Algebra in Fourth Grade!

I learned last week that according to the guidelines / math standards which are being taught to these days, in the near future Algebra will no longer be taught in High Schools. It has become something to be mastered in Junior High so students will be able to go on to Advanced Math courses, such as Trigonometry and Calculus during their high school years. The bar has been raised and we need to work harder to be ready to successfully clear the hurdles when we get there!

So, back here in fourth grade, from now until the end of the school year, we are going to be stepping up the pace and practicing-hard / experiencing-first-hand-what-we-can the Algebra Standards which are outlined in the Idaho State Math Standard 3: Concepts and Language of Algebra and Functions which, if you have nothing more exciting to do with your time can be accessed by clicking on http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/content_standards/math_standards.htm (or copying and pasting into your browser).

The standard specifically lists Identity Property of Multiplication, Zero Property of Multiplication, missing factor equations, and understanding the relationship between the different ways division problems can be written.

Another skill we'll be working on from here to the end of the year will be working with fractions. We will rename fractions, add and subtract fractions, and even multiply fractions.

The basic skill our students need at this point is to know their multiplication facts. These facts are as important to the algebra, division and fraction work we will be doing as the alphabet is to reading!

Whew! Life just gets faster and faster!

Spring . . . around the corner

Aren't we all sick of winter?  I liked that the roads were fairly clear all winter long -- at least the one between my home in Archer and Rexburg's city limits, but I am weary of the cold.  I am looking forward to wondering if I should put our air-conditioner in the kitchen window or not!  ;)  That'll be sometime in July.

Seed planting time is here.   Hubby and I are going to take the big leap this year and start our own tomatoes and peppers "in the house" and not a green house either.  He has his doubts.  I say what's the worst that can happen?  He says the cats or the grandkids can dump the growing trays!  Oh, well, that has happened before.

AND second trimester is almost over -- tomorrow it will be gone.  Wow!!!  The end of the school year is staring us in the face.  Hope your plans for summer are super!

Idaho History Home Projects are coming in.  We've got a great covered wagon and have had several loaves of very yummmmmmmy homemade bread.  One was all whole wheat from a recipe perfected by much practice!  Very good.  A couple of white loaves were deeee-lish (as was the butter and jam brought as well) and today's loaf was part white-part whole wheat. . . . I'm thinking there is no such thing as a bad loaf of bread!

Monday, March 7th, is the first day of Third Trimester.  It's always great to be starting "anew" -- no missing assignments, promises of Great Things to Come!