Calculating the volume of rectangular prisms is a new skill that is introduced in 5th grade. Students will apply mathematical formulas to find the volume of different kinds of figures and also determine the volume of a figure composed of two connected rectangular prisms. Learners will also work with other kinds of measurement when they make larger or smaller versions of figures (to scale) and learn to convert measurements.

In this 5th grade division unit, students will take their understanding to the next level by applying division skills with multi-digit numbers. Students will also begin to explore division with decimals and practice using estimation to check the reasonableness of their answers. Last, students will use their knowledge of the base ten number system to divide decimals by base ten exponents (i.e. .4 ➗ 104).

Understanding data and graphs is a critical skill that we use on a regular basis to read news articles, reports and other media to interpret information. In this unit, students investigate data collection, data organization and visual representation in different kinds of graphics (i.e. line plots, pie charts). Learners also apply concepts of probability and statistics to analyze data.

Representing data on graphs makes math visual and involves some creativity and design. Plotting data using fractional units takes their learning one step further. Also in this unit, students learn to measure using both traditional units (like inches, feet and yards) and metric units, and how to convert measurements within each system. The concept of measurement gets two dimensional when students explore measuring and working with angles.

This geometry unit engages students in analytical thinking as they learn about the properties of two dimensional figures and consider the different ways they can be sorted based on those properties. Students also learn to plot points, lines and shapes on a coordinate graph.

If you think about math as a language, expressions and equations are the sentences. This unit brings students into the world of “math language”, learning how to write complex expressions in different forms and convert numbers in one form to another (i.e.decimals to fractions). Last, students will apply the order of operations to interpret and solve simple algebraic equations.

Multiplication is essentially repeated addition, or growing numbers by doubling, tripling, quadrupling, and so on. This unit presents mental models and strategies that help students learn and review the concept of multiplication. Students explore multiplication using arrays, partial products, doubling methods and the standard algorithm to solve numerical and word problems. Students will multiply whole numbers and simple decimals by base ten exponents (i.e. .3 x 103).

Students will have a basic understanding of fractions coming into 4th grade. In this unit students will get to explore new ways of representing fractions, including in a set of data, on number lines and using area models. Students will use their knowledge of fractions to compare fractions with like and unlike denominators.