th
6
Grade Math
Mr. Gerdin
Experience
• Education:
• M.Ed Education (Loyola)
• BS Chemical Engineering (Wisconsin)
• Masters Engineering Management (Northwestern)
• Experience:
• 9 Years 6th grade math teaching at The Joseph
Sears School
• 15 years professional engineering experience
6th 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
Great Mathematicians
Newton
Euler
Noether
Your Child ?!
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 7th Grade Math in 7th
Grade and 8th Grade Math in 8th Grade
• Ultimate placement into high school will
depend on a number of factors including
their placement test and teacher
recommendation, and courses completed.
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
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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
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About 20 - 30 Minutes Expected Daily
Use Daily Class Notes & Videos as Guide
Notes & Videos posted on Gerdin Website
Work must be SHOWN as directed
Homework Plan on Website BUT student
responsible for writing it down in class
• Homework may include text book problem
sets and extensions.
Homework Policy - Time
• Homework should take about half an hour each day. We
may begin work in class
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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
Students need to develop their own skills and
make a concerted effort to solve problems
prior to seeking help.
• Review Class Notes and videos
• Math Lunch – Rm 157
• Ask Classmate(s) /Ask Parent (w/notes)
• Ask Teacher (in class homework review)
• RTI period
• Still Struggling? – Teacher Conference
Student Absent
• Ask a friend that was in the class
• Check website (HW Plan, notes, video)
• E-mail me if you feel better and want to try
the work
• See me upon return of multiple day illness
• Number of days to complete = number of
days absent
Example HW
Grading
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Homework – effort vs. accuracy
Quizzes and Tests (<72% rework/retake)
Problems/Colaborative Tasks
Scoring/Grading Per Sears Policy
No Extra Credit
Content
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6th Grade Common Core
Moderate Pacing (but challenging!)
Mastery of Skills
Application of Concepts to Solve Problems
Techniques, Strategies, Algorithms
Communication
Modified as appropriate
Curriculum
Problem Solving
• Explicit Instruction – 4 Techniques
• Apply Techniques to Core Content
• Assessments – novel problems
Curriculum, Continued
• Integers, Coordinate Plane, Reflections,
Inequalities
• Algebraic Formulas, Expressions, and
Equations
• 3x – 5 = 17
• D=RxT
• Decimals and Fractions
• 0.25 = ¼
• 0.25 x 4 = 1
Curriculum, Continued
• Operations with Fractions
• 1/3 + 2 1/3 = 2 2/3
• 4÷½ =8
• Geometry and Measurement
• Area of polygons
• Surface Area and Volume of Prisms and Pyramids
Curriculum, Continued
• Ratios, Rates, and Proportions
• 9/12 = ¾
• 300:150; 150:75
• $365,000/yr = $1000/day
• Dimensional Analysis
• 5 ft/day x m/3.28ft = 1.52 m/day
Curriculum, Continued
• Percents
• 25% off $79.99 = $20
• 4 is 2% of 200
• Graphical Data Representation
– Dot and Line Plots
– Histograms
• Statistics (Measure of Central Tendency)
– Mean, median, mode
Technology
• Technology (calculators/spreadsheets,
apps) not a substitute for knowing
concepts and mastering skills.
• Technology will be integrated into work –
especially using calculator to check work
• Mental Math is important and techniques
are incorporated into lessons.
Class Work
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Record Homework
Correct work/Perform work
Student demonstrations
Direct Instruction
Colaborative Activities
Learning Objective Summary
Logic/Math Games
Example Problems
• Thank You for Coming!
• You can contact me at 847-853-3825
• jgerdin@kenilworth 38.org
Credits
• All photos courtesy of www.flickr.com