This class is the first half of a full year of fifth grade math.  Part 2 is the second half of a full year of fifth grade math. This class is most appropriate for students at a fifth grade level in mathematics.

In this 16 week course focusing on the first half of fifth grade math, students will explore place value, multiplication, division, the order of operations, performing all operations with fractions, decimals in the thousandths place, complex yet real life word problems involving all operations, interpreting data, unit conversions, and geometry including using coordinate planes.
 
This course focuses on gaining and recognizing which strategies to use while working at the pace best for each group of students.  Students try to generate their own strategies before being shown old and new style math approaches.  Each class focuses on the strategies that work best for each particular group of students.

Each class meeting follows the schedule/flow below:

Mathematician Minute
*Go over homework
* Confidence building exercise

Fractions:
*Students will multiply and divide fractions and will also understand the reasoning behind each process.  This is done by using diagrams and having students create visual models.

Decimals and Units:
*Students will practice writing and interpreting decimals.  The focus of this course will be decimals in the thousandths place.
*Students will focus on multiplying and dividing decimals.
*Once students are comfortable with multiplying and dividing decimals, students will begin working on converting units to different units of measure. 

Puzzles:
*This portion of the class will be used to solve numerous word problems.  Students will learn how to extrapolate data from the word problems and then work together to solve the problems.  The word problems studied are complex, real world problems involving multiple operations.
*This is also the time when we explore visual puzzles, geometry puzzles, and riddles.  This is almost every students favorite part of the class.  

Geometry:
*Students will begin exploring coordinate planes.  First, students learn the terminology used with coordinate planes and how they work.  Once that information deems foundational, the class will move on to plotting points on the coordinate plane. 
*Once students understand the information above and can answer questions about it, the class will move on to creating and interpreting coordinate planes with data.

Young Entrepreneur Game:
*This is a single round of one game played throughout the 16 weeks.  
*Students learn about entrepreneurship by playing a game throughout our entire 16 week class.  Students learn about money management, investments, financial risks, starting businesses, credit, and running businesses by playing a game where they make choices to hopefully have the most "money" at the end of the class.  Students use their Math Notebook to record how much money they have. 
*This is NOT merit based participation, meaning students do not earn a turn at the game. Everyone gets to play.

Mathematician Meeting
*Our class ends with our meeting where I introduce students to their (very easy, self guided) homework assignment by giving explicit instructions and then modeling to the students exactly how to complete their homework.  Instructions for all homework assignments are also always posted in our OS classroom. Homework can include creating a geometric drawing using a coordinate plane, writing an explanation/teaching a stuffed animal how to divide, or measuring an item in the house and converting the units. Optional homework will be assigned from the Scholastic Workbook below in every class.
*Each class ends with our Math Motto.  I tell the students I believe in them and ask them if they believe in themselves.  This is used throughout our classes as a confidence building technique.