MATH EXPLORER 2

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The Math Explorer II course is designed for students entering Grades 4 in the fall. Students will keep their math skills sharp while practicing deductive reasoning, spatial thinking, as well as critical thinking strategies. Math Explorers will get a chance to review key mathematics concepts participating in a variety of activities to develop logical and critical thinking skills. This course will equip students with mathematical strategies for problem solving using reasoning and pattern-recognition and critical thinking skills. This course will equip students with mathematical strategies for problem solving using reasoning and pattern-recognition.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Identify, add and subtract fractions, mixed numbers and improper fractions
• Solve for the mean, mode, median, and range of a set of data
• Measure and draw angles
• Find the area and perimeter of a shape
• Rounding, compare, order, add, subtract, multiply and divide decimals
• Solve word problems with various strategies.

WHAT HAPPENS IN CLASS

Most classes will be similar in structure allowing for simple, predictable transitions from synchronous to asynchronous mode and vice-versa to minimize confusion. Classes will be using routines to establish consistent engagement through predictable and skills building routines. Part II is focused more on the mastery of concepts and preview of materials in the early concepts of the next grade level, with review of skills that need automaticity. For each class, students should expect to:

• Begin each day with a number sense routine that will be counted as participation.
• Be prepared to discuss homework solutions with the class synchronously (on video) or asynchronously (through online discussion board). It will be counted as participation.
• Take notes based on the direct instruction given whether it be through synchronous or asynchronous means.
• Participate and discuss ideas within whole group and small group environments.
• Work collaboratively with a partner/ partners.
• Complete mathematical critical and creative thinking activities, as directed by the teacher, synchronously and asynchronously.
• Complete an exit ticket with 5-10 practice problems at the end of each day to provide the teacher with valuable feedback on understanding.

Classwork should be completed in a small group, or asynchronously and independently, as directed by the teacher. Classwork will either be online, in document form for printing, or part of a discussion board.

Independent Work

Students should expect to spend 10 - 15 minutes daily on homework. It is essential that students are consistently completing homework for memory consolidation.

TEACHER FEEDBACK

The students will always have access to all of their current grades in the Google Classroom gradebook. In addition, teacher feedback will occur very frequently in the following ways:

• Exit Tickets: After daily grading, the students will receive written feedback on their online quizzes as to why their performance is accurately reflected by their grade.
• Warm-Ups & Notes: Students will either receive an email denoting their weekly participation grade (if it is below an 80%) or an email stating to check the participation grades for the week.
• Classwork: Students will receive feedback on their online classwork as to why their performance is accurately reflected by their grade.
• Quizzes: Students will receive weekly quizzes to assess understanding and will be given feedback for reflection.

ASSESSMENTS

In addition to the pre-assessment and post-assessment to measure student growth, students will have the following assessments:

• Daily Exit tickets - online