|
GATONS, RACHELLE |
Precalculus
& Calculus AP
Welcome to SHHS mathematics! I am currently teaching Precalculus
and Calculus. If a student in my class says, "I've got BIG
problems--believe
him/her!!" However, we are in the business of solving problems--so, hang
in there, and let's go!
PRECALCULUS
Precalculus is a combination and a culmination of your high school math courses
thus far. You will recognize the need to recall concepts from Geometry
and Algebra (I & II). You will learn about Trigonometry (sin, cos,
tan & their reciprocals), Analytic Geometry (circles, ellipses, hyperbolas
and parabolas), series, logs, limits and more...! This course will be at
a faster pace than your original introductory courses to insure time for in
depth study of various higher level math concepts. (What I'm saying here
is that the less you remember from previous courses, the more you will be
required to study on your own in order to stay current with the curriculum
demands.) Some of your topics of study will include: solving and
graphing both linear and quadratic equations, dealing with logs and their
graphs, solving systems of equalities and inequalities, absolute values, and
interval notation. You will be working in the complex number system,
rectangular system, and the polar system as well. You will be finding roots of
higher degree polynomial equations, using logarithms, studying conic sections,
and trig. You will also solve the special right triangles, find the area
of any triangle, use the law of sines and cosines for any triangle as
needed. We will work with matrices, determinants, and their
applications. We will study sequences and limits which will lead us into
the beginnings of Calculus where we will find derivatives of equations to solve
velocity and acceleration problems as applied to Physics. Concepts are
plentiful and at times problematic, so you will be busy. Plan now to
spend time studying and practicing on your own! This is an advanced level
course and it requires advanced level teaching, thinking and studying...We will
usually work bell to bell and you will have work 'on your own' everyday.
We will be using a TI 83+ graphing/scientific notation calculator in
class. Calculators remain in the classroom for your use. You may
come before school 7:30+ or perhaps you can make arrangements for using
something similar outside of class, or you can purchase one. I look
forward to the journey with you.
CALCULUS
Calculus is an advanced level math course. We will be reviewing all math
including Precalculus. Then we will begin the study of limits (their
properties, techniques of evaluating limits, continuity, one-sided and
two-sided limits, & infinite limits). Next is Differentiation.
In the beginning, we will find derivatives using the definition of a tangent
line. After mastering this technique, we will learn basic rules of
differentiation esp. as related to problems involving rates of change.
Derivatives of trigonometric functions will be included throughout the course.
The product and quotient rules as well as the chain rule will be thoroughly
discussed and applied. Implicit differentiation and related rate problems
are studied. Further topics include discussing extrema on an interval,
first and second derivative test, limits at infinity, curve sketching, and
applications in business and economics. We will discuss circles,
parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas: their equations and their
properties. Both convergent and divergent series as well as sequences
will be discusses. We conclude with various problems using integration.
We will be very busy!
Panther
Pride-It's Justified!
Welcome to a new semester! You will be learning some new math concepts as
well as reviewing previous material. I look forward to your
successes. Let us begin...
As my student I expect you to:
1) Come to class prepared 2) Pay attention 3) Do your best 4) Be
responsible
1) Come to class prepared
You will need the following
supplies: a writing instrument (pencil or pen-any color which I can see
easily), a red pen, a dry erase marker, covered textbook, a spiral in which to
take notes (or a regular notebook is fine if you are organized), and $5.00 to
cover batteries, Kleenex, paper towels, etc. OR you may bring 5
dollars worth of 'stuff' that has been listed. Please bring your supplies
to class daily or it will be an unexcused tardy to go get them.
****You need access to a graphing/scientific calculator for problems done
outside of class. We are using a TI 83+ in class.
2) Pay Attention
Please be calmly seated when
the tardy bell rings. Have your materials and homework ready to begin
class, and cease talking when I begin-Thanks.
I suggest you "write this down." It is beneficial to copy the
examples discussed in class. It is helpful for your homework as well as
for review at a later time.
3) Do Your Best
Work on the assignment after
explanation, in your group, or at home. Watching me work a problem is NOT
the same as when you have to work it alone. It's my job to explain, but
it's your responsibility to practice what you've learned so that you can master
it. The work that I assign is to make you better at math, not to keep you
busy. Remember, on all assignments, I expect to see your work.
There are heavy grade penalties for no work.
If you need help during class: 1)Look at your notes 2) Look
at the examples in the book 3) Ask a classmate for help
4) Ask Mrs. Gatons for help
If you need help after class: 1) Try #1 & 2 above 2)
Call someone from class 3) Check with family or neighbors 4) Come
to morning tutorials 5) Hire a tutor
Do not wait until class to
get help and then try to 'wimp out' with "I don't understand."
(Many times this translates into "I didn't even try, and I don't want to
be responsible for my own learning. I am expecting this phrase to so
panic my teacher that she will spoon feed me the information and answers during
class." Think again!)
4) Be Responsible
Remember to bring your
materials, pay attention, and do your best. Finally, work to stay current.
Make sure that your assignments are complete and on time. If you have not
completed your assignment before class begins and you decide to take a 'late
grade,' be sure that you realize the grade will be penalized 30 points, and you
still must show your work. Also, if you fail to turn in that assignment
by the next day, you have earned a grade of 0.
If you are ABSENT, get the assignment, notes, worksheet, etc. from another
student or come in the next morning and check the 'log.' You have 2 days to
make up work for each day of excused absence. Be advised that if you are
absent the day of a test and you knew that the test was scheduled, then you
will be tested immediately upon returning to class. (You may receive a
different test.)
GRADING: The Math Department in the high school grades 75% major
test average and 25% daily average. Sometimes I will take the homework
for a grade, and other times there will be a quiz over the homework. I offer
you a +3 sheet as a review the day before a test. It will help your grade
to do it!
RETESTING: If you do not score a 70 or above on a major test, you will be
given the opportunity to retest. It is important that you have some
re-teaching before the retest if you hope to improve your score. Remember that tutoring
is available in the morning. If you ask me the previous day, I'll be available
to begin at 7:30. (Regular tutorials begin at 7:45.) Retests are
scheduled on Thursday after the failed test @ 7:30 am. If there is a
conflict, you need to tell me before the scheduled retest, or you keep the
original score.
Deficiency reports are sent out every 3 weeks by Spring Hill ISD to those whose
major average is 75 or below. You will have a grade sheet which I wish
to have signed every 3 weeks regardless of your average. Sometimes I
may feel that a phone call home is important or even a conference needs to be
scheduled. If your parents would like to contact me to discuss your
progress, please call the school office at (903) 759-4404. I prefer to
converse on the phone or in person rather than email.
I believe that we can have a great semester together. If you will give me
your best effort, I believe that you can be successful and learn math.
Click the following links to view lesson plans for the week.
To determine the week you wish to view, visit the District Calendar page of our school's web site.
First
Semester Lesson Plans
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
Week 16
Week 17
Week 18
Click the following links to view lesson plans for the
week.
To determine the week you wish to view, visit the District Calendar page of our school's web site.
Second
Semester Lesson Plans
Week 19
Week 20
Week 21
Week 22
Week 23
Week 24
Week 25
Week 26
Week 27
Week 28
Week 29
Week 30
Week 31
Week 32
Week 33
Week 34
Week 35
Week 36
Week 37