March Update: Science & Math

Greetings,

I'd like to give a brief update on what students have been working on in the science and math classroom, as well as explain where we are heading for the month of March.

In science, we have been focusing our study on cells and their various organelles.  As we learn more about the different cell parts and their functions, we continue to try to answer our essential questions.  How do organisms live and grow?  Why is it valuable to know the various structures and functions of a cell?

Students will show their understanding of cells and their various structures though the cell analogy project.  Students will create a diagram of a cell and create an analogy for each of its parts and then create a diagram of the entire analogy.  For example, the cell could be compared to a factory.  A factory may have a water storage area which is analogous to the vacuoles found within both plant and animal cells.

As students deepen their understanding of cells, we will move to the organism as a whole and begin to study body systems.  Our focus during that time will be on how various body systems interact and what happens at a cellular level.

In math, we have been focusing our study on ratios, rates, and unit rates.  Students have been applying their new knowledge of ratios to help them solve various problems, such as which option at a store is the better buy or comparing speeds.  As we develop a deeper understanding of ratios and rates we will use this knowledge to learn about percentages and how percentages can help us solve real world situations.

As term 2 winds to a close, some ways you can help your child in math is making sure they are using active word problem strategies.  Students should be circling numbers, underlining/highlighting important information, visualizing the problem, drawing a picture when stuck, re-reading the problem, and choosing an operation.  Please reinforce these strategies at home as the level of difficulty and application will continue to increase through the school year.