Standards Sunday

July Blogging Challenge -Day 6

Chapter 2 is titled Whole Number Multiplication and Division and these are the standards it addresses:

Numbers and Operations in Base Ten
5.NBT.2 
Explain patterns in the number of zeros of the product when multiplying a number by powers of 10 , and explain patterns in the placement of the decimal point when a decimal is multiplied or divided by a power of 10.  Use whole number exponents to denote powers of 10.

5.NBT.5
Fluently multiply multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.

5.NBT.6
Find whole-number quotients of whole numbers with up to four-digit dividends and two-digit divisors, using strategies based on place value, the properties of operations, and/or the relationship between multiplication and division.  Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.

Operations and Algebraic Thinking
5.OA.1
Use parentheses, brackets, or braces in numerical expressions, and evaluate expression with these symbols.

5.OA.2
Write simple expressions that record calculations with numbers, and interpret numerical expressions without evaluating them.

5.OA.3
Generate two numerical patterns using two given rules.  Identify apparent relationships between corresponding terms. Form ordered pairs consisting of corresponding terms from the two patterns and graph the ordered pairs on a coordinate plane.

As I read these standards my mind is flipping through images of foldables I've seen on these topics.  I am so glad I decided to use  ISNs again this year.

Again I get so excited to be going back to basics.  I feel like in 7th/8th the students still struggle with this.   I  wonder what are the reasons for the struggle?  Is it because students don't master the basic multiplication facts in 3rd or 4th grade?  Or do they not get enough practice?  It going to be very interesting to have the time to investigate this. One thing I'm going to do this week is get a head start on my investigating.  My niece and nephew are going to be spending a few hours everyday with us while my sister works, this means I will have a 6th grader, 5th grader and 3rd grader in my house :)  You can bet we are going to be doing some math this week!

Standards Saturday

July Blogging Challenge-Day 5

One of my priorities this summer is to get to know the 5th grade standards inside and out.  I have to really learn the 6th grade standards as well, but they are closer to 7/8 which I already know, so I'm focusing on 5th first.

That being said, I think I will dedicate my Saturday and Sunday posts to exploring these standards!

I like the way our textbook lays out the curriculum, so even though I may not be following it lesson by lesson, I will be using the organizational plan it lays out.  First up in 5th grade is Whole Numbers.  The standard addressed in all 4 lessons of this chapter is:
5.NBT.1- Number and Operations in Base Ten
Understand the place value system.
1. Recognize that in a multi-digit number, a digit in one place represents 10 times as much as it represents in the place to its right and 1/10 of what it represents in the place to its left.

The gist of this chapter is going to be learning to write numbers in standard and word form, reading numbers by periods, learning place value and expanded form, comparing numbers and rounding numbers.

I remember my son struggling with this last year.  I ended up making him a foldable at home for periods that he used when doing his homework. I was happy that he was able to use it in school during classwork.
I can't believe when 7/8th graders can't read bigger numbers.  I know that it makes them feel incompetent as well.  Why is this a skill that doesn't "stick"  This is just another reminder of why I am so excited to be teaching 5th grade this year. The buck stops here, they are not leaving me without this basic knowledge!!

My immediate instinct is to start lesson planning, going through each lesson in the chapter.  However, this year, I really want to embrace backward design and math workshop. What do I want these kids to be able to do after this chapter is done and how can I get them there. What can I get them to create, or what real world product can they make from learning this stuff?  I wish I had the answers right now to blog about, but this is going to be a year that I work very hard for my salary!
I may end up editing this post when I find some answers and as always I would love comments!  I know most of the #MTBoS are higher grades, what would you wish 5/6th grade teachers would do?

Organizing Ideas and Links

I am very excited to say that I've finally settled on a way to save my online resources and ideas.  I am sticking with Livebinders.com!  I've sort of figured out how the tabs and subtabs work.  It is more functional than pretty, but I've made it public so anyone can use it!  I don't have many links added yet, mostly to the Number Sense tab, but I am sure that this will change as I am always finding wonderful ideas online!  Here is the direct link to my binder: 7/8th Grade Mathematics Like I said its not much...yet!  


Oh and as of right now it is designed around the NJCCCS.  We haven't officially switched over to the Common Core yet, once we do I will rearrange the tabs.


I hope others will find this useful!