6 th Grade Math/Science Spectrum

Mr. Lai

Email: gglai@seattleschools.org
Phone: 206-252-8976 (classroom), Room 209
206-419-0397 (cell)
Availability: 1) Lunch, 2) 5th Period, 3) By arrangement (before & after school)

Biography: This is my second year at Denny Middle School. I grew up in Seattle and attended Washington Middle School and Garfield High school. I received my BS Degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University. I also spent a semester abroad living and studying in Florence, Italy. While in college and several years after, I managed the front office of a Marriott hotel in Seattle. I attended Seattle University for my Masters in Teaching.
When I read, I like to read humor and philosophy. I would rank Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu and Seinlanguage by Jerry Seinfeld among my favorite books. In terms of hobbies, I play a lot of recreational sports such as softball, golf, football, and dodgeball. I enjoy music, video games, and traveling.

Supplies/Materials:
Composition Book (for notes)
Paper
Pens & Pencils
Color Pencils
Graph Paper
Calculator (Basic function or Scientific)

Standards Taught in Class:
MATH: The student will…
1) understand and apply the concepts and procedures of mathematics.
2) use mathematics to define and solve problems.
3) use mathematical reasoning.
4) communicate knowledge and understanding in both everyday and mathematical language.
5) understand how mathematical ideas connect within mathematics, to other subject areas, and to real-life situations.

SCIENCE: The student will…
1) understand and use scientific inquiry and apply knowledge of science and technology to solve problems.
2) understand and use concepts and principles in earth, life, and physical science.
3) understand the nature of scientific inquiry, and how science and technology are interrelated.

Course Description (Math):

The class will be using the Connected Mathematics Project II (CMP II) series to help guide and advance their learning of mathematical concepts and skills. Students will be assessed on classroom work, homework assignments, quizzes, unit projects, and unit tests.

There will be seven (7) units throughout the year. The curriculum will begin with Data & Distributions, a unit on statistics regarding the reading and interpreting of data. The course will move towards the introduction of algebra and the use of variables to write and solve expressions. Later in the year students will explore geometric figures and the concepts of similarity, volume, and proportion. The school year will wrap up with a unit on operations on integers and a final unit on probability.

Book Order:

Data & Distributions: Describing Variability and Comparing Groups
Variables & Patterns: Introducing Algebra
Stretching & Shrinking: Understanding Similarity
Comparing & Scaling: Ratio, Proportion, and Percents
Filling & Wrapping: Three-Dimensional Measurement
Accentuate the Negative: Integers and Rational Numbers
What Do You Expect?: Probability and Expected Value

If we get through these books, the students will begin their work in the 8th Grade curriculum on either exploring linear relationships or The Pythagorean Theorem.

Course Description (Science):

The science curriculum is made up of four units.

Truth About Science – This unit will be ongoing throughout the year. Students will learn about the scientific process, how to do research, and write various kinds of reports.

Diversity of Life – This unit focuses on biology. Students will look at issues regarding the characteristics of life and the complexities of living things.

Solutions and Pollutions – This unit is an introduction to chemistry. Students learn about mixtures and solutions as well as pH levels of various liquids.
Family Life and Sexual Health (FLASH) – This unit will run about two weeks in the second have of the school year. It goes beyond the discussions of sexuality usually associated with FLASH. We will talk about self-concept, self-image, goal-setting, communication, and many other subjects. When we do start the discussion on sexuality, a letter will be sent home to notify you. Parents have the option to not have their students participate in the course.

Current Events – Each student will be responsible for a news article each week. The news article should directly relate to science. Along with the articles, students will submit a paragraph summary of the article including the source, date, and author of the article. Articles can be found in newspapers, magazines, journals, and online. Each week, selected students will present their article to the class. Students will be responsible for sharing three articles over the course of the semester in brief 5-10 minute presentations.

Grading:

Math: The overall grade will be broken down as such:
90-100% = A 50% = Tests, Quizzes, Projects
80-89% = B 25% = Homework
70-79% = C 20% = Class Participation
60-69% = D 5% = Attendance
0-59% = Not Passing

Science: The overall grade will be broken down as such:
90-100% = A 35% = Tests, Quizzes, Projects
80-89% = B 30% = Homework
70-79% = C 35% = Class Participation/Labs
60-69% = D
0-59% = Not Passing