❖ Calculator Recommendation ❖

Graphing calculators are a key everyday tool for learning mathematics in the 21st century. Andover High School strongly recommends that all students acquire a Texas Instruments graphing calculator from the TI-83 or TI-84 family. A calculator purchased at the start of 9th grade will be useful for class work, homework, and assessments in math and science classes through all four years of high school. Our school has a limited supply of calculators for loan to students who are not able to get their own due to need.

Levels

The four main ability levels in mathematics are designed to meet the different learning style needs of our students. It is important to note that all of our math classes are college preparatory and share a common essential curriculum. The major difference among the levels is the way in which new material is presented, and the amount of review of previously learned topics.

College Prep/Level 3

Students at this level are typically able to follow a model, given concrete examples, master concepts with directed practice, and rely on the teacher’s assessment of understanding and performance. Instructional approaches are designed to meet the needs of the directed learner and include explicit directions and modeling, extensive review of previous topics, direct teaching of how to use resources, and extensive practice.

College Prep/Level 2

Students at this level are typically able to follow a model and reach an abstract level with guidance, learn well from periods of directed instruction in combination with in-class guided practice, seek extra help when necessary, identify a problem in understanding or performance with guided questioning, and complete homework in a reasonable amount of time. Instructional approaches at this level are designed to meet the needs of the guided learner who requires some direction and include considerable review of previous topics, built-in guided practice and guided questioning with some directed learning, and focus both on extending and refining knowledge with some performance tasks.

Honors

Students at this level are typically able to understand and analyze complex situations with guidance, sometimes apply concepts to novel situations, have some metacognitive abilities, recall previous skills and topics, demonstrate proficiency with minimal review, understand alternative solutions when presented, understand and use several related models, be self-motivated in seeking extra help, complete assessment in the allotted time, and read the text to reinforce the lesson. Instructional approaches at this level are designed to meet the needs of a more independent learner and include minimal class time spent on reviewing homework, instruction at a faster pace, and focus both on performance tasks and extending and refining knowledge.

Enriched

Students at this level are typically able to think critically, analyze complex situations, and are comfortable with concepts with an increasing level of abstraction and difficulty each year. The breadth and depth of these courses are amplified in comparison with our Honors offerings. They should also be independently self-monitoring, have strong insight into algebraic thinking and visual relationships, learn independently, learn at a fast pace, execute skills reliably, demonstrate proficiency of previous topics and skills, make use of available resources, form study groups, be able to justify answers, complete assessments in the allotted time, and read the text to preview the lesson. Instructional approaches are designed to meet the needs of the independent learner and include minimal class time spent reviewing, instruction at a fast pace, and are focused on performance tasks.

The Mathematics Department offers a variety of high quality engaging courses designed to accommodate individual interests. The rigor of these courses is intended to prepare students for BC Calculus.

Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement (AP) courses are taught at the college level and follow an approved College Board curriculum. AP courses are demanding courses requiring a great deal of outside preparation. The pace is rigorous. In order to succeed in AP, students need a strong mathematics background, excellent study habits, regular attendance, and a willingness to ask questions and take risks. Students should have a teacher recommendation based on superior achievement in a previous mathematics course.

Course Level Recommendations:

Students who are in an Enriched math course should maintain an average of B+ or better to continue onto the next sequential Enriched math course.

Students who are in an Honors math course should maintain an average of B or better to continue onto the next sequential Honors math course.

Students who are in a College Preparatory math course should maintain an average of C or better to continue onto the next sequential College Prep math course.

Note: Although a student may meet the grade prerequisite, the teacher may not recommend the requested course based upon the student’s work habits or other concerns.

From Grade 9 to Grade 12, students are required to take at least one math class per year as a graduation requirement. Students are recommended to successfully complete Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II.

Math Course Descriptions

Algebra I - 1 credit

This course includes the topics of rational and irrational numbers, equations and inequalities, systems of linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations and functions. Algebra students will engage in mathematical practices such as making sense of problems as they investigate and model the relationship between two quantities and analyze functions using different representations. As they work to solve a problem, derive formulas or make generalizations, students maintain oversight of the process, while attending to the details. They continually evaluate the reasonableness of their intermediate results. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Grade 8 Math

Geometry - 1 credit

This course includes the study of angles, deductive proof, parallel lines, congruent polygons, triangles, quadrilaterals, similar polygons, circles, constructions, areas, volumes, coordinate geometry, and transformations. Honors and Enriched Geometry will include right-triangle trigonometry. Enriched will include spherical geometry, inductive proof, symbolic logic, a Flatland text, and vectors if time permits. Geometry students will engage in mathematical practices such as making sense of problems as they investigate geometric objects and ideas, reasoning and constructing arguments with proofs, modeling by using geometric shapes, their measures, and their properties to describe objects, and using structure and regularity to explore things like quadrilaterals. Exploratory dynamic software such as GeoGebra will be used to develop inductive and deductive reasoning skills. Prerequisite: Algebra I or AMP Grade 8 and teacher recommendation

Computer Science Course Descriptions

Introduction to Programming - 0.5 credit

This course is an introduction to computer programming using a variety of programming languages. Data types, variables, math operations, decision-making, and loops will be utilized. Concepts will be introduced with a graphical drag and drop programming interface. Text based languages such as Python and Java will be introduced. A foundation in computational thinking and in the principles of computer programming will be developed with an emphasis on the common principles of high level computer programming languages. No previous programming experience is required. Students should sign up for the same level that they are taking for math. Prerequisites: Minimum grade of B in previous math class.

Java Programming - 0.5 credit

This course is a mathematically oriented introduction to the Java programming language. There is an emphasis on algorithm development and programming style using object oriented paradigm. Topics included are: data types, variables, math operations, methods, strings, arrays, decision-making, loops, file I/O, arrays, classes, interfaces, and graphics. Students who are planning to take AP Computer Science Java must take Java Programing as a prerequisite the previous year. Prerequisites: Successful completion of Introduction to Programming or comparable programming background and permission from CS teacher.