We will begin the school year working on Number Sense- reading and writing numbers as well as working on place value/value, rounding, and forms of numbers.
Key Standards this year:
*Multiplication of whole numbers up to 2-4 digits
*Long Division up to 3-4 digit dividends
*Adding/Subtracting fractions w/ like and unlike denominators
*Understanding perimeter, area, and measuring angles
Mastering Math Facts
In 4th grade, we test into MMF at the beginning of the year to place each student at his/her ability. We do MMF every morning before the bell rings. They partner up with someone. Each student gets a one- minute practice round before doing a one-minute written timing. Folders are turned in and graded each day so they can continue to progress.
If a student does not pass a set in 6 attempts, they will be sent back to the previous letter and will be expected to pass it twice before moving on again. This is to ensure they know the facts that had been practiced in that level.
When students master multiplication, they test into division. They continue in division until they test out at level X. They are then placed into problem solving and will have a notebook in which they solve a variety of challenging story problems for the remainder of the year.
Simple Solutions
In 4th grade, Simple Solution lessons are assigned on Fridays and due typically on T,W, TH, and F. We do 4 lessons each week and each lesson is due on a different day. We grade Simple Solution lessons IN CLASS and students grade their own book. They are expected to check their answer and if wrong, they are supposed to fix the answer or at least put the correct answer. Since we are "training their brains" to show work, label answers, etc., they sometimes miss problems that might have the right answer because they didn't show work to get to the answer or maybe they didn't label it. I realize this sounds petty to some, but it is important as they prepare for higher level math in middle school. If we can get them on the right track now, the better off they will be. This is true for Simple Solution quizzes that we will likely take on a weekly basis.
I do NOT take a grade on the lessons students do in their workbooks. Their corrections are to help them have good examples to look back on as they learn from their previous work and mistakes. I DO take a grade on the quizzes. They will be given opportunities to fix quizzes if they do poorly.
In the past I have offered Simple Solution Help Sessions for students who want to stay to have help with the tough problems in the lessons for the week. Unfortunately, with Covid and the rise in numbers again, I am not able to have those in person. Instead, I will be posting help videos on my web page each week. The idea is the same. Problems that I think might be tough for students and/or parents to understand are worked out on the board. Students just have to watch the video, listen to me explain it, and copy the work into their box. This will be available for ALL students since it will be on my webpage. It is totally optional, but will be available to students at school before the bell, during flex, and at home if you have internet.
Corrections
I allow corrections on ALL homework in all the subjects that I teach. That being said, corrections need to be done on ANOTHER sheet of paper and stapled on top of the original so that I can see what corrections were made.