Functions Abound
by Shelly Rogers
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May 5, 2005 Dear Parent: During the next six week period, your child will be participating in a unit/project entitled “Functions Abound” during his or her math classes. The Functions Abound Project is intended to be a refreshing approach to the learning and understanding of functions. Instead of resorting to the traditional textbook routine, the students will be “learning by doing and creating.” Rather than your child completing various textbook questions that are easily forgotten, his or her experiences throughout this project will promote long-term retention of the concepts. Through this project, students will be able to: (1) recognize different types of functions that can be used to describe real-world images, (2) formulate equations of functions that best describe particular relationships, (3) apply their knowledge of how to manipulate functions in order to reconstruct real-world images, and (4) develop connections between mathematics and the real-world. Using digital cameras and computer software, the students will work together to produce products that require extensive creative and mathematical consideration. Moreover, because the products themselves are recreations of images found in the real-world, your child will gain an appreciation of mathematics, realizing its presence in every-day life. Please carefully read the following information describing some aspects pertaining to the unit/project. The students will be graded using the following rubric: Unit/Project Rubric
Almost
all supplies will be provided for your child.
The students will have access to computers, digital cameras, and the
necessary software programs in order to complete this extended project. However, you and your child will need to
purchase a pocket folder with brads for compiling his/her portfolio images
and entries. Also, this unit/project should not require
much time outside of class to complete.
Given that your child is on task during class and is working
efficiently, he or she may only have to write one reflection paper at home in
response to listening to a guest speaker discuss the relevance of functions
within his career. If your child does
not complete his or her portfolio explanation and log entries during class,
those will need to be completed at home as well. However, the students will not be given
homework assignments as usual. Please
have your child return the bottom portion of this letter with your signature
indicating that you have been informed of the class’s unit/project and
understand what is to be expected of your child. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have
any questions or concerns. Thank you
for your time and interest. Sincerely, Ms.
Shelly Rogers Secondary
Teacher of Mathematics (detach and return the portion below) As the parent of ____________________________ (please print child’s first and last
name), I have read the above information and understand that, if I have
any questions or concerns, I can direct them to Ms. Shelly Rogers in order
that they be addressed. I understand
that my child will be evaluated according to the rubric provided in this
letter. Parent’s Name: _______________________ (please print) Parent’s Signature: _______________________ Date:
______________________ . |
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