Parents’ Guide to Student Success!
Information from National PTA 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade
6th Grade:
This guide provides an overview of what your child will learn by the end of 6th grade in mathematics and English language arts/literacy. If your child is meeting the expectations outlined in these standards, he or she will be well prepared for 7th grade.
Why Are Academic Standards Important?
Academic standards are important because they help ensure that all students, no matter where they live, are prepared for success in college and the workforce. Standards provide an important first step — a clear roadmap for learning for teachers, parents, and students. Having clearly defined goals helps families and teachers work together to ensure that students succeed. They also will help your child develop critical thinking skills that will prepare him or her for college and career
English Language Arts & Literacy
A Sample of What Your Child Will Be Working on in 6th Grade
Gaining knowledge from materials that make extensive use of elaborate diagrams and data to convey information and illustrate concepts
Evaluating the argument and specific claims in written materials or a speech, and distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not
Presenting claims and findings to others orally, sequencing ideas logically, and accentuating main ideas or themes
Writing brief reports that examine a topic, have a clear focus, and include relevant facts, details, and quotations
Conducting short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources, and sharpening the focus based on the research findings
Reviewing and paraphrasing key ideas and multiple perspectives of a speaker
Determining the correct meaning of a word based on the context in which it is used (e.g., the rest of the sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or function in a sentence)
When you talk to the teacher, do not worry about covering everything.
Instead, keep the conversation focused on the most important topics. In
6th grade, these include:
Reading closely and citing evidence from grade-level fiction and nonfiction to support analysis of what the materials say
Developing a rich vocabulary of complex and sophisticated words and using them to speak and write more precisely and coherently
Mathematics
A Sample of What Your Child Will Be Working on in 6th Grade
Understanding ratios and rates, and solving problems involving proportional relationships (e.g., if it took 7 hours to mow 4 lawns, then at that rate, how many lawns could be mowed in 35 hours?)
Dividing fractions and solving related word problems (e.g., how wide is a rectangular strip of land with length 3⁄4 mile and area 1⁄2 square mile?)
Using positive and negative numbers together to describe quantities; understanding the ordering and absolute values of positive and negative numbers
Working with variables and expressions by generalizing the way numbers work (e.g., when adding numbers, the order doesn’t matter, so x + y = y + x; likewise, properties of addition and multiplication can be used to rewrite 24x + 18y as 6(4x + 3y), or y + y + y as 3y)
Writing equations to solve word problems and describe relationships between quantities (e.g., the distance D traveled by train in time T might be expressed by an equation D = 85T, where D is in miles and T is in hours)
Reasoning about relationships between shapes to determine area, surface area, and volume
When you talk to the teacher, do not worry about covering everything. Instead, keep the conversation focused on the most important topics. In 6th grade, these include:
Analyzing and solving problems using concepts of ratio and rate
Working with variables and expressions
Analyzing and solving word problems using equations
Help Your Child Learn at Home
Try to create a quiet place for your child to study, and carve out time every day when your child can concentrate. You should also try to sit down with your child at least once a week for 15 to 30 minutes while he or she works on homework. This will keep you informed about what your child is working on, and it will help you be the first to know if your child needs help with specific topics. Additionally, here are some activities you can do with your child to support learning at home:
English Language Arts & Literacy
Listen with your child to a television reporter, politician, or other speakers. Ask your child to tell you the speaker’s main points. Was the speaker trying to convince the audience of something? How?
Encourage your child to learn at the library or on the Internet what life in your community was like 100 years ago. Have your child write a story, poem, or play about that time
Mathematics
Look for “word problems” in real life. Some 6th-grade examples might include:
Determining the average speed of a family trip, based on the distance traveled and the time is taken; or estimating the time that a trip will take, given the distance and an estimate of the average speed
Finding the surface area of the walls and ceiling in a room to determine the cost of painting the room
For more information, the full standards are available at www.corestandards.org
7th Grade:
This guide provides an overview of what your child will learn by the end
of 7th grade in mathematics and English language arts/literacy. If your
child is meeting the expectations outlined in these standards, he or she
will be well prepared for 8th grade.
