Teacher Guide: Lesson 6.3

The Weekly Reader Connections feature on Kids' Place Houghton Mifflin Math provides your students with additional information about the topics that appear in the Curriculum Connection feature in their student books.

The article “Say Cheese!” discusses the importance of maintaining good dental healthcare. Have students read and discuss the article.

For the Word Wise activity, you may wish to write the word “scissors” on the board. Elicit that this word looks a lot like the word “incisors.” Point out that, just as we use scissors to cut paper, we use our incisors to cut food. Then ask students which kind of teeth are sometimes called “dog teeth.” (“Canines,” because they are sharp and pointed, like dogs’ teeth.)

The Data Hunt activity has students conduct a survey of their classmates’ dental health habits. The following chart is presented to students. Students may add their own survey questions, using information from the article.

Tooth Habits
Habit	Tally	Number
Brush teeth once a day
Brush teeth at least twice a day
Floss every day
Use fluoride rinse every day

Students are asked to take a tally and then add the tallies. Have students discuss their dental habits. Are they brushing enough? How can they improve their dental health?