MATH 7

Class Introduction:

Welcome to Math 7, the first year of a 2-year math curriculum that builds the foundation for success in high school mathematics. We are using a new text series, Big Ideas Math (red book), which follows the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). For more information on CCSS, please go to the ASD's page at: Common Core

Our topics of study this year are: Ratios and Proportional Relationships, the Number System, Expressions and Equations, Geometry, Statistics and Probability.

This class will be different from the traditional math classroom experience. In the first few weeks of school this fall, we will be transitioning to a Flipped Classroom style to use throughout the rest of the school year. In this style, students will read textbook information and take notes at home as homework. In class the following school day, students will complete exercise problems that are traditionally done at home. This enables students to arrive in class with content instruction and work collaboratively with teacher support as they practice these new concepts.

I use a Promethean Board and try to post class notes at the end of the day so you can see what we did in class if you need to help your child with their homework (or they are absent & need to catch up). Please be aware that if there are computer problems I am not able to post notes.

Students should bring their math notebook to class and home on a regular basis. Once, I have assigned textbook, they can "live" at home until the end of the school year.

I prefer that students do most calculations by hand and check them with a calculator. Accuracy with basic computations is crucial to success in higher mathematics, as well as being a life skill. A basic scientific calculator is fine. I recommend the TI-30Xa or the TI-30X IIS Solar.

Bring these to School every day:
- Pencils and erasers for all work (mechanical is OK, but have extra lead)
- Pen for corrections (dark color, not gel)
- Composition notebook (preferably with grid paper)
- Math section in large binder (with both lined and grid notebook paper, hole-punched)
- Ruler (metric & standard), type that fits in binder is best

I believe all students can be successful in learning math. What is needed is a willingness to keep on trying and to ask questions, a belief in their ability to rise to a challenge, and, most of all, team work between parents, students, and teachers. I look forward to working with you so that your child will have a successful and rewarding year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at goldsmith_joshua@asdk12.org or call me at 742-3600.

Sincerely,
Joshua Goldsmith

Do Math and You Can Do Anything!