Keep Up with Trig :)

I have started adding additional Chapter 4 resources (to the right), starting with a sheet that I compiled titled "What we Need to Know So Far...". Please take the time to look at it and ensure that you've "got it".  Maybe even print it off and stare at it tonight as you're falling asleep? (Doing so will enhance your brain's chances of storing it into long-term memory)
Please also finish your 4.3 HW and check your answers. In addition, practice for your 2nd Do You Remember next class (which checks to see if you know how to use the unit circle to find the value of trig functions).

Keeping up with each trig assignment as well as understanding and memorizing the unit circle and trig identities, is your responsibility as a Pre-Calc student.  You can do it! 

Don't Bring the Surprise

There will be no surprises on the test this Friday, IF you finish and correct the review, practice from the Jeopardy game, and practice the problems on the 3 note templates (and check them). Devoting time to these resources means that you will be able to confidently and correctly complete this Sequence and Series test.                                                                                                                                 (To use the Jeopardy game please download to your computer and then open as a power point. Click Slideshow and then From Beginning)

Not being able to devote time to your test preparations might mean that you get surprised by your inability to do all of the problems.

 It's up to you.

Please Complete Your HW

I just finished uploading our 3rd day of Sequence and Series documents.
It took quite a while to finish the HW, but it was excellent practice for the test :)
Practice really does make perfect.  Well, actually, not really. Only a certain type of practice leads to perfect.

Steps to GOOD practice
1.  Do ALL of the HW (in an environment that allows you to focus).
2.  Check your answers on the blog
3.  Learn from your mistakes
4.  Come into class on Wednesday with your remaining questions.

So yes, practice done right will make perfect (or close to it!), but practice done while listening to music, becoming distracted by technology, and eventually giving up before completion will make a big waste of time and nothing more.

Friday (and our test) will roll around quickly.  Use tonight and Tuesday night wisely.

I'll be checking the HW right when you come into class on Wednesday (before the question/answer time).
And because this was an extra long assignment, it will be worth 4 points.
Please show up prepared.

Ms Overby

Welcome!

It was great having our first class together! I really enjoyed the willingness of my Pre-Calc students to jump into problem solving with enthusiasm and intention. You all are awesome!

The Pre-Req practice test #1 tutorial is up (to the right), as well as the solutions. Please remember to try and "speak" math on a daily basis. It really will help!

I'm really looking forward to our year together. We are off to a great start!

See you in class on Monday :)

NO Graphing Calculators allowed on Conics Test

Please get the word out - only scientific calculators allowed on the Conics test this Thursday and Friday.

Studying for the Probability Test

When a student asked me if this test would be hard or easy, I said, "easy".  Let me clarify.  If you have prepared, and prepared well, there will be nothing that surprises you on this test.  No surprises + thorough preparation = A.  So, what does thorough preparation look like?

1.  Every single homework problem has been attempted, checked, and successfully completed.

2.  The three on-line HW assignments have been completed.

3.  Every single review packet problem has been attempted, checked, and successfully completed.

4.  Class notes + the markerboard review KEY have been studied.

5.  Any difficult problems from the HW or review packet have been done more than once,
6.  All of this practice has led you to become an expert in all of the different strategies, and when to apply each of them. (If not, back to #5)

7.  Ac Lab has been used as a resource, if needed.

I know.  It seems that the thorough approach might be time consuming.  You might be one of those students who can skip the process and still get an A.  Hmmm, I wonder what the probability would be of getting an A without thorough preparation... I'm not sure that I'd want to be the one to test that out.  Would you?

After the Glorious Snowday...

1st and 2nd block will have their review on Friday, and will test on Tuesday. 8th block will have their review today, and test on Monday (as scheduled)
Yes, that means that B-day will be ahead of A-day.That's okay, as I'm sure the next snowday will be a B-day, and everything will switch back to normal :)