How to Explore Math in Grade 4
Fourth graders are on a path of self discovery. They start looking inwards and develop unique learning styles. Their growing independence helps them explore mathematics. Math in fourth grade covers arithmetic of whole numbers, place value concepts, fractions, decimals and measurements. Students learn basics of probability and continue with averages and basic statistics. They learn to estimate a scale and create line and bar graphs as opposed to simply interpreting them. Geometry in Grade 4 focuses on points, rays, lines, angles, polygons, solids, congruency and similarity. Pick each topic and make a connection with its application in the real world.
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Instructions
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Review place values using blocks of tens, hundreds and thousands. Use square-ruled or graph paper to work with place value problems. Give your students populations of countries and ask them the value of the 10,000th place, for example. Give them examples where large numbers are used, such as for measuring distances in space.
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Have the students practice whole number arithmetic through simple word problems that give a picture of applications in everyday life. Teach the students to estimate the answers first. Provide enough practice of large number additions and subtractions, multiplication with 2 or 3 digit numbers and simple division with one-digit divisors. Practice division with remainders. Use math manipulators if required.
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Cut circles and strips using construction paper to review fractions. Explain equivalent fractions using the favorite pizza example. Have the students practice basic fraction arithmetic with like denominators. Quiz your students with practical word problems.
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Introduce fourth graders to decimal values, and use square bars and sheets to demonstrate the concept behind them. Explain a tenth, hundredth, thousandth and ten thousandth portion of a whole. Have them practice identifying the place values after the decimal point and basic decimal addition and subtraction. Solve money problems, and play money games.
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Review customary and metric units of measurement. Challenge your students with practical word problems requiring conversions between units.
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Introduce ordered pairs of integers and their significance as points in a two-dimensional plane. Teach the students to plot a graph using ordered pairs. Review graph interpretations, and as added challenge, ask them to draw a graph given a set of sample figures. Explain the concept of interval on the X and Y axes.
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Introduce the chance factor and probability using a color wheel. Play a probability game and point out its application while rolling dice or spinning a wheel to play games. Teach students how to compute averages. Tell them that meteorologists use average rainfall of a region to study the climate.
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Turn your math class into a drawing class when it is time for geometry. Practice identifying and drawing segments, rays, lines, angles and polygons. Have students identify perpendicular and parallel lines. Review solid figures and introduce congruent figures as those identical in shape and size. Explain lateral moves and rotations of figures and its relevance to congruency.
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References
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