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MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
“If I have seen further than others it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants.”
- Sir Isaac Newton
MISSION
The Mathematics Department encourages students to achieve their personal potential in the mastery of Mathematics, through the development of an understanding and appreciation of the language of Mathematics. Recognition of patterns, as well as an aesthetic appreciation of the beauty of Mathematics, is encouraged. The emphasis is placed on developing Mathematical foundations that will enable each student to pursue her future goals and to become a creative and confident problem solver who is able to think analytically.
PLACEMENT
Students will be placed in a mathematics course only if they have documented credit for the previous grade. Further information is available from the Director of University Admissions. Students in Grades 8-12 are placed in ability groupings based on their demonstrated mathematical readiness and overall suitability to the demands of enriched and accelerated programs. Student placement is determined by the Math Department in June for the following school year. Changes may be made during the year if the teacher believes the pace is not meeting the students’ individual needs. Incoming students to Grades 8-12 will be assessed individually. This may include writing a test for placement. Student placement is not fixed and it is not uncommon for students to move between program groupings as they progress through the senior school.
OVERVIEW
The mathematics courses offered by York House are in compliance with the BC Ministry of Education designated Mathematics Curriculum Guide at all grade levels. The curriculum is, however, accelerated and enriched wherever possible according to the readiness of a particular group. The courses are designed to suit the individual student as much as possible by means of dividing the students at the Grade 8 or Grade 9 level into regular and enriched groupings. In each grade, emphasis is placed on learning the language and rules of mathematics, on developing insight to problem solving and applying mathematical concepts, logical techniques and correct methodology. As well, each curriculum includes the use of available and suitable manipulatives and technology wherever possible, and looks to creating meaningful mathematical situations for the student.
HOMEWORK
Students are expected to do a great deal of practice in mathematics. They can expect to have regular homework assignments. There is an expectation that the student attempt and complete each assignment to the best of her ability prior to the next class. Active and engaged participation in mathematics and in the mathematics class is a required component of each mathematics course.
EVALUATION AND TESTING PROCEDURES
Evaluation takes place regularly throughout the year. There is a mid-year cumulative test and a final examination, both of which include the entire curriculum taught up to that point. The major portion of a student’s grade is based on her results from tests and quizzes. Students will be given test dates well in advance, and a “no retest” policy is adhered to. Students are also encouraged to write at least one externally set mathematics contest in the year. These are challenging papers designed to make use of higher level thinking skills and require students to apply the mathematical concepts they have studied. The results of the contests are not taken into account in determining the student’s grade for the year. As well, students in the Principles of Mathematics 10 write a compulsory Provincial Examinations and students in the Principles of Mathematics 12 are encouraged to write the Provincial Examination at the conclusion of the course
INTERNET AS A STUDENT RESOURCE
Students will be expected to make use of the internet to obtain copies of past papers for review and practice from Mathematics Contests, and from Provincial and Advanced Placement (AP) examinations; as well as for other resources and enrichment activities as directed by their teachers. The Mathematics Department Policy is published on the following website and students are expected to familiarize themselves with its content:
http://community.yorkhouse.ca/course/view.php?id=93
This site also provides links to the above mentioned resources. As well, there is a link at this site to the complete IRP’s – Integrated Resource Packages from the BC Ministry of Education for the curriculum for Principles of Mathematics 8 – 12 and Calculus 12 as well as to the College Board for the AP Calculus. All courses will be presented with the object of maintaining the philosophy behind the BC Ministry of Education's IRP’s with students being encouraged to process their mathematics from the following perspectives: Communication, Mental Mathematics and Estimation, Problem Solving, Technology, Connections, Reasoning and Visualization.
CALCULATORS
All students will need a calculator. Students in Grade 9 need a scientific (or graphing) calculator. Students in Grades 10-12 need a graphing calculator (recommended TI-83 plus or TI-84 plus or TI-Nspire). Students will be learning to use the calculator as a tool to aid in problem solving, but will be expected to do reasonable calculations mentally.
Principles of Mathematics 8
Prerequisite: Principles of Mathematics 7
For a complete description of the Math 8 curriculum see pgs 35,36,41-44, 53-63 in the Ministry document at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/irp_math.htm
The curriculum encourages the use of hands-on manipulatives. Appropriate manipulatives will be used as applicable throughout the year. Students will be taught and expected to do and explain problems using concrete aids, as well as more abstract procedures. The philosophy of the curriculum will be followed and students will be encouraged to process their mathematics from the following perspectives: Communication, Mental Mathematics and Estimation, Problem Solving, Technology, Connections, Reasoning and Visualization.
The topics to be covered in Principles of Mathematics 8 include: number; patterns and relations - Patterns, Variables and Equations; shape and space - Measurement, 3-D Objects and 2-D Shapes, Transformations; statistics and probability - Data Analysis, Chance and Uncertainty Problem solving is incorporated into all units and students are expected to use calculators when it is appropriate.
Textbook: Mathlinks 8
Principles of Mathematics 9
Prerequisite: Principles of Mathematics 8
For a complete description of the Math 9 curriculum see pgs. 37-39,41-44, 67-77 in the Ministry document which can be accessed at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/irp_math.htm
The curriculum encourages the use of hands-on manipulatives. Appropriate manipulatives will be used as applicable throughout the year. Students will be taught and expected to do and explain problems using concrete aids, as well as more abstract procedures. The philosophy of the curriculum will be followed, and students will be encouraged to process their mathematics from the following perspectives: Communication, Mental Mathematics and Estimation, Problem Solving, Technology, Connections, Reasoning and Visualization.