Why Are Academic Standards Important?
Academic standards are important because they help ensure that all students, no matter where they
live, are prepared for success in college and the workforce. Standards provide an important first step — a clear roadmap for learning for teachers, parents, and students. Having clearly defined goals helps families and teachers work together to ensure that students succeed. They also will help your child develop critical thinking skills that will prepare him or her for college and a career.
English Language Arts & Literacy
A Sample of What Your Child Will Be Working on in 7th Grade
Citing several sources of specific evidence from a piece when offering an oral or written analysis of a book, essay, article, or play
Organizing and focusing his or her own writing, including support- ing statements and conclusions with evidence and showing that the evidence is accurate and reliable
Conducting research in response to a specific question by draw- ing on evidence from several
credible literary or informational sources to support an analysis or reflection
Avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citations (e.g., footnotes, bibliography)
Evaluating a speaker’s key points and reasoning, asking questions, and stating his or her own well-supported ideas in discussions
Presenting claims and findings to others emphasizing main points, making eye contact, speaking loudly enough, pronouncing words clearly, and using formal English when the situation calls for it
Using common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to defining the meaning of a word (e.g., semi-, semiannual, semicircle)
When you talk to the teacher, do not worry about covering everything. Instead, keep the conversation focused on the most important topics. In 7th grade, these include:
Reading closely and citing several sources of evidence from grade-level fiction and nonfiction works to support an analysis of what the material says
Developing a rich vocabulary of complex and sophisticated words and using them to speak and write more precisely and coherently
Mathematics
A Sample of What Your Child Will Be Working on in 7th Grade
Analyzing proportional relationships (e.g., by graphing in the coordinate plane), and distinguishing proportional relationships from other kinds of mathematical relationships (e.g., buying 10 times as many items will cost you 10 times as much, but taking 10 times as many aspirin will not lower your fever 10 times as much)
Solving percent problems (e.g., tax, tips, and markups and markdowns)
Solving word problems that have a combination of whole num-bers, fractions, and decimals (e.g., a woman making $25 per hour receives a 10% raise; she will make an additional 1⁄10 of his or her salary an hour, or $2.50, for a new salary of $27.50)
Solving equations such as 1⁄2 (x – 3) = 3⁄4 quickly and accurately, and writing equations of this kind to solve word problems
Solving problems involving scale drawings
Using statistics to draw inferences and make comparisons (e.g., deciding which candidate is likely to win an election based on a survey)
When you talk to the teacher, do not worry about covering everything. Instead, keep the conversation focused on the most important topics. In 7th grade, these include:
Analyzing proportional relationships
Arithmetic with positive and negative numbers
Solving equations quickly and accurately, and writing equations to solve word problems
Help Your Child Learn at Home
Try to create a quiet place for your child to study, and carve out time every day when your child can concentrate. You should also try to sit down with your child at least once a week for 15 to 30 minutes while he or she works on homework. This will keep you informed about what your child is working on, and it will help you be the first to know if your child needs help with specific topics. Additionally, here are some activities you can do with your child to support learning at home:
English Language Arts & Literacy
Visit a local art museum together. Take time to closely observe the details of the paintings or other art objects and talk about what you see there
Ask your child who his or her favorite authors are. Why does your child like their books? What ideas does the author write about? Who are his or her favorite characters? Why? To find recommendations of books for your child to read, visit www.corestandards.org/assets/Appendix_B.pdf
Mathematics
Look for “word problems” in real life. Some 7th-grade examples might include:
Figuring the amount of a 15% tip or determining what percentage of weekly income goes to pay taxes
For a long-term project, help your child choose a stock and follow its value on the stock market using the newspaper or the Internet. Have your child calculate the stock’s percent increase or decrease each month
For more information, the full standards are available at www.corestandards.org
8th Grade:
This guide provides an overview of what your child will learn by the end
of 8th grade in mathematics and English language arts/literacy. If your
child is meeting the expectations outlined in these standards, he or she
will be well prepared for 8th grade.
