Parent Curriculum Night
See what important math concepts will be taught this year!
Attention Fourth Grade Parents:
Our Teachers:
The Concepts:
This is a major math concept that will continue to be taught to your child throughout the course of their education. The reason behind this is that geometry is all around us! As an adult, have you ever looked at a building or house and thought, "that's a neat shape"? Well, it's because of geometry! Sometimes, when we think of the concept, we think of squares, rectangles, and triangles. However, there is so much to geometry than just shapes. There are lines, line segments, angles, measurements, etc. This is why students continually need to learn and expand on this concept throughout the years to come.
In previous grades (MTH/213), students began to learn problem solving strategies. Strategies that they will use going forward to understand the algebra behind geometry. Yes, they are all interconnected! These problem solving strategies will help students figure what shapes, lines, and angles fit into our homes, floors and rooms.
In fourth grade, students will focus on the two dimensional shapes and their attributes and begin to learn about what makes up three dimensional ones. They will learn to identify shapes that have parallel or perpendicular lines, and angles that are acute, obtuse, or right.
Measurements:
Throughout a child's life measurement will always be around. We use measurement to determine how tall we are, how much we weigh, or how big an object is, as well as what the temperature outside is. As adults we use measurement just about everyday when we cook dinner, especially if we are following a recipe. Parents can help keep their children interested or excited to learn about measurements by finding different objects around the house that they can either use a ruler or tape measure to find the length of. Another way that parents can help keep their child’s interest in learning about the different aspects of measurement is by finding a kid friendly recipe that can be done together. In (MTH/213) students began learning about simple algebra such as counting, adding, and subtracting integers as well as making reasonable estimates. When they begin to learn about taking measurements in fourth grade, they will be able to utilize their previous knowledge in order to find length, height, and width, all while using proper units of measurement. They will eventually learn to find area, perimeter, and volume using specific formulas related to these concepts. It is this information all being taught to students throughout the course of their education, which will prepare them for not only their future careers, but life in general.
Fractions:
Throughout education and life, fractions will always be there waiting to be used. Students begin very young learning fractions although most of the time, they think they are playing a game or doing art. Many children even learn hands on, meaning they understand easier if they can get the pieces into their hands. For the beginners, such as elementary school students, using teaching tools like large cookies or pizzas always work well. Most children like cookies, cake, and pizza, and are happy to play with their food as long as they get to eat it! These items can be used to teach small children many different number fractions. Most pizzas are cut in 1/8 pieces. However, the fun about playing with pizza is that they can be cut into different sizes. Children have a great way of learning new concepts through play. In previous years (MTH/213) students were taught the early stages of this concept. They were shown how a whole could be split into portions. They learned the fundamentals of fractions.
Throughout the years, children will have to learn to build step by step to grasp all of the concepts of fractions. Now students will learn about needing common denominators when adding and subtracting. Learning to add and subtract fractions can be a bit a harder but still fun when played with things like the cookie cake. The cookie cake may be cut into much smaller portion sizes allowing kids to still be happy but also healthy.
Fractions is a subject that will grow along with each child over the years. Parents, teachers, and caregivers should keep children excited about learning by introducing new things into the household that will help them continue to build on concepts such as fractions.
How you can help your child using manipulatives!
Geometry
-Directions:
1. Assist your child in using their creativity to
make two and three dimensional shapes out of K'nex.
2. Have a Q and A session regarding the shapes (ie. What kinds of angles do we see? Are they acute? Obtuse? Are the lines parallel?
By using K’nex to build shapes not only are the students learning how to make two dimensional shapes but three dimensional shapes as well. It will also help the students begin to understand volume, area, and perimeter. It puts a fun twist on traditional learning to help keep students interested in their studies. This is also an activity that you can improvise with, if you do not have K'nex. Pretzels and a soft gummy candy can make shapes just like the K'nex pieces.
Measurements
-Directions:
1. Use the Goldfish crackers to measure the different lengths in the room.
a. Make sure you are using whole crackers and not broken ones.
2. Start out with how many goldfish crackers it takes to measure the width and length of your table.
3. Move onto other objects like your math book, rulers, etc.
4. Track your findings on the paper and compare them with the students in your
class.
Using different objects that are non-standard objects helps students open up to being able to use different units of measurements in the real world. A great example to have the students do at home is measure their bedroom furniture and room and see if they can rearrange their room to where they are utilizing the space they have wisely.
Fractions
Directions:
1. Cut the poster into a circle
2. Draw lines on the circle like a pizza. You should make 4 lines.
3. You may add color or design to make it your own creative piece.
4. Then cut out the pieces into individual parts so they may be separated. By separating them allows us to make fractions.
By having individual pieces we can see how there are 8 pieces total. So if one slice is missing you have 7/8. Or that one slice is 1/8. You can make different posters with less lines like only drawing two full lines then you will have 4 slices.