Hillcrest Middle School - Trumbull, Connecticut

 

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Math Happenings from Petrina Gunsolley, Math Instructional Chair ~ 203-452-4466 ~ gunsollp@trumbullps.org

Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year! We have all been working very hard to make sure your math classes are ready so that you will have a successful year. If you have any questions about our math program at Hillcrest please contact me.

Math In The Real World

Many middle school students have trouble seeing the connection between math and everyday life. You can help your child see how the math skills he or she is learning in school is used everyday to make decisions.

  • You can start by teaching your child about personal finances. Let them watch you write out a check or record a check transaction. Have them go to the bank to see the importance of managing a bank account.

  • Have your child join you at the grocery store. Bring a calculator along to find out what item is the best value for the money by dividing the item's price by the number of units.

  • Teach your child to compute gas mileage. Talk about the estimated miles you can drive per gallon of gas that you use. Your child can record the miles on the odometer and the number of gallons pumped into your car. At the next visit to the gas station have your child subtract the new mileage reading from the old and divide the answer by the number of gallons needed to fill up the gas tank. Does the figure match the estimated miles per gallon?

  • Put your child's geometry skills to work. Having your middle schooler rearrange their bedroom is a great way to practice area and perimeter. Your child can draw out their bedroom on a piece of graph paper including all of their bedroom furniture, windows, closets etc…. For example, 3 squares by 5 squares for a bed, 3 squares by 4 squares for a dresser. Once the drawing is complete, ask the question "Where else would the bed fit?"

    Talk about why knowing the area of a room would be helpful if you were to purchase a new carpet or flooring. You can compute the room's square footage by multiplying the length of the room by the width. Your child can then calculate the price for a new carpet or flooring by calculating the square foot cost of the carpet or flooring by the room's square footage.



Success In Mathematics

I often hear from many students that math is difficult for them. There are several things that a student can do that may help them become successful.

Homework:
Take time to look at the problem carefully and work at your own speed. If you are struggling understanding how to do a problem, talk it out. Look through your notes and the appropriate section in your textbook to see how the author explains how to calculate similar problems.

Write out the problem:
Take the time to write out each problem on a separate piece of paper. If you write out the problem neatly and clearly you will most likely perform better on tests. You will be able to retrace your steps when you are working out a complicated problem and your teacher will be able to see your thought process and help you to find your errors.

Know Your Number Facts:
There are some things you must know without thinking. As you get into higher level mathematics, math facts are critical. Your mind must be free to listen to your teacher explain the steps of a problem and to think out a solution. If you are stuck on multiplying, adding or subtracting you will be missing important information of new material being taught.

Studying for a Math Test:
I often hear students say that they do not know how to study for a math test, or that you cannot study for a math test. Practicing problems are the best way to study. Often there are many different types of problems on a math test. You do not only need to know how to work out a problem you must be able to identify what type of problem it is. In preparing for a math test, flip through the chapter read and practice the different types of problems, prepare by practicing and solving a few problems from each section.

Extra Help:
Our math teachers at Hillcrest are always willing to provide extra help. What they would like to see is that you have reviewed the material that has been taught in class, reviewed your notes and the textbook and have practiced problems. Then if you are still having trouble, come with your questions. Often, if you come prepared with questions you will leave feeling the extra help was effective and successful.

I encourage each student to take advantage of their math teacher's website daily. They are continuously updating homework assignments and information that will help your child succeed in his or her math class.



Extra Help

Extra help is given on a weekly basis by each math teacher and by Mrs. Gunsolley by appointment. Your teacher will have a designated day where they will stay after school. Check your math teacher's website for his or her extra help day and/or stop by and see Mrs. Gunsolley in D-3 to make an appointment. Often times a little extra help is all that is needed to clear up any
confusion or misunderstanding.



Attention Grades 6, 7, 8


Math Counts: Math Counts will be starting on Thursday, October 1st in room B-1. Please join Math Counts if you like to work on challenging math problems with others.

Stock Market Club: The Stock Market Club will be starting on Monday, October 5 in room B-1. Come and join us for some fun while learning about the stock market.



Math Center

Our Math Center is now up and running every Wednesday afternoon from 2:30 -3:15pm in room A-9. Mr. Tobitsch, Mrs. Gunsolley and students from Trumbull High School are available to work with you. Please join us.

Math Websites for Practice

Math Connections via Google
Google Math

Math Forum at Drexel University
Drexel Math Forum

Flash cards with a timer, games, etc
A+ Math

Explanations and examples of all kinds of middle school math topics
Math.com

An animated math dictionary offering activities, practice, and interactive
explanations. (Mrs. Gunsolley's favorite)
Math Dictionary

Word problems broken down by grade level
Word Problems for Kids

Mathcounts.org - Promoting middle school math achievement
mathcounts.org




CMT Resources

Connecticut Mastery Test Resources and Publications

CMT Mathematics Portion

CMT Scores by District/School

 

 


 



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