Mathematics

MATHEMATICS PHILOSOPHY

Mathematical power is achieved through exploration, reasoning, problem solving, communication, and connections.  Students in our mathematics classes work toward achieving the Medfield High School learner outcomes as they connect ideas within mathematics and between mathematics and other activities in their lives.  MHS mathematics courses challenge students of all ability levels and encourage them to excel academically.  


MATHEMATICS OBJECTIVES

The student will:


CALCULATOR POLICY

The MHS mathematics department consistently integrates graphing calculators into our curriculum.  All students are required to have their own graphing calculator every day in class. They also need graphing calculator access in order to do homework, class work, and some assessments. Please reach out to the Math Department Chair if you have any questions. The department’s instruction supports the TI-84 (CE/plus/silver edition) calculators. We look to ensure that students are able to become comfortable with certain functions of the calculator as we know that many students will use the graphing calculator beyond high school. Additionally, students will use the web based graphing calculator found at Desmos.com. 


COURSE PLACEMENT

Course placement is determined by a student’s performance and learning needs. Courses are offered at college levels, designated College I and College II, and Honors/Advanced Placement levels. The curriculum in the different levels will be similar, but the pace, depth of coverage, and independent study may differ. Instructional strategies will be geared to students’ learning styles, and support personnel will be available where appropriate. Advanced Placement courses constitute a well-established national program that brings college level study to highly motivated and academically able high school students. Colleges may grant either advanced standing and/or credit to students who have successfully completed an AP course, based on their performance on the AP examination. When deciding whether or not to change placement, please reach out to your teacher as well as the Mathematics Department Chair.


TEACHER RECOMMENDATION

A teacher recommendation serves as a comprehensive evaluation of a student's coursework, analysis of their performance, level of understanding, study skills, and enthusiasm in each subject. The recommendation also takes into account their performance on the cumulative assessment which is given at the midyear of the course. The recommendation will be revisited at the end of the year, to include the entire course performance as well the final exam.

ALGEBRA I

Grade 9

Full year - 5 credits

Algebra I serves as a strong foundational course for all math courses in high school and beyond. Students will study algebra as a system of real numbers. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of the concept of functions in mathematics and students will use algebraic, graphical, verbal and numerical techniques in their study. Graphing technology will be used to explore mathematical ideas and concepts, verify solutions and create mathematical models. Topics covered will include linear, quadratic & exponential functions, systems of equations & inequalities and absolute value equations & inequalities. This course is aligned with the MA Math Curriculum Frameworks. 

Algebra I (College I) - Course #410

Algebra I (College II) - Course #406

GEOMETRY 

Grades 9 & 10

Full year - 5 credits

Geometry is a course designed to increase an understanding of the nature of deductive and inductive reasoning. Development of critical thinking and an understanding of the relationship between algebra and geometry are the primary goals of this course. Some of the topics that will be covered include plane geometry, proofs, coordinate geometry, parallel and perpendicular lines, congruence and similarity of polygons, quadrilaterals, area, volume, transformations, right triangle trigonometry, and circles.

Geometry (College II) - Course #405

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Geometry (College I) - Course #404

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Geometry (Honors) - Course #403

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ALGEBRA II

Grades 10 & 11

Full year - 5 credits

Algebra II is a continuation of the study and techniques of algebra as a system of real as well as complex numbers. Emphasis is placed on the comprehension of the function concept and its importance in mathematics and students will use algebraic, graphical and numerical techniques in their study. Students will be required to develop skills in the application of the algebraic concepts and apply them to real-life data sets. Graphing technology will be used to explore mathematical ideas and concepts, verify solutions and create mathematical models. Some of the topics that will be covered include linear functions & systems, and absolute value, polynomial, rational, root, exponential & logarithmic functions. Additionally, trigonometric functions will be introduced at the College 1 and Honors level. This course is aligned with the MA Math Curriculum Frameworks. 

