Welcome to 8th Grade Integrated Math/Science

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I am pleased to be your child’s Math/Science teacher this year.  As a mechanical engineer I enjoy solving math and science problems, and applying my knowledge to the problems of daily life.  I hope to use my experiences to inspire your child’s natural curiosity.  Outside of teaching I enjoy hiking, climbing, music, reading, nature, bicycling, and juggling.  If you or your child tells me what interests him or her, we can draw on our interests to generate enthusiasm for our topics in math/science.  This will help me to involve all students in the lessons and promote success for everyone.

The beauty of this course is that while conforming to the Massachusetts Mathematics Curriculum Framework, and preparing students for the Math MCAS, we get a chance to apply math to real-life situations.  My intent in the course is threefold: create mathematically literate young people who can handle the math of daily living, prepare students for high school, and encourage curiosity and excitement for learning math and science.

This course is highly activity based, using a variety of resources including the MathScape curriculum.  Teaching methods will include: Individual and cooperative group work, class discussions, hands-on activities, demonstrations, writing activities, project work, graphic organizers, computer presentations, video clips, and contests.

The Units, Lessons, and Projects will cover topics in:

Here are a few Class Policies and Expectations that I will be reviewing with the students:

It is important that students come prepared each day and be ready for learning.  This includes bringing each day:

In class, students have access to Texas Instruments TI-30XIIS calculators.  It is advisable for students to own the same, or similar, calculator for use at home on homework. 

An essential expectation in my class is that everyone gets a chance to express him or herself without interruption, and with the same respect from others that each of us expects for ourselves.

It is expected that each student behave in accordance with:

This will ensure that everyone can have the same chance to succeed.  Students are expected to take care of their personal needs (bathroom, lockers, water) at the appropriate times before and after class. 

Computers can only be used for schoolwork while in class; students found doing non-schoolwork related activities will have their computers confiscated until the end of the day. 

Homework allows students to practice and apply on their own the knowledge gained in class.  Short homework assignments are given most days on Monday through Thursday.  I ask you to reinforce the importance of completing homework on time, and establish a routine in a quiet place at home. 

Since this class is about applying mathematical thinking to problem solving, there is no standard math textbook with step-by-step methods for solving these problems.  Please do not be alarmed if you or your child cannot find the correct formula or procedure to solve homework problems.  I am more interested in having them show me on paper their efforts to think through a problem, than necessarily get the right answer. 

Homework must be neat and legible, or it will be returned ungraded.  Homework is due the next day after it is assigned, and will either be checked in class or collected. 

Report Card Grades will be weighted: Class Participation 25%, Homework 25%, Quizzes 25%, and Projects 25%. It is essential for each student to fully participate in classwork activities, including daily warm-up problems.  When a student is absent it is their responsibility to ask for, and make up, all missing assignments, homework, and quizzes.

Check my new Website (www.grsd.org/teachers/davisk) for a further description of this class, interesting links, weekly homework assignments and reminders.

I expect to conduct hands-on after school programs on topics such as machines (pulleys, gears, levers, bicycle gearing) and juggling for beginners.  Look for the flyers.

Any student who wants individual help or attention is encouraged to see me any day after school, during enrichment, or arrange time during my weekly after school extra-help hours.  If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me by school phone 685-1200 (phone mailbox #1224), e-mail kdavis@grsd.org, or contact me to arrange a meeting.

Your child also brought home a Parent Survey.  In the survey you and your child will be asked to sign your names, indicating that you both have read this Welcome Letter and clearly understand the intent and requirements for this course. 

Working together in cooperation we can make Math/Science an enjoyable and memorable class.

Thank you,