Math is fun. . .
We learn math through a combination of games and application of real-world mathematical applications. This keeps learning fun while providing consistent expectations for necessary knowledge.
We focus all year on math facts to 20. Students must be able to add and subtract within 20 accurately and quickly. To learn these facts, we:
Another concept we work on all year is adding and subtracting to 100 and beyond with double digit numbers. Eventually, we want students to be able to do these computations in their heads. We do this in steps, first learning how to add and subtract 10, then multiples of tens, then tens and ones. We use many strategies for these computations, and you may hear your child talking about jumping or keeping one number whole, splitting apart tens and ones, adding to subtract, or using easy or close numbers. Learners sometimes develop their own ways and this is fine too. Below are examples of these strategies using the problem 85 - 47:
Data
We learn about how to create surveys, how to collect and represent data using graphs, and how to interpret data. This is a fun unit that asks students to come up with questions on which they would like to collect data, and encourages them to create and use many types or graphs, such as bar graphs, line plots and line graphs, pie graphs, and pictographs.
Geometry
We explore 2-D and 3-D shapes by creating them using different materials. We learn about equivalent fractions and the different shapes that represent fractions. For example, students learn that 1/4 of a pizza looks different from 1/4 of a granola bar or 1/4 of a group of students, and also that putting together 1/4 and 1/4 will give you 1/2.
Measurement
Students learn to measure our classroom and objects within it using centimeters and inches, meters and feet. We compare these units of measurement as we measure the length of more and more objects.
Multiplication and Division
Students learn the beginnings of multiplication and division as they learn to count by different numbers (like counting by 5s), and as they learn how to split rectangles or a number of objects into equal groups.
Money
We work on money all year! Students learn to count coins up to and beyond $1.00. They make their own piggy banks at the beginning of the year. They earn money by doing class jobs and by learning their math facts. They may spend their money on items in our class store.
Time
This is another concept that we work on all year, as students are easily confused by the different hands on a clock and what they mean. We begin with an understanding of hours and half hours and then move into time to the 5 minute intervals. They will learn to tell time to 5 minute intervals and to draw the hands on clocks to a specific time.
Other important, ongoing skills that we work on all year are reading and writing numbers correctly, place value with hundreds, tens and ones, expanded form, and counting on and back starting at any number up to 1,000.
We focus all year on math facts to 20. Students must be able to add and subtract within 20 accurately and quickly. To learn these facts, we:
- learn all combinations to 5 and to 10
- count on and back
- learn doubles (4 + 4) and near doubles (4 + 5)
- learn to use 10 to make it easier (9 + 6 is like 10 + 5; 15 - 9 is like 15 - 5 - 4)
- learn fact families (if we know 6 + 3 = 9, then we should know 9 - 6 = 3)
- use place value (if we know 4 + 3 = 7, then we know 14 + 3 = 17)
Another concept we work on all year is adding and subtracting to 100 and beyond with double digit numbers. Eventually, we want students to be able to do these computations in their heads. We do this in steps, first learning how to add and subtract 10, then multiples of tens, then tens and ones. We use many strategies for these computations, and you may hear your child talking about jumping or keeping one number whole, splitting apart tens and ones, adding to subtract, or using easy or close numbers. Learners sometimes develop their own ways and this is fine too. Below are examples of these strategies using the problem 85 - 47:
- Jump (Keep one number whole) 85 - 40 = 45 - 7 = 38
- Split 80 - 40 = 40 - 7 = 33 + 5 = 38
- Add to subtract 47 + (30 + 8) = 85, so 85 - 47 = 38
- Use close or easy numbers 85 - 50 = 35 + 3 = 38
Data
We learn about how to create surveys, how to collect and represent data using graphs, and how to interpret data. This is a fun unit that asks students to come up with questions on which they would like to collect data, and encourages them to create and use many types or graphs, such as bar graphs, line plots and line graphs, pie graphs, and pictographs.
Geometry
We explore 2-D and 3-D shapes by creating them using different materials. We learn about equivalent fractions and the different shapes that represent fractions. For example, students learn that 1/4 of a pizza looks different from 1/4 of a granola bar or 1/4 of a group of students, and also that putting together 1/4 and 1/4 will give you 1/2.
Measurement
Students learn to measure our classroom and objects within it using centimeters and inches, meters and feet. We compare these units of measurement as we measure the length of more and more objects.
Multiplication and Division
Students learn the beginnings of multiplication and division as they learn to count by different numbers (like counting by 5s), and as they learn how to split rectangles or a number of objects into equal groups.
Money
We work on money all year! Students learn to count coins up to and beyond $1.00. They make their own piggy banks at the beginning of the year. They earn money by doing class jobs and by learning their math facts. They may spend their money on items in our class store.
Time
This is another concept that we work on all year, as students are easily confused by the different hands on a clock and what they mean. We begin with an understanding of hours and half hours and then move into time to the 5 minute intervals. They will learn to tell time to 5 minute intervals and to draw the hands on clocks to a specific time.
Other important, ongoing skills that we work on all year are reading and writing numbers correctly, place value with hundreds, tens and ones, expanded form, and counting on and back starting at any number up to 1,000.