January 16th, 2019

In Math today, we started our unit on Patterns and Equations. The students and are started by discussing what the following vocabulary words mean: pattern rule, term, expression, equation, and variable. After taking some time get a basic understanding of what an equation is (this is what we will be working towards mastering throughout this unit), the students and I did a quick review of increasing and decreasing patterns. Specifically, students in Grade 5 need to not only be able to identify and describe the pattern, but need to be able to write a concise pattern rule. For example:

1,  3,  5,  7,  9,...
Pattern Rule: Start at 1. Add 2 to each term. 

Later in the unit, we will be learning how to write an algebraic expression, using these pattern rules to guide us. 

During Science, we continued to discuss magnetism. Yesterday we learned about the relationship between electricity and magnetism. Today we looked specifically at magnets. We focused on the following:

1. Magnets have two poles (north and south)
2. Magnets can be used in navigation (ie. compasses, as the earth has a north and south pole)
3. Magnets have a magnetic field
4. Within the magnetic field, like poles repel each other and unlike poles attract each other

Students were given the opportunity to work with magnets and compasses to explore these concepts. We also used iron filings to view the magnetic field lines of a bar magnet. 

Agenda
Weekly Homework: 0x and 1x Quiz (Thursday)

Language Arts:
​- Read 20 minutes (track in your Agenda)
- Spelling Quiz (No new words this week, Friday, Review w/ Spelling City)
- Fractured Fairy Tales (due January 31st)
- Book Orders (due January 25th)

Science: 
- Classroom Science Fair (March 7th)
- School Science Fair (March 12th)

Other:
- Grades 5/6 Skiing, date TBD

PEAK: Thursday

Tech & Trades Club - Mondays, 3:15-4:15 pm (on break until Jan. 14th)
​Recycling Club - Day 3, 12:30-1:10 pm
Grs. 5/6 Boys Basketball - Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:15-4:15 pm
​Gr. 5/6 Girls Basketball - Mondays and Wednesday, 3:15-4:!5 pm
Sharpen the Saw Club - Wednesdays, 3:15-4:!5 pm