The Size of Things

Apr 25^th 2006

Dear Parents/Guardians,                                                                          

Your child will be embarking on a unique exploration into a 6-week project unit called “The Size of Things”. The coursework will include investigating concepts on estimation using powers and exponential functions, angular measures, ratio and proportion including trigonometric ratios, area and volume, and patterns and sequences.  The "Wonders of the World in My hand,” is an extended group based project in which your child first researches famous monuments, their construction and design and then uses this mathematical knowledge to design and build his or her scaled model. As a result, your child will develop a deeper understanding of mathematics not easily attainable through traditional mathematics instruction. At the end of the unit, guests will be invited to attend the presentations of the scaled models built.

There will be an adequate number of workdays allowing each group to work on their projects in class. There will be several homework assignments throughout the unit. Additionally, your child is expected to spend several hours each week outside of class working with his group members or individually to meet intermittent project deadlines. Please ask your son or daughter about what they learning. It will give them an opportunity to practice for their presentation.

There are two parts to the unit: activities for general skills and concepts and those related to the project. Student will be graded on homework, quizzes, journal entries and a final exam, in addition to the project.  Project grades will include milestones which will be due periodically throughout the unit, and a final presentation.  In addition, the grading rubric is available for your perusal should you have questions concerning how your child’s performance will be assessed.     

All the necessary materials for the project will be provided except for a spiral bounded journal, paper, and pencils. Besides these materials, it is possible for students to choose projects that require only materials that are normally found around the home plus a few special pieces of equipment provided by the school. If your child asks you to buy any expensive equipment for the project, please be aware that this is due to the choice of topic and is not a course requirement.

If you have any concerns or questions, you can reach me by phone (512-750 1707) or email (teacher@school.edu).

Please sign below so that we know that you have seen this letter and the rubric. Thank-you for your time and interest.

Sincerely,

Justin Burniske
Noor Hoque

(Please detach and return by your child)
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I have read and agreed to the above information on the Size of Things unit

Child's name: ________________________ (please print)

Parents/Guardians Signature:  _________________________          

Parents/Guardians Name: ____________________________                 

Date: ______________________

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