World Population Growth

by Katy Monwai

Introduction

Concept Map

Project Calendar

Lesson Plans

Letter to Parents

Assessments

Resources

Modifications

Grant

Dear Parent,

I am excited to tell you about your child’s upcoming six week project in pre-calculus! The class will be investigating the issue of world population growth and will learn mathematics along the way. I think it will be a valuable and fun experience for all of us! It is important to me that you understand what we will be doing and how your child will be assessed, so that you can be involved in the project and encourage your child in the process. This project might require a little more initiative from your child than what has been required from them so far, but encountering mathematics in the context of real world problems is motivating and exciting! Please check on your child’s progress throughout the project and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Much of the work done for this project will be in class, so attendance is crucial. In addition, there will be some homework assignments similar to your child’s typical pre-calculus homework, some research that may require out-of-class time, and the students will be writing a paper during the last week of the six weeks.

Besides the homework assignments, there may be little about this project that will look like a typical mathematics class. I do not believe that mathematics exists in a void. It is about humanity and history and society and has applications in many human endeavors including science, business, and engineering. For this reason, I believe an interdisciplinary approach is appropriate. But be assured that your student will learn the necessary pre-calculus concepts. Also, because of the nature of this topic, your child will be researching and thinking about some controversial issues. I will not push any particular viewpoint, but will encourage the students to examine their own values and thoughtfully form their own opinions.

Please sign below so that I know that you have seen this letter and the accompanying calendar and project rubric. Thank you for your time and interest.

Sincerely,

 

Katy Monwai