Take a quick look around your home or classroom. Notice the cereal box on the counter or the can of paint on the shelf? All of these have three different dimensions: length, width, and height. These are called 3-dimensional shapes, and they’re everywhere once you notice them.

Homework is meant to help students learn. But for many children, the mere mention of the word "homework" conjures feelings of fear, anxiety, or boredom. Instead of being a tool for growth and a stepping stone toward academic excellence, homework becomes a thing of dread.

Fifth grade is an exciting time for young learners. It’s a year where many students explore clubs and sports, form new friendships, and take on new responsibilities. They also may take field trips, join class projects, and do other activities that allow them to explore and learn outside the classroom.

If you’ve noticed your child frowning at their math homework, you’re not alone. Many kids struggle when lessons shift from flat shapes to 3D objects. They often confuse area with volume, treat formulas like rules to memorize, and struggle to see how math connects to their daily life. That can be frustrating for parents and teachers who want learning to feel meaningful. On the bright side, there’s a way to make it click. Imagine filling a box with toys or pouring water into a bottle. That’s volume in action! Once kids understand this, math can feel less abstract and more practical.

Building math confidence is the process of helping students gain self-assurance in their math skills through consistent practice and achievable goals. Small wins, such as solving a problem step-by-step or mastering a new concept, create momentum that leads to lasting improvement. Learn more about supporting a growth mindset in students.

Quadrilaterals are everywhere: your windows, books, and even your phone or tablet screens! Anything that has four sides and four angles can be considered a quadrilateral. However, a rectangle isn’t exactly a square, nor is a parallelogram a rhombus. These differences matter because the type of quadrilateral can affect logical patterns or how geometry problems are solved. When your kids learn to recognize the different kinds of quadrilaterals, they can excel in geometry, find specific real-life examples, and see why some definitions of quadrilaterals can overlap.