This week we have been working on developing characteristics of successful problem solvers as we working on the bikes and skateboard problem:

"A bike shop sold only bikes an skateboards.

All skateboards have 4 wheels and all bikes have 2 wheels.

There were 20 vehicles with a total of 52 wheels in the shop.

How many skateboards and bikes were in the shop?"

On Monday we discussed the importance of being persistent, and not giving up in the face of a challenge. On Tuesday, students finished working on their mini-posters and had a chance to share with their table mates to see different ways of solving the problem and become more flexible in approaching problems in different ways. For homework tonight, students are asked to choose a different method (such as using a table, guess and check, making a drawing, writing an equations, etc), other than what they had tried in class. Here are a few examples of different ways students solved the bike and skateboard problem.

Bike and Skateboard Problem Solving Assessment

Please follow the link below for the Problem Solving Assessment:

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHgzWEpGeVlqSmtLUXoycy05aFF5bWc6MQ

Organization

For some of us organization comes naturally, for others of us (including myself) we need to put a little extra effort to stay organized. If we are able to put time in at the beginning of the year to start developing good organizational habits, it will make our lives a lot easier later in the year, as well as in years to come.

Choose 1 day a week to go through your binder and organize your sections (I suggest Sunday or Monday, that way you can get your week off to a great and organized start). It may take 10-15 minutes at the start of the year, but with a little practice, you should be able to do your weekly organizing in under 5 minutes. The sooner you start, the easier it is going to get...so what are you waiting for?

Here is a little reminder of what you should be doing to stay organized in math:

1) Have 1 binder that is for math only

2) Make sure your binder has 4 dividers (Classwork, Homework, Tests/Quizzes, Projects)

3) Clip all your worksheets, hand-outs and notes into the correct sections

4) Make sure you have the correct heading (Name, Class and Date, with the question of the day underneath) to make it easier to find where in your binder a piece of paper belongs

Cool Site of Math Puzzles

I just found this online site filled with interesting and stimulating math puzzles and problems. Check them out. Just think how sharp your brain would be if you took 15 minutes out of your day that you spend online or watching tv to try these.

It's a workout for your brain!

http://www.transum.org/go/default.asp

Checkerboard Problem Reflection

Please click on the link below to access the online Checkerboard Reflection (due Monday Sept. 13)

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDA3QkdTdjAtZVhHNVhPTUo0c2Zya0E6MQ

Math Interview

Please follow the link below to access your first homework assignment, your Math Interview.  

I look forward to hearing about your experiences and learning in math!

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewformformkey=dGJDWHZET0EwYmxMRmlkc29uWFlPU1E6MQ 

Welcome!

Welcome Wildcats to an exciting new year together in 6th grade math!

This year we will continue to build and expand off concepts you began exploring in 5th grade, including working with parts of a whole, geometry, and algebra.  We will be using the Connected Math Curriculum, which is focused on building knowledge and understanding of mathematics through hands-on investigations and working together .  

Our year together in math will be focused on the journey to understanding, rather than just getting the "right answer."  I am excited to welcome a class of unique students and appreciate that each of you has your own strengths, and ways of understanding math, as well as your own challenges.  This year we will focus on how can we share our thinking and understanding with one another to become better problem solvers.  

I am very happy to welcome you to the beginning of our special journey together this year in 6th grade math!