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Lisa Ann Dillon is back again today with Singapore Math tips for Level 4! Lisa Ann is our Singapore Math Curriculum Coordinator and is writing a series of articles for us to help enrich our math days at home. Regardless of your child’s math level, we hope the following information will be a good resource for you:
This edition of our Singapore Strategies will be structured differently than previous articles. For Level 4 students, the second half of the year is almost here, and we are concluding book 3B like Bilbo Baggins returning from his journeys and proceeding to book 4A which very easily could be like Frodo on his march towards Mordor if we don't get ourselves ready! I want to spend today looking at the skills needed to succeed as we go forward, while giving you an idea of what concepts will be coming up.
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If you read back through the older posts, you will see a common thread running throughout. Memorize those math facts! Most kids at Level 4 still need work in this area, with all four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division). The previous blog posts on Level 2 and Level 3 provide suggestions if you need guidance on how to accomplish this. In book 4A, this will be our repeated refrain. The challenges posed increase exponentially so having those facts solidly memorized is the number one goal as we begin that book. Take my advice so that it feels like approaching a gentle slope to climb, rather than the Misty Mountains or worse yet – the Mines of Moria!
Here are some of the topics we will cover:
We'll jump right in with large numbers into the millions. If you have Place Value strips, now is the time to pull them out. If not, you may consider making some, or purchasing some for this unit. Using the strips, students can slowly build numbers starting in the thousands and progressing upwards. It also helps to build large numbers, say in the millions, and then take them apart and have students identify the value of each strip Doing a place value review at home before we begin will give your child a leg up. It wouldn't be Singapore Math if we didn't then pull in all the other skills we have learned to date, so expect that with the large numbers.
Place Value Strips
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In chapter 3 we will be learning some trickier concepts and you will find definitions to refresh your memory at the beginning of the chapter. These include factors and multiples, prime numbers and composite numbers. You will see again why students who have their math facts memorized will simply be adding these skills to their tool boxes. Students who struggle with facts will be challenged to understand these new concepts and they might find themselves wishing for a magic ring. You may even sense an Orc or two around the corner on those home school days.
We'll spend a significant amount of time learning about Order of Operations, where again, everything will be pulled from previous units as students learn to multiply, divide, add and subtract sometimes all in the same problem! Where is Gandalf when you need him? Students will learn they don't need magic. Just a few rules to keep their courage up will do.
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From there, we will visit the land of Negative Numbers just as we were finally getting comfortable with those that are Positive. If we survive all of that, we get to work in the very high multiples at multiplication and division.
Some kids will cheer as we come out of that forest into that of fractions. We'll explore mixed and improper fractions. We'll multiply and learn how fractions relate to division. As you can hopefully see, I wasn't exaggerating at the start when I went on about those math facts.
As we reach the end of our mission this year, for a bit of fun, we polish the year off with Geometry. For some students who have strong spatial skills, this unit will feel like a great adventure. Other students will need those manipulatives to help them touch and see the concepts. Base Ten blocks, Unifix cubes, linking cubes and especially Cuisenaire Rods are all good options.
Cuisenaire Rods
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One final note. We have seen great improvement in the skills of students who are willing to work slowly, methodically, and thoroughly. These students are learning to catch their mistakes, recognize when multiple steps are required, and employ the many Singapore Math strategies for making computation easier. I highly recommend emphasizing these traits at home. I believe you will see a bit of magic happen if you guide your student in these ways.
And so let us set off on this great Quest together, math facts in hand as we conquer each unit before us! Oh, and if you don't have Hobbit Fever, and haven't spent your break reading about the Baggins', please forgive me. Now you know what I have been doing for the last several weeks.
As always, please email me with any questions: [email protected]
Thank you again Lisa Ann, for these useful tips to help us on our math journey! Parents, have you tried any other ideas that work well for your student/s? Please comment below and share your math successes.
