1. How have you performed on the Unit O and P tests? What evidence do you have from your work in the unit that supports your test grade (good or bad)? Be specific and include a minimum of three pieces of evidence.
RESPOND HERE:
I have performed good in both Unit O and P tests. On Unit O I received an overall score of 98% and in Unit P I received also received an overall score of 98%. For both units I watched all the videos and completed the WSQ. I followed through the videos by writing notes and highlighting important information in the SSS packets of both units. If something is in bold or is repeated within the video I make sure to make a note of it. I also filled all the required problems and for some concepts I did extra problems for extra practice. For unit O I got all eights on my quizzes. For Unit P I got all eights and one seven in my quizzes. What really helped me better prepare for Unit P were the WPP's that we had to do. I also completed the practice test for both Units and i checked my answers. For every answer I got correct I put a check mark next to the problem and if I got the answer incorrect I would fix it.
2. You are able to learn material in a variety of ways in Math Analysis. It generally follows this pattern:
→ Your initial source of information is generally the video lessons and SSS packets followed by a processing and reflection activity via the WSQ
→ individual supplemental research online or in the textbook before class
→ reviewing and accessing supplementary resources provided by Mrs. Kirch on the blog
→ discussion with classmates about key concepts
→ practice of math concepts through PQs
→ formatively assessing your progress through concept quizzes
→ cumulatively reviewing material through PTs
→ Final Assessment via Unit Test.
Talk through each of the steps given in the following terms:
a. How seriously do you take this step for your learning? What evidence do you have to support your claim? Make sure to make reference to all 8 steps.
b. How could you improve your focus and attention on this step to improve your mastery of the material? What specific next steps would this entail? Make sure to make reference to all 8 steps.
RESPOND HERE:
Step 1- I take watching the video lessons and following through with the SSS packets very seriously. It is the number one thing I make sure to do before class the next day. I feel that if I do not watch the videos carefully that I will not understand the concept and be lost for the PQ's. I always watch the videos when they are assigned and as prove I have my SSS packets all filed out with the information covered in the videos and also turn in the WSQ's. I feel that I have done a good job with the video lesson and feel that I should keep it up.
Step 2- I do not take this step as seriously. I do believe it is important for my learning but I only go in search for additional resources when I am still confused about the concept or need more help. In unit P I was a little lost in concept 6 and so I looked at the extra problems that were online and practiced with those. I could improve my focus more on this step by every night after watching the videos at least looking for an additional website to double check that I have really understood the concept.
Step 3- Like step two I only take a look at these supplementary resources when I find myself struggling in a concept. It is rare that I really take a look at them.I think that in order to build a bigger focus on this step I will look at them after finishing the WSQ. I will review some of the resources put up and see how they relate to the concept we are learning.
Step 4- I do not really take this step very seriously all the time. There are times when my group and I do not even discuss the questions because we discuss something else. It is really easy to get distracted my the group. There are times when only I and one other person discuss the concept while the others are talking. Steps that should be taken to improve this is to first make sure that everyone including myself in the group has their math material out. I will make sure that all the questions get answered and take more command of the group to me truly focused and paying attention.
Step 5- I take this step very seriously. I am really strict in doing the PQ's. I try to finish them in class. I check that my answers are correct and when i do not understand I problem I get help form my group. I have the PQ's worked out in my spiral notebook. I can take this step more seriously by making sure I finish all the PQ's before I start on another concept.
Step 6- I take this step very seriously. I take it very seriously because it s a part of my grade and also because it helps me see how prepared I am to test on that material. When i do not get at least an eight or a seven on a test I retake the quiz to make sure I know how to do it. I could improve my focus on this step by setting a goal to get all eights on the quizzes.
Step 7- I take this step very seriously as well. I use the PT to test what I know and what I need to review. I try to do the PT as if it was a test. I try to do it without looking at the SS packet and then check my answers and pretend that if it were a test I would receive that score.
Step 8- I take this step extremely important. Tests are a really big part of how much I have learned. It is also worth a lot for grades. It is really important to me that I pass all the tests and always strive for an A. The lowest test grade I have received is a B. I prepare myself for the test with the PT.
