How to Teach Sixth Grade Math
In sixth grade math class, students learn about decimals, fractions, divisibility rules, integers, elementary algebra concepts and introductory geometry, as well as other basic mathematical concepts. Sixth grade is a very critical year for math students because, for some, it may be the last year of math before pre-algebra. Therefore, it is crucial to teach the fundamentals of math in a clear, focused way to develop long-lasting understanding.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Math manipulatives, such as counting rods
- Protractors
- Multiplication and division tables
- Number lines
- Math worksheets for each concept
- Math book
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1
Encourage students to master multiplication and division tables. Before a student can feel comfortable working with fractions and decimals, he must have his multiplication and division facts memorized. Although students are supposed to have these facts memorized before sixth grade, many do not. Spend the first few weeks of school practicing these facts and giving timed tests to ensure quick reactions to math facts.
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2
Teach the order of operations. Students need to be very familiar with the order of operations in order to complete more complicated problems later in the year. Use a mnemonic such as PEMDAS to help students remember the correct order.
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3
Teach with math manipulatives. According to Howard Gardner, a professor at Harvard, there are eight intelligences. "In 1983, I concluded that seven candidate intelligences met the criteria sufficiently well: linguistic, logical-mathematical, musical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Most standard measures of intelligence primarily probe linguistic and logical intelligence; some survey spatial intelligence; the remaining four are almost entirely ignored. In 1995, invoking new data that fit the criteria, I added an eighth intelligence---that of the naturalist." Use math manipulatives such as counting rods, geometric projects and drawings. Acting out math concepts is also beneficial. Strategies such as these utilize many intelligences and provide concrete practice for abstract concepts.
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Provide authentic practice for students. Whenever possible, give students activities that use real-life situations to practice abstract concepts. For example, double recipes when learning about fractions, build 3-D shapes or create art when teaching geometry, or discuss shopping and prices when teaching positive and negative integers. Julie Williams suggests having this type of conversation with a sixth grade math student, "Yes, you can borrow $10 from me to afford that toy, but that means your account will go down to negative $10."
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5
Give formative and summative assessments throughout the year. Although you will give your students quizzes and tests, it's also important to informally check understanding in between formal assessments. This can be done through collecting homework, asking students to complete problems on the board or asking students to verbalize what they have learned.
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Tips & Warnings
Spend a few days at the beginning of the year teaching your students how to use the math book. If a student is familiar with the index, glossary and the way the chapters are organized, he is more likely to use it as a resource throughout the year. Ask your students often to verbalize a new concept. When a child can verbalize an idea, she is more likely to remember it in the future.
Each state has its own variation of sixth grade math standards.
