Problem Solving and Advocacy

The 5th grade class has been moving toward developing efficiency while solving division problems.  Our goal will be to solve problem solving tasks that include 2-digit divisors and 4 digit dividends while maintaining an efficient strategy.  Over the course of the next week we will continue to work toward this goal, but will also incorporate the use of remainders into the problem solving approach.  Students will be asked to consider the "leftovers" as part of the problem solving task.  As part of our work 

The 6th grade classes are shifting our focus to a unit on rates and ratios.  This week we will be focusing on writing rates as a unit rate with our initial explorations revolving around the amount of item each person will receive for a given situation (amount per person).  

Both groups will also be reflection over the next few weeks on perseverance while problem solving and self initiative and advocacy.  The focus for these topics will be beyond simply skills in mathematics, but instead grapple with how students initially attach a problem and work through challenges and questions as they arise.  We will be using rubrics and journal reflecting on these topics throughout they year.  Look for more on these topics throughout the year.  

Depth of knowledge for both the 5th and 6th grade in math facts is crucial to opening up the brain to explore more in depth mathematical topics.  I have pointed toward xtramath.org as a simple springboard for developing these basic skills.  If your student seems to be struggling here let me know, and we can come up with a plan for success.  As always, let me know if you have any questions at eeley@wwsu.org 

-Eric