grade 4 gifted and talented Mathematics

october/november

december/january

february/march

april/may

Units of
Study

SHAPES Exploring 2-D and

Exploring Fractions

Variables and Equations At

Working with Decimals The

Big Ideas

-Discern characteristics of 2-D shapes

and define them
-Explore relationships among
quadrilaterals
-Compare 3-D shapes by defining and
analyzing characteristics of the shapes
-Explore transformations by translating,
reflecting, and rotating 2-D shapes
-Explore transformations on a coordinate
grid and interpret and plot ordered pairs
-Further explore translations and
reflections using coordinate geometry

-Recognize and generate equivalent

fractions less than 1 using visual models
and algorithms
-Compare and order fractions
-Investigate non-congruent but
equivalent parts of a whole
-Find fractal areas of rectangles
-Add and subtract fractions and mixed
numbers
-Multiply and divide fractions and mixed
numbers

-Explore the difference between

equations and expressions
-Use variables to represent changing
quantities
-Learning about the idea of a variable as
a specific unknown and solving puzzles
-Solve equations for unknowns by
working backwards
-Solve problems with two unknowns using
drawings and guess-and-test
-Writing and solving equations based on
problem situations

-Understand place value of decimals

-Build base ten models for tenths,
hundredths, and thousandths, rename
-Exploring the density property of
decimals, rounding, comparing, and
ordering decimal equivalence
-Estimating, adding, and subtracting
decimals
-Multiplying decimals
-Dividing decimals

The
Standards

Content Standards:
4.G.A.1, 4.G.A.2, 5.G.A.1, 5.G.A.2, 5.B.3,
5.B.4, 6.G.A.3, 7.G.A.3, 8.G.A.3, 8.G.A.3,
4.MD.C.5.a, 4.MD.C.5.b, 6.NS.C.6.B, 6.NS.C.
6.C, 6.NS.C.8

Content Standards:
4.NF.A.1, 4.NF.A.2, 4.NF.A.4, 5.NF.A.1,
5.NF.A.2, 5.NF.B.3, 5.NF.B.4, 5.NF.B.6,
5.NF.B.7, 6.NS.A.1, 4.MD.A.2, 4.MD.A.3

Content Standards:
5.OA.3, 6.EE.A2, 6.EE.A2A, 6.EE.B5,
6.EE.B6, 7.EE.B3-4, 7.EE.B4

Content Standards:
5.NBT.A.2, 5.NBT.A.3, 5.NBT.A.3a, 5.NBT.A.
3b, 5.NBT.A4, 5.NBT.B.7, 6.NS.B.3, 5.NS.C.
6, 5.NS.C.7, 7.NS.A.2, 4.NF.C.6, 4.NF.C.7,
4.MD.A.2, 4.MD.A.3, 6.G.A, 6.SP.B.4,
7.EE.B.3

-Magic Squares
-Origami (Superfrog)
-Fraction Modeling
-Candy Fractions

-Variable Puzzles
-DragonBox, DragonBox2 App
-Magic Number Trick Cards

-Happy Parrots
-Exploring Density
-Tenth Street Playtime (mass gain/loss)
-Decimal Tic-Tac-Toe

Activities
and Games

3-D shapes

-Triple Play with Shapes Card Game

-SET Card Game
-Where in the Stars are You?
-Mira
-GeoShapes Game

Treasures from the Attic

the Mall with Algebra

Tenth Street Pet Sanctuary

Words to
Know

acute, closed shape, congruent, obtuse,

parallel, parallelogram, perpendicular
lines, polygon, quadrilateral, rectangle,
rhombus, right angle, simple shape,
trapezoid, counterexample, equilateral,
regular polygon, cone, cross-section,
cylinder, polyhedron, prism, sphere,
square, vertex, clockwise,
counterclockwise, reflection, refraction,
orientation, transformation, translation,
ordered pair, origin, quadrant, x-axis, yaxis, line of reflection

denominator, equivalent, numerator, unit

fraction, common denominator, improper
fraction, mixed number, proper fraction,
common factor, divisor, greatest common
factor, least common multiple, like
fractions, relatively prime, simplest form,
area model, congruent, linear model,
addends, algorithm, difference, sum,
dividend, product

equation, expression, factor, inverse,

operation, prime number, variable, guessand-test method, organized list,
substitution method

decimal fraction, decimal number, decimal

point, decimal system, hundredth, place
value, tenth, thousandth, density
property of decimals, gram, meter,
estimate, mass, algorithm, area, array,
product, dividend, divisor, equation,
expression, quotient, area

