Math Resources
GEOMETRY RESOURCES
http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/protractor.html
In Fourth grade we follow the Read Draw Write (RDW) method for solving and sharing our thinking in word problems. Your child may be familiar with this method from years past, but we have added a few new steps. As we enter into the world of tricky, multistep word problems RDW helps us keep track of our thinking and make sure our answers make sense. We will be tackling a variety of real world application word problems this year that will use a variety of visual models to organize information and a variety of strategies for finding solutions. This method will provide a constant framework that can be applied to all problems to support our problem solving skills. I encourage you to familiarize yourselves with the steps of RDW and push your child to follow them on homework assignments. For an example of a word problem completed using the Read Draw Write method, see the post below.
MODELING OUR THINKING WITH TAPE DIAGRAMS
Quick tips for TAPE DIAGRAMS
* If the problem is comparative (uses more or less than) be sure to model each thing with its own digram, and label them to keep track of which is which. This will be more and more helpful as our problems get trickier and trickier.
* Line up your diagrams vertically so you can easily compare relative sizes.
* Begin to record the important information on your diagrams. Wholes always go on top, parts always go on bottom.
* Label each unknown with a letter that makes sense. Remember to fill in the unknowns on the diagram as you solve to figure them out.
* To find the total of multiple things, draw a vertical bracket to show that you are putting them all together.
* To check your work with estimation, you don't need a whole new diagram. You can add your rounded estimates using the rounding symbol ~ or in parentheses on your original diagram. (Mine are in blue to help them stand out).
* If the problem is comparative (uses more or less than) be sure to model each thing with its own digram, and label them to keep track of which is which. This will be more and more helpful as our problems get trickier and trickier.
* Line up your diagrams vertically so you can easily compare relative sizes.
* Begin to record the important information on your diagrams. Wholes always go on top, parts always go on bottom.
* Label each unknown with a letter that makes sense. Remember to fill in the unknowns on the diagram as you solve to figure them out.
* To find the total of multiple things, draw a vertical bracket to show that you are putting them all together.
* To check your work with estimation, you don't need a whole new diagram. You can add your rounded estimates using the rounding symbol ~ or in parentheses on your original diagram. (Mine are in blue to help them stand out).