Mathematics

All students will be required to take Algebra I, Geometry and one other mathematics course beyond Geometry.  These credits may be earned at any time during their middle or high school tenure.  A student MUST PASS BOTH SEMESTERS OF ALGEBRA I before enrolling in Geometry or any other mathematics course beyond Geometry.  Students cannot receive ˝ credit for Algebra I.

 Mathematics courses should integrate the process of problem solving, communication, reasoning, connections, and representation.  The increasing role of technology in instruction will alter the teaching and learning of mathematics.  Calculators and computers should integrate throughout the curriculum so that the students can concentrate on the problem-solving process as well as the calculations associated with problems.

 Recommended Course of Study for High School Students:

Algebra I Prep (Elective)

Algebra I                                   

Combined Geometry

Algebra II

OR

 Algebra I

Combined Geometry

and one of the following

            Algebra II

            Mathematics of Finance

             Computer Science I

            Statistics and Probability

 

OR

  Algebra I (Credit earned in the 8th Grade) Combined Geometry  and one of the following Algebra II

           Pre-calculus

           Statistics and Probability

            Computer Science

            Math Studies IBSL*

            Algebra III  

COURSE TITLE:     Algebra I Prep

GRADE LEVEL(S):  9

PREREQUISITE:   Failure of 8th grade math and/or 8th grade CRT

CREDIT(S):   1 elective unit (Does NOT count toward mathematics credit  for graduation)

 

Algebra I Prep will include, in the first semester, basic numerical operations and number sense, integer operations, rational expressions, simplifying and evaluating algebraic expressions, solving one and two- step equations in one variable, and simplifying polynomials.  Second semester will begin the study of Algebra I and will include applying the laws of exponents, absolute value, rational expressions, radical expressions, polynomial operations and linear functions.  The geometric concepts of similarity, area, volume, and ratio, proportions and statistical concepts of stem and leaf plots, tables graphs, charts and scatter plots will be integrated throughout the course.  Real-world applications and problem-solving are the foundations of this course.  Visual and physical models, calculators, and other technologies are recommended when appropriate and will be used to enhance both instruction and assessment.  Upon completion of this course, students will enroll in Algebra I.

  

COURSE TITLE:    Algebra I

GRADE LEVEL(S):    9, 10, 11

PREREQUISITE:   None

CREDIT(S):  1 unit

 This course clarifies, simplifies, unifies, and broadens the concept of mathematics.  The concepts included are real numbers, variables, algebraic and rational expressions, linear and quadratic equations, polynomials, inequalities, relations, functions, variation, radicals, and statistics and probability.

 

COURSE TITLE:    Algebra II

GRADE LEVEL(S):    9, 1 0, 11, 12

PREREQUISITE:   Algebra I (both semesters) and Geometry  or                        Department  chairperson’s approval.  A graphing                                       calculator is required.

CREDIT(S):             1 unit

 Algebra II is an extension and a deepening in knowledge of the concepts and skills of Algebra I.  Applications and problem-solving strategies are stressed.  The following topics are covered: real numbers and equations; equalities and inequalities; relations, functions and their graphs; systems of equations and related inequalities; matrices and determinants; polynomials; rational expressions; irrational and complex numbers as related to solving equations; the solving and graphing of conic section polynomials; exponential and logarithmic functions; finite and infinite sequences and series, and probability and statistics.

  

COURSE TITLE:     Algebra II Honors **********

GRADE LEVEL(S):    9, 10, 11, 12

PREREQUISITE:    Algebra I or Geometry, Teacher approval.  A     graphing calculator is required.

CREDIT(S):    1 unit

 

Algebra II Honors includes the use of the Calculator Based Laboratory (CBL) system to apply mathematics to topics of science concepts.  This course is designed to be more rigorous and extend beyond the baseline established for a regular course.  Students will often be in charge of their own learning, with the instructor as the facilitator.  Students will be expected to question, discuss and discover the concepts of algebra.  Graphing calculators are an integral part of this course.  CBL experiments are used to either teach a new concept, reinforce a learned concept or to find alternate methods of solutions as well as connect science to mathematics.  Students are expected to be able to successfully complete the more difficult problems of the text and to work as teams to solve common problems.

 

COURSE TITLE:   Calculus AB AP **********

GRADE LEVEL(S):   11, 12

PREREQUISITE:   Teacher Approval

CREDIT(S):   1 unit  

The Calculus AB AP course is concerned with developing the students’ understanding of the concepts of calculus and providing experience with its methods and applications.  A multi-representational approach to calculus is emphasized with concepts, results, and problems being expressed geometrically, numerically, analytically, and verbally.  The connections among these representations is also stressed.  The student may earn college credit for success on the Advanced Placement Examination.

  

COURSE TITLE:     Combined Geometry

GRADE LEVEL(S):     9, 10, 11, 12

PREREQUISITE:    Algebra I

CREDIT(S):   1 unit

 

This course deals with the basic structure of plane and solid geometry.  It includes a study of the elements of geometry as sets; induction as a method of discovery; deductive reasoning and the nature of proof; angles, lines, two and three dimensional figures and their relationships; congruency and similarity; coordinate geometry; and area and volume.

