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

In this 16 week course focusing on the first half of fourth grade math, students will explore place value, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, word problems involving all operations, factors, multiples, and geometry.
 
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:

Mathmetician Minute
*Go over homework
* Confidence building exercise

Fractions and Decimals
*Students will build on their basic knowledge of fractions and begin performing operations between fractions.  Mutliplitcation is introduced first, then division, then addition and subtraction.  
*We will use this portion of the class to learn about and study decimals.  
*This is a very beginning introduction to what decimals are including how fractions relate to decimals.

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.  Addition is covered first, then subtraction, then multiplication, then division.

Number Party
*Place value studies will take place during this portion of the class.
*Finding factors and multples will be explored using numerous strategies. 

Geometry:
*Students will begin identifying the different types of trianlges and interior angles.
*Students will also learn how to measure angles.
*Students will also explore numerous ways to convert larger units of data to smaller units and then back to the larger units.

Young Entrpeneur Game:
*This is a single round of one game played throughout the 16 weeks.  
*Students learn about entrepeneurship by playing a game thorughout our enite 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.

Mathmetician 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 practicing their 6 facts or counting by 10's while doing a midline activity, or explaining to a stuffed animal what a right angle is. 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.