This week: We will use logarithms to simplify and solve for exponents as decimals. We will wrap this up this week and begin applying it to interest and half-life problems next week.

 

Common core state standard: HS.F-IF.C. Interpreting Functions: Analyze functions using different representations

 

Due from last week: Intro to Logarithm Quiz

This Week: We will continue using logarithms to find exponents that aren't whole numbers. Given that this class only meets twice this week, we will review and take a mid-unit quiz.

 

Common Core State Standard: HS.F-IF.C. Interpreting Functions: Analyze functions using different representations.

 

Due From Last Week: Practice with Logarithms

With finals done, we will use this week to cover some math that may not neatly fall into the curriculum, but is fun to investigate! Classes will be learning about...

 

Binary and Number Bases: Binary is how computers process info, but did you know it is also known as "Base 2" counting? Humans mostly use Base 10 nowadays, but we'll learn about counting in binary as well as the history of how other eras of humanity have seen us using Base 12 and even Base 60!

 

Math and Beauty: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course. But what if there's more to it? Bees and other pollinators are naturally attracted to flowers displaying the Fibonacci sequence. Are humans the same way?

 

Game Theory: Though also a fun youtube channel, "Game Theory" largely applies to how humans weigh risk vs. reward both in the marketplace and in social scenarios. How does human nature compare to probability? 

Students will complete their math finals the second half of this week after a day or two of more reviewing. Good luck, everyone!

 

Schedule:

Algebra 1: Wednesday and Thursday

Geometry (8 & 10): Wednesday and Thursday

Geometry (9): Thursday

Algebra 2: Wednesday and Thursday

 

Some general reminders:

1) Students may bring one page of notes (8.5" x 11"), one-sided, to the final.

 

2) If a final spans multiple days, the notes will be collected on the first day and handed back on the second. Students may NOT bring in notes the second day, though they will have access to the notes they brought at the beginning of the first final.

 

3) Given that this is the final, students will not be able to earn back points afterwards. If they have been taking advantage of this opportunity on quizzes, though, they will be much better prepared going into the final!

This week, all classes are preparing for finals, which will occur next week. Please see previous posts for topics and standards students should review! (students will also be given review topics in their classes)

This Week: We will review exponents before delving into their inverse, logarithms! This unit is useful for analyzing earthquakes and soundwaves, but it is particularly helpful as we move towards tracking interest on bank loans and credit cards. Given that many of our students are approaching the age of possible student loans, this is a fine time to jump into the math!

 

Common Core State Standards: HS.F-LE.B. Linear, Quadratic, & Exponential Models: Interpret expressions for functions in terms of the situation they model.

 

Due from last week: None

This Week: We will break apart cubic functions into their components (roots, end behavior, domain / range, etc) and compare their shapes and uses with quadratic equations.

 

CCSS Standard: HS.F-LE.B. Linear, Quadratic, & Exponential Models: Interpret expressions for functions in terms of the situation they model.

 

Due from Last Week: Polynomial Basics practice

This Week: Now that we have found three methods of dividing polynomials, we are ready to move into the good stuff! Dividing polynomials to produce linear products will let us find the "zeros" of long polynomial expressions. These will serve as the liftoff points for rockets, the peaks of pendulum motion, and much more.

 

CCSS Standard: HS.F-LE.B. Linear, Quadratic, & Exponential Models: Interpret expressions for functions in terms of the situation they model.

 

Due from Last Week: Notebook practice: Completing the Square (Polynomials) and Synthetic Division

This Week: We will learn to divide polynomials using the box method and synthetic division. Once these are complete, we will use these to find the zeros of exponential graphs, which is crucial for tracking motions in physics such as gravity and pendulums.

 

CCSS Standard: HS.A-APR.B. Arithmetic with Polynomials & Rational Expressions: Understand the relationship between zeros and factors of polynomials.

 

Due from last week: Dividing Polynomials quiz, Long Division with Polynomials (notebook check)

Hello, Wonderful Westgate Families!

I have an exciting announcement: our annual Hogwarts Day will be Friday of next week, October 27^th! Students can look forward to joining like-minded friends for a day of fun, food, and activities. Is your student a clever Ravenclaw or an ambitious Slytherin? A loyal Hufflepuff, or a daring Gryffindor? Students may join whichever group they feel most comfortable with for the day, and we encourage them to dress the part! If a student is unsure of their house or comfortable with any of the groups, we will find a place for them as well.

During the day, students will be engaging in Hogwarts-themed classes with their house (Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, etc), learning and competing to earn points towards the House Cup. Can they do well enough to usurp the reigning champion of Ravenclaw? Quidditch, a sport from the world of Harry Potter, will take place in the afternoon outdoors. Please see the attached slideshow for details!

Our schedule will be as follows:

8:00 – 8:45: Breakfast in the Great Hall (HS Commons) 

8:45 – 9:45: House Decorating

9:45– 10:45: Begin Class Rotations (2 classes) 

10:45 – 11:15: Quidditch Prep and House Time

11:15 – 12:15: Lunch

12:15 – 1:45: Class Rotations (3 classes) 

1:45 – 3:15ish: Quidditch! 

3:15: Ending Circle/Awarding of the House Cup 

Important: For our morning breakfast, we are requesting donations from any family who would like to contribute. We would be extremely grateful for anything you can donate – every little bit helps add to a meaningful start to the students’ day. Please follow the link below to find a SignUp Genius with items we need.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C4BAEAE2EA7FA7-45349085-hogwarts

As always, thank you for being such an amazing part of our community and for allowing us to teach such incredible students. Even if your student is not a fan of the Hogwarts world, I hope they are looking forward to a day of activities and fun.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected].

This Week: Students will be using long division to simplify fractions with polynomials. By the end of the week, we will use this to identify polynomials "zeros," which are useful for tracking flight paths, pendulum motion, and other concepts in physics.

 

CCSS Standard: HS.A-APR.B. Arithmetic with Polynomials & Rational Expressions: Understand the relationship between zeros and factors of polynomials.

 

Due from last week: Special Factoring Rules

This Week: We will begin our unit on polynomials with three new types of factoring: Difference of Squares, Sum of Perfect Squares, and Difference of Perfect Squares. These will help us to reorganize information as we begin to solve and apply to real-world problems.

This Week: We will review parabolas in vertex form before adding them to piecewise functions.

 

Due from last week: Piecewise Function Practice #2