transformed and saved, you’ll have to read the book for yourself! (My classes already knows the outcome!)

We went back to our activity and double checked our measurements…it was right! The circumference is a little more than 3 times the diameter of the circle. It worked on all different sizes! Pi is a mathematical term for 3.14.  Three wholes and a little bit more. So…

We learned a new formula: Circumference is pi times the diameter. Neat!

This morning, one student had a special surprise! A gorgeous bloom! Thank you, oh thank you! I love it!

Then…we had a great time seeing what all could be made from our strips.

Computer games are fun!

We used a spinning game to practice math with our friends. To begin the game, we all wrote 8 math problems on a large piece of paper. The spinner was spun and while in groups, one person asked their members that number question. If they got it correct, they received a point. As the game advanced, each person got to ask their teammates a question from their game board. What a fun way to review our favorite math concepts!

I love this title…because…our fifth graders are SO smart! I’m thrilled to see all the wheels turning and the light bulbs burning brightly…Everyone is working so hard and getting ready for next year - 6th grade!

We are taking all that we’ve learned so far this year and adding more detailed skills. For example, we have already learned to add and subtract fractions with the same denominator - that was easy. Now, we are learning to add and subtract fractions that don’t have the same denominator! They are called unlike fractions. Using the Least Common Multiplies (LCM), we can find a the least common number and use it for the new denominator. We then use multiplication to find the equivalent fraction. The next step is to follow the operations - to add or subtract. Finally, some students like to take the answer a step farther to simplify the fraction. Wow!

What is your favorite lesson from the computer lab? Submit a comment and let me know!

Use small sticky notes and each player secretly writes a three-digit number on the slip of paper and sticks it to another player’s forehead in the group. The numbers are facing out so that every player sees all the opponents’ numbers, but not his/her own. During each turn, a player must guess the number on his/her forehead. If a player guesses correctly, he/she wins. If a player guesses incorrectly, opponents must tell him/her how many digits in the number are correct and the player must give a clue. The game ends when a player guesses the number on his/her forehead. See how many guesses it takes to guess the correct number!

Secondly, please review those math vocabulary words. Play a game with a friend or review them yourself.

*Reminder: Math TAKS - Tuesday, April 8!