As you are aware from the parent letter that went home recently, the students are now engaged in
the fractions unit, entitled Bits and Pieces II. We began this unit with a review of place value, equivalent
fractions, and decimal and percent equivalence for benchmark fractions. Then, we moved into learning
how to add and subtract fractions. Students began by estimating sums of fractions and moved into
developing a specific algorithm that could be used for all addition and subtraction of fraction problems.
We have discussed the need to keep work neat and organized while computing with fractions. Students
also are being encouraged to show all work and steps. Some students are reluctant to show their work,
preferring to "do it in their heads." Many students are realizing that careful, organized work tends to be
much more accurate. Our fractions unit is typically the most challenging of all the math units in 5th
grade TAG. A BIG thank you to Mrs. Merwin (Madeline's mom) for coming into our classroom every day
to help out with math. It's great having two teachers in the room.