Sunday, September 5, 2010

Lego Man Project


Follow the link to the instructions of the Lego Man Project.

Lego Man Project Instructions

Monday, August 30, 2010

SketchUp Intro Designing a Simple House

1. First download Google SketchUp. The link is on the right side of the blog.

2. Go to the link below and follow instructions on how to design a simple house.

3. Animate the house and export as an avi. file with your first initial last name and house intro included.
EX: jmacdonaldhouseintro.avi

4. Send the avi file to me as an attachment. My address is jmacdonald@millerschool.org

Due Thursday 09/02/2010

http://www.youtube.com/user/SketchUpVideo#p/search/2/gsfH_cyXa1o

Sunday, August 29, 2010

The Story of Math: Episode 1, Part I “The Egyptians”

1. What discipline led the way to certain knowledge about the physical world?

2. Name a reason why ancestors studied math.

3. Why is it important to understand patterns?

4. When did the Egyptian New Year start?

5. Why did people need to count?

6. What was the Egyptian unit of measurement and why was it used?

7. Why would a farmer receive a rebate?

8. What was the drawback of the Egyptian number system?

9. What ancient system of counting does our computing system use?

10. How did Egyptians use fractions to show a geometric series?

11. What is Pi and how did the Egyptians approximate it?

12. What is the Golden Ratio?

13. What did the Egyptians use to form perfect right triangles in their construction?

14. What formula did the Moscow Papyrus show and why is this significant?



Journal Entry: How does math affect your everyday decisions? DUE ________________

You have watched the first part of “The History of Math” and have seen how the ancient Egyptians used math practically to solve everyday problems. Now it is time for you to think about how you have used math.

Whether we are trying to figure the best payment plan for our new Droid cell phone, figure out how much paint and screen to buy to fix the beach house porch, or chemical ratios used to mix into the back yard pool; math is inextricably used in our everyday life. It’s even hardwired into our brains like when we look both ways when crossing a busy city street calculating mentally the speed and direction of oncoming traffic so we know when it is safe to cross.

Type a one page narrative in the first person about three or four specific examples of how you have used math in your life. You may have used it for a summer job at the supermarket, a building project with your parents or church, or a service project with your school or the scouts. Describe what specific kinds of math you used to solve the examples you will state.


Here are the steps we will use for this writing project.

Part I: Brain storm - Come up with several good ideas that you may use to explain how you used math.

Part II: Topic intro - State why math is important in everyday and set up some of the practical examples you will describe.

Part III: Heart of your journal - Describe in the first person the examples of how you used math and how it made your task easier.

Part IV: Write a conclusion statement or paragraph summing up your experiences.

Part V: Reread, proof for grammar and spelling.

Part VI: Share with a peer to get suggestion on how to make it read more easily.

Part VII: Rewrite.

Part VIII: Submit.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Algebra I Class Expectations

Course Description: This course serves as the first in the sequence of college preparatory mathematics. Concepts are introduced in the context of real-world problems in order to increase the conceptual development of the student. This course covers graphs in the coordinate plane, linear equations and inequalities, radicals, polynomials, quadratics, and data analysis. The concept of functions is emphasized using graphical, verbal, numerical, and algebraic methods.

Materials for Class: Students are required to come to class everyday with:

1. Textbook,
2. Spiral Notebook (for note taking/outlining)
3. A binder, which includes the following sections:
o Homework
o Tests/Quizzes
o Projects/Drawings
4. Computer (with required software)

Participation: Because learning is an active process, every student is expected to show active participation in class. Participation includes answering questions during class, making relevant comments and suggestions during class, helping other students, and answering homework questions.

Lateness: You are expected to arrive to class on time and prepared to work every day. Read the Miller School Student Handbook about more information on this topic.
Absences: When you miss a class, you will be expected to complete all the work from that day and keep up with any note taking/outlining. A syllabus will be provided for all assignments and my math blog will have updates. Email me at the address above if you need clarification. If you miss a test or quiz, we will set up a time for you to take it. You are responsible for submitting work missed.

Classroom Behavior: Please respect your classmates, your teacher and their property. I expect you to be polite and courteous to your classmates and your teacher to promote the best possible learning environment.

Homework:
• Homework will be assigned daily from your syllabus. It may consist of problems from the text, outlining and note taking, journal writing, or other project work. Always record the homework in your planner and keep your syllabus with your materials.

• Homework should always be completed in pencil in the required format. Check all odd answers in the back of the book. I expect you to correct the rest of the answers from your homework as we go over it in class. Making mistakes is important in how you learn.

• Maintaining your notebook will be a critical part of the class and notebook checks and notebook quizzes may be given frequently.

• Homework is all about reinforcing what you learn in class and will be graded on effort, organization, and neatness. Rewrite the original problem from your textbook and always show your work. You will not receive credit for answers alone. Homework will be graded daily out of 5 points. If you miss a homework assignment you will be responsible for getting the work completed as we go over it in class and you will be given an additional assignment as well as mandatory Help Session or Saturday Study Hall.

Each assignment should have your:
1. Name
2. Date
3. Page and numbers assigned
4. Original problem
5. All required steps for solving
6. Final answer clearly stated

Computer: A computer is mandatory for this course. We will be occasionally using Google SketchUp and Geogebra software which are free downloads from the internet. You will also need you computer to have access to the Miller School Math Blog.

Grading: The semester grade will be computed by the following percentages:

Quizzes 35% (Quizzes on material will be announced and covered smaller portions of the material. Outline quizzes are unannounced and test how well you have taken notes on a particular reading.)

Tests 30% (Tests will be announced in advance and will cover larger portions of the material.)

Homework 30% (Homework from the text book is checked and graded daily. Preparation is also included as a part of homework which means all required materials are brought to class daily. Note taking/Outlining is also homework as well as any writing assignments.)

Participation 5% (Students are expected to contribute to the class discussion daily.)

Help: I am always available for extra help during 7th period. If you have questions about the homework, any upcoming tests or quizzes, or anything about the class please stop by. You can make an appointment with me or just drop in, but please be on time to help sessions.

- Mr. Macdonald

Math Calendar