Mathematics at Port Townsend High School

2006-07

Success in the modern, technological world requires more skill in the area of mathematics than ever before.  The math teachers at Port Townsend High School are happy to provide courses to meet the needs of a wide variety of students.  Our goals are to:

               a) help students gain mathematical skills for daily life, for voting as responsible 

                    citizens, and for use in other subject areas, especially science.

               b) prepare students for the WASL,

               c) prepare college bound students to meet standards expected by 4 year colleges.

Course descriptions:

FRESHMEN

For incoming ninth graders, we offer three options in the area of mathematics. 

1) Prealgebra for those working on basic math life skills. 

2)  Algebra 1 for most 9th grade students as recommended by their 8th grade teacher. 

3) Geometry for advanced math students recommended by their 8th grade teacher.

SOPHOMORES

As required by the state, all students take the Mathematics portion of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (the WASL test) in April of their tenth grade year. For a list of opportunities and advice to students who do not meet the standard on their first test, see below.

JUNIORS

Although many students may have fulfilled their math requirements for graduation by the end of the 10th grade year, we encourage all students to continue with math for four years of high school.  Juniors who did not meet the standard on the WASL in April are required to earn 3 math credits.  College bound students should complete Algebra 2/Trigonometry.  However, juniors who have not met WASL standard will find Algebra 2 difficult;  we require these students to take applied math.  Juniors who elect to take Algebra 2 without meeting WASL standards should arrange for tutoring.

SENIORS

Over the years, we have been proud that, even as a small school, we have been able to provide an Advanced Placement Calculus course for seniors.  Students who wish to study calculus as seniors must enroll in geometry their 9th grade year or study both geometry and algebra 2 concurrently during their sophomore year.  Further, our Applied Math course is a robust mathematical course involving the type of complex problem solving that students will encounter in the trades and in daily life.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The Port Townsend School District requires 2 years credit in math for those students who meet the math WASL standard at the end of 10th grade and 3 years credit in math for those students who are unable to meet the math WASL standard at the end of 10th grade. The legislature is considering a requirement of 4 years of math credit for students who do not meet standard on the WASL.

Possible math course selections over four years of high school:

(Course descriptions listed below.)

Course Descriptions:

PREALGEBRA (9TH) This course helps students to develop life skills math including the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and square root.  Comparing costs, measuring length, area, and volume, and exploration of shapes will be included in the course.  Students also will develop a better understanding of fractions and will learn basic skills in the setting up of and solving of algebraic equations.  No prerequisite.

ALGEBRA 1 (9-12) This course is an integrated course including a study of algebra, probability, statistics, discrete mathematics and functions with an emphasis on algebra skills.  Students will explore and solve mathematical problems and learn to think critically, work cooperatively, and communicate mathematical ideas clearly.  Fulfills the first year university math admissions requirement. 

GEOMETRY (9-12) This course has a major emphasis on concepts of geometry including an exploration of angles, line segments, parallel lines, polygons, triangles, polyhedrons, Pythagorean Theorem, area and volume.  The course also includes basic concepts in logical thinking and an introduction to the concept of proof including proving congruent and similar triangles.  Prerequisite:  Successful completion (C or better) of Algebra 1 or Conceptual Math 2. Completion of this course fulfills the second year university math admissions requirement.

ALGEBRA 2/TRIGONOMETRY   (10-12) This course reviews and advances students' knowledge in the areas of algebra and trigonometry.  Topics include:  solving systems of equations, solving second degree equations, quadratic formula, solving rational equations, simplifying complex fractions, imaginary and complex numbers, fractals, graphing conic sections, functions, probability, statistics, matrices and trigonometry.  Prerequisite: Successful completion (C or better) Geometry. Completion of this course fulfills the third year university math admissions requirement.

PRECALCULUS   (11-12) Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Algebra 2/Trig with a C grade or better.  Precalculus is designed to prepare students for the study of Calculus.  Elementary functions including polynomial, exponential, logarithms, and trigonometric are studied.  Homework, problem solving, quizzes and tests are part of the class.  Students wishing to take this class must demonstrate excellent self-motivation and an effective ability to work independently.  A graphing calculator will be used extensively as a tool, and it is recommended that each student purchase an approved calculator.  At times, students are expected to learn selected material without the aid of a calculator

APPLIED MATH (11-12) This vocational math class is an opportunity for students to gain the math skills that are required for success in many work-place environments and also the math skills that are useful in day-to-day life.  For example units will include: using measurement for construction, discovering where the ideas of perimeter, area and angle make a difference in the planning of a project, dealing with percentages and decimals to figure interest earned on investments, learning mental math tricks to decide how good a “good deal” really is, writing checks, creating a budget, keeping accounting records, interpreting tables and graphs, using the ideas of algebra to organize and simplify complex, multi-step problems.  This credit can satisfy a math credit and can satisfy a vocational credit.  Tech-Prep credit through the community college may be available.

