Subtraction, Fire Safety, Social Justice, and Knitting

We have been really busy over the last few weeks.  In math, we managed to cover front end addition during the first two weeks of January.  Here's how we do it:

  168         OR      100+200=300

+274                      60 + 70=130

  300                         8  +  4= 12

  130                                     442

    12

  442

We are now working on subtraction.  

The subtraction algorithm we are learning is a real change from anything that was taught in the past.  It helps if the students understand negative numbers.  We discussed the idea of an elevator that can go up from the main or zero floor or can go down to P1, P2, P3, and so on.  Those are the negative floors.  

Learning this new algorithm takes time, but greatly improves ones mental math abilities.

I asked a question like this on Friday.  Amy was on the 7th floor.  She went down 10 floors to find her car.  What floor is her car on?

To help deepen this understanding, we drew giant number lines outside and then created paper ones inside.

  











Subtraction example 1: Normally this would involve borrowing in the 10's and the 1's. 

 

                        

Subtraction example 2: Notice that this time we are adding in the 10's place because 40-10 is positive 30.  Writing the + sign is not necessary, but reminds us of what to do.

Subtraction example 3: Notice that this time we are adding in the 1's place because 2-1 is positive 1.  Writing the + sign is not necessary, but reminds us of what to do.

I've been really impressed with the mathematical thinking in division 7!  

We also had a visit from the Fire Safety House.  We were shocked to see videos of real children doing home fire drills at night.  While some children knew what to do, others were frightened of the sound and hid when they heard the smoke alarm.  Still others went back to sleep.  We learned how important it is to practice an in home fire drill to make sure everyone knows how to behave and exit safely.

All of the students have homework this weekend to help you look for any potential fire hazards at home.  They also need to complete a bird's eye view of their home (if you have two or more floors, simply create a plan for each floor).  On the floor plan, students need to mark their primary and secondary escape routes in case of fire.  They also need to mark an agreed upon family meeting place.

In social studies, we've been discussing and reading about social justice in Canada.  We asked ourselves the essential question, "How has Canada become a more fair or just place?"  Students wrote or drew about residential schools, the potlatch, the Chinese head tax, the internment of the Japanese during WWII, the right to vote, and women's rights.  Your children are wonderful deep thinkers and did a beautiful job of expressing themselves.

What a delight it has been to introduce knitting to your children.  It started with just a small group of eager kids, but has grown so that now over half the class wants to learn to knit.  If you have any spare yarn, knitting needles, or crochet hooks at home, or know someone who might, we would greatly appreciate your contribution.  Large needles and chunky yarn seem to be the easiest to learn with.