Reflex Math: Fun while learning math facts

Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division math facts are a skill that requires lots and lots of practice in order to be fluent and memorize the facts.  I can remember being in 3rd grade and NOT wanting to memorize them.  My parents kept telling me and forcing me to learn them and I refused.  My dad even told me that if I came home with anything but an A in math, I would be grounded for the entire 9 week!  There really was NO fun way to memorize them and I quickly got bored of the times table tool my parents bought me to help me memorize them (the ones where you push the transparent button down and then you were able to see the answer).  Then report cards came out and I got an 89!  For 9 weeks, I was grounded and I quickly memorized them (because I had nothing else better to do because I was GROUNDED!)

Now with computers, there are online games and tools that make memorizing math facts fun!  We are using a program called REFLEX MATH.  The kids love the program and the games that go with it.  The link below will send you the page.

www.reflexmath.com   
user name:  mrdlav
password:  (each child gets their own password)

Your child can access Reflex Math when they are at home.  All you need is a computer and internet access.  Unfortunately it does not work on iPads or tablets.  Letters went home in the Tuesday Folders with the user name and password for your child.  If you need another copy, please email me and I will be happy to provide you with another one.  Your child has been using Reflex in the classroom and all know how to get on the page.  They should have already memorized their password.  Use this awesome tool and watch your child's math fact memory soar!!!!!

Until next time....

Ms. Valdez

Root Beer Floats = Science Fun!

This homecoming week was a crazy week with nerd day, crazy sock day and an early release this past Friday.  Amidst all the fun, this week for science, we have been discussing the 3 states of matter, SOLID, LIQUID AND GAS.  We have talked about the difference between the 3 states and how they appear all around us.  This Friday, I decided, what better way to discover the 3 states of matter than with ROOT BEER FLOATS!

Root beer floats are a perfect way to demonstrate the 3 ways of matter.  The ice cream serves as the SOLID and the root beer serves as the LIQUID.  When you pour the root beer over the ice cream, the GAS (provided by the carbonation of the root beer) can be easily seen by the foam it creates when the ice cream and root beer meet.

Try some delicious root beer (coke and Big Red work too) at home today!  Talk about the different states of matter you see.  Discuss the matter in your house!  Science is every where!  Might as well have fun discovering it together!

Until next time....

Ms. Valdez