Math Musings
Beginning the Journey
Looking for things to grow your child’s mathematical thinking? You have come to the right place.
K5 Gifted is here to help you support your capable child to advance and grow. We are about to launch our website and Academy. We are providing these Math Musings to help you jump start your child’s journey of thinking like a mathematician.
These Math Musings are beyond the skills of the typical grade level learner. The referenced grade level is designed for a gifted learner. All children can benefit from these musings even if they start at a lower challenge level.
There are five levels of questions. From Kindergarten/1st Grade to 5th Grade. Your child can work and answer a question that is at their current level. Also, they have the opportunity to try higher level questions.
Be sure to come back often to check out future Math Musings and other opportunities for learning and growth.
More Learning opportunities
If your child is asking for more, consider purchasing our challenge math units. Don’t forget to watch for our Academy opportunities that are coming soon.
“Wizard of Oz Math” and “Grimms Fairy Tale Math” are just a few of our products for more challenge opportunities.
I would recommend you investing in a white board and pattern blocks. These are essential tools in the math learning journey.
If you have any questions or comments, please reach out to us via our contact form.
Learning involves Challenge
For these Math Musings and other learning opportunies to be beneficial, your child must have a productive struggle to grow as a math thinker. Make sure they visibly show their thinking. Guessing and clicking is not how to become a math thinker. This means they need to write on a white board or sheet of paper. Be part of the process and make sure they show their work. Remember that parent involvement is crucial for your child to make the most advancement.
Instructions for your child
These are math learning techniques that you should review with your child.
These Musings are meant to challenge your math thinking. Don’t worry if you miss the answer, because there will be more to come.
Pull out a dry erase board or sheet of paper and then use your best reasoning and show how you know your answer.
What does “show how you know” mean? It means to visibly prove your thinking by making a model, writing a math sentence, or another strategy that makes sense to you.
Do not make a random guess. You only get one try, make it your best effort.
Example
Here is a sample question and suggestions on how you could “show what you know”.
Question: There were a dozen wild ducks that flew to the pond. Half of them got into the pond. Half of the ones remaining in the gross ate bugs. How many neither got into the pond nor ate bugs?
Some techniques you could use:
Make a model
Write a math sentence
Another way to solve
#S1 - Smart Quiz Builder
#F1 - FluentForms Quiz
Pause To Ponder!
Which “show how you know” techniques did you use?
Start thinking of strategies for the next Math Musings.