Algebra here we come!

Variables have entered our math the last couple of weeks.  Yep, math is now numbers and operational signs AND letters :-)

These boys show how they counted the number of tiles in this picture frame, without actually counting each tile.  This was our introduction to writing expressions like: 4(10) - 4 and 10+10+8+8.

Here we are finding out how many tiles would be in a square picture frame of ANY size.  We used a variable to represent the changing side length of the picture frame:  4(x) - 4 and x+x+x-2+x-2.

It has been awhile since I updated ya' all...

Kat explains her understanding of Croakie's routine

Joe, aka Croakie, shows his understanding of Croakie's moves

We wrapped up chapter 3 this week.  Chapter 3 had us "jumping" all over the place as we worked with the number line and Croakie the frog who likes to jump left (negative) and right (positive) in various combinations.  Some of our more energetic students slipped on the frog hat and jumped to it to give us a real live view of jumping along the number line.  Yes, we do have lots of fun in math class :-)  and we learn some too while we're at it.