Math homework allows students a chance to practice the skills being taught in class.  It should take no longer than 30 minutes. Please stop after 30 minutes of working and let me know so I can help. 

The homework is structured in a way that problems 1 and 2 are simple problems that still meet the standard being taught. Problems 3-6 are usually word problems. These problems allow students to apply their understanding of the skill. They can be challenging. I ask students to attempt these problems and then ask me for help if they become frustrated while solving them. I am happy to meet with students to go over assignments.  

The link provides you with access to the parent newsletters. These can be helpful when trying to help your child with their assignment.

Did you know: 5th graders do not need to use the U.S. Standard Algorithm for division (also known as long division) of whole numbers or decimal fractions to solve division problems. Students may use drawings and other concrete models all the way through 5th grade. The same goes for adding, subtracting and multiplying decimal fractions.

Our 5th-grade math program builds on the concept of Rational Understanding.

Relational Understanding is not a new concept. In fact, the first research study on Relational Understanding happened over 40 years ago, but for many of us, it is different than the way we learned math as children.

In a nutshell, there are two ways of understanding math - Instrumental Understanding and Relational Understanding. Instrumental Understanding is knowing and using procedures and rules. Instrumental mathematicians can perform operational procedures, like the U.S. Standard Algorithm, but do not necessarily understand the mathematics behind the procedure. This is the way many of us born and raised in the last century learned and understand math. It's not "bad", it just limits our flexibility as mathematicians. I can safely say that I still clam up when I encounter a math problem without a clear procedure or rule to follow.

Relational Understanding, on the other hand, is understanding how and why the rules and procedures work. Students with relational understanding can describe the mathematics behind a procedure, retain understanding longer, connect new learning to previous learning and are more apt to see multiple ways to solve a problem. Relational Understanding allows for flexible thinking and creates mathematicians that are willing to deviate from the rules to solve a problem.

My hope in approaching math from a perspective of Relational Understanding is to help students build important connections in their brain that will grow their number sense, enhance their understanding of the math procedures, and empower them to think flexibly when they encounter a tough problem. I appreciate your patience and grit in embracing a new way of understanding math!

Module 3 Answer Key