Major Focus of 4th grade Mathematics:

Students focus on a variety of topics in 4th grade.  Here are the big ideas we want all 4th grade students to understand:

• Use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division with whole-number to solve word problems, including problems with remainders and problems with measurements. 

• Add and subtract whole numbers using the standard US algorithm.

• Multiply and divide multi-digit numbers with strategies based on place value and understanding of the relationship between multiplication and division (e.g., multiply 1,638 × 7 or 24 × 17, and dividing 6,966 by 6)

• Understand and apply equivalent fractions (e.g., recognizing that 1⁄4 is less than 3⁄8 because 2⁄8 is less than 3⁄8), add and subtract fractions in simple cases (e.g. 2 3⁄4 − 1 1⁄4) or multiply fractions by whole numbers (3 × 5⁄8), and solve related word problems.

• Classify shapes by properties of their lines and angles.

General Resources for Supporting Math at Home

Good Games using simple materials from around the house - click on the link for a document containing 40+ games for fluency practice using simple materials - pencils, paper, paper clips, a deck of cards, and dice.

Pre-made Games

Set

Rush Hour

Sumoku

Tangoes

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Muggins Math – http://www.mugginsmath.com/store.asp has some great number sense games

Read

If you’re reading a book together talk about the math you see.  mathicalbooks.org - has lists of books with math related themes for kids aged 2 to 18.

Other Good Activities

Cook together - A great way to work on fractions!  Especially if the required cup needs to be washed and your child needs to figure out how to use the ones available to measure the required amount.

Talk with your kids about mathematics - Christopher Danielson, a mathematics professor and parent, has a great website with ideas for talking with kids ages 1-9 about mathematics http://talkingmathwithkids.com/ 

Fold Origami - Recent research by a professor at Tufts University shows that folding origami increases students spatial reasoning skills. 

Family Support Materials for Illustrative Mathematics 

Mathematics program used in the classroom

Illustrative Mathematics' Family Support website has materials to support families of kindergarten to Grade 6 students.  Families can watch overview videos explaining each unit (with subtitles in English and Spanish) and read Family Letters for each unit, translated into 14 different languages.