The most important part of mathematics teaching at all grade levels is the development of problem solving skills. In fifth grade, students build on information they learned in third and fourth grade about the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division and their relationships. The Virginia Mathematics Standard of Learning5.4 (Feb 2009) states that “the student will create and solve single-step and multi-step practical problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with and without remainders of whole numbers”. Below I have included several resources which books, websites and other helpful resources, that can be used when teaching this SOL.
GREAT BOOKS TO USE WHEN TEACHING THIS TOPIC:
Written by Greg Tang and illustrated by Harry Briggs
In this book, Greg Tang shows readers creative strategies to use in solving a variety of math problems by using patterns and combinations of numbers.
SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS FOR ALL!
Written by Marilyn Burns and illustrated by Debbie Tilley
This book is about Mr. and Mrs. Comfort who decide to have a family reunion. Thirty two guests are coming to the reunion. Mr. and Mrs. Comfort must decide how to seat their guests. Students can practice their division skills with this book as Mr. Comfort bakes 16 loaves of bread and rolls 96 meatballs for the 32 guests.
MATH POTATOES – MIND STRETCHING BRAIN FOOD
Written by Greg Tang and illustrated by Harry Briggs
This book includes mind-stretching riddles and creative ways to solve them by grouping numbers rather than memorizing formulas.
Written by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith
This book begins with the teacher telling her class that they can think of almost everything as a math problem. From that point on one student acquires a math anxiety which becomes a real curse.
Written by Malba Tahan and illustrated by Patricia Reid Baquero
This book is a series of tales in the style of the “Arabian Nights”, but revolving around mathematical puzzles and curiosities.
FIVE GREAT WEBSITES FOR KIDS TO EXPLORE AND PRACTICE THIS TOPIC:
1. “MATH HOOPS”
http://www.mathplayground.com/mathhoops_Z1.html
This website provides word problems using whole numbers. Problems range from single step addition to multi-step equations. There are also problems with remainders. When students answer five questions correctly they are given the chance to play some basketball.
2. “CAMERON’S TRIP”
http://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/WebLessons/CameronsTrip/default.htm
This website gives students practice at multiplication and division by solving real-world problems.
3. “MATH STORIES WITH LEON”
http://www.iknowthat.com/com/L3?Area=WordProblems
Students solve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division word problems through math stories with Leon the Chameleon.
4. “ARE YOU A MATH MAGICIAN?”
http://resources.oswego.org/games/mathmagician/maths1.html
This website provides students two levels of practice with the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Students can practice the operations individually or mixed.
5. “MIGHTY MATH CALCULATING CREW”
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/mmath/mmath_knack.html
This is a multiplication activity from Harcourt School’s Mighty Math Calculating Crew, in which students are asked to solve multiplication problems that require regrouping.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
1. “Be a Mathematician”
http://www.beam.co.uk/freeresources.php
This website provides an expansive selection of free resources for math for children ages 3 – 13. It also provides information on the latest research, through discussion papers and articles, regarding different topics in mathematics.
2. “Dr. Mike’s Math Games for Kids”
http://www.dr-mikes-math-games-for-kids.com/fifth-grade-math-games.html
This website provides an array of math problem solving game resources for fifth grade.
3. “Mental Mathematics”
http://eduref.org/Virtual/Lessons/Mathematics/Arithmetic/ATH0014.html
This link is to a lesson plan on teaching students how to do mental mathematics. This lesson shows students how to mentally come up with answers to problems without using pencils, paper or calculators.
4. “About.com: Mathematics”
http://math.about.com/od/wordproblem1/ss/gr5wp.htm
This website provides several word problem worksheets that are specific for fifth grade.
5. “Math Stars Newsletter”
http://community.learnnc.org/dpi/math/archives/MathStarsG5.pdf
This is a link to a math problem-solving newsletter provided by the North Carolina State Board of Education. Newsletters are provided for grades 1 – 8 and are available to download as PDF files.