What we will study:

Number Sense:

1. Factors, Multiples, Prime/Composite Numbers
2. Fractions, Decimals, & Percents
3. Fraction Operations (add, subtract, multiply, divide)
4. Decimal Operations (multiply & divide)
5. Percent Operations (calculate percent of numbers and angles, percent savings etc.)
6. Rates, Ratios, & Proportions

Geometry:

1. Two dimensional geometry within the Cartesian plane (x-y axes)

Probability & Statistics:

1. Looking at Chance
2. Experimental and Theoretical Probability
3. Making Decisions Using Probability
4. Probability in Games

Algebra:

1. Making and Interpreting Rate Graphs
2. Writing & Solving Linear Equations

Important Notes:

• Topics in RED font above will be REVIEWED at the beginning of the year. Teaching in the classroom and practice outside the classroom will be determined by individual and group weak areas.
• If you have Ms. Trafton for math, you will be using the Connected Math 2 curriculum. Students will be prepared for the 6th grade state standards test (replacing the WASL) and will move onto 7th grade math the following year. On rare occasions students place into a high school level algebra class for 7th grade.

Where we will get all this information:

I am delighted to teach using the Connected Math Project 2 (CMP2) program at the sixth grade level. I have taught using these materials for 3 full years and I am very pleased with the rate, quantity, and quality of learning my students show. This program is very rigorous and your student will be working hard, yet goals are attainable and match well with state grade level expectations (GLEs).

Textbook: CMP2 6th grade books

For each unit (except the review unit--see notes above) you will sign out a thin paperback book that must be kept in a binder or a folder at all times. This protects your book (you'd hate to have to pay to replace it!) and ensures that you will have your book with you in class each day.

Books include classwork problems, homework problems, and glossaries.

Additional practice work will sometimes be given in the form of photocopies. Some of these will be from CMP2 resources and some will come from other sources.

For those students with internet access at home, the CMP2 website includes (see links page for link):

1. Help on specific homework problems
2. Multiple choice skill practice
3. Interactive exploration activities (for some units)
4. Vocabulary quizzes

What you will be expected to do:

In Class: You must be seated at the beginning of class with all materials. You will be expected to work on your own and in a group. You will also be expected to cooperate with students and with your teacher and to do your best.

At Home: You will have homework everyday. Each assignment should take you between a half an hour and an hour.

Your Grade: You earn three grades for each Marshall class: Academic, Behavior, & Effort.

Your academic grade is based only on what you show that you know and understand mathematically. Points toward your academic grade will be earned each time you demonstrate your learning on the academic standards. As you show learning, your grade will improve--new evidence replaces old evidence. I don't care when during a unit of study you learn a skill, I care that you learn it. If you still haven't learned a skill when we reach the end of a unit, you will need to put in extra time and effort to master it. When you do show that you've learned the skill--even if it is after we've finished the unit--your grade will improve! At the end of each quarter, however, I have to cut you off in order to issue report cards. Your grade starts fresh at the beginning of each quarter.

Tests can be retaken (within one week from hand-back date) in order to earn more points. You must, however, show that you have put some additional effort into learning the skills that you missed in order to do the retake.

Your behavior grade is based on how you choose to use your class time and your work time outside of class. Doing homework is a behavior--it will often help you learn a skill, but whether you do it or not, and it's quality will be reflected in this grade. Your behavior grade will include your starters, homework checks. and attitude & participation points.

Your effort grade reflects how much you apply yourself to the work you do. You earn points toward your effort grade through self & teacher evaluations.

Extra Credit cannot affect your academic grade. Doing extra work is a behavior that shows your interest and effort. Occasionally I will offer extra credit, but it will only be applicable to behavior and effort grades.

What are my Grades?: You can see your grades through the family access website. I do my best to update the website every 1 or 2 weeks.

Parents: If you do not have internet access or are not interested in watching student progress on the web, please let me know that you need paper copies on progress reports. The fewer paper copies that we need to make the less wasted paper there will be.

I look forward to an excellent year of learning and growth with you!