Algebra II (College II) - Course #409

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Algebra II (College I) - Course #408

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Algebra II (Honors) - Course #407

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PRECALCULUS

Grades 11 & 12

Full year - 5 credits

Precalculus is a continuation of the concepts from algebra I and II. This course is designed to build a strong foundation in precalculus.  The essential concepts and skills of algebra and the unifying theme of functions will connect the study of trigonometric, polynomial, rational, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Students will use algebraic, graphical, and numerical techniques, as well as graphing technology in their study. Graphing technology will be used to explore mathematical ideas and concepts, to verify solutions, and to develop mathematical models.  Some of the topics that will be covered include graphs and inverses, algebraic and trigonometric functions, identities, analytical trigonometry, sequences and series, probability, complex numbers, and analytic geometry. At the honors level, students will also study parametric equations, polar coordinates, and limits.  Successful completion of this course will prepare the student for a Calculus course.

Precalculus (College II) - Course #427

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Precalculus (College I) - Course # 424

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Precalculus (Honors) - Course #428

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ADVANCED ALGEBRA WITH FINANCIAL APPLICATIONS (College II)

Course #429

Grades 11 & 12

Full Year - 5 credits

Advanced Algebra with Financial Applications offers students in 11th and 12th grade an opportunity to view the world of finance through a mathematical lens. The mathematical formulas, functions, and pictorial representations used assist students in making sense of the financial world around them and equip them with the ability to make sound financial decisions. The overarching purpose of the course is to develop mathematically proficient students who can apply mathematics to solve real world problems that arise at home, at school, in society, and in the workplace.

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CALCULUS

Grade 12

Full year - 5 credits

This course will be offered to students who have completed Algebra I and II, Geometry and PreCalculus (Honors). This will be a fundamental course providing techniques of differential and integral calculus. Graphical interpretation of such concepts as a slope, extreme value, differential and the definite integral will be emphasized. Additional topics in calculus, which are necessary for those taking the AP Exam, will be taught in these classes. As part of fulfilling course expectations in AP Calculus AB and BC, students will take the AP Exam in May. 


Calculus (College I) - Course # 412

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Calculus (Honors) - Course #413

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Advanced Placement Calculus AB  - Course #414

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Advanced Placement Calculus BC - Course #415

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ADVANCED PLACEMENT STATISTICS

Course #416

Grades 11 & 12

Full year - 5 credits

Students will be exposed to four broad conceptual themes in a nationally standardized curriculum: 1) Exploring Data; 2) Sampling and Experimentation; 3) Anticipating Patterns Through Probability; 4) Statistical Inference.  This course is equivalent to a first year college level course and should be of interest to students pursuing areas of study that require statistical analysis such as engineering, psychology, sociology, health science, business, science, and mathematics.  Students will use graphing calculators and computer statistics software throughout the course. Students taking AP Statistics must concurrently take either Precalculus or Calculus OR receive approval from the department chair. As part of fulfilling course expectations in AP Statistics, students will take the AP Exam in May.  

Prerequisite: 


SEMESTER ELECTIVE COURSES


ACCOUNTING & FINANCE

Course #433

Grades 9 - 12

Semester - 2.5 credits

Accounting and Finance looks into life skills that students will need once they enter the real world. These skills include: budgeting, credit cards, loans, taxes, leasing/buying a car, renting/buying a house, and more. Students will walk away with crucial skills that will hopefully prepare them for their future. 


COMPUTER SCIENCE

Course #702

Grades 9 - 12

Semester - 2.50 credits

The Exploring Computer Science course presents students with the conceptual underpinnings of computer science through an exploration of human/computer interaction, web design, and computer programming. The first half of this project-based course focuses on computational practices associated with doing computer science; students learn the computational practices of algorithm design and problem solving necessary for the programming portion in the second half. The Exploring Computer Science course as a whole teaches students how to think and solve problems that are relevant to their lives like creating a basic website and writing the code for a program to calculate payroll.


STATISTICS IN OUR WORLD

Course # 432

Grades 10 - 12

Semester - 2.5 credits

Ever wonder how a professional team decides who they want to draft? Want to know more about how a medicine is deemed effective? Curious about all those polls before an election? Ever see a statistic and wonder how it was calculated and if it's accurate? If you answered yes to any of these, then this course is for you! Statistics are everywhere and this course will help give you an insight into where they come from and how they can be used. Statistics in our World is an introductory course designed for students to learn about the many applications of statistics in our everyday lives. Students will explore statistics in sports, science, politics, and many other areas of our society. Get an introduction to the world of statistics in this project-based class.

Math Department Chair

Jessica Safer
jsafer@email.medfield.net