Bridge Testing

This week in math we have learned about area and perimeter. Area is the amount of space within the boundary of a shape. To figure out the area you can count how many squares are in the shape or if you have a shape like a rectangle or square you can use the formula: width x length
Perimeter is the distance around the outside of a shape. To find perimeter, you add up the length of all of the sides. If you have a shape where there are numerous sides with the same measurement, you can use multiplication. We will continue working on area and perimeter next week.

We continued amazing race Peru this week by focusing on the Inca people, Machu Picchu, clothing worn in mountain, city and rainforest communities and popular food that is eaten. We are hoping to have a few more roadblocks and then our final event to wrap of the race next week.

We started testing our bridges today. Students could earn points based on the span of their bridge, if they had any special features, the overall appearance of the bridge and how much weight it could hold on top. Students placed their bridge between 2 desks so it was lifted off of the ground. Then they placed rocks on top of their bridge. If their bridge held this weight, they could continue with textbooks. A few students can bridges that held 14 textbooks and then their own body weight. One bridge could even hold Ms. Binks! It was amazing to see how shapes and materials could make a bridge so strong.

Reminders:
- Carnival tonight
- Book orders are due tomorrow