Solving Equations and Building Challenges

Math:

This past week students have learned to solve and model 1- and 2-step equations. This coming week they will continue practicing these skills as well as solving related word problems.

Unit Assessment this week:
Part 1 Wednesday (solving and modeling 1- & 2-step linear equations)

Part 2 Friday after reviewing chapter 10 (linear patterns) including interpreting patterns and generating tables, equations and graphs.

We also had a special guest in to teach measurement through card making last week. Students made cards that infinitely rotated and flipped. They were a lot of fun and helped develop practical math skills.



Question of the week: 

Which of the following graphs represents a linear relation?
How do you know?

Science:

We began the Structures and Forces Unit last week. Each student was assigned a vocabulary word to research and will create a poster for the word wall. We learned about the types of structures (solid, frame, shell, and combination) and students classified structures and justified why they categorized each structure this way.

We also did our first building challenge. These will be regular occurrences in this unit, as they teach many design principles. See the attached slide show about Tall Towers and the Newspaper Challenge.

Students built some excellent towers with good consideration of the base of support needed for a tower to stand tall. As we progress we will learn how to reinforce structures so that can withstand many forces and large loads.

Students had the opportunity to self-evaluate their projects as well as assessing peer projects. This is the rubric they are learning to use effectively. Again they are being encouraged to justify their thinking (in this case why did you give yourself or your peer that mark?).