5 th Grade AMP Back to School Night

Meeting Agenda 8:10-8:20 1. What is Connected Math and the Factor Game. 2. Connected Math Overview 3. Math Binders 4. Homework Policy and Help 5. Website 6. Assessment 8:20-8:30 1. Questions and Concerns

What is Connected Math? Connected Math is a cumulative math program with a focus on real world connections and applications. Students explore math algorithms and articulate their understanding, constructing their own learning.

How is Connected Math Different from other Math Instruction? Math is often taught using a model in which the teacher gives the student information and the student practices using the information that the teacher explained to her. For example:

Example Teacher: “A factor of a number is one of two whole numbers multiplied to get a product. 5 X 7 =35, so 5 and 7 are factors of 35. What are the other factors of 35?” Student: “The other factors of 35 are 1 and 35 because 1 X 35 = 35.” Teacher: “Good, a prime number is…”

The Factor Game as an Example The Factor Game serves as an example of how students construct their own learning, think mathematically, and use technology in the AMP classroom. Factor Game code amd-1101www.phschool.com

Connected Math Overview Connected Math consists of 8 cumulative units: 1. Prime Time – Factors and Multiples 2. Bits and Pieces – Fractions, Decimals, and Percents 3. Shapes and Designs – 2-D Geometry 4. Bits and Pieces II – Fraction Operations 5. Covering and Surrounding – 2-D Measurement 6. Bits and Pieces III – Computing with Decimals and Percents 7. How Likely is It? – Probability 8. Data About Us – Statistics Each unit is split into 3 or 4 Investigations. On top of these units we do intense review of the topics covered by the math PSSA and introduce algebraic concepts

Binders Each student has a math binder with five sections: problems, homework, assessment, journal, and glossary. All problems, homework, and assessments for each unit will be kept in the math binder until the end of a unit. At the end of a unit, students will compile a “Best of the Best” collection of the 5 or 6 pieces of work they are most proud of. This work will go into a math portfolio. “Best of the Best”“Best of the Best”

Homework My goal is for homework to take about 20 minutes per night. There are “Must Do” problems for every student. Students then have a choice to complete either the “At Bat” problems, which are for extra practice from that day’s activity, or the “Challenge” problems, which are enrichment. Example from last week

Website Connected Math Website Connected Math Website (accessible from our classroom website) Connected Math Website Homework Help Test/Quiz Review Math Games

Assessment The purpose of quizzes and tests in this classroom is for students to affirm their understanding of mathematical concepts and to inform me of how well I conveyed the information. Test scores of below 80% must be corrected to improve scores after a review of the test with the teacher. Scores above 80% may also be improved. All assessments will be kept in the student’s math binder until the end of the unit, at which point they will be added to the B.O.B. or returned to the teacher. I provide study guides for all unit tests and most quizzes. Students are expected to study.

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What’s Next 6 th Grade: 7 th Grade Connected Math End of 6 th Grade: Assessment 7 th Grade: 8 th Grade Connected Math OR Algebra 8 th Grade: Algebra or Geometry High School: Level 1 Geometry/Algebra II, Level 1 Pre-Calc with Trigonometry, AP Statistics, AP Calculus