GEM MATH 6 Great Explorations in Mathematics Ms. Betty Brown (B 2 )

1. GEM MATH 6Great Explorations in MathematicsMs. Betty Brown (B2) Welcome to Open House 2009. Great Explorations in Mathematics

2. This Year’s Motto Rigor + Relevance + Relationships = Success Great Explorations in Mathematics

3. Rigor • Required district-wide curriculum • Mandatory quarterly tests • High expectations • Questions requiring thoughtful answers • Emphasis on vocabulary and literacy skills as well as math Great Explorations in Mathematics

4. Relevance • No “busy work,” even if there’s a sub • Everything connected to national curriculum standards • Special activities (even the fun things) are related to math and today’s world Great Explorations in Mathematics

5. Relationships Character traits are to be demonstrated at all times. Our class is a model for others. Responsibility Citizenship Kindness Respect Honesty Self-control Tolerance Cooperation “Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Great Explorations in Mathematics

6. Success • Success is a journey, not a destination. The road to success is always under construction. • It is not a failure not to reach your goals. The failure is in having no goals to reach. • To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there. • Don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed. Great Explorations in Mathematics

7. GEM Program Benefits • Opportunity to earn two math credits and begin high school GPA while in middle school • Paves the way to more advanced courses in high school • Exposure to high level mathematics • Challenging program for students who have always found math to be easy Great Explorations in Mathematics

8. Placement • This year: by FCAT scores (at least 380 on FCAT Mathematics) • Next year: To be eligible to remain in GEM a student must • maintain a “C” average or better in GEM Math and • average at least 75% on quarterly tests Great Explorations in Mathematics

9. Diagnostic Tests • Must be given; results must be recorded • Used for diagnostic purposes only, even though grades are reported by Pinnacle • Item analysis provides statistics to use for curriculum planning • Mean score around 50% on both tests • Low scores not a major concern • High scores not a sign of guaranteed success in program Great Explorations in Mathematics

10. Student Supplies: Must be brought to class every day • Binder or divided spiral notebook with pockets (may also be combined with other subjects) • Dividers, if using a binder (One section is for Enhancement activities.) • Pencils, erasers, paper, graph paper • Colored pencils and/or highlighters • Duo-tangs are acceptable, but probably will not hold enough Great Explorations in Mathematics

11. No Calculators! • Need to develop skills before relying on “technological friend” • Number sense develops better without them (and students will know when they have pushed the wrong buttons) • Not allowed on grade six FCAT • Basic “4-function” calculators may be allowed later in the year Great Explorations in Mathematics

12. GEM Grading (Includes Textbook Assignments, Tests, and Quizzes) • Homework = 15% • Notebook = 15% • Quizzes = 15% (lowest is dropped) • Tests = 30% • Quarterly Exam = 25% (Mandated and developed by the Department of Advanced Academics) Great Explorations in Mathematics

13. Study Guides • List all assignments for each unit • Provide students with specific directions (see reference sheet for description of acronyms) • Allow students to know what they (probably) missed when absent • Allow students to plan ahead and to anticipate future test and quiz dates Great Explorations in Mathematics

14. Sample Guide and Directions Great Explorations in Mathematics

15. Homework Policy • Will be given almost every night • Due the next day unless otherwise noted • Will be given will be given full credit (100%) if (reasonably) complete, directions have been followed, and it is done on time • Needs to be checked by student and/or parent using “Self Check” feature • Incorrect problems need to be redone after questions are asked in class the next day • Only three late assignments accepted per term Great Explorations in Mathematics

16. Chapter Self-Checks • Should be monitored by parents at first • Allow students to check themselves and see where they are having problems • Develop responsible, mature work habits and enable students to take responsibility for their own learning • Allow us to spend class time on the difficult problems only • Give us more time to enjoy math! Great Explorations in Mathematics

17. Pinnacle Tips • “Zs” are zeros • Blanks haven’t been recorded yet or student was absent and assignment hasn’t been made up yet • “Xs” are excused assignments (things not required to be made up) Great Explorations in Mathematics

