The Magic Elementary School, Chestnut Hill, MA

February 20, 2024

We have a
technology
update in
our class…
read more!

Dear parents,
We have some exciting news in our 4th grade classroom… we are
starting to use 2 new mathematics-based websites to enhance
your children’s learning in our math class! We will be using both
Khan Academy and Splash Learn on a regular weekly basis to
promote stronger understanding of key math concepts. These two
websites provide lots of practice with the math we are learning on
Rational Numbers. Implementing interactive technology such as
math websites in our classroom will provide your child with a wide
range of tools, opportunities to practice, and personalized
curriculum to further their math learning. These websites provide
multimedia learning, where your child can watch instructional
videos, play games, do practice questions, and more, which are
beneficial and effective strategies for your child to expand their
knowledge base around Rational Numbers. These multimedia
tools also reach a wide range of learners. The active engagement
of your child that is required while using these tools promotes
stronger comprehension and understanding of Rational Numbers.
Even more, your child will be able to not only practice their math
skills in school, but also at home using these websites! I am so
excited for our class to start using these awesome tools! Feel free
to email me at [email protected] with any questions!
❤️, Ms. Frizzle
 Splash Learn
Splash Learn is an interactive mathematics
website suitable for children in preschool through
5th grade. This website is teacher-designed, offering
engaging ways for students to learn key math
concepts. In our classroom we will be zooming in on
the units around Rational Numbers: fractions and
decimals. For 4th graders specifically, this web
program aims to extend their understanding of
fractions and their decimal notations. This website
has a 4th grade user-friendly layout with engaging
visuals and colors, making it an appealing math tool!
This program offers different mathematical
units to choose from and focus on. Within each unit
is a series of levels, as seen on the left in the
Fractions unit. Each level progressively gets harder
and extends students’ knowledge base. The levels
contain different interactive games and activities for
your child to practice their mathematical, problem-
solving, and critical thinking skills. In the specific
Fractions unit, Splash Learn provides levels that
focus on fraction-based skills: generating equivalent
fractions, comparing fractions, adding & subtracting
fractions, and more. Some activities involve the use
of a number line or shading figures to represent
fractions, which we have been working on in our
classroom. If your child makes a mistake, Splash
Learn provides a detailed instructional explanation
to help your child deepen their understanding.
Splash Learn is a great program to use to help
your child develop stronger math comprehension. It
has a personalized track so your child can work at
their own pace and practice problem-solving skills
by themselves. The levels and units are easy to
Link to Splash Learn: here follow along, making this an easily accessible tool
for your children. The activities are appropriate and
in-line with our work on fractions in class!
 Khan Academy is a free online educational Unit on fractions with
interactive website that offers practice exercises, appropriate, relevant
instructional videos, and a personalized learning lessons:
dashboard for every student to promote and
motivate their learning inside and outside of the
classroom. In our classroom, we will be using this
tool in our unit on Rational Numbers, specifically
to practice math fractions.
This program has a set of 14 mathematical
units targeted for 4th graders like your children!
The units that we will be utilizing are units 7-10,
focusing on fractions and decimals. Each unit is
comprised of a series of lessons, as shown on the
right in Unit 7, with anywhere from 5 to 8 lessons.
These lessons contain different models, videos,
and exercises to help your child develop a stronger
understanding of the content. In the Fractions and
Decimals units, your child can practice comparing
fractions and decimals using number lines &
models, add and subtract fractions & decimals,
and so much more. There are also quizzes and unit
tests to assess your child’s progress. On the
personalized learning dashboard, you can see
where your child has mastered content, as well as
where they fall proficient and familiar, which tells
them what they should continue practicing!
Khan Academy is an excellent tool for
students to learn math. It utilizes personalized
learning to ensure that your student can reach
strong levels of comprehension and incorporates
assessment to track and predict your child’s
knowledge and understanding of rational numbers
as they continue to learn. It has appealing graphics
and activities for 4th graders as well as an easy-to-
follow layout, making it very appropriate. Link to Khan Academy: here