As the second semester has gotten underway, we have begun to tackle new math topics and challenges. In Precalculus/Trigonometry, we have turned our focus to trigonometry. Using our newly developed skills, we have filled in angles and important points on the unit circle and can use this information as well as Pythagorean Identities to solve for the six trig functions (sine, cosine, tangent, secant, cosecant, and cotangent). After assessing our ability to do these things, we will be moving into graphing these functions.
Algebra I students have almost mastered solving systems of linear equations in two variables by inspection (graphing), substitution, and elimination. Students have been very diligent to take detailed notes and then use them, along with scratch paper, in order to apply their learning. I have been so impressed with their focus, question asking, and collaboration as we study this challenging topic. Soon we will be using our ability to solve linear equations in word problems such as these:
The owners of the River View Restaurant have hired enough server to handle 17 tables of customers, and the first marshal has approved the restaurant for a limit of 56 customers. How many two-seat and four-seat tables should the owners purchase?
One number added to twice another number is 23. Four times the first number added to twice the other number is 38. What are the numbers?
The students in the 6th grade class began the semester by working through a pre-assessment of a variety of skills they have been exposed to before as well as extensions of those skills. These included doing the four math operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) on whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and integers. Based on self and teacher assessment of their work, students then watched videos, asked questions, and practiced skills of their choice. In this way, students have been self-directing their math learning in needed areas of growth as well as gaining knowledge in new areas. Our focus has now turned towards a whole class study of ratios, rates, and percentages.
