*ESL/EFL Friendly! (I have a Master's Degree in TESOL, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
*Free 10-week subscription to IXL Math included! (IXL is the world's most popular subscription-based learning site for K–12 and offers unlimited math practice problems with meaningful, up-to-date tracking on your child's progress.)

This session is part of a larger series titled, A Comprehensive Year of 5th Grade Mastery Method Math. Taken as a whole, this will offer a full year's worth of math at the general 5th grade level--focusing on all aspects of, and operations with fractions. The course will also cover basic Pre-Algebra concepts (solving for the unknown) and Geometry (area and circumference of circles) and an introduction to decimals and percents. This is a Mastery approach to math--each concept will be demonstrated, explained and practiced in a meaningful, in-depth way to achieve full understanding before moving on and connecting to the next topic. This approach is ideal both for students who love math and want to take a deep dive into each concept, as well as anxious math learners who get easily overwhelmed by jumping quickly between concepts and prefer to take their time to fully learn and understand each concept. In both cases, the mastery method can build confidence, create a positive math identity and set students on a trajectory of math success. Because of the small size of this class, I will be able to give each student the individual attention needed to ensure mastery. This course is geared towards the 5th grade student, but because the mastery method builds on previously internalized concepts and skills, specific age or assigned grade level is not as important as the prerequisite foundations of mathematical understanding. 

**Specifically for this class, students should come with a solid number sense for whole numbers and performing basic operations (adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing) on single and multi-digit numbers.  If you have questions about your learner’s placement level, please contact me. 

In this first 8-week session, we will begin by using concrete models of equal sharing to gain a deep understanding of what fractions really mean. We will then use this understanding to develop strategies for finding equivalent fractions, comparing fractions and adding and subtracting fractions with both like and unlike denominators. Each week we will cover one topic over three days, following this pattern: 1) visual, interactive introduction using real world connections; 2) guided, group and individual practice; 3) review work, including previously mastered concepts such as multi-digit multiplication or finding perimeter and area,  so that understanding stays fresh and further connections can be made. (See below for the full weekly outline of topics).

I want my students to feel fully engaged in the learning process--to find meaning, confidence (and yes, even joy!) in mathematical problem solving. To make math fun and engaging, I will be presenting lessons through interactive slides, which will include clear visual representations, virtual manipulatives, and connections to math in the real world. Additionally, I will be using applications such as Nearpod (nearpod.com) to create further opportunities for students to engage with the material and with one another. Activities will include collaborative idea boards, typed or drawn responses, polls, matching games, quizzes and embedded games. These activities provide not only engagement and fun for students, but also give me as the teacher the opportunity for ongoing, informal assessment. Furthermore, the ability for me to share student answers anonymously can help those students who feel uncomfortable or anxious answering questions verbally. We will end each class with a short review game on either Blooket or Gimkit. Students love these engaging games, often not realizing how much math skill practice they're getting while trying to catch fish or capture the flag!

*For students needing additional support in reaching mastery of a topic, I will be offering tutoring sessions each week, available by the ½ hour.

First Day of Class: Introductions, ice breakers, general math, practice using Google Classroom and Nearpod
Week 1 : Fractions of a Number
Day 1: Using concrete model (equal sharing of small snacks) to introduce fractions as dividing into equal groups and connecting it to written fraction form
Day 2: Practice identifying and calculating fractions of numbers 
            Review Work & Word Problems: Perimeter of a rectangle and word problem strategies

Week 2: Fractions of One
Day 1: Using concrete model (Equal sharing of a whole, such as a pan of brownies) to represent and identify fractions of one, introduction of math words numerator and denominator
Day 2: Practice matching visual representation of a fraction with it’s written form
            Review Work & Word Problems: Perimeter of a square

Week 3: Adding and Subtracting Fractions with the Same Denominator
Day 1: Using visual models to add and subtract with like denominators 
Day 2: Practice adding and subtracting written form fractions with like denominators
            Review Work & Word Problems: Perimeter of a triangle

Week 4: Equivalent Fractions
Day 1: Slicing models (pizza, cake) into smaller pieces to demonstrate equivalent fractions
Day 2: Practicing drawing visual representations of equivalent fractions and identifying missing numbers in written form equivalent fractions
           Review Work & Word Problems: Multiplying 2- and 3- digit numbers (place value)

Week 5: Adding and Subtracting Fractions with Different Denominators
Day 1: Using equivalent fractions to find common denominators for adding and subtracting unlike fractions (slicing models into equal numbers of pieces)
Day 2: Using overlays (slicing models) to add and subtract unlike fractions in written form
            Review Work & Word Problems: Rounding to the nearest ten and hundred

Week 6: Rule of 4 (Multiplying to get common denominators for adding and subtracting fractions)
Day 1: Connecting concrete slicing models to the Rule of 4 algorithm
Day 2: Written practice using Rule of 4 algorithm to add and subtract unlike fractions
            Review Work & Word Problems: Rounding and estimating to check multiplication answers

Week 7: Comparing Fractions
Day 1: Using slicing models and overlays to compare fractions
Day 2: Practice using Rule of 4 to compare written form fractions 
            Review Work & Word Problems: Division with fractions as remainders

Week 8: Adding Multiple Fractions
Day 1: Discovering the 3 strategies for adding multiple fractions using concrete models and visuals
Day 2: Choosing a favorite strategy to practice adding multiple fractions in written form
            Review Work & Word Problems: Long division with fractions as remainders