Mathematics Curriculum Guide

Number Sense and Number Systems

Grade 6

In the Area of: Number Sense & Number Systems

1

 

Outcome
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  Calculate, compute, use whole numbers, fractions, decimals fluently.

 

Have students work in groups then present drawing on board or overhead to show fractional parts of a whole.

 

A Trip to Benny's Bakery.

 

Conclusion of unit. Students write a report that explains their understanding of rational numbers. Students, "cut," rectangular cake into unusual shapes which tessellate. - Understanding Rational Numbers and Proportions, pp. 13-31, NCTM Addenda.

 

Grade 6

In the Area of: Number Sense & Number Systems

 

2

 

Outcome
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Instructional Strategies
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Learning Activities
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Extension
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Resources

 

  Demonstrate an understanding of place value to millionths. Students work in groups to determine what a millionth of, "something," could be.

 

Exploring the Size of One Millionth.

 

    Developing Number Sense, NCTM Addenda, p. 24.

 

Grade 6

In the Area of: Number Sense & Number Systems

 

3

 

Outcome
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Instructional Strategies
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Learning Activities
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Assessment

 

Extension
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Resources

 

  Demonstrate an understanding of exponents.

 

Use words such as, "base," "power," "square," "cube." Model examples of each.

 

Use dot paper to draw square numbers. Relate to area of a perfect square. Build cubes to show number raised to 3rd power.

 

Check student designs and construction.

Make tables to show progression such as 2 , 2 , 2 , etc.

Writing: Describe how the size of a motion picture is related to distance of the projector to the screen. Ex: 20 ft = 20 = 400 ft.

 

 

Grade 6

In the Area of: Number Sense & Number Systems

 

4

 

Outcome
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Instructional Strategies
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Learning Activities
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Assessment

 

Extension
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Resources

 

  Develop rational, whole, integer number systems.

 

Use manipulatives such as circles, fraction bars.

 

Identify fractions near 0, 1/2, and 1. Sort fractions into categories such as: between 0 and 1/4; 1/4 and 1/2, etc.

 

- Draw pictures illustrating fractional parts of a whole.

- Get with the System activities.

-Developing Number Sense, Pg. 30, Addenda Series.

-Zounds!, p.96.

 

Grade 6

In the Area of: Number Sense & Number Systems

 

5

 

Outcome
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Instructional Strategies
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Learning Activities
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Assessment

 

Extension
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Resources

 

Demonstrate concepts of prime and composite numbers, divisibility rules, squares and powers, square roots. Ask questions such as: How are the dimensions of a rectangle related to the factors? Build rectangles using a specified number of tiles. Ex.: Using 18 tiles, how many different rectangles can you build?

 

Students draw rectangles on grid paper. Observe students using tiles. Build perfect squares. Identify the square root. Build cubes; identify the cube root.

Grade 6

In the Area of: Number Sense & Number Systems

 

6

 

Outcome
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Instructional Strategies
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Learning Activities
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Assessment

 

Extension
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Resources

 

  Develop, use percents, ratios and proportions through real world applications and problems.

 

Review connections between fractions, decimals and percents. Using M&M's demonstrate ratio and proportion.

 

M&M Experiment.

 

Use activity sheets in unit with student input.

 

Use computer spreadsheet to graph selected data. Understanding Rational Numbers and Proportions, NCTM Addenda Series, Grades 5-8,pp.49-56.

 

Grade 6

In the Area of: Number Sense & Number Systems

 

7

 

Outcome
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Instructional Strategies
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Learning Activities
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Assessment

 

Extension
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Resources

 

  Compare, develop percents, ratios and proportions through their relationships.

 

 

Make a large chart with the headings PERCENTS, RATIOS, PROPORTION. Aggregate data from student M&M experiment. Student volunteers explain process for discerning each of the values for the whole class.
 
Extend concepts taught through M&M experiment through application to another population and set of data as provided by the teacher.

 

  Devise their own version of the M & M experiment with choice of product, investigation and reporting of percents, ratios and proportions related to the product. Share in report and diagram form with appropriate audience.

 

 

Grade 6

In the Area of: Number Sense & Number Systems

 

8

 

Outcome
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Instructional Strategies
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Learning Activities
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Assessment

 

Extension
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Resources

 

  Demonstrate understanding of relationship between mathematical operations. (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) Discuss, elicit solutions from students of sequences and mathematical operations involved.

 

 

Explore patterns, determine sequence : Examples: Fibonacci numbers and the Golden Ratio, Pascal's Triangle. After sufficient class time for exploration with or without a partner, student can then solve pattern puzzle provided by teacher.

 

  Take a Number activity.

 

- A Mathematical Mystery Tour: Higher Thinking Math Tasks.

- Zounds!, p.97.

 

 

Grade 6

In the Area of: Number Sense & Number Systems

 

9

 

Outcome
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Instructional Strategies
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Learning Activities
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Assessment

 

Extension
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Resources

 

  Develop other non base ten number systems. (binary, roman, etc.)

 

 

- Review place value concepts (regrouping, expanded notation, absolute value) via another base.

- Teacher models with overhead and beans and cups.

 

Use beans and cups to explore number values in another base with a partner. Record findings and share.
Explain place value and regrouping in a base other than 10.
Create their own mathematical language with a unique system of symbols and values. Devise problems within this number system. Invite others to solve. Share with appropriate audience.

 

Beans, cups, place value charts

Grade 6

In the Area of: Number Sense & Number Systems

 

10

 

Outcome
(The student will...)

 

Instructional Strategies
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Learning Activities
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Assessment

 

Extension
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Resources

 

  Convert from fractions to decimals and to percents regularly and understand the, "connectedness," of these numbers, including the fact that the fraction bar represents division to percents. Model common fractions and their decimal equivalents. Explain and relate use of calculator for fractions such as 3/16, 7/11, etc.

 

Work in groups to conduct surveys on diverse topics: ex. favorite fast foods or musical groups. Show data as fractions, decimals, percents.

 

Prepare a final table showing fractions, decimals, percents; write an essay about their relationships.

 

Use spreadsheet software to rewrite fractions as decimals.  

Grade 6

In the Area of: Number Sense & Number Systems

 

11

 

Outcome
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Instructional Strategies
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Learning Activities
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Assessment

 

Extension
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Resources

 

  Summarize and explain in writing reasons for mathematical computations/ solutions.

 

Review samples of student's writing about math ( anonymous) on overhead. Ask students to evaluate for depth/accuracy of mathematical thinking. Discussion can then generate a rubric to be used to evaluate further math writing assignments.

 

Write regularly in math journals as directed by teacher. Reflect on this writing and what it says about the level of student's understanding.

 

Student writing should clearly illustrate grasp of number sense as well as appropriate expression and usage.

 

 

Justify yourself activity. Zounds!, p.98.

Grade 6

In the Area of: Number Sense & Number Systems

 

12

 

Outcome
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Instructional Strategies
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Learning Activities
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Assessment

 

Extension
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Resources

 

  Describe how the four mathematical operations are affected by the order of operations and significantly different solutions obtained. Illustrate examples of solutions to an equation without using order of operations. Then show the correct solution using order of operations. Invite students to compare/contrast. - Connect dots in two different ways to show different outcomes. Students calculate an expression first without order of operations and then with to show two different outcomes. Compare

- Use scientific calculator to demonstrate competency in order of operations.

 

- Students correctly solve equations using the order of operations.

- Journal writing: explain how the order of operations can provide opportunities in certain situations.

Create a personal mnemonic device that will help them remember the order of operations. Diagram and share with class.

 

The Textbook Series: Order of Operations*

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