6 th Grade Math - Accelerated Mr. Gerdin/Mrs. Leshinski

Background Education: M.Ed Education (Loyola) Masters Engineering Management (Northwestern) BS Chemical Engineering (Wisconsin Experience at Joseph Sears School 9 Years 6 th grade math and 6 th, 7 th, 8 th grade science Other Experience: 15 Years engineering/project management for Fortune 500 Companies

6 th Grade Math Goals Build a solid algebra foundation Improve problem- solving skills Strengthen mathematical communication skills Produce confident and flexible math thinkers

Common Core State Standards Developed through a state-led initiative that drew on the expertise of teachers, researchers and content experts nation-wide Always been part of good math instruction, now will be more emphasized Standards (what we teach) and practices (how we teach) are outlined in CCSS Calls for more depth, less content

What Are Mathematical Practices? Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them Reason abstractly and quantitatively Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others Use appropriate tools strategically Attend to precision Look for structure/patterns/repeated reasoning

Math Placement at Sears Matrix placement historically accurate Utilized a number of metrics Placement so instruction is appropriate to student’s current ability and aptitude Work as a department and recognize that students grow at different rates. Therefore, placements need to be reasonably flexible.

Sequence/Transition Successful completion of this course will most likely lead to a Pre-Algebra placement and then Algebra 1. Ultimate placement into high school will depend on a number of factors including their placement test and teacher recommendation, and courses completed.

Potential to Change Levels The goal is to have the level instruction meet the needs of all students. Grade C or lower in trimester Parental Request

Resources: Middle School Math – Course 2 (Scott Foresman/Addison-Wesley) 1 Copy to Keep at Home Classroom set of textbooks for use in class Additional copies available for use at math lunch and homework club Additional Resources – IXL, MIF, Connected Math, Mathalicious, etc.

Supplies: Bring to Every Class: Positive Attitude – Open Mind 8-1/2” x 11” Loose Leaf Paper (Lined and Grid) Pencil w/eraser and Red Pen Calculator, Protractor & Ruler Executive Functioning Binder w/Math Folder Complete Homework and Current Notes

Homework Expectations: About Minutes Expected Daily Use Class Notes and videos as Guide Notes & Videos posted on Gerdin Website HW Plan posted on Gerdin Website Work must be SHOWN as directed Homework may include text book problem sets and extensions of concepts

Homework Expectations - Time Homework should take about half an hour each day. We may begin work in class Stop if assignment is more than 45 minutes to complete OR stop the skip the problems that are not clear. Write down what is understood and write down a question about what is confusing. We will work as a team to determine how to best serve the needs of your child.

Math Homework Help Make a concerted effort to solve problems prior to asking for help. Review Class Notes or Watch Video Ask Classmate(s) Math Center at lunch – Rm 218 Ask Parent (use notes) Ask Teacher (in class during homework review) Still Struggling? – Arrange Teacher Conference (before school, lunch, after school) Drop ins (prior to major assesments)

Student Absent Ask a friend in the class Send me an Look on my website for notes, videos, plan for the week Have student check with me upon return Number of days of absence = number of days to make up work

Homework Example

Grading Homework – effort vs. accuracy Tests/Quizzes (<72% can retake/rework) Problem Solving/Presentations Scoring/Grading Per Sears Policy No extra credit Grade is points earned out of points possible

Curriculum, Continued Integers/coordinate plane Algebraic Formulas, Expressions, and Equations 3x – 5 = 17 + (2x+6) D = R x T Decimals and Fractions 0.25 = ¼ 0.25 x 4 = 1

Content, Continued Operations with Fractions 2 1/3 x 2 1/3 41/3 ÷ 1/17 Geometry and Measurement Area of Polygons Surface area and volume of prisms and pyramids a 2 + b 2 = c 2

Content, Continued Ratios, Rates, and Proportions 9/12 = ¾ 300:150; 150:75 $365,000/yr = $1000/day Dimensional Analysis 5 ft/day x m/3.28 ft = 1.54 m/day

Content, Continued Percents 25% off $79.99 = $20 4 is 2% of 200 Data Representation Histograms, dot plots, line plots Statistics Measures of central tendency

Technology Technology (calculators/spreadsheets) not a substitute for knowing concepts and mastering skills. Technology will be integrated into work Mental Math is important

Class Work Record Homework Correct work/Perform work Student demonstrations Direct Instruction Collaborative Activities Learning Objective Summary Logic/Math Games Example Problems

Math

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