5 Connections Between 4th Grade Math and 6th Grade Math

As teachers, we know that standards and skills build on one another, but the direct connections that lie between 4th grade math and 6th grade math is impactful and worthwhile to acknowledge . Why is this worth even talking about? I am a former 6th grade middle school math teacher of 6 years who just moved down to 4th grade this school year and the connections that I have witnessed between the two has made me a better teacher!

#1: Inverse Operations aka Fact Families

Since kindergarten, we are exposing students to relationships between numbers. Students are finding 10, skip counting, and discovering fact families. This idea seems so “elementary” but I found that my 4th graders had almost “forgotten” about this foundational skill. When I asked them something like this, “If 5+2=7 then 7-___=5”, they wanted to count on their fingers or draw a model. It was the same when I taught 6th grade math for 6 years. We kicked off the year with a “Fact Families” lesson because this helped them in their ratios unit, solving equations unit, and so many more. This idea of inverse operations and fact families is vital for students to have a deep understanding in 4th grade and 6th grade because it will support them in so many math skills. Equivalent fractions, equations, multiplication facts, ratios, finding missing lengths and widths in geometry, etc. My favorite is to use a fact family to find a missing divisor or dividend in a fraction division problem (literally just set it up the way you would a whole number fact family). If this skill is not something you are using to build off of with your students in all grades, I highly recommend it.

This particular topic blew my mind. When I got to this standard in my curriculum, I was so confused. In 6th grade, students have to solve conversion problems as a ratio problem. They are given the conversion (at least in California item specifications) and therefore do not need to memorize them. In 4th grade, they have to convert units and memorize the conversions. The way in which conversions an be taught in 4th (using a table) is a DIRECT support and opportunity for exposure of what students will see in 6th grade. It really felt like I taught the same lesson in 4th grade as I did with my 6th graders.

#3: Fractions Fractions Fractions

It’s very common to hear secondary teachers say they hate teaching their fractions unit. It’s been extremely interesting to explore teaching 4th graders fractions because the foundations are all here for 6th grade math (and beyond). The idea of using “the same sized pieces” and parts of a whole, and so forth all sets students up to truly understand fractions and what’s to come. The crazy thing is, equivalent fractions ARE equivalent ratios (because a fraction is a ratio). If we could get students to master the idea of equivalent fractions in 4th grade, their 6th grade self will be extremely successful. And of course, fraction operations that are explored in 4th grade are the direct skills students need in 6th grade to reason with equations, volume, area, etc. Fractions are huge and the foundation that is set in 4th grade is a direct connection for 6th grade.

#4: Geometry

It blows my mind looking back when I would teach my Geometry lessons in 6th grade and students acted like they had NEVER heard of “area and perimeter”. Now, obviously I knew they had learned it in 4th grade (or at least I hoped they did), but it is crazy to think that the same exact skills are taught in both grades. Now, I write this as a reminder that often times, we prioritize standards and skills over others and sadly, Geometry often gets skimmed over or skipped due to time, but as a 4th grade teacher, this unit is crucial as it sets students up for what they’ll have to do in 6th grade and beyond with rational numbers that are more complex.

#5: Word Problems Are Word Problems

Word problems are often despised. It’s a tricky one because students have to apply different math skills to comprehend a math story. The good thing is, you can attack word problems the same way in 4th grade and 6th grade (and really any grade). For me, it looks like kicking off the lesson with an unexpected 3-Reads strategy. Tell students to read the problem, then have them turn over their page. Ask them what they remember (names, quantities, values, etc.). Then, have them read it again and then ask them if there is anything that needs to be changed, added, or modified. Give them one final read to ensure we have accurate information. Do this 3-4 times and build the idea that reading to understand in math is just as important as it is in ELA. When solving word problems, this is the process I used with 6th graders and now my 4th graders: Read the question, write an answer statement, draw. a model. figure out the operation, and solve. This has been a GAME changer for my students and reinforces the idea to read to understand, not to compute. This idea is connected to students of all grades but if it could be used in grades 4-6 to build a strong foundation, students will have a solid plan to attack word problems of all sorts showing just how big the 5 connections between 4th grade math and 6th grade math really are.

The Truth

The truth is, as teachers of any grade, we aren’t given enough time or resources to do this deep digging to find connections across grade levels. There are a dozen more and across even more grades, but one thing I learned this year is that new challenges like this move from 6th grade to 4th grade have made me a better teacher. I now understand and see the big picture. The connections between 6th grade and 4th grade math are valuable blocks we can build from to support our students to our best ability.