Grade 5 Mathematics
Newton Public Schools
The goal of the mathematics program in the Newton Public Schools is for all students
to understand mathematical concepts and procedures; to be able to apply procedures,
concepts, and processes to the solution of challenging problems in a variety of school,
home and work settings; and to prepare students for continued study of mathematics
and fields that require the use of mathematics.
We continue to use Everyday Mathematics as our core text, having eliminated topics that
are no longer content expectations in Grade 5, according to the 2011 Massachusetts
Curriculum Framework for Mathematics. Two units of study from Contexts for Learning
Mathematics and activities from Understanding Numbers have been incorporated in order
to deepen students’ understanding of multiplication, division, place value and fractions.
Mathematical practices students will use in fifth grade include:
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Making sense of problems and persevering in solving them;
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Reasoning abstractly and quantitatively;
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Constructing viable arguments and critiquing the reasoning of others;
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Modeling with mathematics;
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Using appropriate tools strategically;
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Attending to precision;
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Looking for and making use of structure;
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Looking for and expressing regularity in repeated reasoning.
In fifth grade, instructional time will focus on three critical areas: (1) developing
fluency with addition and subtraction of fractions, and developing understanding of
the multiplication of fractions and of division of fractions in limited cases (unit
fractions divided by whole numbers and whole numbers divided by unit fractions);
(2) extending division to 2-digit divisors, integrating decimal fractions into the place
value system and developing understanding of operations with decimals to
hundredths, and developing fluency with whole number and decimal operations; and
(3) developing understanding of volume.
Newton Public Schools
Office of K-8 Mathematics
Elementary Back to School Nights
September 2014
Content Emphasized in Grade 5 Mathematics
Fifth grade students develop a broad background by learning concepts and skills in
all content strands. The fifth grade mathematics curriculum emphasizes the
following content.
Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Write and interpret numerical expressions, including the use of grouping
symbols; generate numerical patterns and analyze their relationships.
Number and Operations in Base Ten
Use place value understanding to explain patterns in the placement of
the decimal point and the number of zeroes in the product when
multiplying and dividing by powers of ten; add, subtract, multiply, and
divide decimals to hundredths using models and strategies based on
place value and the relationships between operations.
Number and Operations with Fractions
Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators by using equations
and visual models; use benchmark fractions to assess the reasonableness
of results; interpret a fraction as the division of the numerator by the
denominator; apply and extend previous understandings of
multiplication and division to multiply a fraction or whole number by a
fraction; interpret multiplication as scaling.
Measurement and Data
Convert among different-sized standard measurement units within a
measurement system; understand concepts of volume and relate volume
to multiplication and addition; make a line plot to display a data set of
measurements in fractions of a unit; given a set of data, find the mean,
mode, median, maximum, minimum, and range.
Geometry
Graph points on the coordinate plane to solve real-world and
mathematical problems; classify two-dimensional figures into categories
based on their properties.
Newton Public Schools
Office of K-8 Mathematics
Elementary Back to School Nights
September 2014
A Typical Mathematics Lesson
Build number sense
and basic skills
through
Mental Math,
Home/Study Link
follow-up, and Math
Messages
Introduce and
present the
lesson of the
day
Practice and review
skills using
Math Boxes,
Math Journals
support materials,
games, extensions,
readiness activities,
Kathy Richardson
activities, and
ELL support
Getting Started
Warm-up
Activities
(< 7 minutes)
Independent Work
Work with Partner
Whole Class
Whole Class
Mini-lesson
(< 15 minutes)
Meeting the Needs
of
All Students
Independent Work
Work with Partners
Teacher Directed
Small-Groups
(between 35- 40 minutes)
Wrap Up and Home Link
(< 5 minutes)
Newton Public Schools
Office of K-8 Mathematics
Elementary Back to School Nights
September 2014
For More Information . . .
Websites
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Everyday Mathematics authors at the University of Chicago have developed an
excellent website for parents - Everyday Mathematics Resource and Information
Center - everydaymath.uchicago.edu/parents. Information about the research basis
for Everyday Mathematics routines is included along with family letters, homework
help, a math glossary and a list of grade-appropriate literature with math themes.
Note: At this time we do not subscribe to Everyday Mathematics Online.
The complete text of the 2011 mathematics framework can be downloaded from
the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website:
www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/current.html.
More information about units of study from Contexts for Learning Mathematics can be
found at www.contextsforlearning.com.
More information about materials from Understanding Numbers can be found at
http://mathperspectives.com/pub_un.html.
Study Links
Homework often comes as a Study Link. Each Study Link includes a Family Note,
which describes the day’s lesson and suggests ways to help your child complete the
homework task(s). If you need more information about a specific Study Link, check
the “Help with Home & Study Links” section of the Everyday Mathematics website.
The Student Reference Book
Students all have access to the Everyday Mathematics Student Reference Book for fifth
grade. Topics in the book include directions for all the games played in fifth grade;
essays on each strand of mathematics, which provide definitions, examples, a few
practice problems, and review of topics from previous years; data tables for use with
projects, and a glossary.
Newton Public Schools
Office of K-8 Mathematics
Elementary Back to School Nights
September 2014