The Weekend (before a LONG weekend)

So, it's the weekend again. The weeks are FLYING by! It's pretty crazy.

Today was a good day at school. Reading was the Friday usual--spelling test (everyone got an A), reading test (lowest score was 85%, one reading group had all 100%s), then math was more fraction-decimal review. We are now pretty solid on naming tenths and hundredths, and they're great at ordering decimals thanks to pointing out the relationship with money. But, they were having trouble writing decimals in expanded form.

For example:
3.45
= 3 + 0.4 + 0.05

I tried a couple different ways on the SMARTboard. Then I went over to our calendar board and tried explaining it in terms of dimes and pennies for the tenths and hundredths (because the money relationship has REALLY been helping it become less abstract). That gave me a few more who understood. I tried showing them it in relation to writing whole-numbers in expanded for (345 = 300 + 40 + 5), which earned me a few MORE who understood. Lastly, I came up with a method they all like and really illustrates it.

I had them write the decimal, ex. 3.45

They skipped two spaces on their paper, underlined the first number (3) and wrote it after the lines they skipped. Then they wrote a 0 over the 3 with a crayon. That leaves 0.45. They underlined the first two numbers now (0.4) which gave them the next amount to add at the bottom to their 3. Then they wrote a 0 on top of the 4 and underlined all three numbers. That left 0.05, which they added to the "3 + 0.4." It makes a lot more sense visually, and that's what I think I'd been missing--my visual and kinesthetic learners. There's some "drawing" involved which got my more hands-on kids clicked in and then the visual learners could actually see the VERY value to write next for expanded form by filling in zeros. Yea!! They LOVE the math journals I made them yesterday. Seriously--L-O-V-E. MUCH more excited about them than I anticipated, which is very nice. :) I had them do a problem in their journals by themselves (spread all over the room) after doing several together and some one their own but near friends (possibly roaming eyes). All but 1 got it!! Yea!! Next week I'm going to keep trucking through the math curriculum, not take a break for Thanksgiving in math. The next chapter is officially about money and decimals (which I already introduced), but now it also relates money, decimals, and fractions ($0.50 is 1/2 of a doller, $0.25 is 1/4 of a dollar, etc. But just the basics--fractions made by quarters). I am THRILLED with how comfortable this group is getting with fractions. :)

Matt left work around 5:30 tonight which was incredible--we never get to be home this much together in the evening! :) Yesterday I left work around 3 or 3:30, came home for a little bit, and then I was running errands until 6! I had to get a baby shower present and stop at Walmart for dog food and a few other things. But, I also stopped at the vet to pick up some stuff for Sammy and made her a booster shot appointment while I was there, as well as deposited my check and bonus check at the bank. :) Our school board approved a raise, and it was fun to see the difference in my check. :) The next paycheck will have the raise applied retroactively too!

I guess that's about all for us for now. :) It's been chilly here today since last night, which is making us very excited about coming home next week and getting more of this deliciously FALL weather. :)

Have a great weekend!
Love and blessings,
Becca