Millburn Math Curriculum Focus Points

Orange School District

Mathematics

Grades 3-5

Curriculum Guide

2010 Edition

APPROVED ON:______

BOARD OF EDUCATION

Curriculum and Instructional Services

Operations/Human Resources

BOARD OF EDUCATION 6

Philosophy 4

Vision 4

Purpose 5

Math Focus Points 6

Blueprint 10

Mathematics Curriculum Guide

Grades 3-5

Philosophy

The philosophy upon which the Mathematics Curriculum Guide is to encourage and support the enjoyment of learning mathematics, as a way to make sense of the world in students’ everyday lives. Mathematics is everywhere, from the practicalities of counting, to find easier ways of organizing numbers and data to model and represent daily life experiences. Mathematics involves other disciplines, and is a way in which ideas are communicated, such as in tables and graphs.

Mathematics is developmental by nature. Therefore it is important that should any concerns arise related to mathematics understanding, that this is communicated with the student’s teacher as soon as possible. There are varied approaches used to teach and learn mathematics, which is referred to as a balanced mathematics approach. This includes traditional algorithms to approaching the study of mathematics that have been used for many years, along with newer and varied approaches, to provide multiple representations to model solving a problem.

The study of mathematics provides pathways to higher level thinking skills. As students learn mathematics, specialized terminology assist their development. This enables students to not only learn mathematics in a routine way, but to enable them to become problem solvers in novel situations, able to draw on a repertoire of skills and approaches.

We hope these beliefs will assist students to develop their understanding to use mathematics to make meaning, as well as to promote their critical thinking and development as lifelong learners. The goals are to promote problem-solving, and communication, to foster an understanding of the world, that has a conceptual foundation in the study of mathematics.

Vision

In Orange, we recognize that each student is unique and that the purpose of education is to enable every student to acquire the learning skills necessary to compete in the global community. It is essential that we provide a rigorous, high-quality Mathematics curriculum that allows each student’s talents and abilities to be developed to their full potential.

Purpose

The Curriculum Guide was prepared by teachers and administrators with input from consultants who have expertise in Mathematics. Students and parents are welcome to read, review, and ask questions about the curriculum, to understand what they and their children are learning.

The Mathematics Curriculum Guide is based on an alignment with the New Jersey Core Content Curriculum Standards, and the Common Core State Standards which are a national set of shared standards which adopted by over 30 states. It is also based on national standards shared through the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, which develops agreed upon content at each grade level, referred to as Curriculum Focal Points.

Content was designed with a student development perspective across each grade, as well as a vertical articulation, with spirals learning upward, based on the foundation that is developed. Mathematics is developmental in nature, so that it is important for students and parents to address any learning needs with the student’s teacher as soon as possible.

A curriculum must include assessment, as evidence of learning. Assessments are both formative and summative, and may include culminating projects related to a topic or unit, as well as traditional and standardized testing.

Math Focus Points

Grade 3

Numbers and Operations – Students develop an understanding of multiplication and division, and strategies for basic multiplication facts.

Geometry and Measurement – Students deepen their understanding of linear measurement. Students describe and analyze properties of 2-d shapes.

Process Standards- Students use mathematical processes to solve problems and communicate mathematical ideas. These processes are embedded in the goals above.

·  Listen and apply others’ strategies

Grade 4

Number and Operation and Algebra – Students continue to practice quick recall of multiplication facts. Students develop recall of related division facts and fluency with multi-digit multiplication.

Review Grade 3 Goals:

·  Multiply 2-digit or 3-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers

In addition:

·  Practice recall of basic division facts with cards and games to mastery

·  Divide 2-digit or 3-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers with remainder

·  Understand the meaning of fraction as a unit

·  Notice commonly used fractions as part of a whole, part of a set, and on the number line

·  Know how to order/compare fractions by finding equivalent

·  Read and write numbers up to 1,000,000,000 and decimals to thousandths

·  Understand the units and relative size of numbers up to a billion and decimals to thousandths

·  Do simple calculations with money

·  Describe and extend patterns

·  Understand and apply properties of operations and numbers

·  Use concrete and pictorial models to explore basic concept of functions

·  Understand relationship between two quantities (ex. function machines)

Geometry and Measurement – Students deepen their understanding of linear measurement. Students describe and analyze properties of 2-d shapes.

Process Standards- Students use mathematical processes to solve problems and communicate mathematical ideas. These processes are embedded in the goals above.

·  Listen and apply others’ strategies

·  Understand multiple strategies

Grade 5

Number and Operation and Algebra – Students develop an understanding of and fluency with division of multi-digit whole numbers, and addition and subtraction of fractions and decimals.

Geometry and Measurement – Students describe 2-d and 3-d shapes and analyzing their properties, including volume and surface area.

Process Standards- Students use mathematical processes to solve problems and communicate mathematical ideas. These processes are embedded in the goals above.

·  Listen and apply others’ strategies

·  Understand and connect multiple strategies

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