Greer's+Journal

​__Journal Entry March 10th__ We are learning about time and temperature. I would like to know more about flying times around the world and how greenich mean time works. Today we learnt about timezones. We learnt that a place in englands a base time to calculate other times in the world. Great journal entry Greer. We will continue to look at time zones so you get a full understanding of it. Mrs Breeds.

__Journal Entry March 12th__ W.A.L.T. We are learning about different time zones around the world and how to calculate time differences. Today, I felt it quite challenging to work out timezone differences between countries other than New Zealand. I am still not quite sure of the formula to work this out. I didn't mind working flight times from New Zealand though. I need to read the question carefully and follow what its asking me. I was learning better with a partner. You have some great reflective comments here Greer. I also wanted you to explain how time zones work, and to give an example from your learning today. Have another try in your next journal entry. Mrs Breeds.

Journal Entry March 15th W.A.L.T. We are learning about different time zones around the world and how to calculate time differences. Time zones work from Grenich Mean Time. Grenich is a place in England. On a world map grenich is in the centre in the 0 section. On a time zone map there are lines going down all the way across showing how many hours ahead or behind a place is to Grenich. Time is different because of the positioning of the earth towards the sun. That is why it is day time on one side and night time on the other side of the earth. A huge improvement.

WALT We are learning about exchange rates for currency. When people go on holiday different countries have a different currency. Like how Indonesia has rupiah, Europe has euro and Great Britain has pounds. For example: If you wanted to spend $800 in Australia you go, 800 x 0.8883 = 710.64. You swapped 800 new zealand dollars for 710.64 australian dollars equivilent to $800. Currencies are just, how much you get for each new zealand dollar. (currency information from F.I.O)** Great!
 * __Journal Entry March 17th__

__Journal Entry 19th March__ W.A.L.T We are learning about the difference between Celcius and Fahrenheit for temperature. Fahrenheit is a measurement for temperature that was used in the olden days. It is still used in some places in the world like in America. America uses imperial measurements like inches, ounces and yards. Fahrenheit is one of those imperial measurements. Celcius is a metric measurement. Like metres, centremetres and litres. If you wanted to convet between the two there is a special formula different each way though. e.g (32f = 0c) 400f - 32c = 368 368 x 5 = 1840 1840 / 9 = 204c A good explanation of the theory behind our learning today. Great to see you showing how the formula works - it may have been clearer if you've typed the formula, then shown the example.

Journal Entry 23 March W.A.L.T Use algebraic thinking to solve decimal subtraction problems. We have been learning a stratagy to make solving decimal subtraction problems so much easier. I love this new stratagy. I think I have used it before but it was a bit of a recap. The stratagy makes the equation much easier to solve by adding on to the second number then adding the same amount onto the larger number. eg. 5.89 - 2.96 = To work this out you add 0.04 on to __both__ numbers. The new equation is : 5.93 - 3 = 2.93. The new equation is so much easier to solve. Greer this is an excellent explanation of this strategy. I am please you find it an efficient and easy strategy to use when solving decimal problems. The real benefit of this strategy is that it can be used with any whole number or Decimal problem. TC​

__Journal Entry 25th March__ W.A.L.T We are learning to use temperature as a tool to help us with integer problems. Today I learnt what intergers actually are. They are just positive and negative numbers. I learnt that using temperature (hot and cold, positive and negative) is very helpful to answer problems. If there is no positive sign infront of a number it still means it is a positive. It can get confusing because the question might ask you to minus a negative from a negative but in theory you are taking out cold so you add it. eg. -5 - -7 = +2.

__Journal Entry 31st March__ W.A.L.T Add don't subtract when working on decimal subtraction problems. We worked on another strategy for working out prroblems. If you had a subtraction problem you could turn it around into a addition problem. By doing this you can clearly see what number your at and already know what number you have to get to. e.g 36.5 - 25.4 **:** 25.4 + -- = 36.5 The answer is 11.1 Personally I prefer using the strategy when you take or add to both sides. The subtraction strategy is the one I would rather do in my head.

__Journal Entry 19th April__ W.A.L.T use different strategies to work out problems. Today we learnt of the 8-10 problem solving strategies. I found out that I only knew of two which were guess and check and working backwards. I have difficulty doing problem solving and having to think outside the box. Hopefully my basic facts will help me alot. This is a good attitude Greer. The key to making a difference is to become confident with using 3-4 strategies that suit a number of types of problems and then being able to choose which are the smarter ones to use.

__Journal Entry 21st April.__ Today I found out how much I didn't know about statistics which was a fair amount and how much I knew which was a small list. Of all the types of graphing systems I only knew of a few.I am a little nervous when it comes to statistics but once I learn more about it I will get used to it.I am looking forward to making my 100% sure list longer.

__Journal Entry 26th April__ I have learnt what a dot plot, a scatterplot and a back-to-back dotplot are. A dotplot is a simple graph for showing descete data. A back-to-back dotplot is also a simple graph that shows comparisons between two pieces of data that are the same sort of data like boys and girls hair colour in Extension Maths. You would have boys hair colour on one side and girls hair colours plotte on the other side. A scatterplot can show comparison like weight and length of on fish to another. On fish might be really light and short and another fish might be really heavy and really long. I do know that a real graph isn't a real graph unless it has a title, information (numbers and categories) and labels. Wow - that is a lot of learning in a small space of time. How are you feeling about statistics now?

__Journal Entry 30th April__ With all this new information I am definately a little more confident but I know there is still plenty more things to learn ahead.

__Journal Entry 6th May__ W.A.L.T Evaluate statements on graphs. After seeing a few statements on graphs it is easy to see false information. When you make graphs and show your results you need only to say things about your subject question and maybe things you'll do for your further investigation. You can only make statements that your data __will__ support. Excellent point Greer.

__Journal Entry 13th May__ I have finished my questionare and got it out. I was surprised how fast. I can already tell my investigation is going to be much more of a success than the one I did on lipglosses last year. When I started getting surveys back there have been a few that have New Zealand, English and English abain written all over them. I was really confused as to why they got one but I realised they haden't identified themself as to what their parents enroled them as. Also people are not completely filling out my survey. What are you going to do with those ones Greer? Is the data still valid? When doing a stats investigation that involves people - the biggest variable is "people"! Great though to read that you feel your investigation is a step up from last year - that is what learning and building on previous learning is all about. MrC

__Journal Entry 27th May__ Today we did the second Problem Solving Test. I have got 3 on both the 1st and 2nd. Which I felt was a little disappointing because it was one silly little mistake that let me down. I really need to check at least three times when I think I have an answer to make sure I know I have the right answer. It is disheartening when you think you could have done better because of "silly" errors. However these are good scores Greer and our class has scored much higher than the average across NZ so that is something that we can all be proud of.

__Journal Entry 31st May__ I haven't done a basic knowledge test in a while so I had a few gaps. I need to practice.... my stage 8 basic facts. I need to improve on..... my recognisation of equivilant fractions. Good analysis of your needs Greer. To keep this knowledge instant we do need to keep on revisiting it.