Friday, August 31, 2012

Setting up your Math NOTEBOOK

Students were asked to purchase a composition book to use for math.  Some teachers have allowed students to use spirals as well.

These notebooks will become a student's life preserver to help him/her survive not only 6th grade math, but 7th & 8th grade math as well.  Do NOT throw them away.  Math builds upon skills from year to year.  This notebook will be a resource for vocabulary, specific skills, and a variety of techniques to solve problems.

Math Notebook
On Outside Cover:
            Your First and Last Name
            Math Teacher
            Math Period
Fold the first page to make a POCKET.  Tape it to the inside cover. 
            This will hold your Formula Chart for 6th grade
Number EVERY page in your composition/spiral notebook. 
            The first page is 1. On the back of that page is page 2. 
Page 1           Title it “TABLE of CONTENTS”
            In the left margin,write “DATE”
            In the middle of the page, write “LESSON”
            In the right margin, write “PAGE”
Page 7  Title it “VOCABULARY INDEX”
            Divide the page into four sections (like a huge cross in the middle of the page)
            Label each box…A, then B, then C, then D

            Page 8 will have boxes with E, F, G, H
            Page 9…I, J, K, L       
            Page 10…M, N, O, P                                   
            Page 11…Q, R, S, T                      
            Page 12…U, V, W, X                                               
            Page 13…Y, Z

Page 15  Title it “Notebook Etiquette” (we will be gluing in a page here)

Page 17  Title it “LESSONS”

Page 19   Title it “Whole Numbers”

Go to the LAST page of your Notebook.
            On the front of the page, glue (or use scotch tape) your EPSE example

On the back of the page, glue (or tape) your EPSE notes


FA = Quiz


Friday is our first FA for all 6th grade math students.
The quiz will cover adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing whole numbers (no decimals or fractions). They will be tested over basic computation (ability to find the answer) and problem solving (word problems). Students are required to use the EPSE format when solving word problems. All the math teachers have covered their expectations during class this week.

This will be a short 5-10 question quiz that should be completed in approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Students should review their notes and work from this week when preparing for the quiz.

Some students know their basic math facts, but have difficulty recalling their times tables, remembering steps within a problem or have trouble setting up word problems. These students need to do a few things:
1) flash cards, flash cards, flash cards. Repetition and drill is important in math. It is boring and it is time consuming but it is very, very important. There are now fun ways to study. If you have an Apple product (iPhone, iTouch or iPad) you can down load many free apps that target basic math skills. A wonderful app for making flashcards is called Flashcardlet. I recommend it for anyone who has to learn vocabulary words or needs to make math flashcards. Love it!!! A good app for building up the steps in long division is called Long Div. Great because is makes the student go through each step of the process.
2) practice, practice, practice. Practice makes perfect. Students don't need a workbook, fancy electronic device or the need to "google". Just make up your own math problems like 3004 - 827 or 7982 x 543. Have your student work the problem then check it on a calculator. Calculators are everywhere these days...buy one at the dollar store, find it on your phone, or pull it up on your computer. Many students can get the right answer but they need to be able to work a problem quickly and correctly. They can only increase their speed with practice.
3) tutorials, tutorials, tutorials. The 6th grade math teachers offer free tutorials numerous times throughout the week. All students will be given a Math Tutorial Pass which will give them access to any tutorial that is listed for their math course. Many parents choose to hire a private tutor or have their child attend an after-school math class such as Kumon. I believe that you can never have too much math practice so whatever works for your family is what is best for your child.