Welcome to Chatham Middle School for the 2015­2016 school year! I’d like to introduce myself. In this unit, the focus is on the properties of whole numbers, especially those related to multiplication and division. Students will learn about factors, multiples, divisors, products, prime and composite numbers, common factors and multiples, the Distributive Property and Order of Operations. They will discover the key properties of numbers and use them to solve problems. Please visit the district website math page for ​
Unit Goals and Concepts​
. In your child’s notebook and online here you can find worked out examples, notes on the mathematics of the unit, and descriptions of important vocabulary words. You can help with homework and encourage sound mathematical habits by asking questions such as the following: ●
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Will finding factors or multiples help you solve the problem? How can you find the factors of a number? How can you find the multiples of a number? What are the common factors and common multiples of the number? How does the order of operations help you solve the problem? How can you use the Distributive Property to write a number as equivalent expressions? As part of the assessment for the unit, your child may be asked to do a project. An example of this might be “My Favorite Number.” As students work through the unit, they apply their knowledge and understanding to create projects that include everything they have learned about their chosen number and its properties. The Standards of Mathematical Practice​
are developed throughout the curriculum. In this unit, students are developing the ability to construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others, while using their understanding and vocabulary to justify their own conclusions to classmates. During this unit: ●
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Ask your child to explain the Order of Operations and why it is important. Complete homework problems with your child, intentionally taking incorrect steps, and have your child identify your mistakes and communicate the correct process. The ability to communicate mathematical thinking is equally as important as their ability to complete mathematical tasks. Thank you for all of the help and support you provide at home! District/Class Resources: Reflex Math​
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https://www.reflexmath.com/​
All CMS Students have received login information. Math XL: ​
Students will take a diagnostic test to determine areas of needed support. Factors Quizzing​
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http://www.thatquiz.org/tq­r/math/factors/ Connected Math 2 Extra Practice and Examples: ​
http://goo.gl/FeCaxH Games that support this unit: Monkey Drive​
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http://goo.gl/3DFhCC Fruit Shoot​
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http://goo.gl/STe9y Khan Academy Videos that support this unit: Prime Numbers: ​
https://goo.gl/SlQVQV Finding Factors: ​
https://goo.gl/frlU2Q Distributive Property ​
https://goo.gl/ne6uuW