I'm Moving On

I would like to stay on elapsed time; however, the parish tells us everything we must cover before the Interval Test.  I have much more to teach before the next one with little time.  So, the show must go on.  I will put up a couple of problems each day for the students to practice elapsed time--they will also have a project to do over the Thanksgiving break.  And I feel like most are starting to catch on.

Today, we looked at patterns when multiplying multiples of 10, 100, and 1000.  This skill is so much easier than elapsed time(for kids and teacher).  As long as the students know all multiplication facts it will not be a problem.  This skill is to prepare students for longer multiplication of 2 and 3-digits by 1, which will be started after the holidays.  Students seemed eager to look at the patterns using the calculator.  If you put something in their little hands, most are happy.  I know I was happy as to how much smoother the day went because I could tell that students were understanding, not just giving me the blank stare.  

In time (no pun intended) the students will get elapsed time.  That is a lifelong skill and must be practiced daily at school and at home.  Parents, please, I beg you,  get your child a watch--not a digital watch, an analog watch with hour and minute hands.  Have them wear it and ask them questions about the time and how long it takes them to complete different tasks.  Thank you for helping!

I leave you with this:

I purchased 10 packs of pencils for my estimation station, which will be used Wednesday at Math and Science Night.  If each pack contains 60 pencils, how many pencils did I buy?

Bonus:  If each pack cost $5.49, how much did I spend on pencils?