We have just started Unit 5 which is our Geometry Unit.  While this unit involves the basics of what they have already learned how to do in Unit 3 (replace variables with the numbers provided), this always proves to be a challenging unit for some students.  The best way to support your student in this unit is to make sure they are reviewing every school night.  If they say they have no homework it is 90% sure that is not true.  I assign something at least 4 nights a week-even if it is to re-do some problems we did together in class.  So, please ask to see what we did in class.  If they can't find their work from the day have them watch videos of the topic on Khan Academy or USAtestprep. All students can always access 6th grade math practice on USAtestprep for 10-15 minutes as well.  There does not have to be an assignment created for them by me.  There are some students who practice 4-6 days a week-I get the reports every morning.  Great job to parents and students for this amazing accountability!

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I will post the parent letter that goes with Unit 5 under the "Supporting materials by unit" tab.  In it you will see every concept to be covered this unit, so your child can watch videos ahead or time or go back and practice online.  Today we covered day two of finding the area of quadrilaterals. 

Tomorrow and Wednesday we will focus on finding the area of triangles to include solving related word problems. By Thursday I expect to start finding the area of composite figures (where within the shape there may be a triangle and a rectangle or two rectangles that need to be separated). 

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Here is an example of them applying the area skill:

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The picture below represents a park.  The shaded area is a small sand pit within the park.  What is the area of the non-shaded part? 

The student would need to find the area of both shapes and then subtract the area of the playground from that of the state park.                           

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               40 ft​

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                                         80 ft

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Tonight's homework is page 578 and this will be a GRADED assignment.  Much of the homework is for their practice only.  When they practice they are much more successful in class and on assessments.  Every child was given a new plastic yellow folder to be used just for math.  They tore out all pages from their workbook that would assist them with their homework.  We did some examples in class.

Site for interactive lesson Monday

http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/mejhm/index.html?l=0&ID1=AB.MATH.JR.SHAP&ID2=AB.MATH.JR.SHAP.AREA&lesson=html/object_interactives/composite_figures/explore_it.html

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