This week our class is exploring two new ways to model multiplication: number lines and bar models. A number line helps students see multiplication as repeated jumps of equal size — for example, hopping by 4’s five times shows why 4 × 5 = 20. A bar model (sometimes called a tape diagram) allows students to visually break a problem into equal parts, making it easier to understand how groups combine to form a total. Both models deepen students’ conceptual understanding by helping them see what the numbers represent, not just how to compute an answer. At home, you can support your child by asking them to explain their thinking with drawings or by creating simple problems together — like showing “3 groups of 6” on a number line or sketching a bar split into equal sections. Talking through these models builds confidence and helps multiplication make sense beyond memorizing facts.
We will be wrapping up this Chapter by the end of the week. Students will be ready to take a chapter test next week. The test will be Tuesday 9/23. Students have access to a chapter review on their HMH Dashboards. They also have access to a study guide on Google Slides. I am linking that here for easy access. It is not required, but a tool to use at home to ensure your child is preapred for the test. The following skills be covered:
Relate Addition and Multiplication
Count Equal Groups
Represent Multiplication with Arrays
Represent Multiplication with Number Lines
Represent Multiplication with Bar Models
Homework:
9/15 - SS #13 & Reflex
9/16- SS #14 & Reflex
9/17- SS #15 & Reflex
9/18 - SS #16 & Reflex
9/19 - No SS Quiz
*Two Reflex sessions are due by Friday 9/19. Students have class time to work on these sessions, but they may need to log in at home to complete them. The letter below goes into more detail!*
Reflex Parents Letter
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LrC_3-xj-zDV23XAyibMTqCD1zR3taY-3_6MBtMaIr8/edit?usp=sharing
