Unit Summary

Unit Overview: In intermediate grades, students learn ways to compare various forms of representations to identify patterns and to draw conclusions based upon those representations. They also learn to apply properties to whole numbers while representing mathematical situations as expressions and number sentences. This sixth-grade unit provides students the opportunity to use previously learned knowledge and skills as they represent and describe patterns with tables, graphs, pictures, symbolic rules or words (A1B6); compare various forms of representations to identify a pattern (A1C6); identify functions as linear or nonlinear from a table or graph (A1D6); use variables to represent unknown quantities in expressions (A2A6); recognize equivalent forms for simple algebraic expressions (associative, distributive properties) (A2B6); model and solve problems, using multiple representations such as graphs, tables, expressions and equations (A3A6); and compare situations with constant or varying rates of change (A4A6).

Unit Plan: The four unit lessons include varied instructional activities and assessments that allow students to develop and apply the knowledge and skills identified in the Unit Goals and Grade-Level Expectations/Objectives section below. Student performance on assessments should be used to inform teachers about future instruction.

Essential Questions to Guide the Unit and Focus Teaching and Learning:

1.   How do we use patterns, relations, and functions to make and justify decisions and draw conclusions?

2.   How do patterns, relations, and functions help us understand our world?

3.   How do we use patterns, relations, and functions to solve problems?

Unit Strands: 1 = Primary    2 = Secondary

Unit Goals and Grade-Level Expectations/Objectives:

Students will understand patterns, relations, and functions.

Students will analyze change in various contexts.

A1B6: represent and describe patterns with tables, graphs, pictures, symbolic rules or words

A1C6: compare various forms of representations to identify a pattern

A1D6: identify functions as linear or nonlinear from a table or graph

A2A6: use variables to represent unknown quantities in expressions

A2B6: recognize equivalents forms for simple algebraic expressions (associative, distributive properties)

A3A6: model and solve problems, using multiple representations such as graphs, tables, expressions, and equations

A4A6: compare situations with constant or varying rates of change

Unit Relationship to Grade-Level Expectations Continuum:

In this unit, students develop the mathematics skills listed in the Targeted Learning column below. While supporting students in the development of these skills, teachers should also consider students’ previous learning and keep in mind their future learning.