Pebblekeeper

The New Plan–2nd Semester of 6th Grade, take 2

Jon liked our Khan Academy plan to venture through their program, however, the software doesn’t seem to put you on a clear path. If he passed through quickly, I had to come every 5-10 minutes to let him know where to go next. Not fun for either of us. After two weeks he was quite sure that he does not like entering his math answers on line. He’s held this line for a couple of years of reviewing online math programs. I think I’ll take his word for it now as solid.

I am going to use the order of Teaching Textbooks – with the videos of Saxon 7/6. Writing down the groups of skills, I have grouped all of the exercises together in a more Masterly based approach.

For Fractions and Primes, for instance, We’ll start back track to lesson 55 and 56. Complete the mental math at the beginning of the lesson, and the really focus in on the DIVE video and Lesson introduction in the book. We’ll be doing the practice problem set, looking for 100 percent correct. If time is allowed in the 40ish minute time frame, we’ll work on 5 or so practice problems from the lesson.

Like Khan, and America’s Math Teacher and many others we’ll focus the day on building the skills in a mastery approach with less focus on spending 40 minutes practicing a spiral of the year’s worth of information. Really, when else do we do this? With History? Do we spend 5 minutes on Greek Studies and then 45 minutes alone reviewing every history fact from the year? Biology? 5 minutes in a video lesson and then 45 minutes reviewing all of the points for the year? Anything else? If I learn to make a new cookie recipe do I spend 45 minutes researching hams, breads, candies, and vegetables? No. If I need to make bread, I can quickly look at that recipe and tips. Such is life. Why is it different in math?

I have the plans pulled out, will spend a little time making lesson plans typed out so Jon can know each day what is expected, and we’ll journey on through the rest of the year.

Maybe now y’all won’t have to skim your reader and email hearing me chat about math struggles. Ha!