AP CALCULUS (11-12) Prerequisite:  Successful completion of Precalculus with a C grade or better; or permission of instructor, counseling department, and parents.  Advanced Placement Calculus is a class designed to introduce students to differential and integral calculus.  Topics include trigonometric and exponential functions, limits, the derivative and its applications, antiderivatives, and the integral and its applications.  Homework, problem solving, quizzes, and tests are part of the class.  Students wishing to take this class must demonstrate excellent self-motivation and an effective ability to work independently.  A graphing calculator will be used extensively as a tool, and it is recommended that each student purchase an approved calculator.  At times, students are expected to learn selected material without the aid of a calculator.  This class will prepare students for the Advanced Placement Calculus test (AB) in May.

ACCOUNTING (11-12) Accounting provides the procesws for keeping orderly records of personal and business financial activities.  Using double entry accounting, students will plan, keep, and analyze financial transactions and records.  Some concepts covered include payroll, taxes, preparing financial statements, journalizing transactions, and posting to general and subsidiary ledgers.  Microsoft Excel will be used to complete some projects on the computer.  Two manual simulations will also be completed.  Students may earn either an occupational credit or a math credit for successful completion of the class.  Students who earn a B or better both semesters may also earn 5 credits for BA101 at Peninsula College through the Tech Prep program.

ADVICE AND RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED TO MEET THE WASL STANDARD:

Meeting the WASL standard for mathematics is a requirement for graduation from Port Townsend High School.  The state provides that students will have the opportunity to retake the WASL 4 additional times after the first test given in April of 2006.  Last August was the first retake opportunity, at the conclusion of summer school.  We feel that our high school math curriculum supports the required WASL skills and recommend that students still needing success on the WASL should consider one or more of the following options.

1) Stay focused on math

Have you successfully completed Geometry?  The WASL is designed for students who have completed Algebra 1 and Geometry.

2) Take Applied Math in addition to another math class 

WASL skill development is a focus of this class; a portfolio of math work will be gathered.

3) Make math class a priority

Attend class every day, participate in class, complete your daily homework, study for tests, ask your teacher for extra help when needed.

4) Enroll in a Math HelpHomeroom. 

However, be aware that Math Help Homeroom by itself will not be enough.  Homerooms meet only once or twice a week and are often interrupted by assemblies, schedule changes and other needs.

5) Go over the practice tests provided at http://www.k12.wa.us/assessment/WASL/Mathematics/PracticeSampleTests.aspx

PTHS math teachers have received training on incorporating WASL type test items into the existing math curriculum.  These strategies are practiced on a regular basis in class.  During the next few weeks, as math teachers become more familiar with the abilities of students in class, it is possible that a student who has not yet mastered the math WASL will be recommended to change into a different math class.  These changes will be communicated to the parents, prior to the student receiving a schedule change.

All students who do not meet standard on the WASL will automatically be enrolled to retake the WASL during the next spring testing session.

MATH WASL CONCEPTS

Here is a list of concepts covered in the summer school session.

1)  Using a fitted line

2) Stem and Leaf Plot

3. Using information from a table

4. Using information from 2 sources –such as a table and graph

5. Measures of central tendency

6. Box and Whisker Plot

7. Using a circle graph

8. Order of operations

9. Experimental probability

10. Theoretical probability

11. Geometric probability

12. Working with percentages

13. Working with fractions

14. Perimeter vs. Area

15. Coordinate points

16. Transformations

17. Reading/interpreting graphs

18. Using formulas

19. Using right triangle properties

20. Scientific notation

21. Decoding contextual-based problems

22. Equivalent measurements

23. Estimation in context

24. Venn diagram

25. Permutations and combinations

26. Circles—area, circumference, diameter, radius

27. Surface area

28. Volume and conversion

29. Volume vs. Perimeter—connection between the measurements

30. Patterns

31. Drawing conclusions and supporting with evidence

32. Basic computation skills for non-calculator day

33. Decimals to hundredth place

34. Labeling when appropriate--measurement