Embedded Files
5/30/22- 6/3/22
As we round out the year- the focus is now on getting learners prepared for 6th grade. We're focusing on their math reflection, writing goals, and mastering those pesky multiplication facts. We'll also review our problems solving skills and our "best math practices."
5/23/22- 5/27/22
More about graphing this week. Learners will also create their equation clock. This is a fun mini project that brings together all the skills they've learned this year.
5/16/22- 5/20/22
More about volume this week and all things coordinate planes. Although learners were introduced to coordinate planes earlier in the year- the focus is specifically on them now- how to find missing coordinates, and problem solving using coordinates.
5/9/22- 5/13/22
This week we're reviewing area in preparation for all things VOLUME! Woo hoo! Learners will learn how to calculate volume, and find missing variables when given a volume. It's fun to learn how to calculate volume of 3D objects which is different from what 5th graders have learned in the past. Also, we're learning the difference and similarities between capacity and volume.
5/2/22- 5/6/22
We're making "100 hours in the life of..." graphs. Here we take time to explore the patterns we see with fractions, decimals and percents. This graph has a similar goal as our March Madness mini project. Learners will look over the data of the last 4 days, making a table to chart their activities and eventually a graph. Learners are also finishing testing for Science so it's a light week in math.
4/25/22- 4/29/22
State testing this week! We will continue our exploration of fractions as numbers. Specifically adding and subtracting with unlike denominators.
4/18/22- 4/22/22
This week we introduced LCM- Finding the least common multiple or least common denominator. Learners are rocking this skill! We also are introducing how we use this skill to add fractions with "unlike" denominators. For example 1/3 + 1/5. We are practicing this skill continuously until learners are comfortable finding the LCM, making equivalent fractions, and then adding & subtracting their fractions that now have "like" denominators. This is a challenging skill. You can help at home by noticing fractions in the real-world and encouraging learners to practice and discuss this skill.
EXAMPLE:
1/3 + 1/5 (I cannot add fractions with unlike denominators)
The LCM is 15.
I change the fractions to equivalent fractions with a denominator of 15.
1/3 = 5/15 AND 1/5 = 3/15
Now I can add my numerators - Leave the denominator as 15
4/4/22- 4/8/22
Our focus is completely on March Madness this week as we analyze results from games, convert fractions to decimals, and then decimals to percents. We are looking for patterns when we research. We'll also highlight a player from March Madness and look at individual statistics.
3/28/22- 4/1/22
Learners will be creating a fraction "cheat sheet" book to help them solve fractions problems. They will showcase this book during Learner Led Conferences. We continue our March Madness project with a focus on changing fractions to decimals and looking for patterns. We'll continue watching March Madness Highlights and making predictions about the games.
3/21/22- 3/25/22
This week we're reviewing mixed numbers, improper and proper fractions. We will be focusing on which of those are less than one and which of those are greater than one. For example, 3 and 1/2 is greater than one and would be between 3 and 4 on a number line. Learners will discuss the gender gap for March Madness. They will also continue practicing the skill of multiplying fractions by completing a baking task.
3/14/22- 3/18/22
We begin our March Madness mini project today. We went over some basketball vocabulary and filled in our brackets for the NCAA tournament. This will prepare learners to compare fractions, decimals and percents. This mini project also gives fifth graders the opportunity to learn about statistics, mean, median, and mode etc. We're also finishing up our Recipe Project this week in preparation for expo night.
3/7/22- 3/11/22
Learners begin their T2 Recipe Project. We'll review what we learned about fractions from last year. The focus is on academic language- mixed numbers, proper fractions, improper fractions, simplest form, reducing, and equivalent fractions. Next, we will learn the new skill of multiplying AND dividing fractions in order to be successful with our project. Learners will also have an opportunity to make their recipes at home for extra credit.
2/14/22- 2/18/22
This week, learners will practice building division skills with worksheets, games, and trivia. Please continue to encourage math fact fluency at home for multiplication and division. Thank you!
2/7/22- 2/11/22
Fifth graders are dividing with a goal of knowing how to divide large dividends with 1-digit and 2-digit divisors. We are so proud of all the work they've put in reviewing these concepts from last year. They're focusing on interpreting the remainder- is the remainder significant or not?
1/31/22- 2/4/22
We continue reviewing division strategies and begin our Esio Trot Mini Project Posters. Ask your learner to share the plot of this book- and tell you about our posters. Also, learners can work on IXL recommended skills at home, and Reflex/Frax to build confidence in the math classroom.
1/24/22- 1/28/22
We are reviewing partial quotient division from last year. We continue to talk about the importance of remainders, and division strategies. You can help at home by encouraging learners become math fact fluent with basic multiplication and division facts. We are also beginning the book Esio Trot.
1/17/22- 1/21/22
Fifth graders officially begin their division unit. We've noticed some regression due to the pandemic, so we'll begin with an extensive review from last year. Focusing on strategies to divide large numbers.
