Mathematics

Our math program at the Upper Primary is focused on building procedural fluency through conceptual understanding and number sense.

Students learn and use multiple models and strategies to show conceptual understanding and develop flexibility and fluency in all computational skills. The 8 mathematical practices are an integral part of our curriculum and instruction. Students have opportunities and support to engage in rich and challenging tasks that allow for productive struggle as they make sense of mathematical ideas and relationships. These tasks promote reasoning and problem solving, meaningful mathematical discourse, and a positive mathematical mindset. Through the use of ongoing assessment, teachers implement various instructional strategies that meet students at their present level of learning and allow for depth, complexity, and extended learning. This practice affords students voice and choice in their learning, with self-evaluation and reflection naturally embedded.

Bridges in Mathematics is the primary curricular resource. This curriculum follows the common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSS-M) and focuses on developing students’ understanding of mathematical concepts, proficiency with key skills, and ability to solve complex problems. Bridges blends direct instruction, structured investigation, and open exploration to develop students’ mathematical thinking and reasoning abilities.

Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSS-M) critical areas of focus:

Grade 3 Areas of Focus

1. Developing understanding and strategies for multiplication and division within 100. 2. Developing understanding of fractions, especially unit fractions. 3. Developing understanding of the structure of rectangular arrays and of area. 4. Describing and analyzing two-dimensional shapes.

Grade 4 Areas of Focus

1. Developing understanding and fluency with multi-digit multiplication, and developing understanding of dividing to find quotients involving multi-digit dividends. 2. Developing an understanding of fraction equivalence, addition and subtraction of fractions with like denominators, and multiplication of fractions by whole numbers. 3. Understanding that geometric figures can be analyzed and classified based on their properties, such as having parallel sides, perpendicular sides, particular angle measures, and symmetry.

Grade 5 Areas of Focus

1. Developing fluency with addition and subtraction of fractions, and developing understanding of the multiplication of fractions and of division of fractions. 2. Extending division to 2-digit divisors, integrating decimal fractions into the place value system and developing understanding of operations with decimals to hundredths, and developing fluency with whole number and decimal operations. 3. Developing understanding of volume.

Standard

Operations and Algebraic Thinking Grade 3

Represent and solve problems involving multiplication and division.

Understand properties of multiplication and the relationship between multiplication & division.

Multiply and divide within 100.

Identify and explain patterns in arithmetic. Use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems. Gain familiarity with factors and multiples. Generate and analyze patterns. Write and interpret numerical expressions. Analyze patterns and relationships.

Grade 4 Grade 5

Number and Operations (Base Ten)

Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic. Generalize place value understanding for multi-digit whole numbers.

Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic. Understand the place value system. Perform operations with multidigit whole numbers and with decimals to hundredths.

Number and Operations (Fractions)

Develop understanding of fractions as numbers. Extend understanding of fraction equivalence and ordering. Build fractions from unit fractions by extending understanding of operations on whole numbers. Understand decimal notation for fractions, and compare decimal fractions. Use equivalent fractions as a strategy to add and subtract fractions.

Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division to multiply and divide fractions.

Measurement and Data

Solve problems involving measurement, estimation of intervals of time, liquid volumes, and masses.

Represent and interpret data. Understand concepts of area and relate area to multiplication & addition.

Recognize perimeter as an attribute of plane figures and distinguish between linear and area measures.

Geometry Reason with shapes and their attributes.

*Source: http://www.corestandards.org/Math/ Solve problems involving measurement and conversion of measurements from a larger unit to a smaller unit.

Represent and interpret data. Understand concepts of angle and measure angles. Convert like measurement units within a given measurement system. Represent and interpret data. Understand concepts of volume and relate volume to multiplication and to addition.

Draw and identify lines and angles, and classify shapes by properties of their lines and angles. Graph points on the coordinate plane to solve real-world and mathematical problems. Classify two-dimensional figures into categories based on their properties.