Fourth Grade Math Help
Fourth grade math is a pivotal year in math education. Students begin, for the first time, to deal with math in a theoretical way that leaves them with division problems with remainders and fraction equations with unlike denominators. Anyone with a working knowledge of math can aid a fourth grader with any areas that they struggle with provided they have the right tactics and they focus on the appropriate math concepts to guarantee the student's success
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Determining Curriculum
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When setting out to help someone in the fourth grade with math, the first thing to be determined is the exact curriculum that they are being taught. This can be acquired in a number of ways. You can contact the child's teacher to receive a list of topics and a timeline through which they will be covered. If this is impossible, most states have the guidelines and teaching standards for each grade posted on the state's Department of Education (DoE) website. Search for "fourth grade math" on the specific state's DoE website that you are interested in.
Common Currriculum
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Fourth grade math skills usually include the mastery of estimation past the thousands digit, an understanding of time and money and how to add and subtract it, basic word problems that may involve more than one step, multiplication with two-digit numbers, long division with a remainder, addition and subtraction with decimals and fraction with like denominators, basic geometric identification (angles, shapes, etc.), and reinforcement of existing skills into automaticity. This may vary by area, so familiarity with local math standards is necessary.
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Order of Help
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Many skills necessary to be successful in the fourth grade build on skills that are learned in earlier grades. For instance, the introduction to multiplication usually occurs in the third grade. The knowledge of multiplication tables in an automatic way is necessary for success in fourth grade and later math. It will greatly speed division, multiplication and comparing unlike fractions by allowing mental math to take the place of more arduous pencil and paper tactics. The use of timed tests and flash cards is highly successful in training students to learn the times tables.
Using Manipulatives
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A manipulative is any item that a student can touch and move to in math. Common manipulatives include fraction tiles that are proportionally sized for each fraction, number cubes for counting, and dry erase boards. When using manipulatives, allow students to play with them for a few minutes before beginning work to allow the distraction to diminish. At this age, students have a low attention span. Thus, keeping them engaged with items serves a dual purpose: maintaining their focus and engaging a different part of their brain to make math physical and applicable rather than completely theoretical. Manipulatives can be used in multiplication, division, fraction comparison and geometry lessons.
Patience
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Although true for many younger grades when teaching them math, it is especially true that fourth grade math helpers needs special patience. Students will be introduced to many large concepts (adding time, three-dimensional shapes, dividing with a remainder just to name a few) that they will need to master in a relatively short amount of time. If they are already struggling in math, these problems will quickly snowball. Thus, pinpointing weak spots and fixing any gaps in a student's education is the first priority that will make any and all fourth grade math help a success.
Resources
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If you are unsure about how to do any aspect of fourth grade math or do not know how to explain it to the student, a large number of worksheet and education resources are available online by either searching for the concept in question or simply entering the phrase "fourth grade math" into any search engine. Further, do not be afraid to utilize the student's teacher for additional support.
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References
- Photo Credit math image by jaddingt from Fotolia.com
