March 6, 2020
After doing a lot of work on multiplication and division strategies, students shifted to working on line plots this past week. They plotted data on a line plot, then used that information to answer problems. Students also learned how to find the range, mode, and medium of a set of numbers on a line plot.
February 21, 2020
We spent this entire week working on multiplication and division strategies. Students learned about the over strategy, the double-half strategy, using a ratio table, and using an array to solve various problems.
February 14, 2020
Students took the Unit 5 post test on Wednesday this week. After taking the Unit 6 pre test on Thursday, we started working on Unit 6 on Friday. Unit 6 focuses on multiplication and division strategies.
February 7, 2020
Our focus this week was primarily on area and perimeter. Students measured various objects around the classroom with their rulers, then found the area and perimeter of those objects using the formulas we learned. We ended the week by finding the degree of motion of several different joints in our body. The Unit 5 test will be coming up on Wednesday next week.
January 31, 2020
This week we worked a lot with various properties of polygons. Use our knowledge of different angles, parallel and perpendicular sides, and number of sides to sort and differentiate between different shapes.
January 24, 2020
Students worked with angles this week. We learned about the different types of angles, and how to measure them using a protractor. We also discussed circles, as well as parallel and perpendicular lines.
January 10, 2020
This week we worked on different types of measurement. Students learned about measurement of length, time, weight, and volume. We also continued to work on some problem-solving strategies. We are nearing the end of Unit 4, with the test currently looking like it will be on Tuesday of next week.
December 13, 2019
We worked on different strategies to add this week. Students added numbers using a number line, the give and take strategy, as well as the standard algorithm. After learning these strategies, they had to select the strategy that would be most efficient for a given problem, and explain why they chose that strategy. Standard algorithm is not always the correct choice!
December 6, 2019
This week students took the Unit 3 post-test on Tuesday, and the Unit 4 pre-test on Thursday. We then started Unit 4 by discussing rounding numbers to the nearest hundred, thousand, and ten thousand.
November 22, 2019
Another week of fractions, with the focus of converting them to, and understanding how they are also decimals. I also started a math club this week, allowing students the opportunity to stay in at recess to get some extra help on their math, and to ask questions they might be too scared to ask during class. I've been very impressed with the amount of students how have chosen to use this to get help, and the questions they are asking!
November 15, 2019
We worked with fractions again all week! This week students learned to add and subtract fractions with like denominators, convert between improper fractions and mixed numbers, and find other ways to make equivalent fractions.
November 8, 2019
Students worked with fractions all week, first breaking egg cartons of 12 into different fractions. They also made equivalent fractions with the egg cartons and learned more about fractions through the use of a geoboard.
November 1, 2019
This week we reviewed for the Unit 2 test, and then took the Unit 2 post-test on Wednesday. Students then took the Unit 3 pre-test on Thursday. We started Unit 3 by working with fractions, splitting up 3 objects among 4 people.
October 24, 2019
Our focus this week shifted to division. Students worked on several problems that had remainders when dividing. We discussed several different ways to use a remainder, depending on the wording of the story problem. Sometimes we need to turn the remainder into a fraction, make a decimal when dividing money, round up to the next whole number, or completely ignore the remainder when giving your answer.
October 18, 2019
Students continued to work with multiplication, this week focusing on the double-half strategy to solve problems. We also played some math games to help learn and practice our skills.
October 11, 2019
We did a lot of work with multiplication again this week. Students made arrays to figure out multiplication problems. They also created ratio tables to solve problems as well. Students need to continue to practice their multiplication facts so they can say the answer to any fact within a split second!
October 4, 2019
Students completed the Unit 2 pre-test this week. Unit 2 focuses on multiplication. It is vitally important that students know their basic multiplication and division facts to have success this year, and especially moving on to 5th grade. As I stated earlier this year, there are many great apps and websites that can help them learn their facts, or they can always go with the tried and true method of flash cards!
September 27, 2019
We reviewed and took our Unit 1 post test this week. Many students made solid gains from their pre test to their post test, but there are still several students that need to be asking more questions and getting some extra support when I offer it. We also worked with measurement, including units of length and units of mass.
September 20, 2019
This week we worked a lot on strategies to learn and know multiplication facts. Students played several games to help them with their facts, and learned about ways to figure out facts they don't know off the top of their head. If students are unable to quickly answer a math-facts problems, especially within multiplication and division right now, they should be practicing those facts. Making and use flash cards is an option, and there are several great websites/apps that can help with those facts as well. We used www.timestables.com this week for some practice!
September 13, 2019
During math this week, we worked on finding factors and factor pairs of various numbers. We also defined what primes and composite numbers were, and thought up many examples for each. Students also had the chance to play a couple math games, both working on multiplication skills.
September 6, 2019
We started our math curriculum by working on different ways to solve and show work for basic multiplication problems. We focused on four strategies: array, area model, number line, and ratio table. Students also took the Unit 1 pretest, so we'll be able to see just how much growth they make throughout the unit.