The topics covered in Principles of Mathematics 9 include: number; patterns and relations - Patterns, Variables and Equations; shape and space - Measurement, 3-D Objects and 2-D Shapes, Transformations; statistics and probability - Data Analysis, Chance: and Uncertainty Problem solving is incorporated into all units and students are expected to use calculators when it is appropriate.
Textbook: Math Makes Sense 9
Principles of Mathematics 10*
Prerequisite: Principles of Mathematics 9
For a complete description of the Math 10 curriculum see pgs. 47-55 in the Ministry document which can be accessed at http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/irp_math.htm
The topics covered in Principles of Mathematics 10 include: Measurement Systems, Surface Area and Volume, Right Triangle Trigonometry, Exponents and Radicals, Polynomials, Linear Relations and Functions, Linear Equations and Graphs, Solving systems of equations Graphically and Algebraically. Problem solving is included throughout and students are encouraged to use graphing calculators when appropriate.
Textbook: TBA most likely McGraw-Hill Ryerson Mathematics 10
*All students will write the Provincial Examination in June, which will count for 20% of their final grade.
Principles of Mathematics 11 (4)
Prerequisite: Principles of Mathematics 10
The topics covered in Principles of Mathematics 11 include: systems of equations, linear inequalities, quadratic functions, quadratic and polynomial equations, functions, the circle, coordinate geometry and trigonometry. The graphing calculator is used throughout the curriculum to enhance the understanding of the mathematics; however, algebraic analysis is a key component to the curriculum, and tests will include both calculator and non-calculator sections. Applications and problem solving are an integral component of all sections of the course.
Textbook: Mathpower 11
Principles of Mathematics 8 Enriched, 9 Enriched, 10 Enriched, and 11 Honours
Prerequisite: Students must be recommended to this course by their previous York House School mathematics teacher based on their achievement and mathematical strength.
Each grade level will follow the course content for the regular class. The work will be enriched as it will be studied in more depth. The main difference between these courses and the regular courses is that more difficult examples will be explored and assessed. The curriculum may also be slightly accelerated. Students who successfully complete one of these courses will receive a Mathematics Enriched grade on her first and second term report; at the end of the year, the student will receive a Mathematics Enriched credit as well as a regular Mathematics credit on her report card. It is expected that the goal of students in these courses is to eventually enroll in the Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus AB course in their Grade 12 year. (Students in regular classes may still take Calculus in their Grade 12 year, but not Advanced Placement Calculus).
Textbooks: As indicated in the regular courses
Principles of Mathematics 12*
Prerequisite: Principles of Mathematics 11
The topics covered in Principles of Mathematics 12 include: transformations, exponents and logarithms, trigonometric functions, trigonometric equations, sequences and series, combinatorics and probability. Applications and problem solving are included throughout the curriculum, and the graphing calculator is used in the course mainly for trigonometry and data analysis.
Textbook: Mathpower 12
*All students are encouraged to write the Provincial Examination that will count for 40% of their final grade. It includes a non-calculator section. (Tests through the year will reflect this format.)
Students who choose to not write the Provincial Examination will have to write an internal school examination to complete the course. This will be of a very similar format and standard to the Provincial Examination, but will count for 25% of their final grade.
A minimum of a ‘C’ in the final exam and a ‘C+’ for the year in Principles of Mathematics 11 is highly recommended for entrance to Principles of Mathematics 12.
Mathematics 12 Accelerated*
Corequisite: AP Calculus AB
The course will follow the content for the regular Mathematics 12 class; however, the work will be studied at a much faster pace so as to allow students to write the Provincial Examination in either the January or April sessions (depending on the demonstrated readiness of the class).
Textbook: Mathpower 12
*All accelerated students will be prepared to write the Provincial Examination in January, which will count for 40% of their final grade, to receive a Principles of Mathematics 12 credit.
Calculus 12*
Prerequisite: Principles of Mathematics 11
Corequisite: Principles of Mathematics 12
The topics covered include: (A) Differential Calculus: limits, derivatives, application of derivatives, rates of change of a function, explicit and implicit differentiation, higher order derivatives, velocity and acceleration, rates of change in the natural and social sciences, related rates, optimization problems, curve sketching (asymptotes, concavity and points of inflection), and derivatives of trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions; (B) Integration: meaning and some methodology may be introduced, time permitting.
Textbook: Calculus – A First Course (Stewart)
*Recommended a minimum ‘C+’ for final exam and a ‘B’ for the Principles of Mathematics 11 course.
AP Calculus 12 AB*
Prerequisite: Mathematics 11 Honours recommendation of previous teacher
Corequisite: Mathematics 12 Accelerated
The topics to be covered in this course include (A) Functions, Graphs and Limits: (1) analysis of graphs, (2) asymptotic and unbounded behaviour, (3) continuity as a property of functions; (B) Derivatives: (1) concept of the derivative (includes the study of limits), (2) derivative at a point, derivative as a function, (3) higher order derivatives, (4) applications of derivatives, (5) computation of derivatives; and (C) Integrals: (1) Riemann sums, (2) interpretations and properties of definite integrals, (3) applications of integrals, (4) fundamental theorem of calculus, (5) techniques of anti-differentiation, (6) applications of anti-derivatives, and (7) numerical approximations to definite integrals.
Textbooks: Calculus (Demona Waits), Calculus – Early Transcendentals (Anton) plus supplemental material when needed
*Students will write the AP Calculus AB Exam in May. A minimum score of 3 or higher may grant the student a college credit at some institutions. Students must write the AP Calculus Examination in order to receive AP Credit for their course work.
Students who choose not to write the AP Calculus Examination in May, will write the school’s Calculus Examination in June, and will be given a Calculus 12 Credit at the end of the year (and on their transcript).
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