All sixth grade students have been working in class on their semester project. These projects will count as a test grade as well as 25% of their semester exam grade. Below are the due dates for the projects.

6th Grade Math (1st & 2nd Blocks): Projects are due on Wed., Nov. 18th

6th Advanced Math: Projects are due Thurs., Nov. 19th

Parents,

Many of our 6th grade students do not know their math facts through 12 x 12, and by this age these should be committed to memory. In eduction today their is a strong urge to move away from memorization, this way of thinking emphasizes that the important concept is know “how to get the answer” and “being able to explain the answer and how you arrived at it.” While I believe that both of the former are true, I also believe if a student doesn’t have their facts (through 12 x 12) committed to memory by middle school it becomes a hinderance to them.

Multiplication facts are an essential element in many of our math concepts and formulas from 6th grade on up to college level mathematics. They are used in concepts such as LCM, LCD, Factorization, Ratios and Proportions, Simplifying Fractions, and many others (and these are just of few of the 6th grade concepts). As you can see, if your student does not have a firm grasp of the multiplication facts, the work we do on quizzes, homework, and tests is going to take a lot longer and be more frustrating for them.

We will not go over these in class, but students can and should be working on these at home. Your student was supplied with a fact chart at the beginning of the year with facts through 13 x 13. They are allowed to use this on their homework, but not on quizzes or tests. This could be a good study aid for a student as well. There are many ways that your student could practice these facts:

1. Write each fact down 5 times, and do this a few times a week.

2. Create flash cards using index cards or even copy paper.

3. There are a lot of internet games dealing with multiplication.

4. Even just reading over them and saying each one aloud a few times will help.

The more facts your student knows, the less frustrating their  math experience will be!

We’ve just started our 3rd week of school, and I feel that the kids are needing a few reminders. With all of the rules, procedures, new schedules, etc. that a new school year entails it’s not hard to forget some of the details that could greatly impact their grade.

1. Already I have had a number of students not turning in homework. Remember that an assignment may be turned in one day late for a max. grade of 70, after that it becomes a zero.

2. Three incomplete or late assignments results in a detention, and six results in a day of SAC.

3. Students may correct any failing grade for a max. grade of 70. This can help a students’ grade improve, plus will give extra practice to concepts where their skills were lacking.

4. If a student receives an incomplete or late assignment, they will be ineligible for the reward day that six weeks.

I hope everyone has enjoyed their summer break! Mine felt a little short, but I am excited about starting school again. I look forward to working with and getting to know the students!! It is my hope that in our class each child will not only achieve academic success but personal success as well.

Sixth grade is a totally new experience for our students…switching classes, lockers, and more responsibility. This can be a challenging year for some students, but I feel that with parent participation we can make this an enjoyable and successful year for our kids! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you have along the way.

The online textbook is just how it sounds… the WHOLE textbook online. It also has tons of resources that the printed text can’t offer-

• ONLINE TUTORIALS

• PRINTABLE WORKSHEETS

• ANIMATED EXAMPLES

• AND MORE….

CLICK HERE to go to the online textbook.

You will need the following information to access certain resources:

Registered Member: MAC1TX07

Password: lonestar

Below is a copy of the Math Guidelines that went home at the beginning of the year. It addresses a lot of common concerns parents have including homework and grading policies.

MATH DEPARTMENT GUIDELINES

• EXPECT DAILY HOMEWORK.
  • (3 incomplete assignments will be assigned detention.)

• EXPECT TESTS AT THE END OF EACH UNIT
  • Test reviews will be sent home to be signed by parents the night before the test (5 bonus points on   test). Reviews are VERY SIMILAR to the test. Working the review will be a good indicator of how well the student will do on the test.

• KEY TO UNDERSTANDIN MATH IS PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!
• INCOMPLETE/INCORRECT DAILY WORK.
  • May be completed by the NEXT day for no more than 70%.
• PLEASE UTILIZE E-MAIL IF/WHEN POSSIBLE.
  • Teachers can respond more quickly to email than phone calls, and it is more reliable than phone messages.

7TH GRADE GRADING POLICY

• DAILY WORK – 50%
  • HOMEWORK
  • QUIZZES
• TESTS – 50%

TUTORIALS

• Every morning from 7:40-7:55

Below is my daily schedule and contact information. E-mail is the fastest and most reliable form of communication.

SCHEDULE

8:00-9:34            TEAM/CONFERENCE

9:38-11: 04         7TH GRADE MATH

11:04-11:34        LUNCH

11:38-12:08        POWER MATH

12:12-1:32          7TH GRADE MATH

1:36- 2:56           7TH GRADE MATH

3:00-3:30            POWER MATH PLANNING

CONTACT INFORMATION:

• VOICEMAIL: 903.291.2069

• E-MAIL: watsonl@woisd.net