Math Test – Whole Numbers
Grade 5

In LePort math classes, students learn not only mathematical problem-solving skills and procedures, but why those procedures are important and why they work. In this 5th grade math test on whole numbers, students are asked to solve a number of problems using what they have learned about the following topics: place value, rounding, estimation, multiplying and dividing by powers of ten, and order of operations. Additionally, students are asked to articulate what they are doing – giving them practice describing mathematical concepts in words– and explain why those methods work. For example, students are given problems for which they have to estimate answers, and they are asked to explain when and why they would use estimation in their daily lives. Students are given order of operation problems to solve, and they are asked why we even need an order of operations. Lastly, students are asked to solve challenging word problems that require they visually represent each step, while bringing their creative thinking skills to bear in applying all the knowledge they have acquired.