Welcome!

Here you will learn about what we are doing in math class. You'll also find many great resources to help you improve your math skills. Please check back often to see the latest, and be sure to visit our portaportal pages for more great math activities. 

Investigations in Number, Data and Space

Our units this year develop ideas about the meaning of operations with whole numbers, computational fluency, and the structure of place value. We have begun work on our first Investigation, which focuses on the base-ten number system and computational fluency. Students will do a variety of activities to build their skills and understanding in these areas. Check back soon to see more on our activities, and be sure to follow the links in the Sidebar to our portaportal pages, which have a variety of games that support what we are doing in class.

Unit 3 Investigations 1-4

 We have completed Unit 2 data and graphs. The children have learned the difference between a bar graph and a pictograph and the benefits of both. They have learned how to collect and sort data and how to represent it. They will be using this skill in other subject areas like social studies.

 We have started Unit 3 which has 4 investigations. In this unit there are 4 mathematical concept areas that will be emphasized.

Math Focus 1

•  Reading, writing and sequencing numbers to 1,000
• Using place value to determine the size of any number to 1,000

Math Focus 2

• Constructing 1,000 from groups of 100
• Recognizing and representing the groups of 10's in 3 digit numbers
• Representing the structure of 3 digit numbers as being composed of 100s, 10s, and 1s
• Using the value of each place to make 2 and 3 digit numbers closest to 100

Math Focus 3

• Estimating sums of 2 and 3 digit numbers
• finding pairs of numbers that add up to 100
• Finding the difference between 3 digit numbers
• Solving addition problems with 2 and 3 digit numbers (up to 400) by breaking numbers apart and recombining them
• Adding and subtracting multiples of 10 and 100
• Gaining fluency with addtion and subtraction combinations up to 10+10
• Finding the difference between 2 and 3 digit numbers and 100
• Understanding landmark numbers and their usefulness
• Understanding that increasing or decreasing the numbers in a subtraction problem affects the difference
• Find the difference by either adding or subtracting
• Solving subtraction problems with 2 and 3 digit numbers (up tp 300) using different strategies

Math Focus 4

• Solving subtraction problems that involve finding  a missing number
• Understanding comparison as the difference between 2 numbers
• Solving subtraction word problems
• Solving subtraction problems that involve removal (take away)

Telling time to the nearest 5 minute will also be integrated into mini reviews to warm up the class prior to the main lesson.

Unit 4 Geometry

 We have begun our work in Geometry. The children are learning about the attributes of 2D shapes and 3D solids. We will also study symmetry and congruency. Look for some great activities in Mrs. Harper's portaportal that reinforce these concepts!

Capture 5

This video shows how to play the game we played in class. It also gives some good strategy tips. This is a great game to play at home. Open and print the directions, game cards, 100 chart and record sheet to play the game.

Capture 5 directions.pdf  Change cards p1.pdf  Change cards p2.pdf

100 chart.pdf  T5Capture5 rec sht.pdf

Collect $2.00

This game is a nice way to have fun and improve your math skills at the same time! Print out the files below to see how to play this game. Have fun!

Collect 2 dollars directions.pdf   Collect 2 dollars record sheet.pdf   200 chart.pdf

Unit 5

Things That Come in Groups

Investigations 1-4

In this unit the focus is understanding multiplication and not just memorizing. Memorizing will be part of the process once the understanding has been acquired. The children have learned how the relationship between repeated addition and multiplication is a marriage. An example of this would be 3+3+3+3+3=15 and 5x3=15. This translates to 5 groups with three in each.

The key word in this unit is equal. The children have learned that in a multiplication equation the first factor represents the number of groups and the second factor represents how many in each group. They have learned how to  write an equation that directly represents the problem and then represent that equation through skip counting or a simple picture showing equal groups. Making sure a multiplication equation directly relates to the picture representation is very important when solving a problem. In the real world we know that 3x4 will always be the same product as 4x3 however when laying the foundation for understanding it is important for the children to be accurate.

Laying this foundation is crucial before memorizing any facts and that is exactly what we have been doing in class. We have made skip counting charts and have discussed the relationship between 2's and 4's, 3's and 6's and 4's and 8's which are doubles. It is always a work in progress since we all learn at different paces. As the unit progresses we will be memorizing the facts through arrays, games, and just practice.

More to come as the unit progresses. Mrs. Allen

Multiplication Scatter

Play this scatter game to practice your facts.

Choose a Study ModeScatterLearnFlashcards

Study these flash cards | Study math flash cards

3/16/2011

We are coming to the end of this unit. It is crucial that the children learn the facts fluently. They have array cards to practice with, flash cards, and interactive games. Most students have a good understanding of what multiplication is. We have spent a few lessons on division and understanding that it is taking equal groups away from the total. They have learned the math terminology: quotient, product, factor, and multiples.

Sometimes children think that if homework isn't written it isn't homework. Please reassure them that studying is homework. We have reinforced in math class how important it is to know all facts; addition, subtraction and multiplication. It will make their math life in fourth grade much easier.

Unit 7: Finding Fair Shares

Fractions

March 23, 2011

We are now beginning our study of fractions. Students will be working to create and compare fractions. We began by cutting paper "brownies" and finding ways to share them equally among 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 people. Students discovered that the best way to be sure the pieces were truly equal was to fold the brownies before drawing lines to divide them. Our next step will be to compare different fractions. For extra practice at home, you could print this copy of our brownies and practice sharing it equally. Click here to view the worksheet.

We will also continue to practice our skills telling time. This is often a challenge for students, and any extra practice reading a clock face at home is always helpful. Ask your child to tell you what time it is to the minute, half hour, or quarter hour. Ask how long it will be until a favorite show is on, etc. Telling Time is truly a life skill that we all need every day!

We'd also like to remind students to keep studying those math facts! Knowing those facts helps in so many areas; we are already seeing how division is helping with fractions. Thank you to our Home Team for all you do to support your child's learning!

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