Mr. Auer's Class
September
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Welcome to Fifth Grade Everyday Mathematics. It is a part of an elementary school mathematics curriculum developed by the University of Chicago Mathematics Project. Everyday Mathematics offers students a broad background in mathematics.
Students will be using a problem-solving approach based on everyday situations by making connections between their own knowledge and their experiences, both in school and outside of school. The students will learn basic math skills in meaningful contexts so the mathematics becomes "real."
Instead of practice presented in a single, tedious drill format, students practice basic skills in a variety of ways. In addition to completing daily review exercises covering a variety of topics, patterning on the number grid, and working with multiplication and division fact families in different formats, students will play games that are specifically designed to develop basic skills.
Throughout the year students will revisit previously learned concepts and repeatedly practice skills encountered earlier in the year. Your help is essential to the growth of your child. Please look for the Student Math Journal each day your child returns home from school. Assist your child with the assignment given for the day and discuss the concept taught. If no assignment is given on a particular day have your child tell you in detail the lesson for the day. An excellent method for a child to prove they truly understand a concept is their ability to explain it to another person. It will be extremely beneficial to take the time to listen to your child explain the concept taught in class. If your child is having difficulty explaining the concept, you may assist him/her in finding the right words to explain it correctly.
The Everyday Mathematics curriculum is designed to provide continuous
assessment throughout each unit. Students will be observed in daily lessons,
quizzed once or twice a week, and tested upon completion of each unit.
Daily Work/Homework
During a normal lesson, we will be using the Everyday
Mathematics Journal (the book) as a tool to help the students learn new concepts
throughout the year. Some of the
daily work will be completed and corrected in class.
This process allows me to be available to help students as they are
completing their work. Since we are completing some of the work in class, you will
not see homework on a daily basis. Students are encouraged to take their book
home every night to show their parents/guardians the work that was completed
during the lesson. It is at this
time that you, the adult in charge, can monitor the progress your child, offer
further assistance to learn the skill, and contact me if there are any concerns.
Also, on a daily basis, each child should practice the
basic facts for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
As a child begins to learn the facts without counting on fingers, toes,
or in their head, he/she builds confidence that will carry over and benefit
their learning when new concepts are taught.
Many times a child learns a new concept rather quickly, yet becomes
frustrated with incorrect answers due to poor calculation of basic facts.
Also, I have noticed children become frustrated that an assignment may
take much longer than necessary. This
is often because they are counting on their fingers to calculate basic facts.
If the facts are memorized and recalled quickly, the students are able
prove their knowledge of the skill with less frustration.
I have taught the students a “three second method” to learning their
facts. This method is effective and fun. Please ask your child to teach you the method.
Quizzes
The students will be given quizzes throughout each unit
to check their knowledge of particular skills and concepts that are taught on a
daily basis. We usually spend one
to three days learning and reviewing skills that are a part of the curriculum.
Tests
Tests are given at the completion of each unit.
The skills tested match the skills required by the district and are
taught throughout the unit. I will tell your child a few days in advance when the unit
test will be given. You can study
for the test by reviewing the skills taught throughout the unit using the
student book as your guide.
Assignment Book
The assignment book is an excellent tool for communication. At the end of each class period I tell the students the information that should be written in the assignment book. I encourage you to look at the assignment book each night and discuss the skill taught during the lesson. You can use the student book as your guide for your discussion.
I am looking forward to working with your child throughout the school year. If you have any questions please contact me at school 763-420-8888 or send me an email auers@district279.org.
Sincerely,
Mr. Auer
This page was last updated on 06/07/2006 by TK.
(Reset on 9/16/02)