Gizmos!!

Our recent conversations about states of matter prompted me to find this site for you guys. This is a site that has different "gizmos" that we can use for math and science. I will give you all our class code and you will need to put this in when you go to the website. Have fun you guys, this stuff can be really helpful. As always, please post any questions or comments you have for me, or your classmates. This is your blog too!

http://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cUser.dspInputClassCode

Class Code: CGXFDKR7ZH

Only Four More Months...Arrrgghhh!

We are over half-way through the year. It seems hard to believe that we have already been through so much together. In all honesty, I have watched each of you grow a sizable amount. You have grown academically, socially, and are on your way to being productive middle school students. However, I must admit, we are not all the way there yet!

I am curious, what do you feel you need to do before the end of the year in order to be the best middle school student you can? It will be different for everybody because we all need different things to help us succeed. Don't worry about what anyone else posts, focus on yourself.

Thanks for sharing!

Shadows...Not Shadow Children!

Try out a couple of these online activities practicing shadows and how they change due to the position of the sun. I realize one of the activities says it is for ages 7-8, but it is still a helpful activity so have fun!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/7_8/light_shadows.shtml
(Manipulate the sun and other objects to see how shadows change)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/apps/ifl/schools/scienceclips/quizengine?quiz=light_shadows&templateStyle=ages7_8&topicname=Light and Shadows
(Think you know shadows? Prove it with this online quiz!)

http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/lightdark.html
(Understand the ideas of light sources and what you see!)

Simplifying, Improper, Mixed, Adding and Subtracting? Wow, When Did Fractions Get So Awesome?

http://www.math-play.com/simplifying-fractions-game/simplifying-fractions-game.html
(This is a soccer game practicing simplifying fractions and reducing them to their lowest term)

http://www.math-play.com/baseball-math-simplifying-fractions/simplifying-fractions-game.html
(Similar to the link above, but with baseball!)

http://www.mathplayground.com/fractions_reduce.html
(One more game with reducing fractions)

http://www.mathplayground.com/fractions_mixed.html
(Game with improper fractions and mixed numbers)

http://jamit.com.au/htmlFolder/app1003.html
(Another game with improper fractions and mixed numbers)

http://www.mrnussbaum.com/icecream/index.html
(Run your own ice cream shop by working with improper fractions and mixed numbers...read the directions on how to play!!)

http://www.quia.com/cb/62195.html
(One or two player game on adding/subtracting fractions)

http://jamit.com.au/htmlFolder/app1007.html
(Keep adding those fractions!)

http://www.fekids.com/kln/games/bugsplat/
(Splat those bugs! This game will make you add/subtract fractions, work with improper fractions and mixed numbers, and simplifying to lowest terms...it's the total package!)

http://www.mathplayground.com/fractions_add.html
(Add it up!)

Have fun!

Adding Fractions is Super Cool...Obviously.

These sites are specific to adding, and possibly some subtracting, of fractions. Remember, you cannot do anything until you have a common denominator!

http://funschool.kaboose.com/formula-fusion/number-fun/games/game_action_fraction.html
(You MUST play Action Fraction on this site. Please DO NOT skip around to other games on Fun School.)

http://www.funbrain.com/cgi-bin/fract.cgi
(Choose the medium questions. The easy ones are too easy for you guys!)

http://www.math-play.com/adding-and-subtracting-fractions-game.html
(This is an awesome board game challenging you with addition and subtraction questions!)

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/mathgames/fractions/FruitShootFractionsAddition.htm
(Choose Level 3...You got this one!)

More websites to come soon! Have fun!

More Inferences!!

Check these out as well!

http://www.tv411.org/lessons/cfm/reading.cfm?str=reading&num=11&act=2&que=1

http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/h/inferchar.cfm

http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/e/drawconclusionsp.cfm

http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/h/inferencesp.cfm

Let's Make An Inference!!

Making inferences can seem difficult, but remember, you really only need to do two things:

1.) Use the clues from the text. In other words, use what you have read. These clues, or words, will be right on the page for you to see. However, do not just restate these and say you made an inference. You need to use part 2 as well!

2.) Combine what you have read with what you already know. Use your background knowledge, or prior knowledge, to help you make an inference about what you have read.

Ex. Use the clues from the text, and what you already know, to make an inference about where the following passage takes place.
"The smell of cotton candy and hot dogs filled the air. We could hear the cranking of the roller coaster as it rose towards the sky only to plunge back down to earth. In the distance was the sound of laughter from a nearby ferris wheel."

If you used the clues from the text, and what you already know, to infer this takes place at an amusement park...you are correct!

Use the links below to help you continue making inferences...have fun!

http://www.philtulga.com/Riddles.html

http://www.quia.com/pop/43335.html?AP_rand=1708928301

http://www.studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/o/inferencep.cfm

http://studyzone.org/testprep/ela4/o/makinginferencel.cfm