Hello from Grade 4/5 M.B

Mathematics

This week in maths we are focusing on multiplication. We have been learning how to partition numbers to make equations more manageable. 

For example: 687 x 5 can be partitioned into 

                          600 x 5 =

                            80 x 5 =

                              7 x 5 =

600 x 5 can be thought of as 6x5=30, but i'ts 3000 because you're working with hundreds.

80 x 5 can be thought of a 8x5=40, but it's 400 because you're working with tens

7 x 5 is just 35. Then you add 3000, 400 and 35 to get 3435.

We can use the same approach for multiplying two two digit numbers.

For example: 43 x 25

                           43 x 20 = 43 x 2 = 86 x 100 = 860

                           43 x 5 = 40 x 5 = 200 + 3 x 5 = 15 = 215

                           860 + 215 = 1075

English

In English we have begun a novel study of 'Storm Boy' by Colin Thiele.

The story surrounds the life of a father and son, Hide Away Tom and Storm Boy, who live in the dunes between the Southern Ocean and the Coorong, south east of Goolwa in South Australia. 

We have also been looking at subordinating conjunctions, which are words or phrases that connect a dependent (subordinate) clause to an independent (main) clause. It establishes a relationship between the two, indicating time, cause, condition, or contrast, and transforms the dependent clause into a modifying element.

Some examples are: 

Time: after, before, since, until, when, whenever, while

Cause & Effect: because, since, so that

Condition: although, even though, though, whereas, while

Contrast: if, unless, provided that

Inquiry

For our Inquiry learning this term we are exploring the Solar System. So far we have learnt some information as a class about Mars, Venus, Uranus and Neptune as well as exploring a range of questions about the solar system individually.