Mathematics Program
MATHEMATICS PROGRAM
NJ Student Learning Standards for Mathematics
NUMBER AND QUANTITY – All students will extend their understanding of the real number system, reason quantitatively and use units to solve problems, use and understand the complex number system, and use and understand vectors and matrices.
ALGEBRA – All students will see structure in expressions, use arithmetic with polynomials and rational expressions, create equations, and understand how to solve equations and inequalities.
FUNCTIONS – All students will understand and interpret functions, build functions, construct and compare linear, quadratic and exponential models and solve problems as well as extend their understanding of trigonometric functions.
GEOMETRY – All students will understand congruence, similarity, right triangle, trigonometry, circles as well as use volume formulas and visualize two and three dimensional objects.
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PLEASE NOTE:
· Students MUST successfully complete three years of Mathematics in order to fulfill graduation requirements, however, 4 years are strongly recommended. State Requirement: 15 credits including algebra I content (effective with the 2008-2009 9th grade class), geometry content (effective with the 2010-2011 9th grade class), and a third year of math that builds upon algebra I and geometry and prepares students for college and 21st century careers (effective with the 2012-2013 9th grade class).
· All students must pass the Mathematics portion of the STATE ENDORSED ASSESSMENT or its equivalent in order to fulfill the graduation requirement.
MATHEMATICS PROGRAM
Course Offerings
Academic Grade Level Credits
Algebra 1 9-12 5.0
Geometry 9-12 5.0
Foundations of College Math 11-12 5.0
Algebra 2/Trig 9-12 5.0
Pre-Calculus 11-12 5.0
Calculus* 12 5.0
Honors/Advanced Placement (AP) Grade Level Credits
Algebra 1 Honors 9 5.0
Geometry Honors 9-10 5.0
Algebra 2/Trig Honors 10-11 5.0
Pre-Calculus Honors 11-12 5.0
AP Calculus* 12 5.0
Elective Courses Grade Level Credits
Logic, Prob. & Statistics 11-12 5.0
Sports Statistics 11-12 2.5
Financial Literacy 11-12 2.5
Contemporary Math 12 5.0
* NOTE—Students who did not have Algebra 1 in 8th grade and wish to progress to Calculus or AP Calculus must request to double up on math during the sophomore year with Geometry and Algebra 2.
-Please see Honors/Advanced Prerequisites link for more details pertaining to meeting expectations and multiple criteria.
Calculator Needs for High School*
Although any calculator is acceptable, it is helpful to know which calculators are used in high school so that the student can understand the teacher’s directions and follow the classroom demonstrations. Scientific calculators: Cost is about $15; Graphing calculators: Cost is $80-$120. The graphing calculator used by our Mathematics teachers is the TI 84 plus. Texas Instruments also offers the TI 83 plus. These calculators are interchangeable and either will be accepted. The TI 84 plus offers more memory and USB capability to interface with online applications. These features, although helpful, are not a requirement for our curriculum. Only you can decide if the extra features are worth the price. Other TI calculators such as the TI 86 or the TI 89 are not interchangeable and might confuse the student.
* NOTE—Calculators are provided for classroom use, but are unable to be signed out for home or testing (SAT/ACT) use. There are multiple calculator apps available at little to no cost for home/school use, but remember that phones/apps are not able to be used in state/ national testing such as the PARCC, SAT, or ACT.
Algebra 1 - Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: 77 or better in Grade 8 or a grade less than 85 in Grade 8 Honors.
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
This academic course covers all basic components of algebra, including the exploration of expressions, equations, and functions, rational numbers, solving and analyzing linear equations and inequalities, proportions, graphing relations and functions, polynomials, quadratic and exponential functions, and radical expressions and equations. Graphing calculators and other technology are used when appropriate.
Algebra 1 Honors Grade level - 9 (Weighted Course)
Prerequisite: 85 or better in preceding Math 8 Honors.
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
This is an accelerated academic course covering all components of algebra, including the exploration of expressions, equations, and functions, rational numbers, solving and analyzing linear equations and inequalities, proportions, graphing relations and functions, polynomials, quadratic and exponential functions, and radical expressions and equations. Graphing calculators and other technologies are used when appropriate.
Geometry - Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: Algebra 1
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
This academic course incorporates both plane and solid geometry. Included in the course are units on parallelism, congruent figures, similar figures, triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, and constructions. Algebra skills are reviewed and correlated to geometry problems. Inductive and deductive reasoning are used throughout the course. This course features interwoven strands of geometry, algebra and functions, statistics and probability, and discrete mathematics. Each of these strands is developed within focused units, such as patterns in shape, patterns in chance, functions, equations, and systems, matrix methods, coordinate methods, and trigonometric methods. The mathematical concepts are developed in realworld contexts with an emphasis on mathematical modeling and data analysis. Graphing calculators will be used in this course where applicable.
Geometry Honors - Grade Level: 9-10 Weighted Course
Prerequisite: 85 or better in Algebra I (8th Grade) or Algebra Honors (9th Grade) or 92 or better in Algebra I (9th Grade)
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
This is an accelerated academic course in geometry integrating synthetic, coordinate, and transformational approaches. Emphasis is placed on both reinforcement and extension of algebra while carefully developing a thorough understanding of proof. This course will focus on the application of skills learned as they apply to the real world. Topics include, but are not limited to, parallel and perpendicular lines, congruence, similarity, right triangles, circles, area of plane figures, area and volumes of solids, coordinate geometry, an introduction of trigonometric functions and transformations. Students’ journals and portfolios will be kept for self- assessment. This course requires a daily commitment to homework and study as well as class note taking and management skills. It demands a high level of student responsibility. Working with graphing calculators will be a course requirement, as graphing calculators are used extensively throughout the course.
