Monday, 03/09/2009

Math
Today, we worked on the PSSA packet. We went through a couple problems and practiced doing the example open-ended question. It made us find the greatest common factor (G.C.F.) of 18 and 24. Then it wanted us to explain how we did the process. There were many parts to it. There was also a part where we had to find the least common multiple (L.C.M.) of 18 and 24. Then, like before, we had to explain how we did it. We also had to find the common prime factors of both 18 and 24. They were 2 and 3. We had to explain that process too. After that, we practiced using PSSA problems used in the past. Today's were mostly about finding points on a graph and problems dealing with bar graphs. We then got a PSSA practice packet to fill out for homework. We got to start doing some of the first few problems. By Thursday, we must have problems 1-41 done. It'll be so easy.

Language Arts
Today, we went to the library to work on a sheet about Michelangelo, the person who may have made the Angel Statue in The Mixed Up Files. There were questions where we had to find the dewey number (the call number), and the title of the book/video. After a couple questions like that, we had to write down an answer and two supportive reasons for the question—why might Michelangelo be an easy person to get along with or not? I wrote down that he wasn't because he has a small amount of friends and lots of enemies. I also wrote that he likes to stay in his house and paint rather than playing with friends. After filling out the first page, we picked a book to check out. I didn't get anything though. I couldn't find anything I liked.

Science
Today, we filled in the section about volcanoes for the lesson. First of all, volcanoes form when plates, or chunks of Earth's crust push together and rise up. Magma, the melted rock underneath Earth's crust is called Lava when it rises to the surface. Volcanoes are used to spew the lava. We also learned about things called hot spots. They are special spots for magma to rise. After we finished the section, we watched a video that basically had the information we had but occasionally something new popped up. It was cool how they captured all of those videos of volcanoes.