One of the first units in your child's course of study in mathematics class this year is Thinking with Mathematical Models. In previous mathematics work, your child has studied some of the basic concepts of algebra. In this unit, we will be exploring a variety of situations that can be represented with different mathematical methods, including graphs and equations.

Students will conduct several experiments in this unit. One of the experiments simulates the work of structural engineers: students will test the strength of bridges made from paper, seeing how the strength changes as the bridges increase in thickness or in length. They look at different ways to work with the data they generate: displaying the data in tables, making graphs from the data, and sometimes writing equations to reflect what is seen in graphs.

Students will make graphs by plotting points on grid paper and by using graphing calculators. Graphing calculators enable students to make graphs more quickly and to explore many types of graphs more efficiently than is possible by hand.

You might help your child during this unit by observing tables and graphs in newspapers and magazines, and talking with your child about how they are used. Here are some other strategies for helping your child work with the ideas of this unit:

• Talk about situations in which data might be collected to help represent the situations with mathematical models such as tables or graphs.
• Look at your child's mathematics notebook. You may want to review some of the explanations that have been written for new concepts.
• Encourage your child's efforts in completing all homework assignments.

If you have any questions or concerns about this unit or your child's progress in the class, please feel free to call. I am interested in your child's success in mathematics.