6th Grade Math - Course Syllabus

Teacher: Ms. Fallstick Contact: cfallstick@aimpa.org

Course Overview and Goals
AIM Academys 6th Grade Math is aligned with the Common Core Standards for 6th grade. Coursework
balances conceptual understanding with procedural fluency. Our unit format includes real-world contexts
for mathematical investigations followed by explicit instruction, ample opportunities for students to
master concepts and skills, and assessments of progress. Teachers use materials from the texts Math in
Focus and Connected Mathematics Project 3, as well as supplemental materials when needed.
Additionally, teachers will make use of digital resources such as Google Classroom and Mathspace.

In alignment with the Common Core, pre-algebraic concepts are taught throughout 6th, 7th and 8th grades.
A typical math program that covers all grade level standards would include both the Priority and Full Path
Units outlined below. The Priority pathway offers flexibility to adjust pacing based on students needs.
Factors such as prior knowledge, processing speed, and retention will affect pacing.

Process Goals:
Students will be able to:
Confidently, patiently, and persistently solve real-world math problems.
Document their thinking in an organized way.
Communicate their ideas using academic language.
Collaborate with other students to compare strategies and determine which are most effective.
Content Goals:Use common multiples and factors to solve real-world word problems.
Priority Common Core Units:
Unit 1: Factors and Multiples
- Finding common factors and common multiples of whole numbers.

Unit 2: Operations with Fractions and Decimals

- Apply and extend understandings of multiplication and division to divide fractions by fractions.
- Compute fluently with multi-digit numbers and find common factors and multiples

Unit 3: Data Analysis

- Measures of Central Tendency
- Summarize and describe distributions.
- Develop understanding of statistical variability

Unit 4: Equivalence: Ratios, Rates, and Percents

- Understand and apply the equivalence relationships between ratios, rates, percents, and fractions.
- Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.

Unit 5: Negative Number Concepts

- Develop conceptual understanding of negative numbers and absolute value.
- Represent negative numbers on number lines and coordinate graphs.

**Cross Curricular Unit: Science Fair and Relationships Among Variables

- Taught in conjunction with Science Fair Project.
- Represent and analyze relationships between dependent and independent variables.

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Additional Common Core Units:
Unit 6: Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities
- Apply and extend previous understanding of arithmetic to algebraic expressions.
- Reason about and solve one-variable equations and inequalities.

Unit 7: Geometry: Area of Polygons

- Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area of polygons

Grading Policy
Final grades at the end of each quarter will be assessed as follows:
Homework: 25%
The purpose of homework assignments will be to give students extra practice and to let teachers know
how well they can complete problems independently. For most full weeks of instruction, students will
receive a set of assignments on Mondays that will be due on Thursdays. All homework assignments will
be listed on Veracross, and on average, we expect 6th grade students to spend 20-30 minutes on math
homework nightly. Weekly homework packets will have a cover sheet to help students plan when to do
each assignment and keep track of what they have completed. A routine will be established to help
students learn from their mistakes on homework. Students will sometimes receive weekend assignments
on Thursdays to be completed by the following Monday. Weekend assignments generally include a
Mathspace and/or Google Classroom assignment. Options for extra practice will be available through the
Math in Focus website. The math department will not give homework assignment over holiday breaks.
Homework grades will be assigned based on the following criteria:
- Attention to routines: name and date written, checklist used, etc. (2.5 points)
- Attention to detail: instructions read and followed (2.5 points)
- Thorough completion: all problems complete with work shown (10 points)
- Punctuality (5 points)
* Late Work Policy: 1 point will be deducted per day an assignment is late. After 5 school days,
assignments will no longer be accepted for a grade, but completion may be required.

Classwork: 25%
It is important for us to have an engaging classroom environment in which all students feel comfortable
sharing their ideas. There will be opportunities to work individually, in partnerships, in small groups, and
as a whole class. Students must demonstrate a willingness to complete classroom activities, discuss their
own and others ideas, and follow all class norms. Further, they must be on time and prepared for class:
bring pencils/pens, binder, and all assignments and materials to class daily, keep an organized section in a
homework binder for this class only.

Quizzes: 25%
Quizzes help teachers gauge students progress throughout a unit and will often include an open-ended
task on which students can show their problem solving, reasoning, and communication skills. After
receiving a quiz grade, students are encouraged to make corrections to their work or retake the assessment
to earn back half of the missed credit.

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Unit Tests/ Unit Projects: 25%
Unit tests are an opportunity for students to show growth from pre-tests and quizzes. As with quizzes,
students will be encouraged to correct any mistakes or retake the exam to make up half credit. In some
cases, a unit project will be assigned instead of or in addition to a unit test to allow students to apply what
they have learned in a creative way.

Evaluation: Students will often take part in evaluating their own work and revising it to meet rubric
guidelines. Below is the rubric we will use for learning tasks.

Absence Policy:
When a student is absent, it is his or her responsibility to check for assignments on Veracross and/or with
a classmate. Remember that all assignments appear on the Veracross calendar on their due date, and not
on the date they are assigned. Additionally, materials used in class will be kept in a Missed Work folder
and students should pick them up as soon as they return to class. For additional information regarding
extended absences, please see the AIM Community Handbook.

Class Expectations
As a class, we will set norms for how we will do math together. Beyond our agreed-upon norms, students
are required to adhere to AIMs Code of Conduct in math class.