Jesse's Problem

There are 7 girls on a bus. Each girl has 7 backpacks. In each backpack there are 7 big cats. Each big cat has 7 small cats. How many legs are on the bus? The bus driver does not count. The backpacks are on the bus and do not have legs. Wheels on the bus do not count!

YOU MUST EXPLAIN IN WORDS YOUR THINKING AND CALCULATIONS!!!

Good luck :-)

Hint: The answer is a 5 digit number.

Dots can be arranged to form diamonds. Here are the first three diamond patterns.

A. Make a drawing of the next diamond pattern. Hand that in the basket for me to look at. 1 pt.

B. How many dots will be in the sixth diamond pattern? 1 pt

C. Make a table with data up to and including diamond 6 and hand that in with your drawing. 1 pt

D. Could a diamond pattern have 70 dots? Explain why or why not. 2 pts

E. How many dots would be in the nth diamond pattern? Clearly explain your process. 2 pts

Geometry #21

The following list contains the results Yvonne got when she rolled three number cubes simultaneously and recorded the numbers appearing on the three faces.

a. (1,3,3)
b. (5,3,4)
c. (4,6,2)
d. (4,3,2)

If each set of three numbers was used as the lengths of the sides, could Yvonne always make a triangle? Explain how you know. Be sure to use mathematical language in your explanation.

Measurement #5

The muscles in the human eye move an estimated 100,000 times or more each day. (Source: Guiness Boof of Records 1993, edited by Peter Matthews [New York: Bantam Books, 1993])



a. About how many times do your eye muscles move in one year?

b. About how many movements do your eye muscles make in one second?

c. In about how many days will your eye muscles make 1,000,000 movements?



Total Points: 9 points

1 point for each letter answered (3 pts total)

2 points for ALL work shown and explained for each letter (6 pts total)

Measurement #13

You are planning to tile the floor of a rectangular room that is 15.5 feet by 18.5 feet in size, using square tiles. The tiles measure 12 inches on each side and are sold in boxes of 25. How many boxes of tiles do you need to complete the job? Explain your process.

Total Points: 4 points
Post: 2 points
Work is explained and shown: 1 point
Correct Answer: 1 points

Geometry #3

Lines M and N do not intersect. Line P intersects line M to form a right angle. Which of the following is NOT true?

a. Lines P and N are parallel.
b. Lines M and N are parallel.
c. Lines P and M are perpendicular.
d. All three statements are true.

Explain your thoughts in words. You receive 2 points for posting, 1 point for explaining, and 1 point for the correct answer. Good luck :-)

Geometry #1

A quadrilateral MUST be a parallelogram if it has -

a. one pair of adjacent sides equal.
b. one pair of parallel sides.
c. a diagonal as an axis of symmetry.
d. two adjacent angles equal.
e. two pairs of parallel sides.

Write the letter of the answer that best finishes the sentence. Also, you MUST provide an explanation. Use what we have learned about properties of quadrilaterals. 2 points for posting, 2 points for explanation, and 1 point for correct answer for a total of 5 points.

Number & Operations 29

The sum of two numbers is 20 and their difference is 12. If you divide the larger number by the smaller number, the quotient is 4. What are the two numbers? Explain your strategy.

Algebra 12

Thinking about what you know about trapezoids, find the following information:



If you had 50 trapezoids, how many sides would you have? Explain how you know.



Explain a strategy using words, expressions, and/or equations that would help you find the number of sides for any number of trapezoids.

Darn technology :-)

Just an update...this page was blocked for a portion of today, so we did not complete a blog. Instead, we finalized blueprints and began construction. Good luck building, civil engineering teams!!!

Miss Thompson

Geometry #3

Alan says that if a figure has four sides, it must be a rectangle. Gina does not agree. Using words, describe to me a figure that would show that Gina is correct. Use vocabulary such as congruent, angles, and parallel.

Geometry #2

Draw a polygon that satisifies these two conditions:
1) The polygon has only two right angles.
2) The polygon has two congruent sides.

Label the right angles and the two congruent sides. Please answer this blog on paper. You must include your drawing with correct labels. :-)

8 pts. (4 pts for correct drawing- 2 right angles, 2 congruent sides; 4 pts labeling- 2 right angles, 2 congruent sides)

Miss Thompson

Bridge Unit

I just thought I would post an update. We are currently working on researching geometry of four types of bridges: beam & truss, suspension, arch, and cantilever. Next week we will begin blueprinting and building our toothpick bridges.

Please feel free to comment here!

Miss T.

Algebra 4

Find the missing number in each of the patterns below:



A. 2, 5, 11, 23, ___, 95, 191



B. 1, 2, 5, 10, 17, ___, 37



Explain your strategy or strategies.

