Math Dictionary Sections: (22) Ratios, Rates, & Proportions; (23) Decimals, Fractions, & Percents
Upcoming Assessments: Decimals, Fractions, & Percents Quiz (Mon. 3/21/11); Probability Quiz (Fri. 3/25/11)
Along with celebrating Pi Day on March 14th (aka 3/14) and Pi Time at 1:59 (π=3.14159...) with several fun videos revolving around my favorite number, we wrapped up our unit on Ratios, Rates, and Proportions with review and a quiz on Monday and Tuesday before merging it with our unit on Decimals, Fractions, and Percents. We have gone over decimals and fractions many times this year, but this is the first time we've worked with percents. In 6th grade, percents are left at a basic introductory level and covers converting, comparing, and ordering decimals, fractions, and percents. We go over different ways to convert from one type to another, which utilizes skills learned in our previous decimal and fractions units as well as those learned during the last unit (ratios, rates, and proportions). We discussed the various places they can commonlyh find percents, such as their grades and discounts at the store. On Thursday, students were able to experiment with Skittles® to discover if each flavor/color is represented equally (theoretically the five flavors/colors in the Original flavor should each make up 20% of the bag). A huge "THANKS!" goes out to all those who helped me with this activity by contributing donations of Skittles® for the project. Students also explored their artistic sides by coloring pictures or patterns in 10-by-10 grids before calculating the percent of each color represented in their pictures.
NEXT WEEK: After we take the quiz for this section, we will begin experimenting with probability, drawing on skills from the previous two units. Since the students have enjoyed the candy/food experiments so much over the last few weeks, I could use help again from anyone able and willing to contribute to a probability experiment involving Hershey's Kisses®. For the purposes of this experiment, the type of Hershey's Kiss® does not matter other than the need to be pre-wrapped (thus no Kissables®) and a need to at least have some without nuts (due to some students' food allergies). I would need 80 Kisses® per class, 240 total. Details on how the experiment works will be in next week's class summary. Thanks again to all those that have already helped out with our previous food activities. Every contribution, not matter the amount, has greatly helped me make this work possible. I cannot express how much I appreciate it! I have some of the best students and parents!
Students are reminded that a new round of DimensionU starts next Monday, March 21, 2011. Any student wishing to compete in the U Games must have their parents complete the registration process. Please refer to previous blog entries for further details.
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