Math

The fourth/fifth/sixth grade math class is off to a great start!  We began with practicing and reviewing daily and weekly routines for the year from the quiet time activities that begin each class period to the daily mental math selections.  We’ve been exploring the various strands of math through games and activities like the game of Poison (logic), the game of PIG (probability and statistics), Get to Zero (number), and Beat the Calculator (number), while indirectly reviewing addition, subtraction, and multiplication.  

The fourth and fifth grade students were excited to receive and begin working in the Key to Geometry series beginning with book 1 (Lines and Segments).  The sixth graders seemed to enjoy the opportunity to continue their progress in the books they had begun in the previous year.  I love this series because it allows for the discovery of key concepts through independent work. 

A number of students expressed interest in having the option of homework each week.  I am happy to have optional homework each week for those who are interested and am encouraging the students to practice the multiplication and division facts weekly and to work in their geometry books independently at home.  There will be times that I assign homework for the entire group for a project or investigation.