Welcome to Mrs. Smith’s

ClassMath - Team 81

Graduated from Grand Valley State Univ. Major in Biology Minor in Mathematics

Started at Grandville 9 years ago Currently teach

1 Algebra Sections 2 Honors Geometry Sections 2 Pre-Algebra Sections 1 Section of Math Lab

About Mrs. Smith

Married with 2 Kids

My kiddos

Inquiry Based Learning Much different than typical “process learning” Students must “understand” the “what and

why’s” of the content not just the “how” Students will discover the concepts, answers will

not be given to them Learning Curve

Students are not used to having to “think” at a high level in math class, they are used to a process and practicing

Students might struggle at first.

Teaching Style

Students retain information If the student understands the “why and what” they

have a greater chance of retaining the information and recalling it later. Will not require memorization rather understanding.

Common Core Standards New State and Federal standards that forces

students to become problem solvers and higher level thinkers

11th grade ACT test will be based on CC standards and if students are used to just process, test will be difficult

Why is Inquiry Based Instruction Important

FLOODLIGHTS

Eliot is playing football. He is 6 feet tall.He stands exactly half way between two floodlights. The floodlights are 12 yards high and 50 yards apart.The floodlights give Eliot two shadows, falling in opposite directions.

YOUR TASK1. Draw a diagram to represent this situation. Label your diagram with the measures.

2. Find the total length of Eliot’s shadows. Explain your reasoning in detail.

3. Suppose Eliot walks in a straight line towards one of the floodlights. Figure out what happens to the total length of Eliot’s shadows. Explain your reasoning in detail.

Inquiry Example

The temperature in a car while running errands on a

hot sunny day.

J ack going f or a run around the block and

returning home.

How much it will cost

to send a letter depending on the

weight of the letter.

Population of mice in an ecosystem with no

predators.

x y

0 60

10 150

20 60

30 90

x y

0 0

15 1.5

30 3

45 1.5

x y

0 .39

1 .41

2 .43

3 .45

x y

0 2

1 4

2 8

3 16

Infinite Campus Talk to you kids Team Website

www.gmsteam81.weebly.com Google calendar Direct link to my website

How to monitor child's learning

Highlights After School Help Session

Offered every Thursday after school from 2:40-3:30 No need for an appointment. Just come on in! Before school help on small questions

Grading 80% is performance – tests & quizzes 20% is process – Daily assignments, homework,

checkpoint quizzes Websites

www.gpsbulldogmath.weebly.com www.gmsteam81.weebly.com

Classroom Letter

Test Retakes For tests only (excludes quizzes and exams) Can do 1 per trimester Student needs to have 100% of homework turned

in Must correct previous test with written justification

for each problem missed Must be taken within 5 days of original test being

passed back Student will receive the higher of the two grades

High School Credit Bearing Courses

Grandville Public Schools

7th Grade 8th Grade Freshman Year Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior Year

Pre Algebra Algebra Geometry Adv. Algebra A Adv. Algebra B

Advanced Algebra Math ElectiveMath 7 Honors Geometry Honors Adv. Alg. Math Elective

PrecalculusGeometry Advanced Algebra FST

Algebra AP StatisticsHonors Geometry Honors Adv. Algebra Precalculus

AP Calculus

Precalculus AP CalculusAdvanced Algebra FST

Algebra Honors Geometry AP Statistics Precalculus

Honors Adv. Algebra Precalculus AP Calculus AP Statistics

AP Statistics AP Calculus

Class flow

Mrs. Smith Prefer Email

asmith@gpsbulldogs.org Phone

616 – 254 – 6647 Website

www.gpsbulldogmath.weebly.com www.gmsteam81.weebly.com

Contact ME

I am looking forward to a GREAT year!

Any Questions?