IB+Course+Outline

Course Outline Mathematics Level 2 Mr. Severson I. __Course description__

Math 7 incorporates the three fundamental concepts of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program: holistic learning, intercultural awareness and communication. Holistic learning is encouraged in many ways like linking different subject areas with math and helping student become aware of how math is used in real-life, meaningful situations. It fosters intercultural awareness in students by encouraging them to recognize links between the math in their life here in Iowa as well as how math and numbers are used in other parts of the world. Communication is fundamental to learning because it allows student to express what they have learned and understand. This includes communicating with written words, algebra equations, graphs and charts.

Students will begin to embody the IB Learner Profile as they display the following qualities: An inquiring/questioning approach to your learning ~ actions that suggest you are knowledgeable and reasoned in your thinking ~ an ability to use critical thinking skills as you do math ~ an ability to communicate your ideas and receive the ideas of others ~ an honest, fair, and principled approach to your behavior and learning ~ an open - mindedness toward other’s attitudes and beliefs ~ an empathy, compassion, and caring for others ~ a willingness to leave your comfort zone and become risk- takers ~ a balance in all aspects of your life ~an ability to reflect on life and learning.

II. __Aims and objectives__

The content of this course is driven by the curricular objectives of the Des Moines Public School System. The IB AIMS and Objectives have been aligned with Des Moines Public Schools 7th grade math objectives.

III. __Role of the IB areas of interaction__

For every unit, there will be a unit question and an area of interaction that will provide a framework and give our classroom a context for learning. Approaches to Learning – incorporated throughout the course to accommodate the different learning styles of students; Community and Service – students will be given the opportunity to serve both the school community as well as the community at large so that they can discover the benefits of giving and serving others; Health and Social Education – students will be given the opportunity to explore how they think, act, and are changing and how that affects their life and those around them; Human Ingenuity – student will be given the opportunity to apply their math skills and create projects and games that others can use, and Environments – students will explore issues that involve their environment and their responsibilities to that environment.

IV. __Texts and Resources__

The textbook our students will have is Holt Mathematics Course 2. We will use this textbook series as a supplemental resource. Many of the activities will be from the DMPS mathematics department and fit in very well with our IB focus.

V. __Methodology__

A variety of learning experiences will be used with the students including group work, inquiry, direct teaching, and helping them construct their own learning. Students will be given the opportunity to show their understanding of the concepts through a variety of assessments, such as projects, tests, and questioning techniques. Students will be given many opportunities to work in cooperative learning groups in order to help them assist the learning of their classmates.

VI. __Methods of Assessment__

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">The students will be assessed using unit summative assessments, district benchmark tests, district criterion reference tests, quizzes, and unit projects.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Quizzes and tests will make up the majority of the grade for this class. Since the primary goal of the class is to learn math concepts and skills, students will have opportunities to improve upon test grades through written explanations and reflections. Quizzes are checkpoints along the way and those grades will not be available for extra points. Homework will be assigned 1-3 times per week. Homework will be used as a review to keep previously learned skills sharp. It will not be assigned to brand new learning. Homework will be graded as either turned in or not turned in. It will be a way for me to assess where extra work is needed during our in-class daily review.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Tests/Unit projects/Quizzes: 70% of the grade <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">In-class assignments and daily review: 20% of the grade <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Homework: 10% of the grade

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">VII. __Grading Policy/MYP Criteria__

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">For progress reports and report cards, student work receives a percentage/letter grade based upon the DMPS grading scale as follows: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> 100-90% A <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> 89-80 B <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> 79-70 C <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> 69-60 D <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> 59-Below F <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">For IB assessment, student work is evaluated on the following IB Assessment criteria: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Criterion A Knowledge and understanding Maximum 8 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Criterion B Investigating patterns Maximum 8 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Criterion C Communication in mathematics Maximum 6 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Criterion D Reflection in mathematics Maximum 6

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">VIII. __Contact information__

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Adam Severson <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Merrill Middle School <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">5306 Grand Avenue <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Des Moines, IA 50312 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">515.242.8448 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Email: adam.severson@dmps.k12.ia.us