3. Reflect on your learning this year thus far by considering the following questions:
a. How confident do you generally feel on the day of a Unit Test? Give evidence and specifics to back up your answer.
b. How well do you feel you have learned the math material this year as compared to your previous years in math? Give evidence to support your claim.
c. How DEEPLY do you feel you have learned the math material this year as compared to your previous years in math? Give evidence to support your claim.
d. Do you normally feel like you understand the WHY behind the math and not just the WHAT/HOW? Meaning, do you understand why things work, how they are connected to each other, etc, and not just the procedures? Explain your answer in detail and cite specific evidence from this year.
e. How does your work ethic relate to your performance and success? What is the value of work ethic in real life?
RESPOND HERE:
On the day of the test I generally feel confident. I feel prepared to take tests by the fact that in my quizzes I scored eights most of the time thus making feel like I have understood the concept. The main reason I feel confident on Unit test days is because when I do the PT I act as if that was the test itself. I try to do it all without looking at the SS packets to test what I really have mastered. when I see that I completed most if not all the test by myself, this makes me feel confident for tests. I feel that this year I have really math material more in depth as compared to previous years. I feel like I have become really engaged in my learning this year. In my previous math years I have been used to just learning the material and understanding how to do it for the tests. I never really understood how it was related to other math concepts or how some equations were derived since they were just given. This year I feel like have really engaged myself more in learning the math material since we really focus on why something is the way that it is and how it applies to real life situations. For example, I did not know how the trig functions related to the unit circle but it makes much more sense. I have really come to learn the WHY behind the math. I feel like now I really understand why certain things work the way they work. Last year I learned about the conic sections but only knew how to graph them and find their equation. This year I learned how to explain how they were formed and how they played a role in real life objects. I learned that the focus of the parabolas is what sends sound waves in whisper dishes. I feel that I have a really good work ethic although at times I do feel lazy. I like to make sure that I do my work. When something is assigned I make sure to turn it in on time. I also try to work ahead at times. I fell that my good work ethics is reflected in my tests scores. The lowest grade I have received in a test is a B and I think that has to do in most part of the work that is done. There is a really great value in work ethic in real life. It prepares us for the future. When we have our own careers we will always be working and if we do not develop good working ethics right now we will struggle to create them in the future.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Deriving the Unit Circle
Deriving The Unit Circle
What is the unit circle?
- It is a circle whose radius is ONE
Where does a unit circle come from?
- A Unit Circle is derived from special rights triangles. Such triangles like 45, 45, 90 or 30,60, 90 degrees triangles. If we we at their rules and properties we can see the relationship they have with the unit circle.
This video below will go over deriving the Unit Circle:
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Conic Sections
Parabolas
2. How far the focus is from the vertex of the parabola or how close it is, affects its shape. We determine the distance from the focus to the vertex by the value of "P". "P" tells us how many units away the focus is from the vertex and how skinny or fat the parabola is. If the "P" value is a small number such as a fraction then it will be a narrow parabola. If the "p" value is a big number or anything greater than one then it will open wider.
3. The properties of parabolas are seen in real life all the time. They are seen in parabolic satellites, parabolic mirrors, parabolas in bridges,the path of a ball, whisper dishes, and much more. In whisper dishes since they are paraboliod shaped so when a person speaks into the speaker which is the focus the other person will hear what is said at the end of the other dish. This is because when the whisper enters the speaker or the focus, the sound waves travel to the other focus because of the angle of the paraboliod is shaped and the focus.Parabolas are also present when using flashlights or car headlights. The properties of the parabola are used to reflect the light rays flowing from the focus of the parabola in parallel rays.
Citations
3. The properties of parabolas are seen in real life all the time. They are seen in parabolic satellites, parabolic mirrors, parabolas in bridges,the path of a ball, whisper dishes, and much more. In whisper dishes since they are paraboliod shaped so when a person speaks into the speaker which is the focus the other person will hear what is said at the end of the other dish. This is because when the whisper enters the speaker or the focus, the sound waves travel to the other focus because of the angle of the paraboliod is shaped and the focus.Parabolas are also present when using flashlights or car headlights. The properties of the parabola are used to reflect the light rays flowing from the focus of the parabola in parallel rays.
Citations
Parabola image from: http://www.mathwarehouse.com/quadratic/parabola/focus-and-directrix-of-parabola.php
Conic sections video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnWEI5o35G8
Conic sections video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnWEI5o35G8
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