During September, our class reviewed math concepts, completed the PRIME numeracy test (which identifies strengths and needs in the area of number sense) and began to move forward with the Grade 5 and 6 math program. We are currently finishing up our first major math unit, which deals with large numbers and decimals.
Our math program follows the Simcoe County District School Board’s Course of Study. The Course of Study summarizes key principles and learning expectations in the Ontario Mathematics Curriculum and provides a teaching sequence, timeline, and list of tools and lesson resources needed to cover the expectations.
This is a sample of the Grade 5 Course of Study Overview
and the outline for Unit 1.
There are similar documents for Grade 6.
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At the beginning of each topic in our regular Grade 5 and 6 math program, students complete a diagnostic test assessing how well they remember the math concepts they learned in prior grades. Guided Math Groups are created based on the results of the diagnostic tests. These groups meet once a week.
Review, through small group Guided Math and Guided Math homework, makes it easier for each student to build upon his/her knowledge during our regular Grade 5 and 6 math program. The resource for Guided Math is Dr. Marion Small’s Leaps and Bounds: Toward Math Understanding for Grades 5/6.
After completing the weekly work with his or her group, each student may use any additional time during our weekly Guided Math period to play math games.
These are the math books, games and enrichment activities
available in our classroom.
Here are some of the 15+ math games that are stored in the green bin (above).
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Our daily Grade 5 and 6 math lessons follow a three-part lesson format. It includes:
- A “minds-on” activity that serves to review a familiar math concept or introduce a new one;
- A lesson and opportunity for partner- and independent-practice;
- An opportunity for the class consolidate understanding by discussing new insights gleaned from the lesson. Consolidation sometimes includes creating a note, in the form of a definition, rule or procedure that students copy into a math journal, for future reference.
Resources for our daily Grade 5 and 6 math lessons are listed in the Board’s Course of Study. They include “Nelson Math,” “The Super Source Math Resource” and the Ontario Ministry of Education’s “Guides to Effective Instruction in Math, Grades 4-6.”
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From time-to-time, each student is asked to answer a math question on a piece of paper called an “exit card.” Exit cards indicate how well each student has understood a particular math concept that we have been studying. Students who have difficulty answering the question, or who ask for additional assistance, are offered extra tutoring.
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HERE ARE SOME MATH RESOURCES YOU CAN USE AT HOME
- Nelson Math 5 Student Centre:http://www.math5.nelson.com/studentcentre/studentcentre.html
- Nelson Math 5 Parent Centre:http://www.math5.nelson.com/parentcentre/parentcentre.html
- Nelson Math 6 Student Centre:http://www.math6.nelson.com/studentcentre/studentcentre.html
- Nelson Math 6 Parent Centre:http://www.math6.nelson.com/parentcentre/parentcentre.html
- Math Frog website:http://www.mathfrog.ca
Thank you for visiting the class, via our BLOG. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to e-mail me: mblack@mail1.scdsb.on.ca or to add a comment to this page.