MATH MESSAGE
4TH GRADE
MATH
Unit 1: Place Value, Rounding, and Algorithms
for Addition and Subtraction
Math Parent Letter
The purpose of this newsletter is to guide
parents, guardians, and students as students
master the math concepts found in the St.
Tammany Public Schools’ Guaranteed
Curriculum aligned with the state mandated
Common Core Standards. Fourth grade Unit 1
teaches Place Value, Rounding, and Algorithms
for Addition and Subtraction. This newsletter
will address concepts found in Unit 1, Lessons
11-12, Multi-Digit Whole Number Addition.
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Words to know
Algorithm - a process or set of rules to be
followed in calculations
Bundling, renaming, regrouping, trading
- exchanging 10 ones for 1 ten, 10 tens for 1
hundred and so on
RDW –Read, Draw, Write Strategy for
problem solving
Sum – An answer to an addition problem
Tape Diagram – A visual model using
rectangles to show the relationship between
numbers.
Variable – A symbol for an unknown
number. It is usually a letter like y or x.
Objective of Lessons 11-12
 Use place value understanding to fluently
add multi-digit whole numbers using the
standard addition algorithm, and apply the
algorithm to solve word problems using tape
diagrams.
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Solve
multi-step
problems
using the
Using
Place
Value word
Charts
to Compare
standard addition algorithm modeled with
Numbers
tape diagrams, and assess the
reasonableness of answers using rounding.
How you can help at home?
 Encourage your child to explain their
mathematical thinking by drawing a
diagram or picture that links to their
addition problems.
 Practice multiplication facts to increase
fluency.
Lessons 11-12
Multi-Digit Whole Number Addition
Composing using Place Value
It is important that students understand how to
compose smaller units into larger units.
5+6=11: We bundle or compose 10 ones as 1
ten. We draw an arrow to the tens place and
put the new ten in that place.
In the tens place we add 5 tens+7 tens+10
tens=13 tens. Again, we bundle 10 tens as 1
hundred and draw an arrow to the hundreds
place. We put the new hundred in that place.
Understanding the Addition Algorithm
Students will be asked to solve multi-step word
problems involving the estimation and addition
of numbers into the millions. Students will need
to explain the reasonableness of their answer.
These problems are designed to give ample
practice with the addition algorithm. It is
expected that they master the algorithm by the
end of 4th grade.
From 2010 to 2011, the population of Queens
increased by 16,075. Brooklyn’s population
increased by 11,870 more than the population
increase of Queens.
a. Estimate the total combined population of
Queens of Queens and Brooklyn from 2010 to
2011. (Round the addends to estimate.)
16,075 ≈ 16,000
11,870 ≈ 12,000
28,000 is the
total combined population.
b. Find the actual total combined population
increase of Queens and Brooklyn from 20102011.
c. Determine if your answer in (b) is reasonable.
Use your estimation from (a) to explain.
My answer of 27,945 is reasonable because 27,945
rounded to the nearest thousand is 28,000 which was
my estimate.