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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

GoMath Chapter 6


In the next few weeks, our math class will be learning more about fractions.  We will learn how to compare fractions, order fractions, and find equivalent fractions.  The homework will provide practice with fractions. There are eight sections in this chapter.

Important Chapter Vocabulary
1.  Numerator;  The part of a fraction above the line, which tells how many parts are being counted.
2.  Denominator;  The part of the fraction below the line, which tells how many equal parts there are in the whole or in a group.
3.  Common Denominator;  A common multiple of the denominators of two or more fractions.
4.  Equivalent Fractions;  Two or more fractions that name the same amount.
5.  Simplest Form;  A fraction in which 1 is the only number that can divide evenly into the numerator and the denominator.
6.  Benchmark;  A known size or amount that helps you understand a different size or amount. (ex. 1/2)

Monday, November 19, 2012

GoMath Chapter 5

In chapter 5, we will be working with factors, multiples, and patterns.  The students will study and learn to find factors and multiples and work with number patterns.  There are six sections in this chapter.

Important Chapter Vocabulary
1.  Common factor;  A number that is a factor of two or more numbers.
2.  Common Multiple;  A number that is a multiple of two or more numbers.
3.  Composite Number;  A number that has more than two factors.
4.  Divisible;  A number is divisible by another number if the quotient is a counting number and the remainder is zero.
5.  Factor;  A number multiplied by another number to find a product.
6.  Pattern;  An ordered set of numbers or objects.
7.  Prime Number;  A number that has exactly two factors, one and itself.
8.  Term;  Each number or object in a pattern. 

                                Divisibility Rules
  Number                                                    Divisibility Rule
        2                                                         The number is even.
        3                                                         The sum of the digits
                                                                    is divisible by 3.
       5                                                           The last digit is 0 or 5.
       6                                                           The number is even
                                                                    and divisible by 3.
       9                                                            The sum of the digits
                                                                     is divisible by 9.

Monday, October 29, 2012

GoMath Chapter 4

Our class will be learning how to model division, and use the division algorithm to divide up to 3-digit dividends by 1-digit divisors.  The class will learn different methods to divide, including using models, repeated subtraction, and the standard division algorithm.  We will also learn to divide with remainders.
Our homework will provide practice modeling division and using the division algorithm.  There are twelve sections in this chapter.

Important Chapter Vocabulary:
1.  Compatible Mumbers;  Numbers that are easy to compute mentally.
2.  Multiple;  A number that is the product of a given number and a counting number.
3.  Partial Quotient;  A method of dividing in which multiples of the divisor are subtracted from the dividend and then the quotients are added together.
4.  Remainder;  The amount left over when a number cannot be divided equally.
5.  Dividend;  The number that is to be divided in a division problem.
6.  Divisor;  The number that divides the dividend.

GoMath Chapter 3

Our class, during the next few weeks, will be learning to multiply by 2-digit whole numbers.  We will also learn how to describe the reasonableness of an estimate.
The homework will provide practice with estimation and multiplication of numbers with more than 1 digit. There are seven sections in this chapter.

Important Chapter Vocabulary:
1.  Compatible Numbers;  Numbers that are easy to compute with mentally.
2.  Associative Property of Multiplication;  The property that states that when the grouping of factors is changed, the product remains the same.
3.  Commutative Property of Multiplication;  The property that states when the order of two factors is changed, the product remains the same.
4.  Estimate;  To find an answer that is close to the exact amount.
5.  Partial Product;  A method of multiplying in which the ones, tens, hundreds, and so on are multiplied separately and then the products are added together.
6.  Product;  The answer in a multiplication problem.
7.  Regroup;  To exchange amounts of equal value to rename a number.

GoMath Chapter 2

During the next few weeks, our class will be learning about multiplying by 1-digit whole numbers.  We will investigate strategies for multiplying 2-, 3-, and 4-digit numbers by the numbers 2-9.
You can expect to see homework that provides practice with multiplication by 1-digit numbers. There are twelve sections in this chapter.

Important Chapter Vocabulary:
1.  Distributive Property;  The property that states that multiplying a sum by a number is the same as multiplying each addend by the number and then adding the products.
2.  Partial Product;  A method of multiplying in which the ones, tens, hundreds, and so on are multiplied separately and then the products are added together.
3.  Estimate;  To find an answer that is close to the exact amount.
4.  Expanded Form;  A way to write numbers by showing the value of each digit.
5.  Factor;  A number that is multiplied by another number to find a product.
6.  Round;  To replace a number with another number that tells about how many or how much.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

New Math Program, GoMath

The Cache County School District has adopted a new math program this year for grades 1-4. This is because of the new Utah Common Core that is being implemented.  Our students are going to be tested by the standards of this new core, and they need to be prepared for what is expected.  GoMath will help them be ready.

This is different from any other math program I have taught, but I love it!  It is challenging, high-level thinking and exactly what our children need to be practicing.  At the end of math time, both the students and I are mentally tired, but isn't that what we want?  We want them digging and searching to figure things out.  For so many years we have been simplifying mathematics by just learning steps or formulas without learning the "how" and "why".  GoMath teaches these skills.  We work daily, in math, for 60-90 minutes together, with partners, and alone.  Then they come home with homework to practice again what we have been learning.  

It is critical as parents, that you take the the time each night to go over their homework with them and see what your child is doing in class.  The methods and strategies can be very different from what you and I learned growing up, but remember it is new, it can be difficult, but they are doing it! As the program works its way up through the grades it will make this type of learning easier for them each year.  Please be patient with them and me.  We are ALL learning math this year!

As a result of these new methods, sometimes the homework is difficult for the parents as well as the children.  I will be posting a simple video tutorial each time a new lesson is taught. You and your child can watch the video together to assist in helping with homework.  Hopefully this will alleviate a little stress during math homework time.  :-)

Video for 7 Steps to Model Drawing

7 Steps to Model Drawing