6th Grade Math Books

What Should I Look for in a Math Workbook?

Before you choose a workbook for your 6th grade child, you may want to research the different companies that sell math books. Not only do companies present math differently and have different types of problems, but they also have different focuses. If your child needs extra practice in a specific topic, you'll be looking for a different type of workbook than someone who wants standardized test practice. Keep in mind that many websites offer free worksheets, so you may not even need to buy a workbook.

Major components of 6th grade math are ratios, rates and statistics. Because these are new concepts for many students, some will likely struggle and be resistant at first. Consider workbooks that incorporate fun pictures and activities, like calculating the probability for something in real life.

What's Available?

Standard Alignment

If you want to prepare your child for a standardized test, be sure to choose a book that coincides with state or national standards. You may also want to look for workbooks that have practice multiple-choice questions. Because most standardized tests come in this format, it's a good idea to familiarize your child with these types of questions.

Explanations

If your child doesn't understand a concept, he or she may need to review the material again. Many workbooks provide a mini-lesson before jumping into practice questions. Visual aids often help students understand a concept; keep an eye out for workbooks that have lots of colorful, easy-to-understand visuals.

Answer Keys

Some workbooks only provide the correct answers, without an explanation. However, it's generally more beneficial to your child if he or she can see why the answer was wrong. Look for workbooks that have extensive answer keys that your child can use as a reference without getting confused or frustrated.

Vocabulary Review

Sometimes, students misunderstand a math concept because they don't have the right vocabulary. If this is the case, a glossary is a valuable resource. Other workbooks will include the vocabulary into the lessons themselves; however, it's especially helpful if the new word is highlighted and accompanied by a definition.