We are excited to begin Unit 2 in 4th Grade Math! During this unit, students will build on their understanding of place value and operations as they begin working with multi-digit multiplication and division.

This unit is an important step in developing students' ability to solve larger, more complex problems while also explaining how and why their strategies work.

✏️ What Are We Learning?

Throughout Unit 2, students will work on:

• Multiplying multi-digit numbers using place value and different strategies.
• Understanding what happens to the value of numbers when multiplying by tens, hundreds, and thousands.
• Using models, equations, and strategies to solve multiplication problems.
• Solving multi-digit division problems and understanding what division means.
• Connecting multiplication and division as inverse operations.
• Using estimation to decide whether an answer is reasonable.
• Solving multi-step word problems involving multiplication and division.
• Explaining mathematical thinking using numbers, pictures, models, and words.
• Checking solutions and thinking about whether an answer makes sense.

🧠 It's About More Than Getting the Answer!

One of our biggest goals is helping students understand why a strategy works.

Instead of simply asking:

"What's the answer?"

Try asking:

💬 "How did you solve it?"
💬 "Can you show me another way?"
💬 "How do you know your answer is reasonable?"
💬 "What does this number mean in the problem?"
💬 "Could you use multiplication to check your division?"

These questions encourage students to think like mathematicians and explain their reasoning.

🏠 Math You Can Practice at Home

You don't need a worksheet to practice multiplication and division! Try using everyday situations:

🛒 Shopping:
"If 4 packages cost $6 each, about how much would we spend?"

🍎 Sharing:
"We have 48 apples and want to put them equally into 6 bags. How many apples go in each bag?"

🚗 Distance:
"If we drive 75 miles each day for 4 days, about how far will we travel?"

🍕 Cooking:
"If one recipe serves 6 people and we need to serve 24 people, how many times would we need to make the recipe?"

🎲 Make It a Game:
Give your child a multiplication or division problem and challenge them to solve it two different ways.

⭐ A Helpful Reminder

Students may use strategies that look different from the traditional multiplication or division algorithms that adults learned in school. That's okay!

We are working on developing number sense and understanding, so students may use drawings, arrays, area models, partial products, place-value strategies, equations, or other methods before moving toward more efficient standard procedures.

The most important question is:

"Can you explain why your strategy works?"

Thank you for continuing to support your mathematician at home! Your encouragement, questions, and willingness to let your child explain their thinking make a huge difference in building confidence and strong mathematical habits.

We are looking forward to a great Unit 2!

➕ Math: 4th Grade Math

We will be using i-Ready Classroom Mathematics as we begin our first 4th grade math unit. Our first unit focuses on whole numbers, including place value, comparing numbers, rounding, addition, and subtraction.

What will we be learning?

Students will work on:

• Understanding place value through the millions place
• Understanding the relationship between the values of digits in different places
• Writing numbers in standard, word, and expanded form
• Comparing multi-digit whole numbers using >, <, and =
• Rounding whole numbers
• Adding and subtracting multi-digit numbers
• Explaining and defending their mathematical thinking
• Solving real-world word problems

A major goal this year is not just getting the correct answer, but being able to explain HOW we know an answer is correct.

🏠 Math at Home

You do not need a worksheet or textbook to practice these skills! Try incorporating math into everyday activities.

Place Value:
Pick a number you see during the day and ask, “What is the value of the 7 in this number?”

Compare Numbers:
Have your child compare two numbers and explain which is greater and how they know.

Rounding:
Use prices, distances, populations, or other numbers and ask your child to round them to the nearest ten, hundred, or thousand.

Addition & Subtraction:
Let your child help calculate totals, differences, or change while shopping.

Math Talk:
Most importantly, ask your child, “How did you figure that out?” Encouraging children to explain their thinking is one of the best ways to strengthen mathematical understanding.