Grade 6 Math: how to help at home
What your child learns in Grade 6 math in the BC Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Mixed numbers and decimal numbers represent quantities that can be decomposed into parts and wholes.
- Computational fluency and flexibility with numbers extend to operations with whole numbers and decimals.
- Linear relations can be identified and represented using expressions with variables and line graphs and can be used to form generalizations.
- Properties of objects and shapes can be described, measured, and compared using volume, area, perimeter, and angles.
- Data from the results of an experiment can be used to predict the theoretical probability of an event and to compare and interpret.
Easy ways to practise math at home
- Look for fractions, decimals and percentages in sale signs, sports statistics and recipes.
- Ask your child to explain a problem to you as if you were the student.
- Estimate first (the bill, the trip time), then check with a calculator.
- Keep a tricky-problems list and revisit it every few days instead of re-doing everything.
What each unit covers
Thousandths to Billions
Reading, writing, comparing and rounding numbers from thousandths (0.001) up to billions, including multiplying and dividing by 10, 100 and 1000.
Facts & Factors
Quick recall of multiplication and division facts, plus factors, multiples and prime numbers, the greatest common factor (GCF) and least common multiple (LCM), and word problems that use them.
Mixed Numbers & Ratios
Switching between improper fractions (like 13/5) and mixed numbers (2 3/5), placing them on a number line, and writing and using ratios such as 3:4 in tables and word problems.
Decimal × and ÷
Multiplying and dividing decimals, estimating to check where the decimal point goes, and solving shopping and measurement problems.
Percents & Budgets
Finding percents of amounts, working out sale prices and savings, comparing unit prices to find the better buy, and planning a simple budget and savings goal.
Patterns & Graphs
Describing growing and shrinking patterns with rules like 3n + 2, using tables and graphs to predict values, and reading change over time from line graphs.
Equations
Using the order of operations (brackets, then × and ÷, then + and −) and solving one-step equations like 6n = 42 with inverse operations, including writing equations for word problems.
Perimeter & Area
Finding the perimeter of L-shapes and other polygons, and the area of triangles (b × h ÷ 2), parallelograms (b × h) and trapezoids ((a + b) × h ÷ 2), including working backwards to a missing measurement.
Angles & Triangles
Estimating and classifying angles (acute, right, obtuse, straight, reflex), finding missing angles on a line and in triangles, and classifying triangles by their sides and angles.
Volume & Capacity
Finding the volume of rectangular prisms, converting between litres and millilitres, and connecting volume to capacity (1 cm³ holds 1 mL).
Transformations
Translating, reflecting and rotating points and shapes on a coordinate grid, and combining two transformations in a row.
Probability
Writing probabilities as fractions for spinners, dice and marbles, comparing theoretical probability with experimental results, and making predictions from data.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Emerging
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Developing
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Proficient
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Extending
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the BC report card guide.
Common questions
How can I help my Grade 6 child with math?
Look for fractions, decimals and percentages in sale signs, sports statistics and recipes. Ask your child to explain a problem to you as if you were the student. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
What does my child learn in Grade 6 math in BC?
The BC Curriculum Grade 6 math units include thousandths to billions, facts & factors, mixed numbers & ratios, decimal × and ÷, percents & budgets, patterns & graphs.
Free printable Grade 6 math practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.