Mathematics is the science of patterns and relationships. It is the language and logic of our technological world. A mathematically powerful person should be able to: 

  • Reason mathematically.
  • Communicate mathematically.
  • Solve problems using mathematics.
  • Make connections within mathematics and between mathematics and other fields. 

The following outlines some of the 6th grade expectations for your child under Michigan's new expectations.

Number and Operations

By the end of 6th grade, your child should be able to… 

  • Multiply and divide any two fractions, including mixed numbers. Example: 1/3 x 1/2 = 1/6
  • Add and multiply integers between -10 and 10; subtract and divide integers
  • Use exponents and express numbers in scientific notation

Algebra

By the end of 6th grade, your child should be able to:

CALCULATE RATES

  • Solve applied problems involving rates such as speed. Example: If a car is going 50 mph, how far will it go in 2 hours? Answer: 2 x 50 = 100 miles. 

SOLVE DECIMAL, PERCENTAGE AND RATIONAL NUMBER PROBLEMS 

  • Solve word problems involving percentages such as sales tax. Example: A CD costs $9.99 plus sales tax. Sales tax is 6%. How much is the CD altogether? Answer: $9.99 + .60 = $10.59 

USE VARIABLES, WRITE EXPRESSIONS AND EQUATIONS, AND COMBINE LIKE TERMS 

  • Use letters, with units, to represent quantities in a variety of contexts, such as y lbs, k minutes, x cookies. Example: A student eats x cookies in a minute, so 5x represents the number of cookies eaten in 5 minutes.

 SOLVE EQUATIONS 

  • Solve equation ax + b = c
    Example: 3x + 8 = 14
    Answer: 3x = 14 - 8 –> 3x = 6 –> x= 2

Measurement

By the end of 6th grade, your child should be able to…

CONVERT WITHIN MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS 

  • Convert between basic units of measurement within a single measurement system. Example: How many square feet of carpet is needed to cover a floor that is 5 square yards? Answer: 5 yards x 5 yards = 25 square yards –> 25 x 9 (3 feet per yard squared) = 225 feet.

Geometry

By the end of the 6th grade, your child should be able to...

  • Understand and apply basic properties of lines, angles and triangles including relationships of angles to one another; and knowing that the sum of the exterior angles of a convex polygon is 360 degrees.
  • Use paper folding to perform basic geometric constructions of perpendicular lines, midpoints of line segments and angle bisectors

Data and Probability

By the end of 6th grade, your child should be able to...

  • Express probabilities as fractions, decimals or percentages between 0 and 1 ex. there is a 50 per cent chance that this would happen
  • Know that 0 probability means an event will not occur and that probability 1 means an event will occur
  • Compute the outcomes of simple probability experiments eg. tossing dice, flipping coins etc.

Read all of the 6th grade math expectations for yourself at the  Michigan Department of Education web site.