Math and Science Updates

With the new year well under way, as well as our second term, I wanted to give a brief update on our Math and Science curriculum.

In Math, we are currently finishing up our unit on percentages and unit rates.  Students are using multiple strategies to find the percentage of something as well as finding what percent something is of a given quantity.  Some of the strategies students can use are double-number lines, tape diagrams, and multiplying or dividing.  Students have also found the value in unit rates by seeing its use in comparing cost and speed, as well as various other scenarios.  As we move forward in math, students will work toward developing a standard way to divide fractions.  The next unit will have students explore the meaning of dividing fractions through visual models.  Students will then have the opportunity to work with a standard algorithm for dividing fractions.

In Science, we are working through our Space unit.  Students presented their lunar phase models on Friday and did an excellent job explaining how each phase is created by the location of the moon, earth, and sun.  As we move forward in this unit, students will deepen their understanding of how each lunar phase is created.  Additionally, students will begin to learn about the size and scale of the universe and earth's place in it.  Lastly, they will begin to explore the concept of gravity.  They will explore what gravity is and how its force and impact on objects can change.  When we finish with our Space unit, we will move into our life sciences unit where we will focus on cells, the levels of organization, and body systems.