1/10/22- 1/14/22
Division Pre-test. Reviewing vocabulary and practicing division facts. The focus is on activating prior knowledge and re-learning skills such as what a remainder means. We also focus on inverse operations and learning all those multiplication math facts in preparation for middle school. Challenge: dividing decimal tutorials on Khan Academy.
1/3/22- 1/7/22
We are wrapping up multiplication and have introduced order of operations. We've also been learning about the power of exponents.
12/20/21- 1/3/22
Winter Break
12/13/21- 12/17/21
We'll get back to practicing multiplying decimals. How and why do we multiply a decimal by a whole number? For example, when you multiply a decimal (less than one) by a whole number it most often becomes smaller. 3 pairs of shoes at .50 cents each equals $1.50 total. Please continue looking for examples of decimals in everyday life. The easiest example being prices.
12/6/21- 12/10/21
This week we'll introduce the distributive property. How can this help us accurately solve problems? We continue to learn how to use the area model to solve multiplication problems with large factors and products.
11/29/21- 12/3/21
This week fifth graders focused on finding unknown numbers (factors). We discussed properties of multiplication more in depth. For example, commutative property and the property of zero. We went back to review multiplying 3 by 2 and 2 by 2 multiplication (without decimals). We reviewed the area model for multiplication.
11/22/21- 11/26/21
Fall Break
11/15/21- 11/19/21
This week we focused on reviewing factors and multiples. We also read about Paul Erdos and learned the importance of prime and composite numbers.
11/8/21- 11/12/21
It became apparent that most fifth graders needed a review of multiplication so we took a couple steps back to review some 4th grade vocab. For example, factors, multiples, arrays, inverse operation, commutative property etc. We reviewed that multiplication is simply a fast way to add. We practiced math facts this week.
11/1/21- 11/5/21
This week we discuss the importance of estimation when multiplying decimals. How can we use what we know about estimation to make sure our answers are accurate? The answer is to use rounding! Learners are also almost ready to review division strategies from last year. We will also be learning about the importance of factors and multiples! Learners did learn about this last year- now we'll expand on that knowledge.
10/25/21- 10/29/21
We expanded on what we know about multiplication and decimals to cover multiplying decimals. We'll review more of this next week. Learners were also introduced to Frax which is Reflex Math's new fraction program and they love it! We also briefly learned about coordinate grids and pairs so learners could create some cool spooky coordinate grid pictures.
10/18/21- 10/22/21
We continue working with large numbers. We are reviewing using the area model to help us solve problems. We will review the standard algorithm for multiplication.
9/20/21- 9/24/21
This week we dove right back into multiplication. We expanded on what we learned last year. How can we show what we know about place value to multiply large numbers? We reviewed the Partial Product Method or "box method" for multiplication. Learners are becoming detectives and finding the errors in problems. When we return from break we'll talk more about the standard algorithm for multiplication which we also call "the old school method."
9/13/21- 9/17/21
We are practicing higher level thinking skills by explaining our crab walk task. What strategies did we use to balance our decimal groups? Ask your learner for an in-depth description about this fun group task we completed. We also entered our multiplication unit and reviewed strategies we learned from last year including multiplication patterns.
9/7/21- 9/10/21
We had decimal races last week. We had the races to be able to compare decimals relevantly. This week we'll really look at the data to practice sorting and comparing numbers. We're also learning how to add decimals. We will begin our Crab Walk Task this week. This is one of my favorite mini projects where learners work in groups to solve a problem involving decimals.
8/30/21- 9/3/21
We begin STAR Testing this week. This week we'll focus on comparing decimal numbers. How do we place decimals on a number line? We also continue practicing how to read and write decimals correctly. For example instead of 2 point 1 (2.1) we say "two and one tenth." This is a very important skill for 5th graders to have because it helps prepare them for understanding equivalent decimals and fractions. 2.1 is the same as 2 and 1/10. You can help at home by noticing decimals out in the real-world along with your learner.
8/23/21- 8/27/21
This week we're looking over IXL Diagnostic data and setting academic goals. We're also learning how to show decimal numbers on number lines. This will deepen fifth graders knowledge and understanding of decimals. Please continue to reinforce how we use decimals in everyday life. For example, racing/running times at the Olympics. Why is it important to measure running times with decimals?
8/16/21- 8/20/21
Essential Question: What is a decimal number?
We continue to build on what we know about decimal place value, applying what we learn to real-world situations. For example, what does a decimal represent? We are practicing reading and writing decimals. You can help at home by noticing decimals in everyday life and pointing it out to your learner. The grocery store is a great place to do this.
8/9/21- 8/13/21
Learners are reviewing place value knowledge from last year. We are also building on our knowledge of place value from 4th grade. Learners are working with numbers into the millions. There is now a focus on decimal numbers. Your learner is using academic language to describe what digits represent when they are in different places within a number. Learners are creating numbers- and using word form, base ten blocks, and expanded form to represent numbers. Most importantly we are learning to read decimal place value and starting to build an understanding of what decimals/fractions of a whole even mean. For example, a dollar and change ($1.45) is one dollar and forty five hundredths or 45/100.
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