  

COURSE TITLE:   Combined Geometry Honors **********

GRADE LEVEL(S):   9, 10, 11, 12

PREREQUISITE:    Algebra I and Teacher recommendation

CREDIT(S):   1 unit

 

This course is designed to be more rigorous and extend beyond the baseline established for a regular course.  It introduces the student to the basic structure of plane and solid geometry.  It includes knowledge of the basic facts and relationships of geometric elements and understanding of deductive/inductive reasoning, as well as the opportunity to develop the ability to do clear logical thinking.  There is an increased emphasis on problem-solving and higher order thinking skills in an effort to prepare students to handle future AP classes.

COURSE TITLE:  Introduction to Engineering

                                 (Students must enroll in both semesters)

GRADE LEVEL(S):   11, 12

PREREQUISITE:    Concurrent enrollment in math or science course

CREDIT(S):   1 non-mathematics elective unit

 

This course introduces students to the wide variety of engineering fields through guest speakers and mini-projects.  The projects expose students to basic engineering concepts and emphasize working in teams.  Projects are chosen each year based on Students’ interests.  Students compete in the Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) Teams competition in the spring semester.

  

COURSE TITLE:   Mathematics of Finance

GRADE LEVEL(S):    11, 12

PREREQUISITE:    Algebra I, Geometry and/or Algebra II.  A graphing           calculator is required.

CREDIT(S):     ˝ or 1 unit

 

Students will learn that there is more to the mathematics of money than just earning it and spending it.  The course will present a problem-based, real-world application approach to the study of money.  Computer spreadsheets will be one of the tools used in this course.  Students will learn how to select the appropriate mathematical procedure to solve problems and will explore the careers employing the use of this type of mathematics.  Business leaders from the community will be utilized to reinforce the application of the mathematics in actual job situations. 

 Students will learn about earnings, deductions, budgets, personal investments, consumer credit and mortgages and secured loans.

COURSE TITLE:     Pre-Calculus **********

GRADE LEVEL(S):     10, 11, 12

PREREQUISITE:     Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and Teacher approval graphing calculator is required.

CREDIT(S):  1 unit

This course is a combination of trigonometry and Algebra III (College Algebra).  It should be taken as a prerequisite of calculus for those students who are planning to attend college upon completion of high school.  The study of pre-calculus will include trigonometry topics such as sets, relations, and functions; radian measure; trigonometric functions of angles; trigonometry identities; solutions of triangles; graphs of circular functions; polar coordinates and complex numbers.  It will also include Algebra III topics such as systems of equations.

COURSE TITLE:    Statistics and Probability

GRADE LEVEL(S):  10, 11, 12

PREREQUISITE:   Algebra I, Combined Geometry, and Algebra II (Algebra  II may be taken concurrently).  A graphing calculator   required

CREDIT(S):   ˝ unit or 1 unit (May be considered Pre-AP to the AP

 Statistics course)

                                                                               

Statistics and Probability is designed as an introduction to this field.  Applications and problem-solving strategies are stressed.  The following topics will be covered: display of data, frequency distributions; measures of central tendency, variability, and correlation; sampling and its role in statistical claims; design, conduct, and interpretation of a statistical experiment to study a problem; experimental and theoretical probability, simulations, random variables, and discrete probability distributions.

COURSE TITLE:    Statistics AP **********

 

GRADE LEVEL(S):   11, 12  

PREREQUISITE:  Teacher Approval, Algebra I, Combined Geometry,  Algebra II (Algebra II may be taken concurrently, with Teacher approval).  A graphing calculator is required.  

CREDIT(S):   1 unit

 

The Statistics AP course introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data.  There are four broad conceptual themes:

A.  Exploring Data: Observing patterns and departures from patterns,

B.  Planning a Study: Deciding what and how to measure,

            C.  Anticipating Patterns: Producing models using probability and

                   simulation

D.  Statistical Inference: Confirming models.

The student may earn college credit for successful scoring on the Advanced Placement Examination.

 

COURSE TITLE:   Computer Science II  

GRADE LEVEL(S):    9, 10, 11  

PREREQUISITE:    Geometry or Algebra II (grade c or better)   Teacher approval  

CREDIT(S):   ˝ unit or 1 unit

 

Computer Science II offers an introduction to a disciplined approach to problem solving and application development using an object-oriented computer programming language (JAVA) and a complete software development environment.  Topics will include design, coding, debugging, and testing.

  

COURSE TITLE:   Computer Science A AP **********  

GRADE LEVEL(S):  11, 12  

PREREQUISITE:   Teacher Approval, Typing/Keyboarding skills, Geometry (grade C or better)  

CREDIT(S):  1 unit

 

The computer Science A AP course consists of the study of programming methodology without any discussion of formal correctness, proofs, or arguments.  Algorithms (particularly sorting and searching algorithms) are informally compared, and no use is made of “big-O” notation.  Data structures and data abstractions are studied in the context of computer languages, built-in types and structures (e.g., arrays and records), and non-linked structures that can be built from these.  Recursion is introduced as a control abstraction.  The student may earn college credit for successful scoring on the Advanced Placement Examination.