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Content |
| Parent Letter |
Dear Family,
The next unit in your child's course of study in mathematics class this year
is Variables and Patterns. Students are introduced to algebraic concepts as
they explore situations that change, such as how many miles are covered over
several hours of a bicycle trip, and how profit earned in running a bicycle
company is related to changes in income or expenses.
This unit's focus is on ways to describe situations that change. Students write
descriptions about events. They record data in tables, make graphs to show changes
that are occurring, use words to describe the patterns of change, and compare
these forms of representation. By the end of this unit, students will be able
to use variables in writing simple rules, or equations, to describe patterns
they observe in the changing situations.
As part of this unit, students use graphing calculators to make tables and
graphs. Students enter equations into the graphing calculators, and a graph
of the data on a coordinate grid is displayed. The use of a graphing calculator
helps students explore many more situations than would be possible if the work
is done by hand. This allows students to interpret and compare more data sets.
You can help your child in several ways:
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Invite your child to describe the jumping jacks experiment and to keep you
informed about the events that happen in the situation involving bicycle tours.
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Encourage your child to do his or her homework every day Look over the homework
and make sure all questions are answered and that explanations are clear.
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Have your child share his or her mathematics notebook with you, showing you
the tables and graphs he or she has constructed and what has been recorded about
patterns and variables. Ask your child to explain why these ideas are important.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns about this unit or your child's
progress in the class, please feel free to call. We are interested in your child
and want to be sure that this year's mathematics experiences are enjoyable and
promote a firm understanding of mathematics.
Sincerely,
Mr. John Hampshire
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| Topics |
Topics:
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Observe, describe, and record changes
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Variables
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Describing situations that change in various ways
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Analyze, anticipate, and predict changes
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| Big Ideas |
Big Ideas: 
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Collecting, organizing, and representing data
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Identifying patterns and extreme values in data organized in graphs or
tables; making inferences about situations based on such information
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Analyzing a pattern or relationship in a graph or table to identify variables
and interpret the relationship between the variables
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Analyzing linear relationships and expressing them as written and symbolic
rules
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Using graphing calculators to organize and represent data and to analyze
linear relationships
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| Mathematics |
Mathematics:
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Understand that variables in a situation are those quantities that change,
such as time, temperature, feelings, a TV show's popularity, distance traveled,
and speed
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Understand that patterns describe a regular or predictable change in
data
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Search for patterns of change that show relationships among the variables
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Select an appropriate range of values for the variables
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Create tables, graphs, and simple symbolic rules that describe the patterns
of change
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Understand the relationships among forms of representation-words, tables,
graphs, and symbolic rules
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Make decisions using tables, graphs, and rules
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Use a graphing calculator for making tables and graphs to find information
about a situation
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| Tips |
Tips:
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Be sure to read the Mathematical Highlights on page 4. They give you
a preview of the activities and problems.
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As you go through the unit, be thinking about your Unit Project on page
5.
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| Games |
Games:
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| Resources |
Additional Resources:
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