Lower School - Fifth Grade Mathematics
Fifth Grade Everyday Mathematics emphasizes the following content strands:
Numeration – Reading, writing, and comparing negative numbers, fractions, whole numbers through billions, and decimals through thousandths; reading, writing, and interpreting whole-number powers of 10; translating between exponential and standard notation; understanding and identifying prime numbers, composite numbers, and square numbers.
Operations and Computation – Using paper-and-pencil algorithms to add, subtract, multiply, and divide multi-digit whole numbers and decimals; using mental arithmetic to compute exact answers and to estimate; rounding from billions to hundredths; translating among fractions, decimals, and percents; prime factoring; converting between fractions and mixed numbers; adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with unlike denominators; finding least common multiples and greatest common factors; multiplying and dividing fractions.
Data and Chance – Comparing probabilities for different outcomes; comparing theoretical and experimental probabilities; expressing probabilities as fractions, decimals, and percents; drawing justifiable conclusions from data; displaying data in more than one way; formulating a question, carrying out a survey or experiment, recording data, and communicating results; drawing and interpreting circle graphs and stem-and-leaf plots; understanding measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode).
Geometry – Constructing a circle with a given radius or diameter; defining and creating tessellations; measuring and drawing angles, including reflex and straight angles; identifying and defining right, isosceles, and equilateral triangles; plotting points in four quadrants; using translations, reflections, and rotations; solving perimeter, area, and volume problems; understanding the relationship between the volumes of cones/pyramids and cylinders/prisms; finding the surface area of a cube and the area of a circle; identifying angle relationships in triangles and in quadrilaterals.
Measurement and Reference Frames – Measuring and estimating length, area, volume, weight, and capacity; converting and computing with common units of measure; creating scale drawings.
Patterns, Functions, and Algebra – Evaluating simple algebraic expressions; finding rules for patterns; finding the nth term in a sequence; solving simple open number sentences and simple rate problems; working with equations by doing the same thing to both sides; understanding simple direct proportion; using variables and equations to represent situations; graphing ordered pairs; translating among verbal, numerical, and graphical representations.
Within these content strands, Everyday Mathematics emphasizes:
• A problem-solving approach based on everyday situations that develops critical thinking.
• Mathematical communication, including understanding and evaluating the mathematical thinking and strategies of others.
• Frequent practice of basic skills through ongoing program routines and mathematical games.
• An instructional approach that revisits topics regularly to ensure full concept development.
• Activities that explore a wide variety of mathematical content and offer opportunities for students to apply their knowledge.
Leadership
Self-awareness – Students set individual math goals. They demonstrate and explain their own problem-solving methods.
Academics – Students must explain their thinking orally and in writing.
Coaching/Mentoring – Frequent games, partnerships, and working with Falcon Friends
Reading – Each unit begins with a literature selection which encourages students to find a mathematical connection (e.g. The Greedy Triangle).
Adversity/Challenges/Opportunities – Timed facts quizzes; daily math messages.
Leadership Observation – The class studies the mathematical thinkers who are represented among the Leader Portraits.
Experience Leadership/Community Service – Field trips provide students with the opportunity to observe math in many different contexts.
