Building a Love for Math: Grade 7 Saxon Math 8/7 87 (Part 4 Of 4)

During the 8 week class, we will cover the lessons 91-120 of Saxon 87: Homeschool Edition-3rd Edition.  Students will need to have completed Saxon 76 or a similar level in order to take this class.  If you are unsure what level you student should be placed at using the Saxon curriculum, I would highly suggest visiting the Saxon website and having your student taking the placement test.  I am more than happy to answer any questions or help you decide on the correct placement, once the student has taken the placement test.   Also, 1-12 multiplication tables are needed to be memoized.  These are the basic building blocks of all higher math and I truly feel that they are vital to a success math study.

Topics that will be covered:
Sales tax, solving 2-step equations, simple probability, volume of a right solid, rectangular coordinates, estimating angle measures, similar triangles, scar and scale factor, Pythagorean Theorem, estimating square roots, semicircles, surface area, graphing functions, simple interest, and volume of a pyramid and a cone.
Class will start with a warm up-a quick review from the previous class.  We will then spend about 5-10 minutes reviewing any questions from previously assigned homework.  While I will do my best to answer all questions, there may be times that we will have to move on.  I will ask for students to contact me via email with unanswered questions.  After homework questions have been reviewed, we will move on to a lecture style portion of class where I will explain the topics for 2-3 lessons.  We will work several problems together and I will check for understand along the way.  Students will need a spiral notebook or composition notebook to take notes during class.  They will also need a small whiteboard and dry erase marker to work problems and show quickly during class.    I always encourage lots of class participation in my classes-I love it when students interact in class and show interest in what we are learning.  I try to keep students unmuted to allow participation but there may be times where I mute everyone, with the understanding that they can unmute at any time and ask question.

Syllabus:  I will try my hardest to stick with this syllabus but we may move a little faster or slower depending on the understanding of the class.
Week 1:  Lessons 91-93 
Week 2: Lessons 94-97
Week 3: Lessons 98-100 Investigation 10
Week 4: Lessons 101-104
Week 5: Lessons 105-108
Week 6: Lessons 109-111 Investigation 11
Week 7: Lessons 112-115
Week 8: Lessons 116-120Investigation 12
Homework:
I will assign homework suggestions-this should take about 45-60 minutes per lesson  . Saxon is a wonderful math program where it teaches math in a spiral approach.  Math concepts build upon different concepts, so you are constantly seeing a certain math concept progress. For this reason, I highly encourage students to grade their own homework.  This serves 2 purposes.  1) We learn best from our mistakes.  When you have to figure out where you made a mistake, another opportunity for learning is provided.  I am always available to help students when they are stuck on a problem though.  2) It takes work off of the parent.  Our ultimate goal is to raise independent thinkers and guide them to be responsible adults.  This is an excellent opportunity for that.  I would encourage weekly or every other week checkups from the parents to see where they are at though. I will provide a chart where they will record their grades for each lesson.  

Tests:
I will send out an email alerting parents when to administer a test, usually about every 2 weeks.  Tests will be provided by the students from the Saxon Test Booklet.  I am happy to grade these, if you will provide a PDF of it.  If I don't get a copy, I will assume that the parent or student graded it.

Please come to class on time, with homework complete, and ready to go.  We will be busy the entire time and the time will go quickly!

I have a passion for math-it is my very favorite subject.  I didn't always have a love for it.  It wasn't until I had a teacher really work with me to give me that solid foundation that I needed, that I truly started loving math. I personally understand that math can be frustrating at times but I also know the power of having a teacher cheer you on to do your very best.  My goal is to one of my students biggest cheerleaders!