Spring SAVY 2017, Day 2- Awesome Algebra
Thank you for sharing your children with me again this week!
We appreciate their positive, respectful attitudes. Please continue to respect our classmates by sending peanut free snacks to class. We’ve been able to earn 12 compliments, which has us well on our way to the 25 point goal!
We started the day with a review of patterns from last week’s class, and we learned a new way to discuss mental math called a Number Talk. The number talk will become a way we begin the class each week. We will begin to evaluate thinking strategies and build on prior knowledge to increase our mental math strategies. Students spent time today investigating the concept of balance in equations by doing a coin equation and pattern block equation workshop. Using p to represent penny, n to represent nickel, and d for dime, etc., we wrote equations to represent different ways to make change. We learned how shapes and letters can represent unknowns or variables in equations, and how they stay constant throughout an equation. We used balance scales to remind us that both sides of our equations must stay in balance. Finally, the students began investigating careers that use algebra. I think it is invaluable to look at the real-world connection to what they are learning each week. This will tie into our final culminating project in week 6.
This week, you can reinforce our learning targets by talking to your students about ways you need to find unknowns in real life. Continue to emphasize the idea of balance, maybe even using a scale in your kitchen this week, or going to a park to sit on the see-saw. Look for examples for of balance in your real world. Talk about how numbers in equations must be balanced on both sides in order for us to solve them. I’m looking forward to diving deeper into the world of equations with them next week! Have a great week, and I’ll see you next Saturday!
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