Math Mammoth Grade 5-A Worktext is the student book for the first half of grade 5. This student worktext contains both the necessary instruction and the problems & exercises (the 'text' & and the 'work'; thus a "worktext") and is fairly self-teaching. This is the full-color version of the 2023 edition. Please note: The worktext does not include the answer key. The answer keys for grade 5 are sold in a separate book.
The main areas of study in the grade 5-A worktext are:
- the four operations with whole numbers
- place value with large numbers and the judicious use of calculator
- problem solving & simple equations
- decimal arithmetic
- graphing and the coordinate grid
The year starts out with a study of whole numbers and their operations. Students get to review multi-digit multiplication and learn long division with two-digit divisors. We also review divisibility and factors from fourth grade and study prime factorization.
In the second chapter the focus is on large numbers and using a calculator. This is the first time a calculator is introduced in Math Mammoth complete curriculum-thus far all calculations have been done mentally or with paper and pencil. I want students to learn to be critical in their use of the calculator and use it with good judgment. Every exercise where calculator use is to be allowed is marked with a little calculator symbol.
The third chapter is about equations and problem solving. We study simple equations with the help of a balance and bar models. The main idea is to get students used to the idea of an equation and what it means to solve an equation. Students also do a fair amount of problem solving using the visual bar model.
The fourth chapter is about decimals and some of the operations with decimals (the rest will be studied in chapter 6). Fifth grade is the time when students learn all the basic operations with decimals. In this chapter we focus on place value with decimals addition and subtraction of decimals and multiplication and division of decimals by whole numbers. Multiplying decimals by decimals and dividing decimals by decimals is covered in chapter 6.
In chapter 5 we study graphing in the coordinate grid line graphs and average. Today's world has become increasingly complex with lots of data presented in the media so our children need a good grasp of statistical graphs to be able to make sense of all of that information.
Features
- Math Mammoth focuses on conceptual understanding. It explains the "WHY" so your children can understand the math not just learn "HOW" to do it.
- The curriculum is mastery-oriented. This means it concentrates fairly long on a topic delving into its various aspects. This promotes conceptual understanding as opposed to spiral curricula that often tend to jump from topic to topic too much.
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Very little teacher preparation is required.
- The curriculum has no separate teacher's manual nor is it scripted. The introduction to each chapter has some notes for the teacher concerning the material in the chapter. All the instruction is written directly to the student in the worktext and there also exist accompanying videos where you can see Maria herself teach the material.
The curriculum meets and exceeds the Common Core standards.
