6th Grade
Mathematics:
In grade six, your child will learn the concept of rates and ratios and use these tools to solve word problems. Students will work on quickly and accurately dividing multi-digit whole numbers and adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing multi-digit decimals. Students will extend their previous work with fractions and decimals to understand the concept of rational numbers—any number that can be made by dividing one integer by another, such as ½, 0.75, or 2. Students will also learn how to write and solve equations—mathematical statements using symbols, such as 20+x = 35—and apply these skills in solving multi-step word problems. Activities in these areas will include:
- Understanding and applying the concepts of ratios and unit rates, and using the correct language to describe them (for example, the ratio of wings to beaks in a flock of birds is 2 to 1, because for every 2 wings there is 1 beak)
- Building on knowledge of multiplication and division to divide fractions by fractions
- Understanding that positive and negative numbers are located on opposite sides of 0 on a number line
- Using pairs of numbers, including negative numbers, as coordinates for locating or placing a point on a graph
- Writing and determining the value of expressions with whole-number exponents (such as 15+32)
- Identifying and writing equivalent mathematical expressions by applying the properties of operations. For example, recognizing that 2(3+x) is the same as 6+2x
- Understanding that solving an equation such as 2+x = 12 means answering the question, “What number does x have to be to make this statement true?”
- Representing and analyzing the relationships between independent and dependent variables
- Solving problems involving area and volume
Parent Roadmap - Supporting your child in 6th Grade Mathematics
CCSS Focus for 6th Grade Mathematics
English Language Arts
In grade six, students will read a range of challenging books, articles, and texts, and will be expected to demonstrate their understanding of the material by answering questions and contributing to class discussions. In writing, students will continue to work on their use of language, sentence structure, and organization of ideas. They will also be expected to integrate information from different sources and respond to challenging content through written interpretation and analysis. Activities in these areas will include:
- Providing detailed summaries of texts
- Determining the theme of a text and how it is conveyed
- Describing how a particular story or play unfolds and how characters respond to plot developments
- Using a range of reading strategies to determine the meaning of unknown words as they are used in a text
- Comparing and contrasting various texts, including poems, stories, and historical novels
- Understanding the figurative and connotative (implied) meaning of words and phrases
- Identifying and evaluating specific claims or arguments in a text
- Supporting written claims or arguments with clear reasons and relevant evidence
- Producing clear and coherent writing appropriate to the task, purpose, and audience
- Participating in class discussions about various texts and topics
- Conducting short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources
Parent Roadmap - Supporting your child in 6th Grade English Language Arts