Mathematics

I teach mathematics following the RRISD curriculum and curriculum pacing guides. Throughout the year, we will learn and expand on many exciting concepts. In this section, you will see an overview of the school year (at a glance), my approach to mathematics, advice for support, and resources you can use to aid and benefit your student.

Back to Parent Resources

STAAR Math - May 13, 2019

Fourth Grade Year at a Glance

Fourth Grade Unit 1 - Extending Whole Number Place Value to 999,999: In this unit students use the structure of the base ten system to read, write, compare, and order numbers up to 999,999. In earlier grades students were able to model these numbers with blocks, but in 4th grade students are expected generalize from their earlier experiences with the base ten system in order to write and work with larger numbers. A key generalization students need to draw upon is that the base ten system is designed around groups of ten. The implication of this grouping by ten is that each place value position is 10 times greater than the one to its right and 1/10 the value of the one to its left. For example, the thousands place is 10 times greater than the hundreds place (the one to its right) because it takes a group of 10 hundreds to compose every thousand. Alternatively, the hundreds place is 1/10 the value of the thousands place (the one to its left) because every hundred is 1/10 of the amount needed to compose a thousand.

Fourth Grade Unit 2 - Finalizing Fluency with Whole Number Addition and Subtraction: In 2nd and 3rd grade, the addition and subtraction TEKS limited sums and differences to be within 1,000. The reason behind this is that these quantities are easier to hold onto mentally. Students can perform these computations flexibly using a variety of strategies based on place value and properties of operations. But what happens as the numbers get larger? Answering this question is the focus of this unit. As students are confronted with adding and subtracting 5- and 6-digit numbers, it becomes increasingly challenging to perform the calculations mentally. Students learn that the standard US algorithms can be helpful in these circumstances. They do not add and subtract in isolation however. Students solve real-world and mathematical problems involving addition and subtraction, including contexts involving measurement and data. They also deepen their understanding of these operations as they represent real-world situations using strip diagrams and equations.

Fourth Grade Unit 3 - Developing Strategies to Multiply by 1-Digit Numbers and Divide 2-Digit Numbers: In 3rd grade, students ended the year being able to multiply a 2-digit number by a 1-digit number. In this unit students extend that to multiplying a 3- or 4-digit number by a 1-digit number. With regards to division, students develop strategies for dividing a 2-digit dividend by a 1-digit divisor. It’s important to know that multiplication and division is more than just computation. Students must also learn how to solve story problems related to these operations, including situations where students must interpret the remainder after dividing. They must also represent relationships in story problems and be able to explain strategies used to solve problems using strip diagrams and equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity.

Fourth Grade Unit 4 - Introducing Angle Measurement and Deepening Understanding of Classifying 2-D Figures: This unit has two goals. The first is for students to be introduced to angles as a measurable attribute of two-dimensional figures. The second goal is to extend student understanding of classifying two-dimensional figures. Over the course of the previous grade levels, students have learned to identify two-dimensional shapes by the number of sides and vertices (2nd grade) and side lengths (3rd grade). In 4th grade, students dive deeper, learning that shapes can also be classified according to their types of angles and whether they have pairs of parallel or perpendicular sides. This work culminates in 5th grade where students will learn to utilize all these attributes to classify categories of shapes into hierarchies.

Fourth Grade Unit 5 - Developing Strategies to Multiply by 2-Digit Numbers and Divide 3- and 4-Digit Numbers: In this unit, students develop strategies multiplying a 2-digit number by a 2-digit number. With regards to division, students develop strategies for dividing a 3- or 4-digit dividend by a 1-digit divisor. It’s important to know that multiplication and division is more than just computation. Students must also learn how to solve story problems related to these operations, including situations where students must interpret the remainder after dividing. They must also represent relationships in story problems and be able to explain strategies used to solve problems using strip diagrams and equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity.

Fourth Grade Units 6-10: To be included on this page in the near future.

