Science terms we’ve
explored this week include Lunar cycle, new Moon, 1st quarter and 3rd
quarter Moon, waxing, waning, crescent, gibbous.
In math, we are
focusing on becoming stronger mathematicians. Great mathematicians make sense
of problems, justify their reasoning, and can make generalizations. They also
get “stuck” and make mistakes. Those mistakes and “stuck points” are actually
good, because they can help us to persevere and try to seek more. We’ve had
guest teachers from other schools and districts come and observe what we’re
learning, and how we’re learning in math class.
We have continued our
work on adding and subtracting decimals. We have also gone into exploring
different methods of multiplying decimals.
Ask your child about the Area Model (tape diagram) and the “Dots” method
of demonstrating what happens when we multiply a whole number by a decimal
(ex: 4.27 x 3 “3 groups of 4 and 27 hundredths”).
Without an official
textbook, sending homework home is going to be challenging. Attached is a
letter from officials at the Muscatine Community School District Administration
Center regarding our homework policy (see below). When homework comes home, it will be that
of supporting work and will consist of problems that students should be able to
do with minimal assistance from you. Parents are still expected to be involved
in their child’s education. As such, I’ve also attached a “Parent Checklist for
Supporting Math Learning at Home.” (The Parent Checklist was sent home today.) Let
me know if you have questions.
It’s a pleasure working
with your child!
--Mrs. Steele
------------------------
September 2014
Dear Parent or Guardian,
The Muscatine Community School District is continually striving for improvement. We regularly examine data from many sources to determine if what we are doing works. Our goal is to prepare students for a future where the demand for higher education and specialized skills are necessary.
In math this means 1) teachers will be teaching fewer concepts at a deeper level so learning will be more focused, 2) learning will build from one grade to the next, and 3) students will be using various strategies to solve real-world problems.
Shift
|
Result
|
Learn more about less
|
Students will have a deeper understanding of concepts.
|
Think and solve problems
|
Students will prove they know how math works by explaining their thinking and critiquing the thinking of others.
|
Use math in the real world
|
Students will know which skills to use, when to use them and how to use them correctly.
|
Ways to Help at Home
· Ask your child questions and review their homework to see if your child understands WHY as well as WHAT the answer is.
· Learn along with your child. This way of thinking about math may be new to both of you!
· Talk to your child about real-life math situations and involve them in problem-solving whenever possible.
· Use everyday objects to allow your child to solve problems
· Communicate with your child’s teachers about what you can do to support learning at home.
· Encourage your child to stick with it (persevere) even when things get tough.
· Reassure your child that understanding HOW they got the answer is just as (if not more) important than getting the right answer.
· Ask for help if you need it!
More Math Resources
www.khanacademy.org
Feel free to contact your child’s teacher, administrator, building instructional coach, or us if you have further questions, concerns or suggestions. We welcome your input.
Best regards,
Becky Rodocker
Executive Director of Curriculum
Laney Berry
Curriculum Professional Development Leader
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