INTRODUCTION TO ALGEBRA

Credit:  l

Grade:  9, 10                                                                                            Course Length:  Term

 Prerequisite:  Math teacher recommendation.

This course is designed to reinforce concepts studied previously, probe concepts studied previously in greater depth, prepare students for new concepts to come, and foster involvement and creativity.  Problem solving, mathematical communication, reasoning and mathematical connections will be woven throughout the course.  Topics will include the real number system, ratio and proportion, order of operations, measurement, exponents and such basic algebraic concepts as the meaning and use of a variable. 

Emphasis will be given to developing an understanding of variables, expressions and equations using a variety of methods to solve equations, using tables, graphs and rules to describe situations, exploring relationship among representatives of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, integers and rational numbers, and developing an understanding of ratio, proportion and percent.

 PREPARATORY ALGEBRA

Credit:  l

Grade:  9, 10, 11, 12                                                                            Course Length:  Fall Term

 Prerequisite:  Math teacher recommendation. 

The preparatory algebra course is a transition course that extends concepts of middle level mathematics and enters the domain of high school algebra and geometry.  New concepts that are introduced include developing a rule for the Nth term of a pattern, negative and zero exponents, scientific notation, proportional reasoning, geometric concepts involving triangular and right triangular relationships, probability/odds, and statistical applications.

Students continue to connect mathematical concepts, skills, and relationships of number and computation, geometry and measurement, probability and statistics, with algebraic thinking.  They model and solve problems using algebraic, numerical and graphical representations.  While learning preparatory algebra, students are actively engaged, using hands-on materials (e.g. algebra tiles) and appropriate technologies (e.g., fraction calculators, computers, and computer based labs).

ALGEBRA I

Credit:  l

Grade:  9, 10, 11, 12                                                                        Course Length:  Spring Term

Prerequisite:  A passing grade in Preparatory Algebra.

Algebra I is a course that provides basic building blocks for higher mathematics.  Objectives of Algebra I include the continued development of preparatory algebra concepts and enabling students to evolve to a broader understanding and awareness of algebra by emphasizing conepts, structure, and application. Tables and graphs are used to interpret algebraic expressions, equations, and inequalities and to analyze functions.  Manipulatives, such as algebra titles, are used to transition from the concrete to the abstract.  Calculators, computers,  graphing utilities, graphing calculators and computer-based labs will be used as tools to assist in problem solving. Topics will include multi-step linear equations, scatter plots with lines of best fit, inequalities, open sentences with absolute value, systems of equations, polynomials, factoring, and quadratic functions..

  ADVANCED ALGEBRA I

Credit:  l

Grade:  9                                                                                                  Course Length:  Term

Prerequisite:  Math teacher recommendation.

 The topics will be the same as Preparatory Algebra and Algebra I but will be covered at a faster pace.

 GEOMETRY

Credit:  l

Grade:  10, 11, 12                                                                                     Course Length:  Term

Prerequisite:  Algebra I; math teacher recommendation. 

This course is designed to:   introduce the fundamentals of geometry; help students develop basic geometric skills; and learn to apply geometric principles.  Geometric vocabulary and theorems are presented, and the students are required to write out logic problems and proofs.  Topics will include points, lines, planes, area, volume and measurements including three-dimensional objects.

 ADVANCED GEOMETRY

Credit:  l

Grade:  9, 10                                                                                            Course Length:  Term

 Prerequisite:  Advanced Algebra I; math teacher recommendation.

 Topics will be the same as Geometry but more in-depth.  This course leads toward A. P. Calculus.

 ALGEBRA II

Credit:  l

Grade:  10, 11, 12                                                                                     Course Length:  Term

 Prerequisite:  Geometry; Algebra I.

This course is designed for college-bound students.  In addition to expanding the mathematical concepts of Algebra I, emphasis will be placed on preparation for study of higher mathematics – abstract thinking skills, the function concept, and the algebraic solution of problems in various content areas.  Topics include the complex number system and matrices, quadratic equations and inequalities, graphs of functions and relations, sequences and series, and probability statistic, linear equations and systems of equation.

