Math
A fraction is a number. Sometimes I think you forget that. A fraction is a number that is between whole numbers. In grade 4 we mostly focus on part of 1 whole (between 0 and 1) but in grade five we go beyond that to parts between any 2 wholes e.g. 2 and 3 or 5 and 6. The possibilities are endless!
Just a note, on the blog I cannot type the fraction bar correctly. I have to use the backwards slash on the keyboard. It is not the proper way to write a fraction.
The meaning of the fraction depends on what you are talking about so we represent it different ways....
1. Part of a Whole
When we represent a fraction this way we are talking about a piece of something. It can mean how much is shaded or not shade or how much is eaten or not eaten (our favourite pizza example). The denominator always tells the number of equal parts something is divided into.
2. Part of Set
When we represent a fraction this way, the whole is a group of something. You can have a bunch of buttons on a table and a certain fraction might be round. A package of something can be the whole and the individual items the part. A package of invitation may have eight cards. The package is the whole (denominator of 8) and the numerator is the number of cards you use or need. The denominator always tells the total number in the set.
3. A Number (on a number line)
When we represent a fraction this way, we are showing how big or small the fraction number is and what wholes it is between. To know this, we use benchmark numbers. If the fraction is less than a whole, our benchmark numbers are 0, 1/2 and 1. For fractions greater than 1 our benchmarks are the numbers the improper fraction or mixed number is between and the 1/2 way number. This gives us an idea of what the fraction number is closer to.
4. Words
When we represent the fraction this way, it is just the way we read it. Remember if you have a mixed number, we say AND after the whole number. For example 3 2/3 would be read three AND two thirds.
5. Number
When we represent a fraction this way, we are just writing the fraction as it is written or said. For example five tenths would be 5/10
6. Unit Fraction
This is just to remind you that you can decompose a fraction into small unit fractions. It's not really a representation, just a reminder that you can decompose a fraction like any number. For example 3/8 is the same as 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8.
Understanding the relationship between the numerator and denominator helps us figure out how big for small a fraction it. We spend quite a bit of time placing common fractions on the number line. You should be able to divide a number line into halves, thirds, fourths, fifths, sixths, eighths and tenth. If you can't, then draw a line at home. Write 0 on the left and 1 on the right. Practice placing fractions with those denominators on the number line.
You should know that the larger the denominator, the SMALLER the unit fraction. 1/3 is greater than 1/5. If you think of it in terms of pizza..... would you want 1 piece of a pizza divided into three pieces or 1 piece of a pizza divided into five pizzas? If you're hungry you would want 1/3 of the pizza.
If the difference between the numerator and the denominator is big, then the fraction is closer to 0 or if you have a fraction greater than 1, the lower number.
For example in the fraction 2/9 the nine is a lot bigger than the 2 so it is closer to 0. If the mixed number was 5 2/9 the fraction would be closer to 5.
If the numerator and denominator are almost the same the fraction is closer to 1. I think everyone understands that concept.
If the numerator is about HALF the denominator, then the fraction is closer to 1/2. Some of you need to practice figuring out half of numbers from 0 to 99. Remember odd numbers cannot be divided into half so you'll never get exactly half an odd-numbered denominator.
In the fraction 19/37..... what is half of 37? Half of 37 is between 18 and 19 so that fraction is about half. I know we talked about doubling the numerator, which will also get you the correct answer, but you need to know how to reason about half of a number. We are going to do a number talk about that on Monday.
There are a few short cuts on how to change a mixed number to an improper fraction and how to change an improper fraction to a mixed number. Here is a link that explains how to do that. Some of your parents already taught you!
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Fraction_Circles_Shaded.png
More practice:
http://www.math4.nelson.com/quizzes/math4quizzes/m4ch12l1.htm
http://www.math4.nelson.com/quizzes/math4quizzes/m4ch12l3.htm
http://www.math4.nelson.com/quizzes/math4quizzes/m4ch12l2.htm
https://math5.nelson.com/quizzes/math5quizzes/gr5_ch12_les4.htm
https://math5.nelson.com/quizzes/math5quizzes/gr5_ch12_les1.htm
A bit more challenging. Remember to use the relationship between the numerator and denominator.
https://math5.nelson.com/quizzes/math5quizzes/gr5_ch12_les7.htm
Fractions test is Wednesday.
Reading
Please practice reading your book. We will have reading groups on Tuesday. You will have 10 multiple choice questions and then identifying the characteristics of the narrative. The summary of the plot is the most challenging. Remember to only include events in the story that relate to solving the problem.
Science
So far we have discussed the ways that habitats change NATURALLY. Habitats (particularly where we live) change over the seasons. Habitats also change very slowly over long periods of time. Remember the example from class about the lake changing into a marshland then eventually into a mixed forest. This is very GRADUAL.
The other kinds of natural changes are natural disasters e.g. tornadoes, forest fires, ice storms, floods, droughts etc. But once again we noticed that habitats have a way of surviving. Some species move in and others move out, but the habitat usually recovers after a while.
The last changes we will study are HUMAN changes. These are sometimes IRREVERSIBLE. The habitat does not have a chance to recover from these changes.
Still missing about 10 animal adaptation posters.....
Religion
On Thursday we talked about God's new covenant with his people. What or should we say who is the God's new covenant? JESUS! Jesus was the fulfillment of everything that God promised in the Old Testament. Next week we will compare the covenants of the Old Testament (e.g. Noah, Abraham, Moses, David) and the covenant of the New Testament.
We also talked a bit about prophets. A prophet is a person who speaks for God. How many Old Testament prophets have we talked about this year?
Giving Tree / Helping Hands Campaign
The St. Nicholas School Community will be collecting items for the St. Vincent dePaul Society to place in Christmas hampers for families in need of assistance. Please consider sending one of the following items (new / unopened):
Junior Gift Suggestions
·gift cards, books/novels,
nail polish, sport equipment (e.g. soccer ball, football, volleyball),
mini-sticks, doodle books / pens, squishy toys, board games, card games, ball
caps, beads (bracelets), clothing
The Faith and Action Team will also be collecting new hats and mittens for our hat and mitten tree.
Together we can bring the LIGHT OF CHRIST to those in need during the Christmas season.
