MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT

   

The Mathematics department is adopting a new Mathematics program entitled Saxon Mathematics.  The Saxon program is an integrated curriculum.  Concepts in each math strand are broken down into smaller increments that are interwoven together to create a rich mathematics connection.  Once taught, the increments are systematically distributed and practices throughout a full year of instruction.  No skills are ever dropped.  It is this consistent review and practice that makes the difference.

The Saxon Mathematics secondary mathematics program is a three book series comprised of Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Advanced Mathematics.  All of what is traditionally covered in secondary school mathematics up to calculus is covered in this three book series.  The subject area of geometry is fully encompassed in the three book series.  Though there is not a separate geometry text, students completing Algebra 2 will have completed the equivalent of a course sometimes referred to as informal geometry.  Students completing both Algebra 2 and Advanced Mathematics texts will have completed the equivalent of one full year of plane geometry.  In summary, students completing the three course series, Algebra1, Algebra 2, and Advanced Mathematics will have completed the equivalent of two full years of algebra, a full year of Geometry,  a semester of Trigonometry, and a semester of Advanced Algebra/Pre Calculus.  One important note, Advanced Mathematics will be a 2 year course.  The Mathematics courses listed below also utilize Accelerated Mathematics as a supplemental learning tool.  Computer programming does not utilize Accelerated  Mathematics.

 

Algebra 1/2 Saxon                                   9^th  grade

Algebra 1 Saxon                                      9^th, 10^th, 11^th  grades

Algebra 2 Saxon                                      9^th,10^th,11^th,12^th grades

Mathematics Fundamentals I                   11^th grade

Trigonometry                                          11^th, 12^th grade

Calculus                                                  12^th grade

Computer Programming/Pascal                11^th,12^th grades

SAT or PSSA Math Prep                        11^th grade

 

 

 

MATHEMATICS FUNDAMENTALS I:  This course will cover all of the Pennsylvania academic standards for Mathematics.  The students will learn introductory concepts of General Math, Algebra, Algebra II, Trigonometry, Calculus and Geometry.  The course is offered to students to help guide them in the local and state assessment plan.

 

TRIGONOMETRY:  Trigonometry is a college prep or technical prep course in high math concepts.  A strong background and understanding of skills in Algebra II is a pre-requisite.  A scientific calculator is necessary for this course and a graphing calculator is necessary.  The trigonometric portion of the course will cover basic trigonometric functions, inverse, unit circle, right triangles, law of sines and cosines, identities, sum and difference formula, double and half angle formula, complex and polar coordinates, graphing trig functions, sinusoids, solving trigonometric equations, uniform circular motion and other application problems. 

 

CALCULUS:  A strong Trigonometric, Geometry, Algebra and problem-solving background is necessary to succeed in Calculus.  Ability to use both a Scientific and Graphing calculator is necessary.  The first semester will include functions, limits, continuity, derivatives and applications of derivatives.  The second semester will include integration, application of integration and basis of Analytical Geometry.  Problem solving will be stresses throughout the entire courses.

 

COMPUTER PROGRAMMING:  This course is designed to teach problem solving through the use of object-oriented programming techniques.  Programming techniques to be addressed will be Variables, Input/Output, Assignments and Expressions, Functions, Procedures/Parameters, Looping Structures, Arrays, Boolean Expressions, user defined types, program libraries.

 

SAT/PSSA  MATH PREP – 11^th grade students.  The class will be will be one 45 day segment of SAT or PSSA Math preparation.   Placement in the appropriate section will be determined by previously optioned PSSA scores.  This course will prepare students for the SAT test and PSSA tests.  All Pennsylvania academic standards will be addressed and remediated during  the PSSA math prep segment.