Number & Operation 27

Miss Thompson wanted to plan how to contact her students by phone in case the field trip they were going on the nextg day needed to be cancelled. She decided to call one student, who would then call 2 other students. Each of these students would then call 2 other students. This telephone chain would continue until all the students had been called. Miss Thompson has 31 students. How many students will need to make phone calls if Miss Thompson calls the first student?



How do you know? Explain using words.

Number & Operation 25

The teacher has 30 feet of rope. She cuts off pieces 4 feet long to make jump ropes for her class. Before she finishes, a student predicts that she will have 2 feet of rope left over.



Is the student correct? How do you know? Explain using words.

Numbers & Operations 6

Jose ate 1/2 of a pizza. Ella ate 1/2 of another pizza.

Jose said that he ate more pizze than Ella, but Ella said they both ate the same amount.



Use words to show that Jose could be right. You may draw pictures on paper to help you.

Technical difficulties

Due to technical difficulties, I was unable to post a number talk today. The issues have been resolved and we will begin tomorrow, Wednesday, August 22nd. Come ready :-)

Miss Thompson

Update

Just a quick update...I will be moving to the middle school and teaching 7th grade math. This website will be used for our daily number talks . I will update the page with a number talk to challenge your mind before school gets started!!! I can't wait for August 20th!! :-)

Miss Thompson

Beauty Sleep

So this morning when I was enjoying my beauty sleep I was awakened by kids. Throughout the whole day kids were talking about algebra and geometry, whatever those two things are!
At 12:25 all of the kids left for lunch recess and then lunch. Nice kids? Ha, right! If they were actually nice kids they'd bring me food and lots of it!! What? I get hungry too you know. Anyway, I was watching the kids come back in from art class adn these huge books were passed out and...well that's enough for one day. Ta-ta.
Ok. I'm losing my mind. Well, bye. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Wow!

Today I woke up to the smell of kids. Then I heard of this beginner band. Then I felt someone grab me. It was my good friend. Then I started playing pattycake with this good friend.

Now it's getting really loud and I got grabbed again. I thought I could fly because I was close to the ceiling. Then I started falling so I started screaming, but no one could hear me (the usual). Then I heard a sudden thump and I thought I was dead but it was just that I got caught by my arch rival.

~Mouschi~

What an afternoon!!!

2:13 came and everyone sat down. Then miss T. had a bowl of sticks and picked one. Then peple got up and asked questions to the ther one. But my favorite one was when this one girl got dressed up like the doll she had and there was a girl with a paper hat and a guy or girl I don't know. They were wearing a hat. I couldn't see, and she or he got hurt because they were limping. I felt sorry for that girl/guy. But then they had these wierd papers that I wanted to eat.

I don't like my spot in the classroom because I couldn't see the first and last group. I was mad because after that this noise rang and hurt my ears. So I closed my eyes. Next thing I knew I was all alone and it was dark and scary.

At the end I think I had the best day ever. Except...they didn't feed me!!!

~ Mouschi~

Been a while

Beeeeep...the bell rang. The kids didn't come in. I got worried. Then I heard some noise. The door opened and kids came bursting in really loud. I tried to ask where they were by no one could hear me. It was too loud.

So then Miss T. told them to be quiet and sit in their desks. Then all of a sudden everything got quiet!! Then after a few minutes it got quieter and everybody formed a very straight line. Then they all walked out the door and the lights were turned off. I WAS SCARED! Will they come back? Where did they go?

Then I fell asleep...

~Mouschi~

Another day in paradise...

This morning when I woke up, I saw someone I didn't know. I saw her yesterday too. I was mad they didn't even interduce her to me. Well, as usual I don't know anything.

Then the kids went away and someone else came in instead. I said, "What did you do with those kids?" But as normal she didn't answer. Then my twin brother Moshi, who is orange and white, said, "It looks like they just put some other clothes on." I said, "I'm not so sure. Maybe the kids will come back soon."

Finally the class left. Where did they go? They always leave me behind. "Really?" said my brother. We waited like 30 boring minutes...then a burst of sound came. My brother and I grabbed some ear plugs. "Whoa it's loud!" I said.

Then we heard some more kids talk. I was listening attentively when I heard my brother snoring. I said, "Wake up" in his ear, and he woke up.

A second later coats flung out of the closet. The teacher said to go outside and everyone ran out. So we were alone again. Besides Miss T. Very borng. We read a book when the kids came in. Miss T. said bean bags to some kids, and I smelled popcorn. I have popcorn but when I said it was my turn, no one answered. Well, whatever!

Later the kids wrote words, numbers, and had clipboards with partners. They started saying words I didn't understand. Like four negative three. I said, "What is that?" I heard a word called coordinate grid and battleship. Well, I guess they must be playing battleship with all that. "WOW!"

I was hungry and hoping the kids could leave so I could eat lunch. I was starved. I finished early, so I sat and watched my brother eat. Then the kids came.

