2011-2012

Elementary Gifted and Talented Mathematics

Grade Levels: 3 - 5


I. HCS Gifted and Talented Goals:
Goal I: To support the mastery of core areas of learning at a pace, complexity,
abstractness, and depth appropriate for gifted learners.

Goal II: To develop an understanding of concepts, themes, and issues which are
fundamental to the disciplines as well as society and to develop an appreciation for
interrelationships among the disciplines.

Goal III: To develop inquiry skills at a level of complexity, abstractness, and depth
appropriate for gifted learners.

Goal IV: To develop the skills of critical thinking, problem solving, and decision-making
at a level of complexity, abstractness, and depth appropriate for gifted learners.

Goal V: To develop proficiency in communicating abstract and complex ideas,
relationships, and issues.


II. Materials/Textbooks:
South Carolina Mathematics Curriculum Standards
Mentoring Mathematical Minds

Mentoring Mathematical Minds Scope & Sequence
Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5
Unraveling the Mystery of the
MoLi Stone: Place Value and
Numeration (numbers and
operations) In this unit students
explore our numeration system in
depth.
Awesome Algebra: Looking for
Patterns and Generalizations
(algebra) In this unit students are
encouraged to study patterns and
determine how they change, how
they can be extended or repeated,
and/or how they grow. They then
move beyond this to organize the
information systematically and
analyze it to develop
generalizations about mathematical
relationships in the patterns.
Digging for Data: The Search
Factors, Multiples, and Leftovers:
Linking Multiplication and Division
(numbers and operations) With an
emphasis a deeper understanding
of multiplication and division,
students encounter a range of
different problem situations and
representations, learn about the
relationship between multiplication
and division and the properties
associated with these operations.
At the Mall with Algebra: Working
with Variables and Equations
(algebra) Students represent and
analyze mathematical situations
using algebraic symbols and in
doing so they come to understand
the basic notion of equality and
equivalent expressions. They learn
Treasures from the Attic: Exploring
Fractions (numbers and operations)
The focus of the entire unit is on
making sense of fractions rather
than on learning algorithms to
perform computations.
Record Makers and Breakers: Using
Algebra to Analyze Change
(algebra) Students learn about
algebra as a set of concepts tied to
the representation of relationships
either by words, tables or graphs.
They also learn about algebra as a
style of mathematical thinking for
formalizing patterns of change.
They extend their notion of variable
from a letter in an equation that
represents a number to a more
broad definition, that of a quantity
2011-2012

Within Research (data analysis and
probability) In this unit on data
analysis, students explore the world
of the research scientist and learn
how gathering, representing, and
analyzing data are the essence of
good research.
Whats the ME in Measurement All
About? (geometry and
measurement) In this unit on
measurement, students are actively
engaged in the measurement
process and connect it to their own
personal worlds.

how variables are used to represent
change in quantities and also to
represent a specific unknown in an
equation.
Analyze This! Representing and
Interpreting Data (data analysis
and probability) Students learn
what categorical data are and how
to represent and analyze
categorical data using new, more
sophisticated ways.
Getting Into Shapes (geometry and
measurement) Students explore 2-
and 3-dimensional shapes with a
focus on their properties,
relationships among them and
spatial visualization.

that varies or changes.
What are Your Chances? (data
analysis and probability) Students
begin their exploration of
probability as a measurement of the
likelihood of events.
Funkytown Fun House: Focusing on
Proportional Reasoning and
Similarity (geometry and
measurement) Students explore
ratio as a comparison of two
quantities. Students also explore the
relationship between congruence
and similarity




III. Assessments and Grading Scale:
Assessments Grading Scale
Daily Assignments Unit Projects
Homework Check-Ups/Quizzes
Class participation
Think Deeply questions
Comprehensive unit tests

100-93 A
92-85 B
84-77 C
76-70 D
Below 70 F