There are many components to a successful math program. My approach follows RRISD guidelines while focusing on many elements essential to your student's success. Here is a look at a typical day:

Number Talks - Mental Math
Lonestar Learning - Spiral review of learned concepts
10 minute lesson - Developing new concepts
Exploration - Students explore new concepts by problem-solving (making use of the lessons they have just learned) using hands-on materials and manipulatives
Practice - Students practice their concepts
Imagine Learning - Students receive software-based targeted practice specific to their mathematical needs

Supporting your learner at home:

The following documents contain links to websites, videos, books, and games to support parents in supporting their children in learning and doing mathematics. (retrieved from https://teachlearn.roundrockisd.org/teaching-and-learning/#math-resources)

State Mathematics Resources

Elementary Math TEKS: In April 2012, the State Board of Education (SBOE) adopted revisions to the mathematics Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for kindergarten – grade 12. These TEKS were implemented starting in 2014-2015 and form the basis for the Round Rock ISD mathematics curriculum. (En Español)

Mathematics TEKS: Supporting Information Documents: These documents present clarifying information about exactly what students are expected to know and be able to do according to the elementary math TEKS.

Interactive Math Glossary: This glossary was developed for teachers, but is helpful to parents in exploring and understanding mathematics vocabulary used in the K-8 math TEKS. Each term is displayed in a four-quadrant Frayer Model that includes My Definitions, Key Characteristics, Example, and Non-example.

STAAR: The State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) program includes annual assessments for mathematics in grades 3-8. The resources on this website provide information to familiarize the public with the design and format of the STAAR program.These resources should support, not narrow or replace, the teaching of the state-mandated curriculum, the TEKS.

Discover ways to foster a love of math in your 4th Grader with these fun activities.

BY SHIRA ACKERMAN, MA Retrieved from: Scholastic

Math in 4th Grade

In 4th grade, students master and further their multiplication, division, and general computation skills. They learn how to solve real-life word problems using the four basic operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and larger numbers. By the end of the year, they are also expected to do all of these operations with greater accuracy and speed. They need not speed through their work, but they need to be able to do it at a pace that shows they understand how to solve a problem without going through too many steps and with a relatively quick sense of how to do it. In addition, 4th graders are encouraged to explain how they solve problems in detailed and specific ways (verbally and through writing), which also helps them practice their writing and analytic skills. In 4th grade, students still use visuals, math tools, and manipulatives (such as base blocks, fake money, dice, and shapes), especially to learn and explain how they solve problems with fractions.

In order to build math skills, your 4th grader:

Uses addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to solve word problems, including word problems that require multiple steps and computations.
Adds and subtracts multi-digit numbers.
Multiplies a number that has up to 4 digits by a 1-digit number, (for example, 2345 x 6) and multiplies two 2-digit numbers by each other, (for example, 13 x 16).
Solves division equations with remainders.
Solves word problems that measure distance, time, size, money, area, and perimeter.
Predicts answers to word problems and equations based on knowledgeable estimation.
Understands the concepts of and learns the multiples and factors for numbers 1-100.
Follows a pattern or set of guidelines to determine a number. For example: Start with 5. Add 3 five times and subtract 1. What number are you left with?
Compares and explains why one fraction is bigger or smaller than another using visuals and/or common denominators.
Begins to add and subtract fractions, including within word problems.
Begins to write and compare fractions as decimals.
Reads and writes multi-digit numbers using bases of ten and expanded forms. For example: 4,538 = 4 thousands, 5 hundreds, 3 tens, and 8 ones.
Compares multi-digit number using < and >.
Rounds multi-digit numbers to any place.
Creates and uses graphs to represent data and answer questions (specifically, creates line plots).
Begins to learn about, measure, and decipher the angles of a shape.
Explains her thinking and how she solves math equations and word problems both verbally and through writing.

Math Activities

Appoint a Family Mathematician: Now that your child is very capable in her math skills, take advantage of the opportunities available for her to help solve math problems you encounter in everyday life. For example, ask her to figure how much change you will receive, what measurements you need for carpeting a room, or how much of an ingredient you need when you are doubling or tripling a recipe. Make your child the family mathematician!
Create Math Riddles: Make up your own math riddles for each other, in which you provide set guidelines and ask each other to find the final number (as explained in the bullet points above). For example: “Start at 39. Subtract 4, divide by 7, and add 6. What number are you left with?” You can do this for your child, and your child can do this for you! Change things up a bit and give your child a number to end up with and ask him to create a riddle with at least three steps, and use different operations, that would leave you with this number.
Make Predications: Give your child (and have your child give you) difficult math equations. Ask each other to predict your answers using estimation and then explain how you developed this prediction. Then solve the problems and see whose guess is closer to the correct answer. Do this for a few problems and keep score.
Make a Multiples and Factors Treasure Hunt: Write numbers on small cards and hide them around the house. Ask your child to find all the factors or multiples of a certain number. Be sure to include some numbers that are not multiples and factors; when your child finds those she should leave them where they are.

Report abuse