1. To Pre-Ap or Not a few notes to help students and parents make
a decision on math
placement for sixth grade

2. The Big Question
Making the decision to begin a Pre-AP track can be difficult for families. We all want what is in the best interest of your child. Sometimes that is an advanced class and sometimes they are better served in a traditional classroom.
Information that follows is merely to assist you in making the decision by providing common characteristics of the Pre-Ap student.
The decision to start PreAp math is critical at the sixth grade level in that with the accelerated pacing it will be very difficult to join the PreAp math program after sixth grade.

3. Math vs Pre-AP On track for college bound students Rigorous curriculum
6th Grade TEKS
6th Grade STAAR test
On track for advanced math in high school
Rigorous curriculum
All 6th Grade & ½ 7th Grade TEKS
6th Grade STAAR test
Math vs Pre-AP

4. 6th Grade Math Key areas of focus:
Rational Numbers (decimals, fractions, & integers)
Opposites & Absolute Value
All basic operations (add, subtract, multiply & divide, but not negative decimals or fractions)
Ordering and comparing
Converting between fractions, decimals, & precents.
finding percent of a number
Order of operations
Rates & Ratios

5. 6th Grade Math Key areas of focus (cont.) Algebra
Writing expressions and equations
Solving one step equations & inequalities
Combining like terms
Graphing proportional relationships
Represent proportional situations using tables
Identify dependent and independent quantities
Make predictions using proportional reasoning

6. 6th Grade Math Key areas of focus (cont.) Geometry & Measurement
Convert units of measurement
Relationships of sides and angles within triangles
Area of triangles, trapezoids, parallelograms, & rhombus
Volume of rectangular prisms
Area and Volume as equations
Graphing points in four quadrants of the coordinate plane

7. 6th Grade Math Key areas of focus (cont.)
Data, Statistics & Personal Finance
gather and analyze data from various plots and graphs include box plots, dot plots, and histograms
Calculate mean, median, mode, range and interquartile range for a set of data
Recognize early aspects of banking and credit reports
Compare debit vs credit cards
Identify ways to fund college
Explore various careers and relate income to living expenses

8. 6th Grade Pre-AP Math 6th Pre-Ap 7th Pre-Ap 8th Algebra 1 – HS credit
Accelerated track to meet the needs of a student wanting to earn high school credit in math during their 8th grade year and a fifth year of math in high school.
6th Grade Pre-AP Math
6th Pre-Ap
7th Pre-Ap
8th Algebra 1 – HS credit
9th Geometry
10th Algebra II
11th Pre-Cal
12th Calculus

9. 6th Grade Pre-Ap Math Key areas of focus from 7th Grade:
Numerical Representations
Describe subsets within sets of rational numbers (intro to irrational numbers)
Algebra
Add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers (including negative fractions & decimals)
Represent constant rates of change as given pictures, tables, numeric, graphic, verbal, and algebraic representations.
Calculate unit rates
Determine the constant of proportionality
Write, solve, and graph two step equations and inequalities

10. 6th Grade Pre-Ap Math Key areas of focus from 7th Grade:
Geometry and Measurement
Convert between standard and metric units of measurement
Determine the circumference and area of circle
Calculate the area of composite figures
Data and Personal Finance
Compare two groups of data using dot plots & box plots by comparing shape, center, and spreads.
Use data from a sample to make inferences about a population

11. 6th Grade Pre-Ap Math Fluency with computation is crucial.
Adding & Subtracting Whole Numbers (1-20)
Subtracting with regrouping (large numbers)
Multiplying & Dividing Whole Numbers (through 12’s)
If your student is not fluent with computation, they may struggle with completing classwork, quizzes, tests, and homework.

12. 6th Grade Pre-Ap Math Pacing is quicker 6th Math Pre-AP Math31
Integers 1
Opposites 2
Ordering Integers 3
Absolute value 4
Quiz 7
Rational Numbers
8 Opposites & Absolute Value of Rationals 9
Comparing and Ordering Rationals 10 11
Pacing is quicker
Here is a quick example…
6th Math 31
Rational Numbers & Irrational Numbers 1
Opposite and Absolute Value 2
Comparing and Ordering Rationals 3 4
Quiz
Pre-AP Math

13. The Pre-Ap Student
A common misconception is that if your student has all A’s and scores “advanced” on STAAR, they are ready for PreAP.
Some “A” students are not typical Pre-AP students and some “B” students are. Its more about the student than their grade.
It is not uncommon for a typical straight A student to score a B or even a C on assignments in Pre-Ap especially early in the year as they adjust to the pacing and rigor of a Pre-Ap course

14. The Pre-Ap Student Common Characteristics
Problem solver in everyday situations
Primarily an independent learner
Has developed strong learning/study habits
Shows perseverance when challenged
Displays emotional maturity when frustrated
Demonstrates reasoning skills pertaining to mathematical concepts in everyday life
Shows confidence in their own math abilities
Strong/mastered fast facts skills
Strongly values learning
Loves to learn!!

15. ???Questions???
Please contact one of the following people for more information and advice.
Your child’s current (5th grade math) teacher
Mrs. Lisa Griffin – CMS Counselor
Mrs. Bronwyn Werts – CMS Principal
Mrs. Carrie Whittington – CMS 6th Grade Math Teacher
Callisburg Middle School
(940)