Midterm Histogram

The histogram of midterm results is here. We set the average for the scale to 80%. This means half the students did better than 80%. It is normal that half the students are below the average but it is not good if they spread way out below the average. Theoretically, if half the students are between 80-100% then the other half should be between 60-80%. That is not the case with this test. The tail falls off at 42%. More than three quarters of the students got a score above 70% on the test but those that struggled really struggled a lot. My students that did poorly need to see me so we can rethink what they need to do to be successful. Do they have good techniques for studying (which is different than being diligent)? Are they trying to memorize procedures without really understanding them? A lack of understanding is exposed when questions are asked slightly differently than before and the student is unable to adjust to the change and answer the question. I want my students to be happy and successful in my class but the curriculum and the pace cannot change so let's work together for best results.

Polynomials (Ch 7)

We continue our study of functions that have positive integer exponents on the x variable - polynomials. The schedule below is ambitious and will probably change as the need for more practice and quizzes becomes more apparent.

1/23 Introduction to Polynomials
          HW finish worksheet of practice and exploration
1/24 Exploration of the impact of the degree on the shape
          HW finish worksheet of exploration questions plus p.429/17-27 odd, p.438/23-37 odd, 38
1/25 Manipulating polynomials (adding, subtracting, multiplying)
          HW p.430/39-49 odd, p.445,447/15-33 by 3's, 101, 102
1/26 Dividing Polynomials
          HW p.446/71-81 odd, 85, 89, 99, 100, 105-110

1/30 Patterns of special products and the binomial theorem
          HW finish worksheet, deduce special factoring patterns (check your work here)
1/31 Factoring Polynomials
          HW p.446-447/35-69 odd, 115
2/01 The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
          HW Worksheet of Practice Problems
2/02 Prove Properties of factors and zeros
          HW Review of Techniques

2/06 Solving: what it is, what tools do we have?
          HW p.453-454/11-25 odd, 51-59 odd, 61-64
2/07 Putting all the ideas together
          HW General Results Worksheet
2/08 Real-world problems
          HW Worksheet of word problems
2/09 Review
          HW Fix a "bad" test

2/13 Singing Valentines (bad day for a test)
2/14 Test of Polynomial Functions

Finishing up Quadratices (and the term)

We still have to look at complex numbers, an integral part of our study of quadratics. We will finish up Chapter 5 and have a mid-year exam before the end of term 2. (Dates given are for A-Block, B-Block is one day later for the end of the week.) Remember that I am trying not to overwhelm you with homework but if you need extra practice, there are plenty more problems in our textbook.

1/04 Zeros and Solutions
         HW finish handout
1/05 Introduction to Complex Numbers
         HW p.320-321/19,23,29,35,41-44,45-63 odd,77,79

1/09 More with Complex Numbers
         HW p.320-321/65-75 odd, 81-95 odd, 96-100
1/10 Review Quadratics
         HW finish review packet
1/11 Quadratic Inequalities (will not be on quiz, will be on 1/20 for B-Block)
         HW 334-335/36-57 by 3's, 58-60, go back and solve 12,15,18,31,35 with a 2D graph, not a number line.
1/12 Quadratic Quiz
         HW start working on Mid-Year Review Packet

1/16 Martin Luther King Day, no school
1/17 Review Questions
1/18 Review Questions
1/19 Mid-Year Cumulative Exam
         HW Quadratic Optimization Problems
1/20 End of Term 2

Both sections will have their second quadratic quiz on 1/12. They will also both receive the mid-year review packet that day. Both sections will have two days in class before the exam to ask questions and work on the packet. Both sections will have the Mid-Year exam on 1/19. Quadratic Inequalities will be on very different dates for the two sections and will not be assessed on the second Quadratics Quiz.

Remember that the makeup for the first Quadratics Quiz must be completed by 1/13. Test corrections for the Matrix test are due by 1/20. Retakes for the second Quadratics Quiz are due by Tuesday, 1/24.