Freshman Bridge Program

Math Curriculum
Summer 2007

Description: This course will help remediate commonly-seen student weaknesses in mathematics to
better prepare them for the fall term. There will be a substantial emphasis on Math-to-Life connections and
the ability to apply learned skills to solving problems. The course will also provide a framework of
classroom expectations so that students are successfully acculturated to the academic expectations of
Automotive High School’s Mathematics Department.

Class Format: As this is a summer program, the classes will focus primarily on project-based learning as
well as an introduction to Geometer’s Sketch Pad. Projects that stress the connections between
mathematics and the student’s lives will be embraced.

Common Student Weaknesses:

Ÿ Conceptual mathematical ideas -- for example, signed numbers, fractions, manipulating equations
Ÿ Using correct mathematical language

Course Outcomes:
Ÿ Students will be able to speak correctly about signed numbers
Ÿ Students will understand and be able to apply the concept of proportion and ratios to solve word
problems
Ÿ Students will have a foundation for interpreting word problems through increased vocabulary and an
understanding of how the employ basic tools of mathematics to solve problems.

Materials Required:
Ÿ Computer Access with Geometer’s Sketch Pad for students; Computer (with Geometer’s Sketchpad)
with projector for teacher
Ÿ Assortment of Barbie Dolls/Action Figures
Ÿ 10 individual packages of m&m’s
Ÿ 2 one-pound bags of m&m’s
Ÿ Protractors, rulers, colored pencils/markers
Ÿ Ziplock sandwich bags
Ÿ Large bag of brown beans
Ÿ Small bag of white pinto beans
Ÿ Tile Separators (optional)

Sequence:

Week Topics to be covered Goals/Skills Project-based Assessments

: (Students will be able to…)
1 Effective Note-taking - Take notes effectively - GSP: Mystery Machines
Skills - See the applications of mathematics in - GSP: Adding Integers
Math-to-Life Connections daily life and in careers - UML: Postman Always Rings…
Order of Operations - Understand and apply the order of - UML: Wallflowers
Translating Words to operations, including exponents; understand - Create a profile of a
Symbols why answers are wrong mathematics career or
Signed Numbers (addition - Recognize and apply the mathematical mathematical operation
and subtraction) operations indicated by associated words
(ex. Find the sum of 4 and 6.)
- Add and subtract signed numbers within
word problems
2 Signed Numbers - Multiply and divide signed numbers - Create word problems using
(multiplication and - Understand concept of ratios signed numbers - money-based
division) - Understand concept of proportion and be - UML: How big is Barbie?
Applying Proportion and able to apply properties of proportional - UML: M&M Project
Ratios objects to solve problems using ratios - UML: Counting Fish
Introductory Statistics - Understand concepts of mean, median and - Measuring shadows of Flag
mode Poles
- Car problems
- GSP: Enlarging Photos

3 Constructing Word - Apply knowledge from the first two weeks - UML: Pig Pen Algebra
Problems to interpreting word problems, then apply - Student create their own word
Introduction to Equations the mathematical operations necessary to problems using the topics we’ve
solve the problem learned
- Car applications

4 Reflection, Wrap-up
- Provide a concise description of the skills
we have learned over the past three weeks
- Compile a Mathematical “How
To” study guide to solve real-
world math problems involving
signed numbers, proportions and
ratios
- A memory book of the past
three weeks

Daily Lesson Goals:

Week 1:
I: Introduction to Mathematics at Automotive High School
Activity: Write down where you see mathematics in life, share out either aloud or on the board
1. On the way home, I see math in…
2. These jobs use math…
3. Some math words that I know are…
Then, write three to five sentences using the words you’ve just written down

II: Order of Operations/Effective Note-taking Skills

-- PEMDAS: explain each process, including exponents
Activity: Construct posters that profile each process (split into 6 groups)
Activity: “Pass the Problem”
-- Emphasize explaining why the problems are wrong
-- Construct problems that use order of operations; check each other’s work
-- Extension: UML: “4 Digit Problem”

III: Words to Symbols

-- Find all the words associated with each part of PEMDAS, add to the profiles working together as a class
(write on paper first, then share out)
-- Word etymologies? Find ALL words associated with mathematical processes -- Create Numerology Chart
on p. 108 “Write”
-- Numbers in different languages?
-- Begin translating then solving Order of Operations problems that are in written form
-- Create a taxonomy of mathematical symbols

IV: Adding and Subtracting Signed Numbers

-- Basic explanations, utilize the number line
-- Student-created number line
-- Temperature problems, building problems
Activity Options:
- GSP: Mystery Machines
- GSP: Adding Integers
- UML: Postman Always Rings…
- UML: Wallflowers

Week 2:
V: Review Adding and Subtracting Signed Numbers/Begin Multiplying and Dividing Signed Numbers
-- Go over basic rules of multiplying and dividing
Activity:
-- Create brochures on how the operations of signed numbers --- write out primarily in words

VI: Introduction to proportion and ratio

GSP Demo: Enlarging a picture, measure side lengths, etc.
Activities:
- Create word problems using signed numbers - money-based
- UML: How big is Barbie?
- UML: M&M Project
- UML: Counting Fish
- Measuring shadows of Flag Poles

Week 3:
VII: Dissecting word problems
Activity: Focus on a few difficult word problems then fill out problem-solving frame on p. 144 of “Write”
Study and share-out
Create poster-board explanations of how to solve problems using the frames

Week 4:
VIII: Reflection and Wrap-Up
Activity: Writing exercise to help synthesize the entire experience
Create some sort of tangible product to hang in a display case