Year 5 Mathematical Magicians

Subtraction Magic Trick!

By Clara L and Matthew K

In Mathematics in Year 5, we are learning about Addition and Subtraction. In Subtraction, Miss Lee showed us a very smart subtraction trick. This trick is for subtraction sums with lots of zeroes and it must end with a zero. These are the steps to a subtraction trick that will make you extremely smart! There will also be an example.

Step 1: Write the problem.            9, 000, 000

                                              -     874, 392 = ?

Step 2: Take away 1 from the first number.       8, 999, 999

                                                                    -   874, 392 =?

Step 3: Figure out the problem.    8, 999, 999

                                       -   874, 392                                  

                                              ________

                                             8, 125, 607                                                           

Final Step: Plus the 1 that you took away on the 2nd step.  8, 125, 607 +1= 8, 125, 608

So, you can do a sum with 50 zeroes and get the answer right!

The Little Refugee

The Little Refugee

By: Natalie and Ashlia

We have been reading about the Little Refugee. The Little Refugee is written by Anh and Suzanne Do. The story is based on Anh Do’s journey to Australia. This story is about hungry, thirsty and poor people who have to leave Vietnam and travel to Australia. While they were on their journey the refugees' food and drink is ruined by a storm. Later on the refugees saw a boat. They were so happy until they saw a pirate came out of the boat. The pirates boarded the refugee's boat and stole all of their gold and jewellery. They even tried to throw a baby over the side of the boat. Luckily the pirate changed his mind. Before the pirates left the refugee's boat one of the pirates gave them a bottle of water that saved their lives. When they arrived in Sydney a nun gave them clothes but their was only one outfit for a boy and the other one was a girls outfit. Anh's mum had to dress Anh's little brother Koha as a girl.

Here is what Year 5 had to say about the book

"It is a good book for children to read about refugees." Clara.P

"The book was interesting." Stephanie

"It is a great book!" Trish

"It was awesome!" Sinead

"You always want to know what is next." Clara.L

"It was pretty good." Matthew.K

"I rate it 8 out of 10." Emily.B

"It is a excellent book." Ryley

What was your favourite part of the book?