 ADVANCED ALGEBRA II

Credit:  l

Grade:  10, 11, 12                                                                                     Course Length:  Term 

Prerequisite:  Advanced Geometry; math teacher recommendation.

 This course leads toward A. P. calculus.  Topics will be the same as Algebra II but more rigorous in pace and depth. 

AP STATISTICS

Credit:  l

Grade:  11, 12                                                                                           Course Length:  Term

 Prerequisite:  Algebra II or Advanced Algebra II and teacher recommendation.

  The purpose of the Advanced Placement course in statistics is to introduce students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data.  Students are exposed to four broad conceptual themes:  exploring data, planning a study, anticipating patterns, and statistical inference. 

Students who successfully complete the course and examination may receive credit and/or advanced placement for a one-semester introductory college statistics course.  AP Statistics is an excellent course for any student who has completed Algebra II regardless of the student's intended college major. 

This course will be offered every other year.  It is scheduled to be offered during the 2002-2003 school year. 

CONSUMER  MATH

Credit:  l

Grade:  11, 12                                                                                           Course Length:  Term

 Prerequisites:  Math teacher recommendation.

 This course is designed to:  provide the math background needed for students to understand the importance and the use of math in daily living after high school; help students successfully complete a math requirement in high school; and improve computational skills and apply these skills in solving math problems of consumers and other economic concepts.  Math concepts include decimals, fractions, percents, and these are applied through study and problem solving in areas such as banking, salaries, taxes, family purchases, insurance, personnel care, etc.

 TOPICS IN MATHEMATICS

Credit:  l

Grade:  11, 12                                                                                           Course Length:  Term

Prerequisite:  Algebra II. 

This class is designed for college-bound students who need or desire an additional math credit and are not interested in taking trig and analytics or calculus.  A team of teachers teaches this course.  The major areas of focus are: practical math applications, basic trigonometry, probability and statistics, and a review of the skills necessary for high mathematics scores on college entrance exams such as the ACT and SAT.

 PRECALCULUS

Credit:  l

Grade:  12                                                                                                Course Length:  Term 

This course is intended for students who plan to take a calculus course in high school or college.  Topics include but are not limited to:  functions and their inverses; graphs and applications of polynomial, rational, exponential logarithmic, trigonometric and absolute value functions; analytic geometry and complex numbers.  This course leads to the AP Calculus course. 

TRIG AND ANALYTICS

Credit:  l

Grade:  12                                                                                                Course Length:  Term 

This course is designed for those students excelling in the general track of Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II.  Topics include but are not limited to:  functions and their inverses; graphs and applications of polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric and absolute value functions; analytic geometry and complex numbers.  This course is for the college-bound student.

Credit:  l

Grade:  12                                                                                                Course Length:  Term

Prerequisite:  Grade of ‘C’ in Pre-Calculus or ‘A’ or ‘B’ in Trigonometry and Analytics. 

An introduction to calculus for the college-bound student.  The course will include an in-depth study of limits and differentiation and a brief introduction to techniques of integration.  This is not an advanced placement course.

 DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

Credit:  l

Grade:  12                                                                                                Course Length:  Term

 Prerequisite:  Grade of ‘A’ or ‘B’ in Pre-Calculus.

 NOTE:  This course is to be scheduled with A. P. Calculus.

 An introduction to the concepts of limits, differentiation, related rates, extrema, monotonicity, and concavity, this course covers all requirements for differential calculus in the advanced placement program.

 A.P. CALCULUS

Credit:  l

Grade:  12                                                                                                Course Length:  Term

 Prerequisite:  Grade of  ‘A’ or ‘B’ in Pre-Calculus; passing grade in Differential Calculus. 

Integration concepts covered include: areas under and between curves, volumes of solids of revolution, integration by parts, and integration involving natural logarithms.  This course covers all material prescribed by the College Board Advanced Placement program.  Students enrolled in this course must take the A. P. Examination.