Sixth Grade Math Course Description Armando Troche
[email protected] Office Hours: Mondays 3:30-4:00 and 4:00-4:30 Becky Bob-Waksberg
[email protected] Course Description It’s my hope and aspiration that students will positively identify as mathematicians. To this aim, students will have numerous opportunities to exhibit their mathematical thinking, understanding, and have adequate time to process and practice new skills. Through hands-on projects, the Big Ideas book, discussions, effort, and various other methods, students will strengthen their math abilities. They will be able to see the practical applications of math in our world and use their knowledge to solve multiple types of problems. The foundation of this class is th formed around the 6 Grade Common Core Math Standards. Please know that I’ll be constantly determining the students’ interests in the following math units and responding to their needs throughout the entire year. For example, if a student or students need more time to practice a math skill or understand a concept, then I will adjust the schedule to accommodate them. Also, I will plan lessons around the students’ interests. Math Units
“W.A.M.” Writing About Math
“Look Familiar?” Numerical Expressions and Factors
“Numbers between Numbers” Fractions and Decimals
Goals
Students will be able to… 1. Use key steps to solve mathematical problems. 2. Display their thinking through writing and/or pictures. 3. Comprehend mathematical problems and devise a strategy find the solution.
Students will be able to… 1. Know which operation to choose when solving a problem. 2. Find and use factors for different situations. 3. Explain and show how to calculate the least common multiple.
Students will be able to… 1. Explain what a fraction and decimal is. 2. Demonstrate the relationship between fractions and decimals. 3. Plot fractions and decimals on a number line.
1
4. 5.
“Apples to Oranges” Ratios and Rates
Use multiple methods to multiply and divide fractions. Use multiple methods to multiply and divide decimals.
Students will be able to… 1. Explain what a ratio is 2. Represent ratios in multiple ways. 3. Use ratios and rates to solve problems. 4. Understand the relationship between ratios and percent. 5. Use percent to solve problems.
“It Can Vary” Algebraic Expressions and Properties
Students will be able to… 1. Explain and write algebraic expressions. 2. Recall and use properties to evaluate algebraic expressions.
“Is it Fair?” Equations and Inequalities
Students will be able to… 1. Write equations with one or two variables. 2. Solve equations and inequalities using addition, subtraction, multiplication, and/or division.
“Negative isn’t Bad” Integers and the Coordinate Plane
“Shape Up!” Areas of Polygons
“In 3D!” Surface Area and Volume
“Who’s Counting?” Statistical Measures
“You say Data, I say Data” Data Displays
Students will be able to… 1. Explain what an integer is. 2. Compare and order integers on a number line. 3. Find the absolute value of an integer. 4. Navigate a coordinate plane.
Students will be able to… 1. Draw different shapes using a coordinate plane. 2. Calculate the area of various two-dimensional shapes.
Students will be able to… 1. Identify and draw three-dimensional figures. 2. Calculate the surface area of different figures. 3. Calculate the volume of rectangular prisms.
Students will be able to… 1. Describe what statistics are. 2. Gather statistics. 3. Make calculations with statistics.
Students will be able to… 1. Display data in various ways. 2. Analyze data displays to answer questions and understand the world.
2
Class Groupings Please note that all students will be together for the first 3 weeks. During this time, the two Math teachers, Becky and I, will be assessing the students’ mathematical knowledge and abilities. After we collect our data, she and I will decide which group each student belongs to. Each student is assigned to one of two groups so their learning needs can be met most appropriately.
Expectations Note Taking and Making Thinking Visible Note taking is explicitly taught to develop important skills and will be kept in the spiral Math notebook. This notebook will be used as a journal, providing students with a record of their learning, thought processes, and reflections. Their entries will make their thinking visible. Students are expected to show their understanding of key ideas and from learning experiences in the classroom. Homework WAM’s will be given each Monday and are due Friday. After the first few weeks, students will be given additional homework assignments. Each student will write the homework in their planner during the end of class. The goal of homework is mostly to review and cement skills and concepts. Students are required to be responsible and turn their homework in on time. If the homework isn’t turned in and there’s no excuse note, then the assignment must be done during lunch and points may be deducted. If the homework couldn’t get finished due to some excuse, the student needs to write a note and have it signed by a parent. With an excuse note, a new due date will be negotiated between the student and the teacher. Student Evaluations Students are evaluated and assessed during the entire year. There will be two evaluation reports, one in fall and one in spring. Their evaluations are based on: Home Learning - quality and promptness Participation - doing what is required at any given time Projects - meeting criteria and conveying accuracy Tests - On tests, students will earn a percentage score. These scores will be communicated to each student and his/her guardians. Tests and quizzes will be used as learning tools in that students will correct mistakes and reflect back on their learning and overall understanding of the concepts.
3
Academic Integrity Park Day School regards academic integrity as an important aspect of the academic, social and emotional development of all students. At Park Day School, we expect our students to be truthful about their efforts, their knowledge, their mistakes, and their academic work. The following list includes (but is not limited to) actions that are not condoned by the school: 1. Plagiarizing materials taken from sources, such as books, periodicals, newspapers, or the internet without appropriate documentation. 2. Submitting another person’s work as one’s own. 3. Copying, or allowing another student to copy homework, assessments, or assignments. 4. Using concealed notes on quizzes, tests or in-class assignments. Should a student engage in any of the above activities, there will be a meeting of the student, the teacher(s), relevant school administrators and the parent/guardian. As a team, we will develop strategies that aim toward correction of this behavior. Consequence for violation of this policy may result in suspension.
If you wish to meet Becky or I to discuss the performance of your child during the school year and/or have questions, email us, and we can arrange a visit during our office hours.
4
Please detach this page and return to Armando by Friday, September 18th. Keep the top 4 pages for yourself. th I have read and understand the 6 Grade Math Course Description and expectations.
____________________________________________________________________ Student (Print name)
____________________________________________________________________ Parent signature
5