WMS: Wed math update.

Dear Families, 

The calendar has been updated with today's homework and is available at http://www.mrmacnevin.com. The answers for the homework are there in the details part of the calendar entry. Just click on the entry's title and the details will appear.

For my morning group today, the homework assignment is very straightforward: the are to do at least 4 of the 5 problems on the page titled "Practice 2C." 

For my afternoon group today (just before lunch and then after lunch) there were many more questions about today's practice ("Exercise 16") and many students did not finish the class practice even though they were working hard on it. Their job tonight is to finish Exercise 16 (answers are also in the calendar). And if they have time in their homework time, they should also begin work on the new assignment "practice 2c". They should get as much of 2C done as they can within their 30 minutes of math homework time. For this group tomorrow I will check both assignments and will stamp the students' planners based on what they tell me they had time to complete.

A note about calculators: when calculating simple numbers times 3.14, students should hand-calculate it. So 3 x 3.14, 30 x 3.14, etc. should all be hand-calculated. But for more challenging and time consuming values, a calculator can be used (for example, 32.3 x 3.14, etc). This is because on the state test in the spring, students will not be allowed to use a calculator, so they need to be familiar with the hand calculations.

If anyone needs help with their homework, they are always welcome to come in in the morning before school for some help.

In science today we started looking at human traits that are genetically passed (bent pinkies, widow's peak, tongue curling, attached/free earlobes). Tomorrow we will start looking at some imaginary creatures called "Larkeys." These critters will be the basis of our discussions around inheritance and genetics.

Thank you for all you do for your child's education!

Sincerely,

Brian MacNevin