I’m trying something new this trimester. I’m going to be using my website as a go-to place for resources and daily agendas, like I have tried in the past, but I’m also going to try to incorporate the blog part of the website. Right now the plan for the blog portion is a little rough, so it’ll be kind of growing as we go through the trimester, but I see it being a place for discussion, a place for you to put your thoughts about an idea, and a place for learning to happen. Sometimes I’ll have blog posts for you to read and respond to, like today, and other times there may be a video or picture but I want to try and give another option for you to share your ideas and let your voice be heard.
I also plan to add a page of additional resources for each unit. Those resources would include videos (not just Khan Academy) and other websites that might help you if you need a little extra instruction and you can’t get in to meet with me outside of class time. I wish I could say I would be able to talk to each and every one of you everyday in class, but sometimes that just isn’t the case!
Now, lets get into the actual class material and things we will do during class time.
In class, there will be times that we do work in groups or pairs and there will be times when you can work individually. In general, groups are usually your table groups but there will be times that I assign random groups and even a few times where I may allow you to choose your own groups.
You will also need to have a notebook or binder with paper for this class. When we take notes in class I expect you to use those as a resource to help you with assignments and to study for the test. If it is important enough for me to write on the board or put on a slide, then it is probably important enough for you to put in your notes.
Your performance grades that show up in PowerSchool will be standards based, so I believe it is important for you to know what those standards are before we start. (See list below for unit 1) Pay specific attention to the statements in blue!
Unit 4: Introduction to Functions
- Standard F.IF.1: Understand that a function from one set (called the domain) to another set (called the range) assigns to each element of the domain exactly one element of the range.
- I can explain the difference between domain and range.
- I can distinguish between relationships that are a functions and those that are not.
- I can determine if graphs of functions and non-functions, by recognizing that if a vertical line passes through at least two points in the graph, then y is not a function of x.
- I can use a diagram to visualize and represent the idea of a function.
- I can determine if a table, graph, or set of ordered pairs is a function.
- Standard F.IF.2: Use function notation, evaluate functions for inputs in their domains, and interpret statements that use function notation in terms of a context.
- I can use function notation to evaluate functions for inputs in their domains.
- I can interpret statements that use function notation in terms of a context.
- Standard F.IF.4: For a function that models a relationship between two quantities, interpret key features of graphs and tables in terms of the quantities, and sketch graphs showing key features given a verbal description of the relationship.
- Key features include: intercepts; intervals where the function is increasing decreasing, positive, or negative; relative maximums and minimums; symmetries; end behavior; and periodicity.
- I can interpret key features of graphs in terms of the quantities.
- I can interpret key features of tables in terms of the quantities.
- I can sketch graphs showing key features given a verbal description.
- Key features include: intercepts; intervals where the function is increasing decreasing, positive, or negative; relative maximums and minimums; symmetries; end behavior; and periodicity.
- Standard F.IF.5: Relate the domain of a function to its graph and, where applicable, to the quantitative relationship it describes.
- I can create a graph based on the context given.
- I can create a table of values based on the context given.
- I can determine the domain of a function.
- I can create a graph based on the context given.
Hopefully this gives you a little idea of what to expect from me in class and what you can expect to study for the first unit.
As always if you have questions or concerns please let me know!!
Now, your assignment. In a comment below, tell me:
- What are you thoughts/feeling about using my website as a place for you to respond to blog posts/class discussions/videos/etc?
- Were there any words or phrases in my post that you don’t know or understand? What are they? (Be specific!)
- When you look at the list of topics that will be covered in unit 1, which ones do you feel like you might already know something about? What do know about those things?
- When you look at the list of topics that will be covered in unit 1, which ones do you feel are brand new ideas that you haven’t studied before?
- After reading this post, what are you most concerned about? Least concerned about?
- Do you have any questions for me? (About class or about me personally)
Math With Mrs. Phelan 
1. I think the website will be easy and efficeint.
2. No
3. I dont remember if we ever covered this in former math classes
4. I feel that all of the topics are new
5. Im concerned about Standard F.IF.1 because it looks difficult and long
6. Nope
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This website is similar to an agenda because it contains daily assignments and it would be helpful for students that missed a day.
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1. I think it is cool but kind of hard because the wifi runs slow.
2. There are not any words I do not understand.
3. I am good at making graphs and I know how to set them up.
4. I do not really know how to interpret key features of graphs in quantities.
5. I am not very good at a lot of things that we are going to learn.
6. I do not have any questions.
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1. I feel like using your website to respond to you will be good. I feel like it will be easier to work with because it’s easier to learn how to work.
2. There was nothing that I didn’t understand.
3. I don’t think I know anything about unit 1.
4. All of them are new to me.
5. I’m most concerned about I don’t think I will understand it. I’m least concerned about having people to help me with it.
6. I have no questions.
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1. I think the website is a good idea because its similar to an agenda
2.I understood it well
3.i might know about if a graph is a function but not if a table is a function
4. i don’t remember what a domain is
5. I’m most concerned about graphing
6. no questions
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1. This website is similar to an agenda because assignments can be posted here for students who were absent.
2. Most of it is understandable.
3. The sketching of graphs, most labels I already learned.
4. Relating functions to quantitative descriptions.
5. The usage of new equations to describe functions, I am less concerned for plotting graphs with equations.
6. No questions
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1.I think that this website and blog will make the making up of assignments a lot easier I also think that it’ll keep everything on track.
2.I feel like i understood everything.
3. Out of what i know that’ll be covered in unit 1, i feel conformable with domain and range because we learned about that in integrated 1 A and 8th grade.
4. Out of what i know that’ll be covered in unit 1, i feel the least conformable with functions.
5.after reading this post I’m most concerned about graphs and how to work with them im least concerned about range and domain.
6. Nope not really
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1. This website is helpful for the days that someone is absent and needs to catch up.
2. I feel like everything that’s on here sounded similar to other math classes.
3.Something that sounds familiar from other math units is functions and graphs.
4. I don’t recall what a domain is.
5.what I’m most concerned is graphs
6.no questions yet
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1. i feel good using this website.
2. i understand the words.
3. that i can create a graph.
4. quanities i feel like i will have a lil bit of trouble with.
5. staying on top of hw and having peers to help me.
6. no
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1.it would be a good idea it would be easier and more organized so you can just now what are you doing in class today and if you are not here you could just look at the website
2no I knew what you where talking about
3i think I now Standard F.IF.4: wee did nit in 8 grade and I still know how to do it a little bit
4 the one that I do not know or I forgot was Standard F.IF.5: I do not know how to do it or I forgot to do it
5the thing that I am most concerned about is how much that I have to study and how much work I have to do
6no
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1. I think that this will be a cool learning experience, 2. I knew the words, 3. I don’t know if I already know how to do anything that we will be learning, 4. I think all of it is new to me, 5. I’m not concerned about anything, 6. I don’t have any questions.
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to do all your work and only have your phone out when allowed
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1.) I think its good because it helps to know what assignments are due and what we are doing every day. 2.)There are no words 3.)Making graphs and tables 4.)I think there all all newer ideas to me 5.) Most worried about is the units going to be very difficult and hard to understand. 6.) I have no questions at this moment.
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