Thursday, June 29, 2023

Free Mental Math for Sixth Grade (6th Grade Math Exam prep)

 Free Mental Math for Sixth Grade 

(6th Grade Quebec Math Exam prep) 


Want more free math resources? Check out my math freebie page or my Quebec-specific freebie blog

Math Exams! Do you remember taking math exams in sixth grade? Honestly, I do not - although I know I did! Honestly, at this age, I never pictured my own homeschooled kids taking exams and tests in a building away from home. But over the years our homeschool laws have changed and so we have had to adjust. Now, homeschooled kids in Quebec are required to take exams in grades 6, 10, and 11. 

One of the exams given in sixth grade is the mathematics exam. this exam includes 3 different parts that use regular math problems, situational applications, and situational problems - and mental math! While there is plenty of talk about situational problems in our homeschool groups (and you can find free ones on my math page!) I've had a really difficult time finding mental math problems to practice - and so here we are! I've made some for free :)

The Math Exam and Mental Math

Whether your kids / students are taking the Quebec math exam or not, practicing mental math certainly has benefits! Not only does it make solving math problems in a textbook simpler, but it can really help in kids everyday lives. How many times have you calculated how many quarter cups are in 2 1/2 cups while baking? Or counted how much change quickly the cashier should be giving you? Maybe you've planned a home renovation project and had to estimate how much it would cost, or gone to the store with a budget and shopping list with an estimated total mapped out. We use mental math all the time and having our kids practice it will help them as they grow too.

In the Quebec Mathematics Exam for Sixth Grade, students will have a few mental math questions they will need to answer. (Want to know more? you can see the free guide here!) Although it is not a huge part of the exam, it is always good to help your kids feel prepared and ready when that part of the exam does happen. Practicing mental math strategies and being used to answering simpler questions in 10 seconds or less will allow them to feel confident and good about that portion of the test.

These exercises are meant to replicate that. In the Google Drive you'll access you'll find a few resources:
  1. 100 Google slides mental math questions
  2. Teacher guide with answers and a how-to page
  3. Student response sheets
  4. A PDF version of the slides for printing or displaying

Starting Mental Math Slowly and Pacing

This set of sixth-grade mental math exercises will be the first of a few sets that I will be making over the next few weeks. This set is meant for kids who have completed fifth-grade math. The beauty of the slides is that you can choose which ones you will use based on your student's abilities. You can save some for later, skip some completely, or do them all over a few days. 

I have included different student response sheets - one with 10 answers, one with 5 answers, and one blank so that you can choose your pacing and eventually work up to doing 10 exercises per day. Keep in mind if your student has never done mental math before, you may want to start out with a longer time limit or go over some mental math strategies first. 

Download the Free Unit Below

However you use this unit - whether in homeschool or classroom, I hope it benefits you and your learner's educational journey this year! The next sixth-grade unit will be coming soon, so stay tuned for that as well!

Monday, June 12, 2023

Quebec History for Grades 5-6! Historical Expeditions Unit 1 - Canada Around 1820

Quebec History for Grades 5-6! Historical Expeditions Unit 1 - Canada Around 1820


 Want to see the units for grades 3-4 or other units in this series? Check out my History Page or Quebec Homeschool site!

I am SO excited to be bringing you this all-new, FREE Quebec-aligned history curriculum for grades 5-6 (elementary cycle 3). One of my kiddos will be in this cycle next year and I'm really excited for her to use this - as well as all of your kids and students!

Just like my Quebec History Mysteries for grades 3-4, this program makes completing the required Quebec history curriculum simple, straightforward, and quick. It allows you and your kids to go at your own pace, and dive deeper into topics you love while getting the rest done.

And since these units are especially for slightly older kids, they have a few more options...


Work Digitally or Offline

For kids in grades 5-6, working more independently is usually a great option, especially if you have other younger kids you need to work with during the day too. These Quebec Expeditions will come in a folder with many options - print OR digital, OR a combo of both!

In the completely digital option, kids can use their Navigation Compass page to answer questions. These compass pages take them to the very awesome LEARN Quebec site that contains all of the information they need to know to fulfill the progressions. They can then show what they have learned by answering questions using Google slides. This allows them to not only work independently but to take the time to explore the Learn QC site more if they wish.

Another option would be to use the included informational texts, which can be printed or projected onto a screen. They can then read the text and fill in their answers. If you don't wish them to use the link at all, you can simply delete the slide that contains the links.


Then there is the printable option!

Here, kids can work completely offline and use only the included informational texts and the printable student answer sheets. You could also allow them to use the links included, but just fill out their answers on paper if they prefer - it's totally up to you and your student(s) to choose how to use this program!


Making Quebec History Motivating

In my Quebec History Mysteries for grades 3-4 I included a reward badge system. Kids collected badges for every unit they completed. In this program, kids will collect pieces of a map. Once they have completed all of grade 5 and 6 units, they will complete their map!

Every map piece contains a title showing the period they have studied as well as a photo or picture from that time. This is a great way to remember everything they have learned and to keep track of their completed units. It's also very motivating! These are also included in both printable and digital formats.

Quebec Progression of Learning Aligned

Whether you're a homeschool parent or a classroom teacher, you no doubt have had to deal with this huge document at some time. While it can seem overwhelming if you've never looked at it before, I can assure you it's pretty straightforward once you get to know it ;) TO make it even simpler to navigate, I've included a  list of all of the progressions that each unit will cover. You can use this to keep track of all of the progressions, or you can use my printable checklist found here alongside this list to check off everything you've covered.


However you choose to use these units, I hope you and your learners enjoy them, and that they make learning history just a little easier and more interesting! The Google drive link below will take you to a folder including all of the options you'll need to use.

For the Google Slides option, simply click on the link included in the document to make a copy of the slide for yourself. These slides will give you everything you need. 

For the printable option, just click on the document, save a copy for yourself, and print it out.

**You may share or print this unit for FREE so long as my website remains on every slide and page and my website pages in the back remain as well. You may NOT sell these products - I made them with the intention of making them accessible for everyone, no matter their budget. Let's keep it that way!**

Enjoy your learning - click the link below to access!