Parent Lesson: Lattice Multiplication

This week in math we have been working on lattice multiplication. For most of you lattice multiplication may be a completely new way of performing the same multiplication that you are used to. This is a really cool method for multiplying bigger numbers. It's a lot easier than the regular way and it's kind of fun too.

Before you learn the whole thing you will want to start out with smaller problems just as my students do in class. There is no need to feel frustrated if you do not understand this method at first. It is important to understand that different can be good. We're going to multiply easy numbers from our times tables, but we're going to put our answers in special boxes. It’s just that simple. By watching this video and practicing a few problems you will sharpen your math skills and be able to assist your child with ease. This should only take a few minutes to learn but help tremendously in the long run. Did you find lattice multiplication to be easier or more difficult than the traditional method of multiplication? What problems have you and your child ran into while performing these problems? What do you think would help make learning and remembering lattice multiplication easier?

Curious Why Lattice Multiplication works?

Lattice multiplication works because it trains you to keep track of place value. It is important for students to understand in the problem 40x2 that they are not multiplying 0 by 2, then 4x2. They need to understand the place value of 40. It can be very helpful when doing lattice multiplication if you actually label all of your diagonal columns with their place value to help your child visually see place value. Lattice Multiplication also works because you can focus on one thing at a time. You will complete the problem by doing all of the multiplication first then by doing all of the addition.

This picture is an example of how you can label the place value on a lattice multiplication problem.

Student: Introduction to Astronomy

 Astronomy

This week in 3rd grade we started our unit on Astronomy. We will be learning all about moons, planets, stars, comets, galaxies, and our solar system. Don't Forget every night to be keeping track of your moon log! Your moon log should include a drawn image of the moon that night, the time you saw the moon, and which direction it was from your location (North, South, East, or West). We will be turning these in on March 21.For examples view this Moon Chart and Moon Phases to help you get started. Learning about astronomy should always be fun. You will begin to think bigger and deeper about our Universe.

What is the Name of our Galaxy?

Astronomy Preview Questions:
1. What do you think causes the phases of the moon?
2. How long does it take the Earth to revolve around the Sun?
3. What is a revolution?
4. What it a rotation?
5. Can you list the planets in our solar system in order from the Sun?
6. What is Astronomy?
7. What is Astrology?
8. What is the name of our Galaxy? 

Remember these questions are participation points only.  Please number your answers in the comments. There is no wrong answer and all comments should remain clean, respectful, and have an educational purpose.

This Week in Astrology:  A 10-ton meteor exploded over Russia on Friday to read more in Time For Kids.

During this unit we will be going outside to see our solar system to scale starting with our Sun as a yellow kick ball, and ending on the other side of the school with Pluto as a grain of salt. We will also be chowing down on our Oreo Moon Phases. Do you think that there is a possibility for life somewhere other than Earth? If you could choose which planet other than Earth would you like to live on? Why? After studying the different characteristics of each planet you will have the ability to make your own alien that has had to adapt to the unique environment of its home planet.

Our Solar System