Maths: Word Problems

In Maths Groups this term we are focusing on solving multi-step word problems, with a focus on the Maths Olympiad.

Some students have already worked through entire books of Maths Olympiad Practice questions, so I am looking for other fun and increasingly challenging activities for them to work through.

Solve-it has a variety of online word-based problems that increase in difficulty.

IXL Word-math problems.

Converting Fractions into Decimals

This week we are looking at converting fractions into decimals.

BBC Skillswise has an excellent page of factsheets and worksheets to support learning in this area.

2015: Year 4 Maths - Week 5



This week we are looking at playing a dice game, if you do not have dice available, here is an online virtual dice to play with!

We are also looking at problem solving strategies, some outlines can be found here.

2014 - Back from Maternity Leave and moving class!

Hi there,
I hope you have enjoyed reading and using my blog, I have had a fabulous time creating it the last few years.
In mid 2014 I returned to work from one year of Maternity Leave, and I will now be looking after my school's Enrichment Program.
If you'd like to check out my new blog visit it here!

HSIE: The Muscular System

This week in HSIE we are looking at the Muscular System.

An excellent explanation of the muscular system for kids is here.

BBC Bitesize also has clear defninitions and some interactives to work through.

You can click on the muscles here to get an explanation of the function it performs.

A movie especially for kids is right here.

Bill Nye looks at muscles and bones:


Why does exercise make us tired?


Test your knowledge using this timed comprehension activity!

For your workbook:

Heading: The Muscular System

Did you know you have more than 600 muscles in your body? They do everything from pumping blood throughout your body to help you lift your heavy backpack. You control some of your muscles, while others — like your heart — do their jobs without you thinking about them at all.

There are three different types of muscles in your body:
- smooth muscle
- cardiac muscle
- skeletal muscle

Smooth Muscle
- Is also called an involuntary muscle because you cannot control it.
- Your brain and body tell these muscles what to do without you even thinking about it.
- For example: Your esophagus, which pushes food into your stomach.

Cardiac Muscle
- This is the muscle that makes up your heart.
- The thick muscles around your heart contract to move blood around your body.

Skeletal Muscle
- Skeletal muscles are voluntary muscles, which means you can control what they do.
- For example: Your leg won't bend to kick the soccer ball unless you want it to.
- Skeletal muscles work with your bones to give your body power and strength.

HSIE: Local Environments

Last term we looked at Endangered Animals as part of our 'Local Environments' unit of work.

This week on SBS there was an excellent documentary about Fire Ants - so here it is!

HSIE: The Digestive System

This week we will be studying the Digestive System!



A National Geographic interactive is here - see the digestive system in action!

A good interactive game with visuals and sound is right here.

Drag the labels to the diagram of the digestive system.

A digestion game for kids!

More difficult: You can build your own digestive system here!

Of course our favourite scientist Bill Nye has something for us to learn about digestion!

Music: That's My Team

Stage 2 will be singing 'That's My Team' by the Hoodoo Gurus for the official opening of our school's new COLA!
We have not finalised the music arrangement as yet but some information is below.



Lyrics:

And another thing
I'm discovering lately
I'm a bit crazy
For my Rugby League team
Now the stage is set
For the best season yet
You'll see
And you will hear me
Every week when I scream

(Chorus)
That's my team
That's my team
That's my team
I'm yellin' that's my team

Like a talent scout
I've been checking out new blood
And they'll do good
They'll add a lot to our game
I'm a footy fan
Our game demands pure skill
And my team will
Beat anyone that you name

(Chorus)
That's my team
That's my team
That's my team
And I'm lettin' everyone know
That's my that's my that's my that's my team
That's my that's my that's my that's my team

They say, well they say
They're gonna try and make us pay
They say, but I say
We're ready and we're on our way
To Grand Final Day
And another thing
I've been wondering thing lately
Am i crazy
To believe in my team?
No! I'm a footy fan
So you understand my scene
Is seeing my team
Fulfill a premiership dream
That's my team
That's my team
That's my team
I want you to know
That's my that's my that's my that's my team
That's my that's my that's my that's my team
Letting you know
(That's my that's my that's my that's my team)
A Grand Final win well that's my dream
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
That's my team
That's my team

Maths Game: Battleships!

Today in maths we have been looking at grids, maps and coordinates.
The aim of the lesson is students correctly plot coordinates on the coordinate plane.

We will play the game battleships!

Instructions for the game (on grid paper) can be found here.

You can download grid paper for printing here.

You need:
- 1 x Aircraft Carrier - 5 boxes long
- 1 x Battleship - 4 boxes long
- 1 x Submarine - 3 boxes long
- 1 x Destroyer - 3 boxes long
- 1 x PT Boat - 2 boxes long

When one of our ships is hit we say "Affirmative!"
When we get out we say "Give up the ship that has been sunk!"

This grid can be used to demonstrate the game on the IWB.

Here is a sheet you can print out to play the game at home or in class!

Battleship.docx

HSIE: The Respiratory System

This week in HSIE we are looking at The Respiratory System.

A printable worksheet for students to label is located here.

BBC Bitesize has a good introduction to the Respiratory System, although the webpage itself is a little advanced.
A good explanation and interactive is here.



You may like to try the respiratory system wordsearch.

If you have more time you may like to watch this episode of Bill Nye the Science Guy - my favourite!