Mrs. Spence’s Class

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!

We LOVE the computer lab! It’s such a great place to learn new things or practice what we already know. Check out the pictures below…these students are having a GREAT time!

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

Today we relaxed after our test with a new game: Forehead

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!

This weekend you have math plans…that’s right…math! Take a bit of time and review your three math benchmarks - rework the problems and see if you can get them correct. Remember to use all your strategies!

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

*Reminder: Math TAKS - Tuesday, April 8!

Today we reviewed measurement in a new way….

We took different size boxes and found a lot of ways to measure them.

First, we located the base of the box. (The base is what it sits on.) Next, we measured the length, the width, and the height. (If it was a fraction, we rounded up.) Then we were able to find the volume (l x w x h). After that, we found the perimeter of the base (s + s + s + s) s= side. Finally we found the area of the base (l x w). After we completed one box, we all switched and measured our second box. The boxes were all different sizes - some with lids, some with out. We discussed that having a lid didn’t affect the measurements. After working with 5 boxes, we all had a chance to use our customary rulers and practice finding different measurements.

Words to remember:

* area - length x width (l x w ) - it’s like putting down carpet or tile on the floor, covering the base

* volume - length x width x height (l x w x h) - it’s like filling up the shape with water or blocks all the way to the top (that’s why you need the height measurement)

* perimeter - side + side + side + side (s + s + s + s) - all the way around the sides

That’s right, you already have a great study tool, vocabulary cards! Just look over them each day and your brain will have a super boost. This is a great way to learn any information. You can use these cards alone or with a friend. Try playing a game with them:

* place them “word” up and see if you can say the definition

* place them “definition” up and see if you know the word

* time yourself and see how long it takes you to complete 10 cards - see if you can go through them faster

* place cards you know really well in one stack - place the other cards you don’t as well in another stack (try to get the stack of words you don’t know as well to be less and less)

That’s right, we have a countdown to the math TAKS test. It will be Tuesday, April 8, only a few days away. Here’s what you can do to prepare yourself:

*study your vocabulary words…look them over each evening

*review your past benchmark tests…can you still work those problems?

*read through your red math folders…do you remember making all those pages?

Studying a little each night will really help you to remember all that we’ve learned this year.

I’m not sure who’s more excited about Spring Break… it will be here very quickly…March 17-21. During this time off, it’s important to rest, but don’t forget anything you’ve learned so far this year! You’ve worked so very hard all year long, we don’t want to lose any information that is in your brain!

 What are your plans? Send me a reply!

Welcome parents, grandparents, and students to another wonderful week in Texas! That’s right, it’s Texas Public School’s Week. This is a special week set aside to showcase our schools, a chance to brag on all the amazing things that our students are learning.  We have it all here at DPE. Whether it’s academic or extra curricular, our children are our first priority. “Whatever It Takes!” is our motto and we mean it. We work diligently to help all our students become the best they can be. We have high expectations for all and we strive to help them meet their goals. Take a look around the school this week. You’ll see amazing things! Be sure to check out the following areas:

gym - activities that promote strong bodies

computer lab - latest technology available

cafeteria - fostering nutritious meals

library - showcasing a spectacular “Book Fair”

hallways - variety of student work displayed

classrooms - activities that promote strong minds

Here at DPE you’ll meet an exceptional staff - caring and loving. DPE is a great place to learn, play, and grow!

We concluded our metric study with mass. We discussed that the smallest measurement was a milligram with the mass of a grain of rice. Boy is that tiny! Using different objects around our classroom, our pan balances, and gram stackers, we discovered the mass of various things. What a great time we had! Most things measured in grams - some more than others. We used a small paper clip to remind us the mass of one gram and our math textbook as the mass of a kilogram.

What was your favorite object? What was the mass?