Geo Tests and GB Houses

What a whirlwind past few weeks it has been. (Well, I guess you could say that at just about any other time of the year as well!) This is the long-awaited email explaining what's been going on Geometry-wise and what is just on the horizon that I'm going to need your help with.

Geometry in Pre-Algebra focuses on reviewing area & perimeter formulas for the basic shapes (square, rectangle, circle, triangle, parallelogram, and trapezoid) and introducing and hopefully solidifying kids' knowledge of surface area and volume of a variety of 3-dimensional shapes (including cubes, prisms, cylinders, cones, spheres, and pyramids).

Our test will be in three parts:

Part I (This Friday): The kids will have to solve surface area and volume problems on the 3D shapes listed above--and they can use their OOMIPPYEOs (their formula sheets).
Part II (Next Monday/Tuesday): The kids will have to find the surface area and volume of their gingerbread house.
Part III (Next Thursday): The kids will have to be able to list all of the formulas for area, surface area, and volume--memorized.

Which brings me to Gingerbread houses. Those parents whose children went through Lower School might be groaning about now and I understand that. I want to share with you my process.

The kids will be getting into groups (either I'll pick 'em or they'll get the privilege) and they will be creating their houses in groups. (First period will have 3 houses, Fourth period will have 4--I think.) The kids will have patterns for their houses that Christel and I have selected and created that they will be able to pick from. On Monday we will take the dough that we have received, roll it out, and each group will cut out their pieces. Then, we'll make the MS smell WONDERFUL by baking all of that wonderful gingerbread. On Tuesday, the kids will construct their houses (using icing, and whatever other materials THEY want to bring in) and find the surface area and volume of them. Wednesday will be a clean-up day, followed by the memorizing test on Thursday.

Here's where you all come in. For Monday. I need dough. I mean gingerbread dough. From past experiences I've figured that it takes about 1 batch per house (depending on how creative they get) so that means 3-4 batches for first period and 4-5 batches for fourth period. Also from experience I know that making a second set of dough is just easier than making one. I'm finalizing the recipe I want to use this year and will be getting that out to those who are interested in helping.

Tuesday. And I need icing. Let's face it, you can never have enough. Well, you know what I mean! I'm planning on making some of the icing glue (the good stuff) that will really hold those houses together and make your teeth fall out if you try and eat it. But, still, we need about 2 batches of that per house.

PLUS I would love any additional parent support on either of those two days. A couple of parents showed up last year on baking day and then on creating day and it made a world of difference to have a few more adults here to help out!

So, after all that here's a summary. Tests on their way. Want to help? Options: come join us, either or both days, make dough, make icing.

Whew. What an email! I'll also post this on the blogs as well. Shoot me back an email and be on the lookout for recipes!!!

Hope you all are doing well!