Show how
you know

-Unit Pre and Post Test Rubric

-Venn Diagram
-Class/Group Discussion
-Student Journal Response Rubric

-Unit Pre and Post Test Rubric

-Think Beyond Cards
-Class/Group Discussion
-Student Journal Response Rubric

-Unit Pre and Post Test Rubric

-Create Your Own Number Puzzle
-Class/Group Discussion
-Think Beyond Cards (Orally)
-Student Journal Response Rubric

-Unit Pre and Post Test Rubric

-Designing the Pet Sanctuary
-Think Deeply Responses (Orally)
-Physical/Pictorial Models
-Student Journal Response Rubric

Push-in
Resources

-Choice Menus for Circles, Lines and

Congruency, Geometry Shapes Cube,
Geometry Games Show Menu (push-in)
-Pentominoes Unit (push-in)

-Fraction Enrichment Packet

-Choice Menus for Fractions and
Probability and Statistics
-Fraction Action

-Variables Enrichment Packet

-Choice Menus for Whole Numbers and
Operations
-Keys to Algebra: Operations on Integers

-Decimals and Percents Enrichment

Packet
-Choice Menus for Problem Solving
-Keys to Decimals

-Analyzing Design, quilt design (enrich)

-Action Fractions, Patterns Blocks

(Extend)
-Egg Carton Fractions (extend)
-More Origami (enrich)

-Balanced Equation (extend)

-Algebra Tiles (extend)
-The Variable Machine (extend)

-Im too Big of too Small? (extend)

-Building a Business (enrich)
-Decimal Art (enrich)

-Persisting
-Listening with Understanding & Empathy
-Metacognition
-Thinking and communicating with others
-Convergent Thinking

-Thinking Interdependently
-Applying Past Knowledge to New
Situations
-Divergent Thinking
-Visualizing

-Striving for Accuracy

-Thinking Flexibly
-Analytic/Synthetic/Practical Thinking
-Questioning and Posing Problems

-Creating, Imagining, Innovating

-Remaining Open to Continuous Learning
-Taking Responsible Risks
-Aesthetic Thinking

Extension -Geometric Construction (extend)

and
-Kandinsky Art/Geometry (enrich)
Enrichment -Creating 2-D Blueprints (extend)
Critical
Thinking
and Habits
of Mind

Thinking Mathematically
1) Make Sense of problems and keep trying until you solve them.
2) Understand quantities, their relationships, and how to represent them.
3) Build logical reasons to defend your thinking. Consider reasoning of others and ask useful questions to help make sense of the reasoning. Explain why you
agree or disagree.
4) Use the math you know to help solve problems in everyday life. Use physical models, drawings, tables, graphs, and/or equations.
5) Choose and use the appropriate math tools to help solve each problem.
6) Communicate explanations clearly using correct math vocabulary and symbols.
7) Look closely and use patterns to help solve problems.
8) Notice if you are using the same math again and again and look for shortcuts.
9) Solve a problem in a new way. Ask new questions to investigate.

Sources
Chapin, S., Daily, J., Gavin, M., & Sheffield, L. (2015). Mentoring Mathematical Minds Series. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing Co.
Draze, D. & Leimbach, J. (1995). Enrichment Units in Math. San Luis Obispo, CA: Dandy Lion Publications.
National Council for Teachers of Mathematics. (n.d.) Illuminations: Resources for Teaching Math. Retrieved from: http://illuminations.nctm.org/
Costa, A. L., & Kallick, B. (2008). Learning and Leading with Habits of Mind: 16 Essential Characteristics for Success. Alexandria, Va: Association for Supervision and
Curriculum Development.