Miss Cline's Mathematics Page Math 8 ; Math 8 Plus; Algebra I; Geometry

Math
The focus of the Dreamseekers’ mathematics classroom activities and homework assignments is students' conceptual understanding of mathematics. This will be accomplished through investigation of mathematical concepts and problem solving. Students should expect to think for themselves rather than be told how to calculate. In doing so, they will build confidence as they tackle more advanced mathematics.

The  Math 8 mathematics class is a survey course including the concepts of number operations, measurement, geometry, data analysis & statistics, and algebraic thinking.  It is intended to build on students’ prior knowledge in order to deepen their understanding and prepare them for further study in eighth grade.  The major concepts and skills that students will learn are:

• Interpretting boxplots & histograms
• Using measures of central tendency to analyze data
• Defining outliers and their effect on statistical measures
• Operating with rational numbers
• Simplifying & evaluating algebraic expressions
• Solving Equations & inequalities
• Applying formulas to solve problems
• Solving percent of change problems
• Reasoning with ratios & proportions
• Defining similarity and congruence
• Solving scale model problems
• Finding volume and surface area of polyhedra

The Math 8 Plus course includes the concepts in both the seventh and eighth grade standard courses of study.  In addition to the concepts in Math 8, Math 8 Plus students will also learn to:

• Analyze bivariate data using scatterplots
• Identify misuses of data
• Define and calculate slope
• Write, solve,  and graph linear functions
• Define, compare, and order irrational numbers
• Determine the affect of changing dimensions on measurements
• Solve problems using the Pythagorean theorem

Algebra I is a high school course; students who successfully complete this class, including passing the End-of-Course Test, will receive a high school math credit. Eighth grade students who take it miss significant portions of the middle school mathematics curriculum. Thus, eighth grade Algebra I will include cursory lessons on many of the topics in  Math 8 (listed previously) as well as completion of the entire high school Algebra I curriculum. 

• Operations with polynomials and matrices
• Creation and application of linear functions and relations
• Algebraic representations of geometric relationships
• Non-linear functions
• Translation among graphic, algebraic, numeric, tabular, and verbal representations of relations.
• Problem Solving

Geometry is a high school course; students who successfully complete this class, including passing the End-of-Course Test, will receive a high school math credit. Eighth grade students who take it miss significant portions of the middle school mathematics curriculum. Thus, eighth grade Algebra I will include cursory lessons on many of the topics in  Math 8 (listed previously) as well as completion of the entire high school Geometry curriculum. 

About the teacher
This is my fourth year as a Dreamseeker at Rogers-Herr, but my fifteenth in Durham Public Schools.

After growing up as an "army brat" all over the world, I attended UNC-Chapel Hill as a NC Teaching Fellow majoring in Middle Grades Education. I started my career at Brogden Middle School. While there, I was named Durham's Outstanding Middle Grades Mathematics Teacher and was a finalist for Durham's Teacher of the Year.

In 2001, I transferred to Lowe's Grove where I taught 8th grade mathematics and served as Pre College Academy Coordinator and AVID teacher. During my tenure at LGMS, I received National Board Certification in Early Adolensence Mathematics and a Master's Degree in Middle Grades Mathematics.

Since coming to Rogers-Herr in 2006, my beloved Dreamseeker Team was named North Carolina Middle School Association’s Region 3 Team of the Year! I’m so proud to be a Dreamseeker and a Rogers-Herr Ram!

Throughout my career, involvement in staff development and improving mathematics education in North Carolina has been a priority.  I served as a lead teacher in both the RAMP Grant (Realizing Achievement in Mathematics Performance) for Durham Public Schools and the North Carolina Middle Math Project.  I have traveled the state teaching best teaching practices for the new standard course of study through the Math Matters Project, and have presented at the North Carolina Teachers of Mathematics Conference.

I love Carolina basketball, good coffee, and my two beagles, Faith & Buttercup! I'm learning to play tennis and enjoy involvement in my church. While on intercession, I'll probably be in Oklahoma where my family lives (including nephews, Aaron & Ben, and Colston).

I want all of my students to be successful mathematicians! Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments. I look forward to a very productive year!

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