Math Foundations IV

  • Year-long
  • Lower School
  • Grades 4+
  • T/W/Th 1:00 p.m., T/W/Th 10:30 a.m.

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If sections and pricing don’t appear, email [email protected] and we’ll help you enroll.

Placement Process One critical factor for restful learning is the proper placement of students. If you are unsure which level is the best fit for your student, reach out to the instructor you are considering. Once registered, anticipate contact regarding placement evaluations from instructors by May 15th and throughout the summer. Students must be enrolled to enter the placement process. Early placement exams may allow time for tutoring or additional review based on the outcomes. See more about placement evaluations in our Student-Parent Handbook.

Math Placement Process For registered students, please anticipate contact regarding placement evaluations from instructors by May 15th and throughout the summer. Students must be enrolled in a math course to receive a placement assessment. Math classes have a detailed and specific placement process. Learn more about the math placement process

Watch the math placement process video with our department chair, Dr. Fransell Riley.

See the Math Scope and Sequence.

Foundational Math IV is a vital year for math students. It is the year they master multi-digit operations and fractions. Both of which are essential components of their mathematics foundation. Students who master fractions are ready to prevail in Algebra and beyond. The study of fractions is also one of the major causes of math anxiety. Notwithstanding, student mastery of them needs to be both broad and deep. Thus, this course is the perfect opportunity to partner with us in setting your student on a solid path.

Students will continue developing arithmetic skills, including: place value to one-million, operations on multi-digit numbers, fraction equivalence, operations on mixed numbers, fraction multiplication, intro to decimals, metric units, lines, angles, and polygons. Students will use printed manipulatives to develop a concrete understanding of these concepts. Students will be provided opportunities to see math as more than problems on paper. They will develop a sense that mathematics can utilize and expose patterns, in nature and manmade, by learning to identify these patterns and how to translate them into the language of mathematics. They will complete portfolio projects that deepen their understanding of the concepts, appreciate the role of mathematics in God’s creation, and lead them to explore real-world applications of mathematics. Throughout the course, students will be led to see mathematics in the world around us through patterns.

Experience The teaching of a new concept opens with a brief review of previously covered content. This review connects the previous lesson to the current lesson. The premise of the current lesson is presented via a question or idea. The students now have a puzzle or idea that they want to explore. As we delve deeper into answering the question at hand, we begin to discover the new mathematical concept. We use our prior knowledge and intuition to uncover a new truth about mathematics. Once this truth has been uncovered, we begin to work examples; first as a class and then as individuals or in groups (if a volunteer room mom is available). As our understanding of the concept deepens, we extend our knowledge base to include specific cases or situations that lead to minor adjustments in the truth that we have uncovered – thus expanding the truth. We use a variety of methods to uncover new truths. The most frequent method is a Socratic-style discussion that the entire class participates in. A discussion takes place that reveals the relevance of this truth in our mathematical studies or our daily lives (real-life application).

Watch a Math Classroom Experience with Joelle Riethmiller and sample Scholé Mathematics with Dr. Fransell Riley.

Delivery Each teacher has a unique presentation style in delivering the aforementioned experience. Sometimes the teacher leads the discussion using questions; following the example set by Socrates.. Sometimes a problem is presented and the students take the lead in finding a solution based on extending previous knowledge. Sometimes students participate in a hands-on activity to discover new truths. Sometimes a short lecture or presentation is required, however, we aim to minimize lecturing, especially before high school. 

Methodology Students continue to study the new truth and deepen their understanding of it via homework, classwork, projects, and assessments. Since our classes do not meet 5 days per week, students must spend time studying the concepts outside of class. This also helps students grow in their ability to think and work math concepts independently which is required for future math classes. For this reason, we ask that parents minimize the assistance that students are given on assignments. If a student receives an A on an assignment, it should be a true indication of their independent ability as the teacher interprets this A as independent mastery.  Review assignments or classroom review activities are utilized to assist students with opportunities to retain or improve their mastery. Assessments are directly or indirectly cumulative and serve as an opportunity to deepen their learning. Assessments are not meant to be a regurgitation of previous homework assignments.

Preparedness Students who are adequately prepared to take this course will have mastered (can work independently without prompting):

  • Place Value and Decomposing Numbers
  • Understands Multiplication Arrays
  • Round numbers to nearest ten
  • Multiply Up to 10x10 at a fluency of 20 problems per minute
  • Add Up to 10 + 10 at a fluency of 20 problems per minute
  • Subtract Up to 10-10 at a fluency of 15 problems per minute
  • Solve one-step addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division word problems
  • Identify Quadrilaterals
  • Perimeter and Area of Rectangles
  • Complete Fact Families (? x 2 = 14 and 14 / ? = 2 - What is the missing number?)
  • Fraction Models, Compare Fractions, Locate Fractions on a Numberline
  • Fractions equivalent to ½
  • Complete a pattern of numbers
  • Use the Distributive and Associative Property

How to Enroll

  1. Explore our courses!

    First, read the available course descriptions, noting prerequisites, target grades, and course objectives. If you think your student is prepared for the course, go ahead and register. After registration, a placement assessment may be provided to students, depending on the course and the student’s previous enrollment with Scholé Academy. Registration is finalized when the student’s placement assessment has been returned by the course instructor with placement confirmation.

  2. Double-check the course section dates and times.

    Make sure they don’t conflict with other activities in your schedule or other courses you are purchasing. Our system will not catch double-bookings!

  3. You’re ready to add course selections to your cart!

    Our Assistant to the Principal will be in touch with you after your enrollment to help you with next steps, including any placement evaluations that may be required for your course selections.

    This registration will be finalized when the student’s placement assessment has been returned by the course instructor with placement confirmation.