Foundations of College Mathematics - Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra I and Geometry
Duration: 200 minutes/week
Credits: 5
This course is designed to give students a more sophisticated understanding of the fundamentals of mathematics and basic algebra. Emphasis is on developing the connections among foundational concepts, and their applications. Students will begin with an Accuplacer-like assessment, and the results will guide the focus of instruction for the specific group of students in the class. The primary objective is to prepare students planning to attend a community college for success on the Accuplacer exam in the spring. The topics of study include: operations with fractions, ratios, and proportional reasoning, equations and inequalities, and polynomials.
Contemporary Math - Grade Level: 12 CAP - Equates to SCC's MAT134
Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 2/Trig
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
This College Accelerated Program course is an academically advanced mathematics course designed to enable students to develop an appreciation of mathematics and an awareness of how it is used today. The course will investigate transformational geometry, statistics and discrete mathematical models (graph theory). This course will also examine the mathematic concepts of voting theory, fair division, apportionment, fractal geometry, and real numbers as related to continuous mathematics. Successful completion of this course will also provide students the opportunity to apply for Salem Community College credit for MAT 134.
Algebra 2/Trig–Grade Level: 10-12
Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 1 and Geometry
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
This academic course examines the real number system more extensively and introduces the complex number system. Emphasis is on the solution of problems, as well as the structure and properties of these number systems. Functional relations, linear functions, and their graphs are explored using solutions by graphing and linear equations. The solutions set of quadratic functions and quadratic equations is determined and graphed. Graphing calculators will be used extensively in this course.
Algebra 2/Trig Honors - Grade Level: 10-12 Weighted Course
Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 1 and Honors Geometry with a final average of 85 or above in each course. 92 or above in Geometry
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
This accelerated academic course in advanced algebra will cover such topics as linear and quadratic functions, quadratic relations, linear systems, and powers and roots. The course will also explore areas such as trigonometry, exponents, and logarithms. Graphing calculators will be used extensively in this course. Extensive attention will be given to real life applications and graphing technology. This course is designed for students planning to go to a 4-year college and take the SATs.
Pre-Calculus - Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 2/Trig and Geometry
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
This academic course is designed for those college preparatory students who have demonstrated proficiency in previous math courses and who are planning further study in mathematics. Selected topics will include polynomial and rational functions, as well as acquiring a solid foundation in algebra and trigonometry, preparing them for high school calculus or college courses such as business calculus, calculus, and finite mathematics. Pre-Calculus demonstrates to students how algebra and trigonometry can model and solve authentic real-world problems. It also enables students to develop problem-solving skills, while fostering critical thinking skills.
Pre-Calculus Honors - Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: Completion of Algebra 2/Trig Honors and Geometry Honors with a final average of 85 or better in both classes
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
This academic course is designed for students who have successfully followed the advanced math program and who plan careers in fields which require a high level math background. Its purpose is to prepare students for more advanced math courses by providing a strong foundation of pre-calculus concepts, techniques and technological applications. The use of graphing calculators will be an essential part of the learning experience in this course. The course will also acquaint students with its numerous applications in everyday life as well as in high level algebraic and geometric skills and concepts, analytic applications of geometry and trigonometry, exponential and logarithmic functions, complex numbers, quadratic and parabolic functions, sequences and series and limits. This course requires a daily commitment to homework and study as well as class note taking and management skills. It demands a high level of student responsibility. Working with graphing calculators will be a course requirement, as graphing calculators are used extensively throughout the course.
Calculus - Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: Completion of Pre-Calculus with an 85 or above.
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
This course is designed to offer an introduction of college level Calculus to high school students. The course content includes topics related to limits, techniques of differentiation, applications of differentiation, techniques of integration and applications of integration. Topics include problems related to algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, and inverse functions, with a strong emphasis placed on working with graphing calculators.
Calculus AP AB* - Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: Completion of Honors Pre-Calculus and Honors Algebra 2/Trig.
Duration: 200 minutes/week Credits: 5
Students are expected to have a thorough knowledge of college preparatory mathematics as well as basic knowledge of graphing calculators. This course is college level with general theory and techniques of the calculus developed and applied to a wide variety of functions with corresponding applications. Students are required to take a midterm and final exam with the option of participating in the College Board AP Calculus AB Exam where applicable. Working with graphing calculators will be a course requirement, as graphing calculators are used extensively throughout the course.
Logic, Probability & Statistics (L.P.S.) - Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: A minimum final average of 78% in Algebra 2
Duration: 5 days/week Credits: 5
This academic elective course would not replace any of the required mathematics courses, but rather supplement those existing courses. Topics include Symbolic Logic, Statistics, Probability, set theory and SAT Prep.
Financial Literacy - Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: None
Duration: 200 minutes/week (1 semester) Credits: 2.5
This academic elective course covers the history of the stock market as well as fundamental, technical, and psychological analysis of the stock market. This class offers the students an opportunity to explore the pitfalls of credit card debt, student loan debt, and the “rat race”. We will discuss building our asset column with options such as Bitcoin, bonds, stocks, real estate, and a multitude of other things. This cutting edge course is meant for any and all students to take as a course to help the student in the 21st century world of personal finance that can be used throughout their entire lives. (Meets financial lit graduation requirement)