Math Curriculum by Grade Level
First grade math is designed to build understanding and provide practice to develop a wide variety of math concepts. Your child will participate in activities and games and discuss his or her findings in class. Students will be exposed to challenging practice problems and problem solving questions to help broaden their thinking skills and extend their understanding of concepts.
First graders focus on:
- Building problem-solving skills and strategies.
- Counting, comparing, and writing numbers to 100.
- Adding and subtracting 1-digit and 2-digit numbers.
- Classifying and sorting shapes and patterns.
- Measuring length and weight.
- Using calendars, time, and money.
In second grade we enrich and extend the understanding of basic operations. Students are introduced to multi-digit addition/subtraction operations. We also introduce fractions and extend concepts related to the making of change. We present the concept of multiplication and division using manipulatives.
- Numbers and Operations: Counting, place value, comparing numbers, order and pattern, representing and identifying fractions.
- Operations and Computation: Addition and subtraction using mental math, adding and subtracting to 1,000, real-world problems using bar models, multiplication and division concepts, estimation and rounding, adding fractions with like denominators.
- Measurement and Reference Frames: Measuring length, mass and volume, telling time, counting money, temperature.
- Data and Chance: Data collection and tables, picture graphs, line plots.
- Algebra, Patterns, and Functions: Number patterns, skip counting, fact family relationships in addition and subtraction, number bonds.
- Geometry: Lines and surfaces, patterns, plane and solid figures.
Third grade Math in Focus curriculum focuses on problem solving, reasoning, communication, connections and structure, and representing and modeling mathematics.
- Numbers and Numeration: Whole number place value; money; fractions.
- Operations and Computation: Addition and subtraction; addition and subtraction of money; multiplication and division; word problems.
- Measurement and Reference Frames: Length; perimeter; time.
- Data and Chance: Data collection and representation; data analysis.
- Algebra, Patterns, and Functions: Visual patterns; number patterns; number sentences and equations.
- Geometry: 2-dimensional shapes (polygons); symmetry, congruence: points, lines, and angles.
In fourth grade, students work on multiplication and division of multi-digit numbers using algorithms (problem-solving procedures). Students also learn how to represent parts of a whole through fractions and decimals. Students use model-drawing strategies, such as bar models, to solve complex word problems and develop algebraic thinking. They also learn how to present their mathematical thinking, as well as work together in pairs and groups.
- Number and Operations: Place value to 100,000, fractions, decimals, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, estimation, mental math.
- Algebra: Numeric and non-numeric patterns, number theory, functional relationships, number sentences and equations.
- Geometry and Measurement: Lines, angles, 2-dimensional shapes, congruence, symmetry, coordinates, perimeter, area.
- Data Analysis: Tally charts, bar graphs, picture graphs, tables, line graphs, mean, median, mode, range, probability.
Students in fifth grade begin to address more complex mathematical concepts by reviewing and building on previously gained knowledge. Students apply a deeper level of thinking (comparison, analysis, and synthesis) to understand how to solve problems. Many students participate in the state-wide Math Masters competition.
Units of study include:
- Numbers and Numeration
- Operations and Computation
- Measurement and Reference Frame
- Data and Chance
- Algebra, Patterns, and Functions