GradeMap

Grade 5 Math: how to help at home

What your child learns in Grade 5 math in the Alberta Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.

The Big Ideas this year

Easy ways to practise math at home

What each unit covers

  1. Numbers to a Million

    Place value to 1 000 000: digit values, standard and expanded form, number words, rounding, ordering, and using benchmarks like 500 000 on a number line.

  2. Decimals

    Reading, writing, comparing and rounding decimals to thousandths, linking decimals to fractions out of 10, 100 and 1000, and adding and subtracting decimals in real situations.

  3. Add & Subtract

    Adding and subtracting numbers up to 1 000 000 with regrouping (including across zeros), estimating by rounding, and mental math such as compensation (adding 4999 as 5000 − 1).

  4. Multiply

    Multiplying 2- and 3-digit numbers using area models and partial products, patterns with 10, 100 and 1000, doubling and halving, and estimating products by rounding.

  5. Divide

    Dividing 2- and 3-digit numbers, finding remainders and deciding what they mean in a story (round up for buses, drop the extra for full bags), and estimating with friendly numbers.

  6. Divisibility Tests

    Tests for divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10, such as adding the digits for 3 and 9 or checking the last digit for 5 and 10, and the idea that 0 is divisible by every whole number.

  7. Fractions

    Equivalent fractions up to twelfths, improper fractions and mixed numbers, comparing fractions, adding and subtracting with the same denominator, and multiplying a whole number by a unit fraction.

  8. Add & Subtract Fractions

    Adding and subtracting fractions that already share a denominator: the number of equal parts stays the same and only the number of parts changes. Sums can be larger than 1.

  9. Decimals & Percents

    Reading, comparing and rounding decimals to hundredths, linking fractions, decimals and percents, estimating, and adding and subtracting decimals.

  10. Multiply, Divide & Ratios

    Facts to 12 × 12, multiplying two two-digit numbers, dividing three-digit numbers by two-digit numbers, and using equivalent ratios and rates.

  11. Expressions & Equations

    Writing expressions like n + 5 for “5 more than a number”, evaluating them, solving equations to 100, and finding numbers that make an inequality true.

  12. Patterns & Equations

    Describing growing and shrinking patterns with rules and expressions like 3n + 1, using input–output tables, and solving one-step equations such as n + 37 = 92 or 6 × n = 54.

  13. Symmetry

    Lines of reflection symmetry, the order of rotational symmetry and how both work for regular polygons (a regular polygon with n sides has n lines of symmetry and rotational symmetry of order n).

  14. Area & Perimeter

    Finding the area and perimeter of squares and rectangles, working backwards to a missing side, and discovering that shapes with the same area can have different perimeters (and vice versa).

What the report card levels look like at home

Beginning
Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
Approaching
Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
Meeting
Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
Exceeding
Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.

Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Alberta report card guide.

Common questions

How can I help my Grade 5 child with math?

Look for fractions, decimals and percentages in sale signs, sports statistics and recipes. Ask your child to explain a problem to you as if you were the student. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.

What does my child learn in Grade 5 math in Alberta?

The Alberta Curriculum Grade 5 math units include numbers to a million, decimals, add & subtract, multiply, divide, divisibility tests.

Free printable Grade 5 math practice sheet

Questions from every unit, with an answer key.

Get the sheetPractise in Gradelings