We are starting a new unit called "Covering and Surrounding." I gave a very short pre-unit assessment yesterday and discovered some who are unfamiliar with concepts and terminology that are foundations of this unit. They must know how to find the area of rectangles, which is Length x Width. The ability to find perimeter is also needed for success in this unit. This is Length + Length + Width + Width or (2 x length) + (2 x width).
The most alarming result of the pre-assessment: many are still struggling with the factors of a number. We will be finding links between area (which is the product of length and width OR the factors that create the area of a rectangle) and the length of the sides. The sides are the factors of the number that is the area. I will be adding refresher problems to each day's bellwork. Being fluent with the factors of a number (or what numbers can we divide a given number by to find whole number quotients), will allow the flexibility of thinking needed in the unit. I will attempt to post examples of student thinking this week. You can check their classwork notes and thinking, as well as their homework notes and thinking.