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Summary | Course Content | Grading Policy | Resources | Attendance | Extra-Help | Parents' Info
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IB Mathematical Methods 1 is the first of a two-year mathematics course for students in the International Baccalaureate program. The core content curriculum is dictated by the IBO and has been tailored to meet the needs of the Springfield Public Schools' Precalculus curriculum. Students are expected to prepare for the IB examinations and the Advanced Placement Calculus (AB level) exam at the end of Mathematical Methods 2 as well as the SPS' midyear and final examinations. MM 1 / Precalculus begins your exploration in advanced mathematics, in particular the calculus. Further, MM 1 serves as your gateway to some of the most historically important avenues of human thought and many of the most powerful mathematical topics.
This course will be an intense introduction to several advanced topics in mathematics including trigonometric functions and analytic trigonometry; vectors; polynomial, rational, and radical functions; exponential and logarithmic functions; and sequences and series. Students also will continue their study of systems of equations and inequalities, probability, and an introduction to the calculus. Great emphasis will be placed on the "rule of four": graphical, analytic, numeric, and verbal exploration of topics. Due to the great number of topics that must be studied, expect to devote a considerable amount of work to this course.
Homework/Classwork: All assignments are to be completed on time. Anticipate both individual and group assignments. HW is crucial for the student to gain mastery in the concepts you will encounter. HW will be graded on a effort basis, and will not be corrected for "right / wrong." Answers are posted in the back of the text; so all work is expected to be correct. Grading will focus on amount of effort and adherence to deadlines. HW must be done on "loose-leaf" paper and not in a bulky notebook.
Portfolios are required for all students in the IB Math Methods course. These will consist of projects, either of a review nature or an exploration of new topics. All portfolio work submitted must represent the individual students work. Grading will be done along the rigorous guidelines devised by the IBO. [Expect one per marking term.]
Test & Quizzes: Quizzes will be issued routinely (usually announced, but not limited to). Tests will always be announced several days in advance. Midyear and Final exams will be given extra weight (TBA).
Notebooks: A notebook (3-ring binder) is to be maintained by each student. These must include a daily class notes, all Hw/Cw assignments, all quizzes and tests. (Portfolios projects will be kept by the instructor, with sample pieces to be forwarded to the IBO.)
Participation in class discussions/activities is expected, especially in sharing results of HW efforts. I hope you will consider your classmates (and myself) as part of one team, working together to unlock the information before us. Being unprepared to share with the class will adversely affect your grade.
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| Classwork/Homework | 20% |
| Notebook | 5% |
| Portfolio projects | 15% |
| Tests / Quizzes | 60% |
Each student's "grade" ... to a large degree ... will be determined by the End of Term Average, but in certain circumstances the instructor may lower or raise this grade based on intangibles (extra-effort put forth by the student, evidence of academic dishonesty, et cetera).
The final grade for the year will be an average of the four quarter term grades. If the instructor deems extenuating circumstances warrants a final grade to be determined by some other means, such extenuating circumstances will be thoroughly discussed with the student in a private conference before the issuance of the final grade.
RESOURCES:
Course Text:
- Precalculus: A Graphing Approach (4th Ed.)
- Franklin Demana, Bert K. Waits, Stanley R. Clemens, Gregory D. Foley
- Addison-Wesley: Menlo Park CA © 1997
Supplemental Material:
- MathPert Calculus Assistant Software
- WinPlot Graphing Software
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Calculators:
The current Advanced Placement Calculus test requires a graphing calculator to be used on the test. In addition to the course text, students will have access in-class to a graphing calculator on loan from the school. It is recommended that all students obtain their own calculators for use at home. My recommendation is a TI-83 Plus Graphing Calculator. There are other models available, and the choice of calculator is essentially up to the student. Expect to pay approximately $100 for this machine. I guarantee it will be a wise investment.
If you do not have a graphing calculator you must have access to a scientific calculator!
In my web pages you will find a page of Useful Links for further explorations into math and science topics. I expect to incorporate some use of the Internet into this course, and my pages will be our starting point. Of particular use are the following Trigonometry Resource Pages:
[ Fundamental Identities | Graphing Trig Functions ] Click on to go to my Links Page.
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Attendance in AP courses is vitally important. If you are going to be absent for any extended time, you or your parent should contact me through your counselor (or use my email) to arrange make up work. Assignments will be posted in the classroom for you to consult after brief absences.
At of the start of the 2000-2001 school year, the City of Springfield instituted a rigorous attendance policy. Students and parents should become informed as to the requirements of this policy. As with all general policies for the Springfield Public Schools, the new attendance code will be vigorously enforced in all of my classes.
It is always the student's responsibility to inquire about what assignments / tests were missed during absences. This should be done before or after school. Class time is for learning and instruction, not for obtaining make-up work assignments. Your cooperation with this is expected and appreciated.
[ Back to Top ] CONTACTING YOUR INSTRUCTOR & EXTRA-ASSISTANCE:
Wednesday is my designated extra-help afternoon, when I will plan to stay at least one-hour to assist students. However, I will make my best effort to be in school at least 45 minutes early every morning and I generally am available every afternoon (except Tuesdays when I am required to attend faculty meeting). Please do not hesitate to take advantage of this extra time.
If any students have Internet access at home,
feel free to email me with any questions/concerns you have.
School:
whitneym@sps.springfield.ma.us Home:
mwhitney.massed@rcn.com [ Back to Top ] METHOD FOR PARENTS TO COMMUNICATE WITH TEACHER:
Parent(s) who would like to speak with me should contact the Counseling Office at 787-7220 and your child's counselor will make arrangements for us to meet at a mutually convenient time. Also, if you prefer I will call you at a designated time. Generally, any such meetings/calls should take place before or after school hours of 7:35-2:05 when I will be involved in teaching or other school business. My email account (whitneym@sps.springfield.ma.us) is also a useful means to contact me.
If you are concerned about your child's progress between report cards, you should also contact the counselor and request a progress report, which I will write and mail to you.
For more information that is of importance to parents ... go to my Parents' Info Page [ Back to Top ]
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Last Updated: August 25, 2004.
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Matthew C. Whitney
