This week is round 2 of CMAS testing. We will be testing for ELA. Monday and Friday will be our normal schedules.  In ELA we are still working through Module 9.  In Math we are working on Decimal Division.  In the afternoons on testing days this week we will be doing a fraction and geometry workshop during social studies and science. I will be doing Fractions for both sections of 5th grade and Ms. O'Leary will be doing Geometry for both sections of 5th grade.   

We start the CMAS in math and science this week. Testing days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Testing starts in the morning first thing so have your students at school on time.  The Math CMAS will be given first, then we will administer the Science  CMAS for 5th grade only.   In the afternoon, on testing days, Ms. O'Leary and I will be teaching ELA classes to each section.  Monday and Friday in ELA and Math will be skill review days. 

 

In math, students will be continuing working on long division in Chapter 6.  If your student needs extra practice, they can always access Skills Trainer on Big Ideas on-line.  Long Division depends on multiple operations to complete the algorithm.  Division, Multiplication, and Subtraction are all components of completing the algorithm.  Students need to have a solid foundation of multiplication in order to be successful.  

 

 

We will continue to explore Chapter 6 and this week look at how multiplication and division are related. We will be using place value to find quotients. Last week we explored how Long Division is also repeated subtraction.  We discussed what division is: sharing equally, distributing equally, grouping, finding what each one gets, and reverse of multiplication. By the end of the week, we will be dividing multi digit numbers by 1 -digit using several visual models.

Wahoo! Yahoo! On the last math test (Chapter 5) all 22 students showed improvement from the pre-test.  It was so exciting to see so much growth. Celebrating growth is what Westgate is all about.  The children worked hard and are showing a lot of grit and resilience in learning how to multiply decimals. Well done!

 

Next week, we are starting our long division chapter 6.  If you are wanting to help your students succeed, having them know their multiplication facts by heart is the best way. So many times, the students understand the process (which is very important, too) but they do not calculate accurately because they do not yet have their math facts memorized.  We will begin memorizing division facts, as well. If they know their multiplication facts, they can do their division ones!

We will complete Chapter 5 in Big Ideas this week. After some review, students will take a test on Thursday. Decimal multiplication has been the topic of this chapter. I sent home a practice sheet for students to work on. This is not required.

We completed section 5.4 and 5.5 on Big Ideas Math - Multiplication of Decimals. This week we will continue to strengthen multiplication skills of decimals 5.6 and 5.7. 

We will finish up module 5 which we started before break. 

Our Learning Target

Use models to multiply decimals. Success Criteria ● Use a model to represent a decimal. ● Use a model to multiply decimals.

 

This week we will complete Module 5 which is multiplying decimals. Module 6 will be about Long Division.

➗ Math

In Math, we will review Chapter 4 concepts in Big Ideas. 🔢📘

Students will take the Chapter 4 test on Wednesday, December 10. This will be the last test for the 2nd Quarter. 🎯📊

Dear Families!

 

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to help guide your children through this important phase of their lives.  Each one of your children brings a special gift to share with our community.  I am so grateful for landing at Westgate Community School. As I reflect on all that I am grateful for this season, I always think of those who do not find themselves in a warm embrace surrounded by friends and family with a delicious bounty of food to share.  I hope that each of you feels valued and loved this holiday season.  I can't wait to see your students back at school in a week to continue all the amazing learning we have been doing. There is so much gratitude to share.  If things are rough for you right now, please know that I care deeply and would love to help if you need it. Blessings to all.  

 

Happy Thank-ful Celebration,

Ms. Tanya Muftic

Math This Week: Multi-Digit Multiplication

In math this week, students will continue building their multiplication skills as they learn to multiply multi-digit numbers by two-digit numbers. This is a big milestone in upper-elementary math, and we’ll be breaking it down step-by-step to ensure everyone feels confident and successful.

🎯 Learning Target
Students will learn how to multiply larger numbers by using efficient strategies and organized methods.

✅ Success Criteria
By the end of the week, students will be able to:

• Multiply to find partial products

• Regroup accurately when needed

• Add partial products to find the final product

We will use visual models, place-value strategies, and plenty of hands-on practice to help students see how multi-digit multiplication works and why the steps make sense. It’s a challenging skill, but with practice, students begin to feel empowered and proud of what they can accomplish!

Last week, students designed and created their very own PEMDAS Potato Pals! 🥔 Some students presented their “pals” to the class on Friday, and we’ll continue with presentations on Tuesday. It was wonderful to watch the focus and creativity students brought to their work — each “pal” was a unique and imaginative expression of a very important math concept: the order of operations.

I can’t wait for you to see your child’s PEMDAS Pal! Be sure to snap plenty of photos — these clever creations won’t last forever (rotting potatoes can be quite stinky!).

This week, we’ll continue with Chapter 4 in Big Ideas Math, focusing on multiplication strategies and problem-solving. Students will build fluency while connecting conceptual understanding to real-world applications.

This week, we are diving deeper into multiplication and division with decimals and whole numbers. Students will strengthen previously learned skills and expand their understanding through manipulatives and visual models.

On Thursday, we’ll launch a special math project: PEMDAS Potato Pals! Students are designing their own “Order of Operations” Potato Heads—Math Mr./Mrs. Potato Heads who always get dressed in the correct order from head to toe. 🥔✨
Each student will need one large russet potato for the project. Get ready for PEMDAS POTATO PALOOZA 2025!