Thursday, 02/05/2009

Math
Today, we practiced the order of operations. Multiplication, division, addition, subtraction, you can't do them in any order you feel like doing. You must follow the order. First, do anything in parenthesis. That's a very important thing to remember. Then, you do any problem with exponents. For example, take this problem:

((6x32)x2)+7

You do 3x3 for 32 which you then get 9. Then do 6x9 which equals 54. Then you multiply 54 by 2 to get 108. Then 108+7 which equals 7. That's the order of operation!. We worked on a couple pages in Math Journal 2 about the order of operations. A scary thing that happened today is that when we were getting our math journals out, mine was missing. Thankfully, someone found it in their desk. That person was all the way across the room from where I sat. It was making me nervous.

Language Arts
Today, we took an advanced look at our writing prompt for the 4sight test. I got a 3, just like everyone else. The teacher talked to us about how the advanced score was removed from the writing prompt. She also talked to us about how our writing was good, but getting more detail down would make it perfect—even with no advanced grades.We practiced writing a prompt together showing the steps we could take to perfect the prompt. I like the way we practiced better than my way. I just wrote down an intro, a body with three subtopics, and a conclusion then I was done. Next time, I want to add more detail. I'll try to not get lazy on the PSSA test.

Science
Today, we tried something new with filling in our studying outline. The teacher let us pick a partner and fill it in without her help. It was quicker and easier to me. There was a chart to fill in about different types of fossils. There were Trace Fossils, Index Fossils, Carbon Film, Mold, Cast, and some more. We had to match it's name, the way it forms, and a picture of it into one column. It was easy. There was also some questions on Pangea, the super continent that connected the whole land. After years and years, the places spread apart creating the world we live on today being separated from the others. I would love to see Pangea one day but I'll never get to experience it. About every year, the places only move a centimeter. It'll take billions of years for them to come back together. There would be no need for cruises and your feet will get plenty of exercise. Hahaha!