Mike_Colwell

**__ HOW WILL YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE __****__ ? __**

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Introduction
Mathematics appears in many places. In this unit, students will explore how math is utilized in the world around them. From microscopic images to the vast expanse of our galaxy, we will investigate how different professions incorporate numbers, patterns, and logic to help make sense of our world. The unit will culminate with a presentation about a profession that interests them.

Learning Objectives
Multiply and divide powers while analyzing astronomical distances. Simplify powers with zero and negative exponents while comparing magnified images. Represent small numbers in scientific and decimal notation. Connect the mathematics studied in class to various career choices. Simplify radical expressions. Use algebraic logic to make predictions about number grids. While studying the heights of chairs, write and solve inequalities that involve one operation. Use inequalities to plan the seating arrangement of a movie theater.

Content
In this unit, you will explore how various professions use mathematics to perform their jobs. You will be investigating careers that you find interesting, while creating a presentation that displays the workings of one particular profession. While engaging in the unit, you will utilize different forms of technology to create your presentation and use our classroom blog to review each others work. While we learn about each job, we will be working toward a deeper understanding of exponents, inequalities, square roots, and binomials. Specifically, you will learn how to mulitiply and divide exponents, compare inequalities, find the square root of any number, and factor binomial expressions.

Process
Follow the steps below to create your presentation: 1) Choose a job that utilizes mathematics on a daily basis. 2) Create a description of a typical day in that profession, make sure to include three different ways that math is used on the job. 3) Explain why mathematics is important in your chosen profession. 4) Create a math problem that one would encounter in your profession. During your presentation, you will ask the class to solve this problem. 5) Post your presentation to the classroom blog and invite your classmates to comment on the presentation.

Product
[|presentation rubric.doc] [|student presentation.ppt]

Credits
Thanks to Intel, the publisher of Mathematics, and Diana.

Author
Mike Colwell Leif Ericson Academy

Sources
Mathematics Book 3, McDougal Littell, 2008 [] [|www.classzone.com] [] Intel Teach Program "Essentials Course Curriculum Resource CD"

Please direct all comments, questions, suggestions to me at mpcolwell@cps.edu
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