Why Are Academic Standards Important?
Academic standards are important because they help ensure that all students, no matter where they
live, are prepared for success in college and the workforce. Standards provide an important first step — a clear roadmap for learning for teachers, parents, and students. Having clearly defined goals helps families and teachers work together to ensure that students succeed. They also will help your child develop critical thinking skills that will prepare him or her for college and a career.
English Language Arts & Literacy
A Sample of What Your Child Will Be Working on in 8th Grade
Citing the evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what is explicitly stated and/or implied from a book, article, poem, or play
Analyzing where materials on the same topic disagree on mat-ters of fact, interpretation, or point of view
Building writing around strong central ideas or points of view; supporting the ideas with sound reasoning and evidence, precise word choices, smooth transitions, and different sentence structures
Planning and conducting research projects that include several steps and use many credible and documented print and digital sources
Analyzing the purpose of information presented in diverse media (e.g., print, TV, web) and evaluating its social, political, or commercial motives
Presenting findings and claims to others, emphasizing key points with relevant evidence and sound reasoning, adapting speech to the audience and the formality of the setting, and responding to questions and comments with relevant observations and ideas
Using strong, active verbs to create a clear picture for the reader (e.g., walk, skip, meander, lurch, limp)
Interpreting figures of speech (e.g., irony, puns) and developing a large vocabulary of general academic words and phrases
When you talk to the teacher, do not worry about covering everything. Instead, keep the conversation focused on the most important topics. In 8th grade, these include:
Reading closely and drawing evidence from grade-level fiction and non-fiction works that most strongly supports an analysis of the material
Developing a rich vocabulary of complex and sophisticated words and using them to speak and write more precisely and coherently
Mathematics
A Sample of What Your Child Will Be Working on in 8th Grade
Understanding slope, and relating linear equations in two vari-ables to lines in the coordinate plane
Solving linear equations (e.g., –x + 5(x + 1⁄3) = 2x – 8); solving pairs of linear equations (e.g., x + 6y = –1 and 2x – 2y = 12); and writing equations to solve related word problems
Understanding functions as rules that assign a unique output number to each input number; using linear functions to model relationships
Analyzing statistical relationships by using a best-fit line (a straight line that models an association between two quantities)
Working with positive and negative exponents, square root and cube root symbols, and scientific notation (e.g., evaluating Ö36 + 64; estimating world population as 7 x 109)
Understanding congruence and similarity using physical models, transparencies, or geometry software (e.g., given two congruent figures, show how to obtain one from the other by a sequence of rotations, translations, and/or reflections)
When you talk to the teacher, do not worry about covering everything. Instead, keep the conversation focused on the most important topics. In 8th grade, these include:
Linear equations with one and two variables
Functions
Congruence and similarity of geometric figures
Help Your Child Learn at Home
Try to create a quiet place for your child to study, and carve out time every day when your child can concentrate. You should also try to sit down with your child at least once a week for 15 to 30 minutes while he or she works on homework. This will keep you informed about what your child is working on, and it will help you be the first to know if your child needs help with specific topics. Additionally, here are some activities you can do with your child to support learning at home:
English Language Arts & Literacy
Make time in everyone’s busy schedule for family discussions about things going on around the world. Weekends can be a chance for everyone to catch up
Visit the campus of a local college with your teen. Begin talking about college early. What does he or she expect from college? What high school courses will your child need to pass to prepare for college?
Mathematics
MathematicsAsk your child to share with you any work he or she is doing in math class that strikes him or her as interesting. Some possibilities might include:
Solving interesting problems involving cylinders and spheres, such as figuring out how much water fits inside a garden hose, or how many earths would fit inside the sun
Analyzing data with a scatterplot, for example to decide whether exercise and obesity are related
For more information, the full standards are available at www.corestandards.org