Math Mammoth Light Blue Series Grade 5-A Worktext

The two books (worktext part A and part B) deal with:

• the four operations with whole numbers
• place value with large numbers and the judicious use of calculator
• problem solving & simple equations
• decimal arithmetic (all operations with decimals)
• statistics and graphing
• fraction arithmetic (all operations with fractions; fraction division is only dealt with in special cases)
• geometry: review of angles, area, and perimeter; drawing circles; classifying triangles & quadrilaterals; volume of rectangular prisms

The fifth grade is time for fractions and decimals, in particular. In part 5-A, we study decimals in depth and with substantial detail. Students also deepen their understanding of whole numbers, learn much more problem solving, and get introduced to the calculator.

The year starts out with a study of whole numbers and their operations. Students get to review multi-digit multiplication and learn long division with two-digit divisors. We also review divisibility and factors from fourth grade, and study prime factorization.

In the second chapter, the focus is on large numbers and using a calculator. This is the first time a calculator is introduced in Math Mammoth complete curriculumthus far, all calculations have been done mentally, or with paper and pencil. I want students to learn to be critical in their use of the calculatoruse it with good judgment. Every exercise where calculator use is to be allowed is marked with a little calculator symbol.

The third chapter is about equations and problem solving. We study simple equations with the help of a balance and bar models. The main idea is to get students used to the idea of an equation and what it means to solve an equation. Students also do a fair amount of problem solving using the visual bar model.

The fourth chapter is about decimals and their operations. It is a long chapter because now is the time to learn decimal operations well. It is assumed that the student already has a solid foundation for decimal place value, as taught in Math Mammoth 4th grade curriculum. That is the true means of preventing common misconceptions, or students resorting to rote memorization of the decimal operations.

In chapter 5 we study graphing in a coordinate grid, line and bar graphs, and average and mode. Today's world has become increasingly complex, with lots of data in the media, so our children need a good grasp of graphs to be able to make sense of all that information.

Chapter 6 is about the addition and subtraction of fractionsanother focus topic for 5th grade, besides decimals. Students learn to add and subtract unlike fractions, using the technique of first converting them to equivalent like fractions.

In chapter 7, we study the multiplication and division of fractions (division only in special cases), relying first on visual models, and then proceeding to the abstract shortcuts.

Chapter 8 takes us to geometry, starting with a review of angles and polygons. From there, students will learn to draw circles, to classify triangles and quadrilaterals, and the concept of volume in the context of right rectangular prisms.