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Welcome to Mr. West's classroom
where we are all mathematicians!
Looking for information about the Middle School Math curriculum?
What have we been learning?
In 7th grade, we have completed our unit on scale drawings! Scale drawings are illustrations of real objects or locations that are scaled down by a scale factor. Maps are a great example of the everyday usage of scale drawings (including physical maps as well as digital maps for GPS navigation!)
For the project part of our scale drawings test, students partnered up and took actual measurements of the dimensions of the basketball court in our school gym. Students then chose their own scale factors and created genuine scale drawings of the court.
This unit continues to develop students' multiplicative thinking to support their transition from additive relationships to proportional relationships.
Proportional thinking is a key concept for the development of slope in 8th grade.
In 8th grade, we have introduced the concept of slope. While there are many ways we can (and will) consider slope mathematically, we begin by approaching slope through a geometric lens. Specifically, we use the idea of similar triangles and ratios to discuss the physical relationship that slope describes (vertical distance compared to horizontal distance). This approach helps us to define slope as a measure of the steepness of a line.
One way we interpret the realistic nature of slope is through road gradient. You may have noticed this sign heading south on Route 4 in Sandy River. The "10% Grade" on this sign is related to the value 0.10, or 10 out of 100. This ratio represents that for every 100 feet forward, the hill descends 10 feet in elevation. This relationship allows us to interpret the steepness of the hill we are approaching on the road, and therefore our safe speed for descending.
Who is Mr. West?
Growing up in Jackman, I attended a K-12 school just like RLRS. Middle school is a particularly special time for me, since that is when my passion for mathematics really began to flourish. Since then I have enjoyed not only learning mathematics, but helping others as well. I look forward to continuing in my 3rd year here at RLRS!
Learning
I began my post-secondary academia at the University of Maine where I graduated with a degree in Secondary Education and Mathematics, earning my 6-12 math content teaching certification. Throughout these 4 years grew a passion for learning. I enjoyed learning so much that I decided to continue at the University for 2 more years and earn my Master of Science in Teaching degree. In graduate school my passion for mathematics and education grew deeper. I attended the RUME conference in Omaha, Nebraska where I presented my thesis research alongside notable education researchers.
My Goal
is to help students find their own passion and acheive success in however they define success. Math does not have to be a scary or mundane task. Math can be a way for us to build our critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills that apply to any field of life!
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