Pre-Algebra is a course for sixth grade students who exhibit high mathematical ability and achievement and is designed to prepare students for Algebra I Honors in grade 7. The course focuses on the development of problem-solving skills and the acquisition of mathematical vocabulary and symbols. The active engagement of students along with the use of manipulatives (i.e. number lines, fractions circles, algebra tiles, and two-color counters) and technology, such as the Desmos calculator and Chromebooks, will allow students to develop an understanding of the mathematical principles they are learning. Facility in the use of technology will not be a substitute for students' understanding of quantitative concepts and proficiency in basic computations.
Essential Questions: How do I become a mathematical problem solver to better understand the world around me? In what ways can I communicate and represent my mathematical thinking?
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Pacing |
Number Sense: Neverending Numbers Units 1 & 2 (8 weeks)
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Patterns & Functions: Where’s the Line? Unit 3 (5 weeks)
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Computation and Estimation: What’s the true cost? Unit 4 (5 weeks)
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Algebra: Navigating the Variables Unit 5 (6 weeks)
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Probability and Statistics: Analyzing the Impact Unit 6 (5 weeks)
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Measurement & Geometry: Fill to Capacity Units 7 & 8 (9 weeks) 
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Focus of the Story |
How do I use mathematics on a daily basis? We begin our journey by becoming an effective mathematician through building number sense and computational skills of integers, as well as developing an understanding of exponents, perfect squares and scientific notation. |
How do I use mathematical relationships to make predictions? Next, we utilize number sense and computational skills to investigate and determine patterns and proportional relationships in the world around us. We build on our understanding of proportional relationships by understanding the steepness of a line (slope) and the y-intercept as it is illustrated in an equation, set of ordered pairs, and a graph. We also identify the domain and range of functions. |
How do I work to ensure/verify my answer is reasonable and accurate? We expand our computational skills through solving practical problems involving positive rational numbers. We become effective consumers by understanding percent increase and decrease as well as applications involving tax, tip, discount, commission and interest. In addition, we solve practical problems using proportional reasoning. |
How do I use reasoning to find the unknown? We continue to navigate relationships by developing and applying algebraic thinking and computational skills to represent equations and inequalities using the distributive property and combining of like terms. In addition, we demonstrate our understanding of a solution set numerically and graphically. |
How do I visualize and interpret data to make informed decisions? We further develop our number sense by investigating the differences between theoretical and experimental probability and discover the impact of dependent and independent events on probability. We also represent data in histograms, box and whisker plots, and scattergrams. |
How do I determine the amount of space an object occupies or the distance around that object? Finally, we sail on to algebraic thinking, computational skills, and properties of geometric shapes to solve real world problems. |
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Transfer Goals |
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Learning Targets |
I can represent and perform all operations with integers in practical situations. I can classify, describe, and illustrate the relationships between the subsets of the real number system. I can represent and compare real numbers written in various forms. I can identify, determine, and estimate positive or negative square roots. I can simplify expressions. |
I can identify and represent proportional relationships. I can determine and use the unit rate to find the missing values of a proportional relationship. I can make connections between and among representations of proportional relationships, additive relationships, and linear functions in different forms. I can determine if a relation is a function and identify the domain and range of the function in different forms. |
I can solve practical problems involving consumer applications using proportional reasoning and computational procedures for rational numbers. |
I can evaluate algebraic expressions for the given replacement values of the variables. I can simplify algebraic expressions using the distributive property and combining like terms. I can represent practical situations with a one-variable algebraic equation and inequality. I can solve and identify solutions to one-, two-, and multi-step equations and inequalities. |
I can represent data in various ways and make observations and inferences. I can determine the theoretical and experimental probability of an event. I can determine the probability of two independent or dependent events. |
I can identify geometric shapes and solve practical problems involving area, perimeter, circumference and the Pythagorean Theorem. I can use the relationships and properties for geometric plane figures to solve problems. I can apply transformations on the coordinate plane. I can solve practical problems that require determining the volume and surface area of rectangular prisms, pyramids, cylinders and cones. |
