Curriculum Night

UNITS

Patterns and Prediction – Algebraic thinking.

Tables, graphs and functions. Linear and non-linear change; problem-solving

Prime Time – Factors and Multiples
Number theory, including factors, multiples, primes, composites, prime factorization

Shapes and Designs – Two-Dimensional Geometry
Regular and non-regular polygons, special properties of triangles and quadrilaterals, angle measure, angle sums, tiling, the triangle inequality

Bits and Pieces I – Understanding Rational Numbers
Fractions, decimals, and percents.  Comparing, ordering and equivalence.

Beat the Basics – Throughout the year, students will improve their computational fluency in operations with whole numbers (such as multiplication and division)

HABITS

  • Reason mathematically and develop problem-solving strategies – perseverance, planning, estimation, etc.
  • Represent thinking in models, diagrams, graphs
  • Communicate and prove thinking to others
  • Develop fluency – efficiency, accuracy, and flexibility
  • Make connections between mathematical ideas
  • Work in a variety of groupings – whole class, individually, or pairs

HOMEWORK

Think of yourself as more of a guide than a teacher or a spectator.  Asking the following kinds of questions can help you and your child tackle the challenges of math homework:

  • What is the problem that you’re working on?
  • Are there instructions or directions?  What do they say?
  • Are there words in the directions or the problem that you do not understand?
  • Where do you think you should begin?
  • Is there anything that you already know that can help you work through the problem?
  • What have you done so far?
  • Do you have other problems like this one in your math notebook? Can we look at one of those together?
  • Can you draw a picture or make a diagram to show how you solved a problem like this one?
  • What is your teacher asking you to do? Can you explain it to me?
  • Can you tell me where you are stuck?
  • Would using a calculator help you solve the problem?
  • Would it help to go on to another problem and come back to this one later?

RESOURCES:

  • My blog  – blog.lrei.org/achaney – has a parent resources section with links to articles, curriculum FAQ’s, online math practice and more.
  • Each CMP unit book has a Mathematical Highlights page that describes the math in that unit.  There is also a comprehensive glossary for each one.
  • Math On Call is a resource book for mathematical concepts, definitions and procedures.

SAVE THE DATE:

5th grade Math Breakfast
Monday, October 18th – 8am
6th Avenue Cafeteria
Learn more about the curriculum, ask questions, do math.
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