Math Club
Grade: 7 - 8 Min: 4 Max: 15 (6 seats remaining)
Min Assistants: 1 Max Assistants: 1 (1 seat remaining)
"Math is seeing patterns, solving puzzles, using logic, finding ways to connect disparate ideas, and so much more." In Math Club, we will play around with all these elements through games, projects, activities, and non-routine problems that require deep thinking. For example, we will prove the Pythagorean Theorem using origami, conduct experiments to discover area and volume formulas and understand pi more deeply, explore fractals, and use variables in a variety of ways. We will draw on resources from MATHCOUNTS as well as other resources I have collected over the years.
This class is intended for enrichment and inspiration. It is not a replacement for a standard math course - rather, it is an opportunity for students to think about math they are already learning in richer ways. Each week, we will work through the previous week's Problem of the Week from MATHCOUNTS, and students will be given the current week's problem. They may or may not be able to solve the problem before class. All I require is that they think about it (15 minutes) and try to solve it during the week, and come ready to discuss it. In addition, I will invite students to continue playing around with concepts we explore in class - share a game with a sibling, draw pictures to discover more patterns, etc. But this is an invitation, not an assignment.
The MATHCOUNTS organization recognizes a club as "Gold Level" after it completes a project: Instructional Video, Math in Art, or Community Service. As a class, we will choose at least one project to work on in the second half of the year. Students may work together to create a video showing how to solve a complicated problem, produce mathematical artistry, or share some of what they have learned with younger students.
Paper, graph paper, pencils (mechanical preferred), colored pencils, compass and protractor, ruler, scissors
$15 first semester, $10 second semester
Students should be comfortable with arithmetic and ready to engage in symbolic reasoning (use of variables). We will work together and discuss ideas, so students need to be able to give constructive feedback in a positive way. Students should also be prepared to have their thinking challenged and look at old ideas in new ways, so bring an open-minded attitude about what math might involve.
I am assuming that students are familiar with the math concepts covered in most standard elementary math curricula: basic arithmetic, fractions, decimals, long division. Although this class is listed for 7-8th graders, motivated and well-prepared 6th graders are welcome to join us.