(1) The desire to achieve educational excellence is the driving force behind the Texas essential knowledge and skills for mathematics, guided by the college and career readiness standards. By embedding statistics, probability, and finance, while focusing on computational thinking, mathematical fluency, and solid understanding, Texas will lead the way in mathematics education and prepare all Texas students for the challenges they will face in the 21st century.
(2) The process standards describe ways in which students are expected to engage in the content. The placement of the process standards at the beginning of the knowledge and skills listed for each grade and course is intentional. The process standards weave the other knowledge and skills together so that students may be successful problem solvers and use mathematics efficiently and effectively in daily life. The process standards are integrated at every grade level and course. When possible, students will apply mathematics to problems arising in everyday life, society, and the workplace. Students will use a problem-solving model that incorporates analyzing given information, formulating a plan or strategy, determining a solution, justifying the solution, and evaluating the problem-solving process and the reasonableness of the solution. Students will select appropriate tools such as real objects, manipulatives, algorithms, paper and pencil, and technology and techniques such as mental math, estimation, number sense, and generalization and abstraction to solve problems. Students will effectively communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple representations such as symbols, diagrams, graphs, computer programs, and language. Students will use mathematical relationships to generate solutions and make connections and predictions. Students will analyze mathematical relationships to connect and communicate mathematical ideas. Students will display, explain, or justify mathematical ideas and arguments using precise mathematical language in written or oral communication.
(3) The primary focal areas in Grade 6 are number and operations; proportionality; expressions, equations, and relationships; and measurement and data. Students use concepts, algorithms, and properties of rational numbers to explore mathematical relationships and to describe increasingly complex situations. Students use concepts of proportionality to explore, develop, and communicate mathematical relationships. Students use algebraic thinking to describe how a change in one quantity in a relationship results in a change in the other. Students connect verbal, numeric, graphic, and symbolic representations of relationships, including equations and inequalities. Students use geometric properties and relationships, as well as spatial reasoning, to model and analyze situations and solve problems. Students communicate information about geometric figures or situations by quantifying attributes, generalize procedures from measurement experiences, and use the procedures to solve problems. Students use appropriate statistics, representations of data, and reasoning to draw conclusions, evaluate arguments, and make recommendations. While the use of all types of technology is important, the emphasis on algebra readiness skills necessitates the implementation of graphing technology.
(4) Statements that contain the word “including” reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase “such as” are intended as possible illustrative examples.
The student uses mathematical processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to represent and use rational numbers in a variety of forms. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to represent addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division while solving problems and justifying solutions. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to develop an understanding of proportional relationships in problem situations. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to solve problems involving proportional relationships. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to use multiple representations to describe algebraic relationships. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to develop concepts of expressions and equations. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to use geometry to represent relationships and solve problems. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to use equations and inequalities to represent situations. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to use equations and inequalities to solve problems. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to use coordinate geometry to identify locations on a plane. The student is expected to graph points in all four quadrants using ordered pairs of rational numbers.
The student applies mathematical process standards to use numerical or graphical representations to analyze problems. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to use numerical or graphical representations to solve problems. The student is expected to:
The student applies mathematical process standards to develop an economic way of thinking and problem solving useful in one’s life as a knowledgeable consumer and investor. The student is expected to: