Up to this point we have focused our attention on place value units. Now, we are discovering that numbers other than 1, 10, and 100 can serve as units.
We began by making making equal units of objects and related these units to repeated addition. For example, a student is given 15 counters and told to make three equal groups. Then, the student adds the three equal groups to find the total amount.
Next, we worked on creating arrays. Students learned to organize objects into columns and rows with each having an equal number. We learned that rows go across and columns go up and down. So students would arrange 15 counters into rows of 5 across to make three rows of 5 counters, Then, they decompose that array and make rows of 3 counters. They now have five rows of three counters.
In addition, we are working on report writing. Students are collaborating with their peers to research an animal and write a report about that animal. Students will complete the rough draft of their report in class. The final copy will be done at home. In addition, students will be making an animal diorama at home to display at open house. Instructions for the report and diorama will go home on May 1. Both are due on May 15.
In celebration of Earth Day we made clay representations of the layers of the earth. Students will have these on display at open house on Wednesday, May 20.