Simple Machine Mission!

My science students have been hard at work creating simple machines that will move a roll of pennies at least 3 feet. Tuesday the students will share their finished machines....stay tuned for more pictures of the final machines!

First In Math

First in Math is a fun, challenging program offered to all students at Indian Hill. Every student at Indian Hill has a First In Math User ID and password. If you are in my math class and you have misplaced your user name and password, please see me and I will give you yours. If your child has not played First in Math at home yet, I encourage you to have them play. It is a great review of basic facts and KNOW AND SHOW section offers a nice review for state testing. Below is a description of the program from the website. 

The backbone of the First In Math® Online Program is the 24® GAME—a classroom staple since 1988. Online games range from Addition to multi-step Algebra, and are organized into SKILL SETS®. Each Skill Set is comprised of three sequential 24 Games, labeled 1, 2 and 3. Each game builds upon the skills acquired in previous games. 

A Pre-test/Post-test module called JUST THE FACTS records each student’s proficiency with basic facts, so you will never have to check another fact sheet! Includes assessment of each student’s skill improvement.

Three KNOW & SHOW modules provide a unique way for students to experience the type of problems found in standardized tests. Students solve problems from nine categories that tie to national standards. 

WORKOUT GYMS build automaticity with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts, and progress to include fractions, decimals and integers. 

After completing certain Skill Set requirements, students can play BONUS GAMES. Serving as incentives that encourage students to continue to achieve, these games offer various types of skill-building activities, such as sequencing and working with tens. Bonus Games are targeted to skills students need to master at each grade level, based on national standards. 

MEASUREMENT WORLD showcases games and activities that focus on Money, Time, Length, Distance, Area, Volume and Weights. 

Pick of the Week - Qwiki

I usually like to post sites that will help students in my classes, math or science. But this week's site will help not only my students, but everyone in their home as well. Qwiki is a new site (still in Alpha stage so you will have to request an invitation) that takes researching to a new, futuristic, level. Today my daughter spent a whole hour just typing in topics and learning new things because she was so taken by the graphics and reading of the text. There are still topics that may not be covered at Qwiki, but I found everything I was looking for when I searched it earlier. Also, once you sign up for an invitation to be part of Qwiki, they will send daily "Qwiki of the Day" emails that let you know what happened today in history with a link to the corresponding Qwiki page. A great conversation starter at the dinner table!

If you try Qwiki, post a comment and let me know what you think or how you used it. Don't forget to sign your name (but only your first name and your first letter of your last name).

Pick of the Week-Khan Academy

Khan Academy is a non-profit educational site, whose mission is to provide world class education to everyone, everywhere. There are fantastic videos at Khan Academy, especially their math lessons. The videos on the site (over 1,800) range from beginning math concepts to college level. What is new to Khan Academy is their use of self-paced math lessons. Click on the "Do Exercises" tab on the top to begin. You will need a Google Account or a Facebook account to login.On the exercises dashboard on Khan Academy there is a road map for lessons that shows visitors a recommended path to follow as they complete each lesson.If you get stuck, click on the "hint" button to watch a video to help you.

Leave a comment about Khan Academy if you try any of their videos or if you try one of their self-paced lessons.

Geography Bee at Indian Hill

Congratulations to Hamzah S. and Jessica K. for qualifying for the Indian Hill Geography Bee! It was a great Bee with sixth grader, Aishwanya Kalyanaraman winning. To read an article about the Geography Bee that was in the Asbury Park Press, Click Here! 

Force and Motion Unit

Today in Science we started our Force and Motion unit. The students learned that force is a push or a pull that causes changes in motion. Force speeds things up, slows things down, or makes them change direction. What better way to demonstrate this than with dominoes! Students had fun creating their own example of force using dominoes.

HAPPY PRIME NEW YEAR!

Happy 2011! 

Not only is 2011 a prime number, but it is the sum of 11 CONSECUTIVE prime numbers: 

2011= 157+163+167+173+179+181+191+193+197+199+211

This is going to be a great year! See you on Monday!