Math is everywhere!

Students are reviewing some geometry concepts from earlier grades while introducing and expanding on others. 

In Fourth Grade Everyday Mathematics, students used a compass to construct basic shapes and create geometric designs. In Grade 5, your child are extending these skills and exploring concepts of congruent figures (same size, same shape), using a compass and straightedge. 

In addition, students are using another tool, the Geometry Template. It contains protractors and rulers for measuring, as well as cutouts for drawing a variety of geometric figures. 

Finally, students are exploring the mathematics and art of tessellations—patterns of shapes that cover a surface without gaps or overlaps. Students are using math tools to create their own designs. 

You can help your child by asking questions about information presented in newspaper and magazine tables and graphics. Also, the world is filled with many 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional geometric forms: angles, line segments, curves, cubes, cylinders, spheres, pyramids, and so on. Many wonderful geometric patterns can be seen in nature as well as in the things that people create. It will be helpful for you and your child to look for and talk about geometric shapes throughout the year.