18. Homework Points • 4 points = full credit • 3 points = late with late homework pass (reverts to 4 points when completed) • 2 points = incomplete • 1 point = directions not followed as modeled in class notes (i.e., the problems were not copied or steps were not shown) Great Explorations in Mathematics

19. New.schoolnotes.comzip code 33314 • Allows parents and students to view the week’s planned assignments and activities • Provides an automatic notification of any changes in planned activities • Direct link to teacher email • QUIA.com, another site with more student activities, is also used, but does not have automatic notification of updates (same information posted on both) Great Explorations in Mathematics

20. ENHANCEMENT • Required for all GEM 6 students • Named “Research” due to lack of choices for names in state Course Code Directory • Is an extension of the GEM class • Will include exposure to fractals, a new field of math and science Great Explorations in Mathematics

21. Purpose of the Class • To provide adequate time to complete mandatory curriculum, fill in gaps identified by results of diagnostic testing, and reinforce critical content • To allow time for creative, challenging, and fun activities • To take some of the pressure off the students by allowing them to learn one new concept per class instead of two Great Explorations in Mathematics

22. Curriculum • Reinforcing activities from “Math by Design” books • Enrichment activities from our textbook • Origami and other hands-on activities (just because they are some of the most motivating and enjoyable things we can do…and I love them as much as the students do) and… Great Explorations in Mathematics

23. …additional materials from National Science Foundation Grants… Developed by Internationally known Mathematician, Dr. Heinz-Otto Peitgen and Physicist, Dr. Richard Voss Great Explorations in Mathematics

24. Students will learn about fractal geometry, the newest field of mathematics. These hands-on, creative activities support Sunshine State Standards, reinforce skills learned in students’ math classes, and address some very high level mathematics. Great Explorations in Mathematics

25. Enhancement Focus (as time permits) • Term I - Spirolaterals, Modular Systems • Term II - The Sierpinski and Pascal Triangles • Term III - Polyhedra and the Sierpinski Tetrahedron • Term IV - Wall Hangings and the Heighway Fractal Dragon Great Explorations in Mathematics

26. Expectations of Students in Enhancement: • Clarity and Neatness of Work • Appropriate Use of Class Time • Cooperation with Peers and Teacher • Accuracy and Completeness of Work • Due Dates Met • Quiz Scores Great Explorations in Mathematics

27. Grading • Students will earn points for activities, projects, and quizzes. • Full credit is given if directions are followed and work is completed on time. • Shade-ins need not be colored, but they must be shaded to be considered complete. • Grades in this class do not affect placement in GEM next year. Great Explorations in Mathematics

28. Outcomes • Students will have the opportunity to see multiple representations of some difficult mathematical concepts. • Students will participate in engaging, hands-on projects that reinforce the concepts they are studying in their GEM math classes. • Students will learn that math can be exciting, beautiful, and fun! Great Explorations in Mathematics

29. Pascal’s Triangle Great Explorations in Mathematics

30. P1 21 P2 P3 22 P4 23 24 P5 25 Sequence of Patterns P1, P2, P3, … goes with Powersof 2 Number of Rows Great Explorations in Mathematics

31. Betty Brown • BA from Stetson University • Certified Math 5-9, Elementary Education, Gifted and ESOL Endorsement • 41 years teaching experience (38 at Nova) • Twelfth year teaching GEM Math • Twelve years as Lead Teacher and Curriculum Writer for FAU/NSF Summer Institute: Pattern Exploration • Published in The Mathematics Teacher February, 2005 Great Explorations in Mathematics

32. Contact Information • New.schoolnotes.com zip code 33314 (Be sure to add your name to the “Notify Me” list to receive weekly updates of class plans.) • betty.brown@browardschools.com • Voice mail (754) 323-3701 #5605 • Preference is email for initial contact; will call you in the evening if you wish • Planning Period 2 (9:25-11:00) “Even” days Period 5 (12:40-2:45) “Odd” days Great Explorations in Mathematics