In sixth grade math this week, we are learning how to multiply decimals accurately and confidently. Students will practice estimating first to predict a reasonable answer, multiplying as if the numbers were whole numbers, and then placing the decimal in the product by thinking about how many total decimal places are in the factors. 

Families can help at home by asking your child to explain the steps out loud, checking that their answer makes sense (for example, if you multiply by a number less than 1, the product should get smaller), and doing a few quick real-life practice problems together—like finding the cost of 2.5 pounds of fruit at $3.49 per pound, calculating a tip using a decimal, or multiplying measurements in a recipe. 

The goal is for students to be able to show their work clearly, estimate to self-check, and build speed and accuracy with decimal multiplication.

This week, students are studying the organelles (cell parts) found in plant and animal cells. They’re learning what each organelle does—like how the nucleus controls the cell, mitochondria provide energy, and cell membranes regulate what enters and leaves. We’re also comparing plant and animal cells, focusing on key differences such as chloroplasts (for photosynthesis), cell walls (support and structure), and large central vacuoles found in plant cells.

Here are easy, no-stress ways families can help at home this week while students learn plant and animal cell organelles:

• Ask quick “organelles in real life” questions (2 minutes):
  “Which organelle is like the brain?” (nucleus) • “Which one makes energy?” (mitochondria) • “Which one is the ‘gatekeeper’?” (cell membrane)

• Make a simple compare-and-contrast chart:
  On paper, draw two columns: Plant Cell vs Animal Cell. Have your child list what both share (nucleus, membrane, cytoplasm, mitochondria) and what’s different (cell wall, chloroplast, large central vacuole).

• Label a cell diagram:
  Print or draw a circle/rectangle cell and label 8–10 organelles. Even better: have them label it from memory, then check their notes.

• Teach it back:
  Ask your child to “teach you” 5 organelles and their jobs using the sentence frame:
  “The ________ helps the cell by ________.”

• Use flashcards (paper or phone notes):
  Front: organelle name • Back: job + whether it’s in plant, animal, or both.

• Watch a short video + summarize:
  After a kid-friendly cell video, have them say 3 new things they learned and 1 question they still have.