Math Update
7th Grade Math - Mrs. Kelley
We are making great strides in 7th grade math class! We have finished Unit 1: Scale Drawings, Unit 2: Proportional Relationships, and Unit 3: Circles.
We are currently wrapping up Unit 4: Proportional Relationships and Percentages. Unit 4 gets into markups, discounts, sales tax, tips, interest, and more. Percentages can be tricky for students; however, it is such an important concept for them to understand. We see percentages everywhere, including shopping, finances, grades, nutrition, investments, weather…the list goes on!
As most know, Central Lee Middle School uses the curriculum of Illustrative Mathematics. In this curriculum, students learn that math isn’t just about memorizing rules—it’s also about rolling up your sleeves and diving in. The curriculum is built on hands-on activities, real-world examples, and a lot of peer collaboration. To give my students this “real-world” experience, we will be completing a fun, engaging project called “Restaurant Day” soon. Students will get to find a restaurant menu of their choice from which to choose their meals. They will then calculate their meal total, sales tax, and tip!
As always, feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions. Also, I frequently send emails with updates on lessons, quizzes, and test dates. If you are not receiving these emails and would like to, please email me and I will add you to my list!
It has already been an exciting year in 7th grade math, and I cannot wait to continue!
8th Grade Math - Mrs. Foecke
Our 8th grade students have been working hard to master the 8th grade math standards! The goal this year is to foster a deep understanding of mathematical concepts while promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills. In 8th grade, the major focus is on three critical areas: (1) analyzing figures using distance, angle, similarly, and congruence; (2) reasoning about expressions and equations; and (3) understanding and using functions to describe relationships.
So far this first semester, students have worked on the following skills:
Geometry: Units 1 and 2 covered transformations, congruence, and similarity. Students were able to identify, describe, and draw transformations, which include translations, rotations, reflections, and dilations, as well as sequences of these. (Critical Area #1)
Expressions and Equations: Unit 3 covered linear relationships and slope. Students were able to deepen their understanding of slope, recognize connections among rate of change, slope, and constant of proportionality, and calculate slope using multiple representations. We are currently in Unit 4, where students are learning to manipulate, simplify, and solve linear equations. Solving equations and linear systems will be a key focus, as will honing their skills in isolating variables and understanding the principles behind these operations. (Critical Area #2)
It’s been a great year so far in 8th grade math! Please reach out to me if you have any questions.
HS Math Update
The high school math department has adopted the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum for Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2. This has enabled the district to align the mathematics curriculum throughout the different grades. Another initiative at the high school level this year is incorporating interventions and extensions of the mathematic standards during SOAR time.
Algebra 1 has finished Unit 3 on Two-Variable Statistics and has begun Unit 4 on Functions.
Geometry has finished Unit 4 right triangle trigonometry and will begin Unit 5 Volume and Surface Area.
Algebra 2 has finished Unit 3 on complex numbers and the quadratic formula and will begin Unit 4 on logarithms and exponentials.
All of the curriculums can be accessed at home at im.kendallhunt.com
Pre-Calculus students are expanding on and applying their Trigonometry concepts from Algebra 2 with their units on Trigonometric Functions and Analytic Trigonometry.
Calculus students are finishing their unit on using derivatives to calculate the maximum or minimums for real-life situations before preparing to start their unit on Integration.
AP Statistics students have finished the unit on random variables and are beginning hypothesis testing.
Pre-Algebra students just finished Unit 4 on basic geometry and are starting Unit 5 on the coordinate plane.