Mathematical Practices

Mathematicians in 5th grade are learning both math content and math practices.  There are 8 main mathematical practices that we make an effort to nurture and grow:

1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
4. Model with mathematics.
5. Use appropriate tools strategically.  
6. Attend to precision.
7. Look for and make use of structure.
8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.  

As we are nearing the end of the second chapter, we have been working on solving real-world problems using multiplication and division and bar models for the past four days in class.  This way of processing thinking offers us a great opportunity to work on our mathematical practices.  Knowing that we are not going to focus on all eight at once, I've asked the students to prioritize three for now:

• Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them - solve problems and explain thinking using multiple methods and proving the solution is correct.
• Model with mathematics - use a variety of models and symbols to demonstrate a solution to a problem and prove it is correct.
• Attend to precision - use math vocabulary, symbols, and labels to effectively communicate the solution and exchange ideas with other mathematicians.

When we use these in class, it can look like this on paper:

It might be beneficial for your child to practice these types of problems at home to increase their comfort level with making models and explaining their thinking.  Ways they can practice include:

• practice problem packets sent home today
• reviewing the textbook (lesson 2.7) either in paper or online
• viewing videos through Khan Academy or ones similar to this:

We will be reviewing in class on Monday and I will offer some time outside of class to help the students, as well.  These same skills will be used again in our upcoming chapters on fractions and algebra, so students will have an opportunity to continue to grow their math practices as the year continues.    

It's Okay to be Different

Mrs. Taylor, our school counselor, has been working with the fifth graders on learning and really deeply understanding our school touchstone.  One of the parts of the touchstone is, "We value each others' differences."  To really show how Captain students value each others' differences, Mrs. Taylor asked the class to reflect on differences we value in our school and to show it like a page out of Todd Parr's book, It's Okay to be Different.  I loved the results and I thought you would, too!