Author Archives: Roy Johnston

Todays lesson reviewed some of the finer points of order of operations. We also looked at various different division and multiplication symbols.

Today we resumed skill 12 – using the order of operations to simplify numerical expressions. We analyzed two expressions to find the errors and compared expressions and equations. In some classes we also conducted a thinking routine (connect, extend, challenge) to help think through this topic and connect it to prior learning.

Today we practiced another strategy to do word problems: Read the question three times. 1. What is happening in this story? (In one or two words, what is this about?) 2. What do I know? (Circle, write down, and draw what you know) 3. What does the question want me to show? (Underline the question,Continue reading “How to do word problems: “3 Read” method”

Hi! No new content today. We practiced multiplying by powers of ten (Eureka sprint part A), reviewed homework expectations, practiced division, and practiced order of operations. Individual work time was for Zearn, conference, and finishing work in process.

Unit 4 is all about learning the standard algorithm for multiplication and division of whole numbers. We will come back to these skills when we apply the standard algorithm to division of decimals. Skills: Lessons: Extra practice: Download extra practice questions

Please find below resources for extra practice, arranged by Unit. These questions are past STAAR questions which have been publicly released.

Today’s lesson takes a closer look at two types of grouping symbols: parentheses and brackets. We learned that we always start by solving the operations which are inside the parentheses.

Math homework has two parts: a weekly homework packet due Friday and a daily Zearn lesson, Monday through Thursday. Homework packets: Students should complete the weekly homework packet (provided in class, with an electronic copy below). Each homework packet covers work we have completed in class and should take about 30 minutes to an hourContinue reading “Homework”

Today we begin Unit 5 in which we learn how to complete mathematical operations in the correct order. To start, we had some fun with the “Gold Trading Story” to discover the importance of correct order of operations. We then spent some time learning about the order of operations and ways to remember it. WeContinue reading “Unit 5: the order of operations”

In this last part of our week on division, we are introducing the concept of using a variable (or letter) to represent an unknown in an expression (a number sentence). This is the start of more formal algebraic concepts and a cool milestone! We also looked at examples of variables in our daily lives.