They went into groups and read different books. I tried to listen to one but I heard other books. Well, I'll just read mine!. After a while I finshed my book and took a nap. :-)

I woke up to a new teacher. I heard the word guidance, so that's what I figured it was. Kids would leave and come back with those suitcases. They have different sized boes that look like little and big suitcases. After the teacher talked and talked, the bell rang. YES! The kids will go home, but then I remembered that then we would be alone in the dark. I am afraid of the dark. Well, that's another story.

Bye bye for now.

Your Friend, Mouschi

I LOVE WHITE FLUFFY STUFF!!! =)

So I have had quite the time these past few days. Ever since last Wednesday, I have been alone in this room (with the exception of my twin, of course!). Something about white fluffy stuff falling outside the window. The kids were all excited and talking about going home. The next morning when I woke up to my alarm, there weren't any kids coming rushing in the door. I thought to myself..."Hmmm. That's wierd. I know the students were only here 3 days this week. What's going on?" Then I remembered something being said about weather and snow and snowball fights. I guess. It gives me time to catch up on my beauty sleep.
The only person to come & visit over the next three days was Miss Thompson. And she didn't even come back on Monday!
One last note...I am very worried about the rest of this week. The class has been talking something about spring break. Is everyone leaving again? NO!!! YOU CAN'T LEAVE ME ALONE AGAIN!!! I'LL GO CRAZY! If I hear any breaking news, I'll be sure to let you know.

~Mouschi~

February 28th

I was woken up by the kids!! I saw everyone wearing big coats and they looked cold. And then I saw this girl come in and talk to the kids and she made them stand in a circle.
Then I looked outside and I saw white fluffy stuff. Then they finally left for a little bit. Then at 10:15 AM they left again. They came back at 10:30 AM and they were quiet for a half hour. That's weird. After that the teacher kept talking and they left, I think for lunch.
The rest of the day was weird. They were pushing these gray things...I think you call them computers. Finally they looked at the board and started writing on some paper thing.

~Mouschi~

:-) ME :-)

Here's me, taking it easy on the weekend!

Miss Thompson's Birthday

Today everybody kept on singing this awful song. Then this girl came over the intercom and said something. Everybody cheered. It was wierd. Then they all left the classroom.

They finally came back. A bunch of people walked out. I don't know where they went. Then these two short grandma and grandpa looking people walked in.

At the end of the day, the kids sang that awful song again!

~Mouschi~

Valentine's Day

It was 8:15 when my alarm clock went off. Miss T. was already in my room. I was just waiting for those kids to come in...finally they came in and startled me. There was this big box covered in tin foil. It had a big red heart in the middle. Then I saw the chocolate on Miss T's desk. I couldn't stop lookng at it. I was so interested that I didn't notice the lights go off and everyone leave. I was still looking at the chocolate when the kids came in. It was loud again. They were doing math when they left for about one-half an hour, came back and did their math for 15 minutes, and left again. I was wondering why they kept on leaving.

I was sleeping for about 10 minutes when those noisy kids came in and woke me up. They quieted down and got out their books. They just were looking at their books for a half an hour. I heard people say they love reading, so I figured they were doing reading. But as you know, I'm not always right. So they did that for about 2 hours then left again.

I was sleeping again when them noisy rotten kids came in and woke me up! They quieted down and did their writing. I overheard some of their really good stories. The lady that usually comes in on Wednesday came early. Then they started handing out candy. Man it looked good! I was so tempted I almost ran.

~Mouschi~

A little different day...

The day was Wednesday, February 7th. When the bell rang, I plugged my ears becuase I thought the kids would come in. I plugged my ears for nothing. When I took out my ear plugs the kids ran in screaming for the closet. I looked around and there was a huge tent-like thing. Miss T. said "Line up on the other side. I yelled, "WHAT'S HAPPENING? DID I MISS SOMETHING? I WANT MY MOMMY!" Everyone was scared. Miss T. said, "Everyone only gets one piece of bread and half a jug of water." She turned off the lights. I screamed, "I TOLD YOU BEFORE...I'M SCARED OF THE DARK!"
Everyone got settled down, but then someone knocked on the door. Nobody ever knocks. What's happening? Am I dreaming? She gave Miss T. a note. Everyone talked. I heard someone yell, "Who was that?" Miss T. said, "Mrs. Marchand is a resistance fighter."
Then at 1:45 another teacher walked in. Everyone was quiet. The teacher said she needed someone. Miss T. said, "They are doing activities." The teacher said she would be back. I started screaming. I said, "Help me!" But then I passed out.

~Mouschi~

Newly Named

I am Mouschi :-)

About Our Blog :-)

Greetings and welcome to our new blog! This blog is written by the 5th grade students of Miss Thompson in Mitchell, SD. We've chosen to write our posts as if they were written by our stuffed classroom dog. Its name is undetermined at this point, but as soon as we decide upon one, you'll be the first to know!
Keep checking back as we add more posts here!