Chapter 2 in Math

Metric vs Customary

This week the 6th grade students started the second chapter in the Math textbook.  This chapter will include measuring length, find the perimeter of shapes as well as finding the perimeter and area of squares and rectangles using formulas. We will end the chapter will scale drawings and averages.

On Monday the students took notes on Customary and Metric units to measure length.  The customary units we are using are inches, feet, yards, and miles.  The metric units are millimeter, centimeter, meter, and kilometers.

Next, the students will learn to use the perimeter formulas for rectangles and squares.  For rectangles, we will use P=2L + 2w.  For squares, we will use: P=4L.  To find the area of a rectangle and square we will use A=LxW.  The units for area should always be squared.

1st Reading Project due FRIDAY

First Reading Project Due FRIDAY!

The sixth graders will be turning in their first independent reading project on Friday.  The students selected a Fiction novel of their choice more than 3 weeks ago.  The projects along with their very first Accelerated Reader test will be due at the start of class on Friday.  The students will be creating a poster or a letter including the following elements from their fiction novel.

Setting: ·         Time & Place
Main Character ·         _______________ ·         Description of him/her
Conflict: ·         Internal or External? ·         explanation ·         short plot summary
Favorite Passage: ·         page # ·         quote from book ·         Why you chose this?
·         Overall reaction to  the book

Problem Solving Plan

Next week the sixth grade students will be working on solving word problems.  They will be introduced to the sixth grade approach to solving word problems.  It is a comprehensive 4 step problem solving plan that is broken done to 6 mini steps.

A Problem Solving Plan

1.  Read and Understand:  Read the problem carefully.  Identify the questions and any important information.  (In this step, we ask the students to list the FACTS they already know and the information they NEED to find out.)

2.  Make a Plan:  Decide on a problem solving strategy.  (In this step, we ask the students to write a VERBAL model using words to describe ideas and then use math symbols)

3.  Solve the Problem:  Use the problem solving strategy to answer the question.  (We ask students to ESTIMATE/make a logical guess and then SOLVE the problem.

4.  Look Back:  Check that your answer is REASONABLE 

RtI Math

This week we have started our usual routine of a "Problem of the Day".  This week we are practicing long division, I know a 6th grader's favorite!!!  We began with one digit divisors but are hoping to make it to two digit divisors by the end of the week.

The main part of our lessons this week will be reviewing place value to the trillions place, comparing and ordering numbers, exponents, and decimal place value.  During the lessons, students will use individual white boards and be allowed to come to the board to show the final answer.

At the end of the week, the student will take a AimsWeb Math Computation or Math Concepts and Application progress monitor test.  The students will individually grade their work and chart their progress.