6th Grade Math Bundle (Part 4 of 4: Full Year of 6th Grade Mastery Method Math)

*Note: If your student has not taken (or is not signed up for) Parts 1, 2 and 3 of this series, please contact me first for placement advice.

This session is part of a larger series titled, 6th Grade Math Bundle: Full Year of 6th Grade Mastery Method Math.  Taken as a whole, this series will offer a full year's worth of math at the general 6th grade level--focusing on the topics of exponents, place value, decimal numbers, percentages, measurement in the metric system, probability and basic geometry.  This is a Mastery approach to math--each concept will be demonstrated, explained and practiced in a meaningful, in-depth way to achieve full understanding before moving on and connecting to the next topic. This approach is ideal both for students who love math and want to take a deep dive into each concept, as well as anxious math learners who get easily overwhelmed by jumping quickly between concepts and prefer to take their time to fully learn and understand each concept. In both cases, the mastery method can build confidence, create a positive math identity and set students on a trajectory of math success. Because of the small size of this class, I will be able to give each student the individual attention needed to ensure mastery. This course is geared towards the 6th grade student, but because the mastery method builds on previously internalized concepts and skills, specific age or assigned grade level is not as important as the prerequisite foundations of mathematical understanding. 

**For this series, students should come with a solid number sense for both whole numbers and fractions (including comparing and finding equivalents) as well as performing basic operations (adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing) on multi-digit numbers as well as fractions.  Specific to Part 4, students should have mastered the material of Parts 1, 2, and 3, which included: exponents as repeated multiplication, place value and its key relationship to exponents (powers of ten), decimal numbers (concept of decimals as parts of a whole, adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing with decimals), percentages and pie charts, finding the area and circumference of circles, solving for an unknown, converting fractions to decimals and percentages, and the metric measurement system and conversions. If your student missed Parts 1, 2, and 3 please contact me for placement. I may be offering accelerated sections of Parts 1,2 and 3 for students who wish to catch up, or we can arrange private tutoring sessions before Part 4 begins.

In this fourth 8-week session, we will begin by building on our knowledge of decimals as they relate to fractions to introduce the concept of rational numbers and practice converting decimals to fractions. We will then move on to cover data analysis including mean, median and mode, followed by probability. We will also explore the basic geometric concepts of points, lines, rays, line segments, planes, and angles. We will continue to reinforce the idea that fractions, decimals and percentages are all ways to convey parts of a whole through real world examples. Each week we will cover one topic over two days, following this pattern: 1) visual, interactive introduction using real world connections; 2) guided, group and individual practice; 3) review work, including previously mastered concepts such as operations with fractions so that understanding stays fresh and further connections can be made. (See below for the full weekly outline of topics).

I want my students to feel fully engaged in the learning process--to find meaning, confidence (and yes, even joy!) in mathematical problem solving. To make math fun and engaging, I will be presenting lessons through interactive slides, which will include clear visual representations, virtual manipulatives, and connections to math in the real world. Additionally, I will be using applications such as Nearpod (nearpod.com) to create further opportunities for students to engage with the material and with one another. Activities will include collaborative idea boards, typed or drawn responses, polls, matching games, quizzes and embedded games. These activities provide not only engagement and fun for students, but also give me as the teacher the opportunity for ongoing, informal assessment. Furthermore, the ability for me to share student answers anonymously can help those students who feel uncomfortable or anxious answering questions verbally.  

In order to better personalize instruction and keep track of student mastery, I will also be utilizing Google Forms for students to submit tests. This will allow me to make and share corrections directly with each student (corrections will be shared via individual Google slide links which students will be able to edit.

Week 1 (Lesson 24): Decimals and Rational Numbers
Day 1: What is a rational number? Write decimals as simplified fractions
Day 2: Review Work & Word Problems: Mean means Average (and how to find it)

Week 2 (Lesson 25): Statistics (Mean, Median, Mode & Range)
Day 1: How to find mean, median, mode & range
Day 2: Review Work & Word Problems: Finding area, perimeter and circumference 

Week 3 (Lesson 26): Probability
Day 1: Intro to probability with visuals (colored marbles, dice, and dominoes)
Day 2: Review Work & Word Problems: Mental Math

Week 4 (Lesson 27):  Geometry: Points, Lines & Rays
Day 1: Identifying and defining points, lines and rays
Day 2: Review Work & Word Problems: Real world math (highway numbering)

Week 5 (Lesson 28): Geometry: Planes, dimensions, and symbols
Day 1: Identifying and defining geometric concepts and matching them to their symbols
Day 2: Review Work & Word Problems: working with fractions

Week 6 (Lesson 29): Geometry: Angles
Day 1: Drawing, naming and identifying angles
Day 2: Review Work & Word Problems: fractions of a number

Week 7 (Lesson 30): Types of Angles & Triangles
Day 1: acute, obtuse, right, straight, equilateral, isosceles
Day 2: Review Work & Word Problems: Converting between fractions, decimals and percentages

Week 8: Review Week: Unit 4 Test
Days 1 and 2: Review, assessment, and corrections as needed