Mrs. Berg's Basics

  Measuring Angles with Protractors We are finishing out our geometry unit by using protractors to determine the measurement of angles. We have really been having fun with protractors! Here is a website that will walk you through the steps if you need a refresher:  Steps to Use a Protractor Kiddos will also need to be able to determine the degree without having a ray line up with the zero line. To do this, you need to skip count from one ray to the other to see the rotation degree. You can also subtract the degrees of the rays from each other (165-40=125 degrees or 140-15=125 degrees). When you are subtracting the degrees you need to be sure to use both outside numbers on the protractor or both inside numbers on the protractor. The angle below would measure at about 125 degrees. They will also need to be able to draw an angle using a protractor. Finding the missing angle is also a concept we have worked on. Angle COA is a straight angle and therefore measures 180 degrees. We k...

  Classifying Quadrilaterals and Triangles We have been studying different geometric figures. Our main focus has been on classifying quadrilaterals and triangles. A  quadrilateral  is a four-sided polygon with four angles. There are many kinds of quadrilaterals. The five most common types are the parallelogram, the rectangle, the square, the trapezoid, and the rhombus. Here is how they relate to each other: We have been looking at triangles based on their angles. The  right triangle  has one 90 degree angle and two acute (< 90 degree) angles. Obtuse triangles  have one angle that is greater than 90 degrees. Obtuse triangles have only one obtuse angle. Acute triangles  have NO angles greater than or equal to 90 degrees -- all their angles are less than 90 degrees. Acute triangles have three acute angles. Ask your kiddo if they can find these different quadrilaterals and triangles in the world around them.

  Heredity Heredity  is the passing of genetic traits from parent to offspring. This is done through dominant and recessive genes. Dominant genes  are the strongest and are usually labeled with a capital letter - "B" for brown, for instance. Recessive genes  are typically hidden by dominant genes. Label the recessive gene for blue eyes "b" - lowercase. If you get two dominant genes for eye color - BB - you're a brown-eyed beauty. Inherit a dominant and a recessive gene - Bb - you get the dominant color: brown. When both parents contribute a recessive gene, in this case blue-blue or bb, you've got blue eyes. These examples are all inherited traits.    Inherited traits  are characteristics that are determined by an organism’s genetics and passed from parent to offspring. This can include eye color, hair color, skin type, height, etc. Acquired traits , or learned behaviors, are behaviors that are acquired by an organism’s interactions with its environment...

  Elapsed Time We have just finished out our unit on measurement. This included calculating elapsed time. Elapsed time is the time that elapses while some event is occurring. We learned a few different strategies to calculate this, including using a number line, a t-chart, mountains, and zoom. Number Line: T-Chart: Mountains, Hills, and Rocks: Zoom: Follow this link if you need a video refresher: Elapsed Time Video Here are some games to practice elapsed time: RoboClock Math Man Elapsed Time Game Elapsed Time Please let me know if you have any questions!