Math Empowers 5
Middletown Township Public Schools
Fifth Grade• 1st Trimester •2018-2019
Graham Fletcher - Save the Date!
Decimal Focus
Decimal knowledge takes the forefront during Trimester 1 in Grade 5. To really understand how decimal numbers work and what value they represent, students need a deep understanding of place value. Exposure to and practice with decimals on number lines and picture representations will help students see this. Consider building decimal number sense routines into class. For some ideas, see Mr. Elementary Math, Number Talks (pg. 20), Virginia Department of Education Number Sense Routines, and Howard County Decimal Routines.
Mathematical Practices - as important as content!
2T1L
2T1L = Two Truths One Lie. Activate students critical thinking and reasoning skills by engaging them in this warmup. In this activity, students are presented with three mathematical statements (only two of which are true) and they have to identify which statement is a lie and justify why their choice is correct. For more about this, click here.
Low Floor, High Ceiling Tasks
Low floor, high ceiling math tasks are great tools to engage students in the Standards of Mathematical Practice while building content knowledge. Low floor, high ceiling math tasks are accessible to all learners, focus on real life applications, have multiple approaches and representations that feature collaboration and discussion, and provide for opportunities for extension. For some great LFHC tasks, see Open Middle, YouCubed, NRICH, and Math Pickle.
Seasonal Activities
Autumn is in full swing. Students love to complete activities geared toward the season. Consider visiting Yummy Math for some Halloween, Thanksgiving, and other Holiday math activities that have real-world applications.
Thank you for reading! :)
Have any questions, comments, or great ideas to share with your fellow 5th grade teachers – please email me, or your building Math Specialist. “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success."
Ashley Connors
Elementary Mathematics Specialist
Navesink Elementary School
Math Empowers - Fifth Grade Representative