Times Tables

I am not sure where I found this but it gives some ways to remember some of the Times Tables

Zero and One Times Tables : Could This Get Any Easier?


Check this out: if you multiply ANYTHING by zero, the answer is zero. Anything. 4 x 0 = 0 and 1,000,000 x 0 = 0. One times tables are almost as easy. Any number multiplied by one is always itself. "Huh," you say? Well, check it out: 1 x 10 = 10, 1 x 42 = 42, 8,726 x 1 = 8,726. Simple, right?

Two Times Tables : Double Your Pleasure

When you multiply a number by two, you just double that number. That's some pretty simple math, even for the most numerically challenged of us. So, if you want to figure out what 2 x 7 is, you just add 7 + 7 (the answer is 14, by the way). Any number times two is the same as that number PLUS itself. Here's one more example: 2 x 5 is the same as 5 + 5, which equals 10. Practice a couple -- it's really easy

Four Times Tables : Double, Double Trouble


OK, so now that you have the twos figured out, it's time to get doubling again. This is not as confusing as it may sound. When you multiply four with anything, you have to use the doubling-up trick (that's the one you used for the two times table) twice. Here's an example: 4 x 7 is the same as 7 + 7 = 14 and then 14 + 14 = 28. So 4 x 7 = 28. Here's another double, double example: 4 x 10 is the same as 10 + 10 = 20, so then 20 + 20 = 40. So the answer is 4 x 10 = 40.

Five Times Tables : It's Why You Have Fingers

First things first - can you count to five? Yeah? Then you can figure out your five times tables. So, when you want to multiply a number by five you just count up by fives that may times. Let's review how to count by fives: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25... and so on. Got it? So if you want to multiply 5 x 7, you just count by fives, seven times. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35. So 7 x 5 = 35. If you have trouble keeping track, just use you fingers.

Hope these help some of your students.

Solar System Week 11

The Solar System has been changing a lot over the last few years. We lost Pluto (the true ninth planet in our generation). This week we have the opportunity to study the planets, our solar system and other universes.
Here is what I used to introduce this week's unit:
KQED Quest video on the Planet Hunters (we watched about 5 minutes of this clip to generate some questions about what is just beyond the horizon):

QUEST on KQED Public Media.

Watch for more interesting things that we will incoporate into the learning of the Eight planets and Space Exploration but more particularly in how to read. The skill and strategy we are working on this week is being able to summarize information.

Remember that the Spelling words for week 11 work with the consonant blends /scr/, /spr/, /str/, and /thr/ and you can find the whole list on Spelling City.com.

Also starting this week I would like the children to do a worksheet for reading (also vocabulary and spelling). I won't expect to have the students turn it in until Friday. This gives you and your student some time to finish it, besides the math homework that will be coming home each night. These students are engaged in learning, I hope we can step it up a notch before the holidays. Let me know if it is too much.

Mr. Fisher

November

November is already here. Can you believe it? I have wonderful parents that support our class. I want to thank them and their children for the wonderful things that have happened this year, especially this last week. We had a wonderfully fun time, with Red Ribbon Week and Halloween. We had the best Halloween party in the whole school (Okay, so we didn't watch the movie) - we had fun playing games that everyone enjoyed. The parents had some fun activities and games that were enjoyed by all. I also have a parent that did this Bulletin Board in my class, it has definitely brightened up the front of our room. Thanks. More later this week.

Pumpkin Walk

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Century Elementary Annual Pumpkin Walk