MATHEMATICS & COMPUTER SCIENCE DEPARTMENTS
Guidelines for Parental Consideration
Applied Math is designed to help students improve mathematical skills and further develop mathematical concepts as they strive to achieve our school’s academic standards in preparation for a two-year college, trade school, or the work force. In order to prepare for challenges after high school and to achieve our school mission, students in Applied Math work towards meeting the standard for all six of our academic expectations but focus on the following through the duration of the course; Students in Applied Math will demonstrate quantitative reasoning and think critically.
Academic B provides students working at grade level the opportunity to continue to improve mathematical skills and further develop mathematical concepts as they strive to achieve our school’s academic standards in preparation for a four-year college and the work force. In order to prepare for challenges after high school and to achieve our school mission, students in Academic B Math work towards meeting and exceeding the standard for all six of our academic expectations but focus on the following through the duration of the course as the college bound students: Students in Academic Math will demonstrate quantitative reasoning and think critically.
Academic A provides students working above grade level the opportunity to continue to improve mathematical skills and further develop mathematical concepts as they strive to achieve our school’s academic standards in preparation for a four-year college and the work force. In order to prepare for challenges after high school and to achieve our school missions, students in Academic A Math work towards meeting and exceeding the standard for all six of our academic expectations but focus on the following through the duration of the course as the college bound students: Students in Academic Math will demonstrate quantitative reasoning and think critically.
PreAP & Advanced Placement Mathematics: The high school PreAP/AP program is designed for the motivated learner and features a rigorous work schedule in developing complex skills and concepts. This program is for students who have an internalized work ethic and strong academic skills that include: superior algebraic and computational skills, drive and ability to work independently, academic accountability and responsibility, and the willingness to be proactive concerning academics, i.e. requesting a meeting with the teacher after school to clarify content or an assignment and taking measures to manage one’s time with assignments and readings that are to be completed both at home and in school in order to avoid procrastination leading to lower achievement. In order to prepare for challenges after high school and to achieve our school mission, students in AP/PreAP Math work towards exceeding the standard for all size of our academic expectations but focus on the following through the duration of the course as college bound students who excel in mathematics: Students in PreAP/AP Math will demonstrate quantitative reasoning and think critically.
OPEN ENROLLMENT POLICY:
The mathematics staff at Taunton High School strongly encourages and promotes the principle of equitable access to advanced curriculums. We are committed to the principle that all students deserve an opportunity to participate in rigorous and academically challenging courses and programs. All students who are willing to accept the challenge of a rigorous academic curriculum should be given consideration for admission to the course(s). Please consult the mathematics department or your guidance counselor for further information.
Math Courses
Algebra I
113 Algebra IA
014 Algebra IB
015 Applied Algebra
ALL Algebra I Courses:
Algebra IA
Algebra IB
Each Algebra I course introduces symbolism to express abstract ideas. Emphasis will be on involving students in exploring and discovering mathematical concepts as well as connecting algebra to the real world and other subjects. The course uses functions as a unifying theme, integrates technology as a problem-solving tool and connects algebra to geometry, data analysis, probability and discrete mathematics. Areas of study include the following: exploring data, patterns, change and expressions; functional relationships; linear equations and inequalities; linear functions and their graphs; systems of equations and inequalities: roots and radicals; coordinate geometry; polynomials; polynomial functions; quadratic equations. Every effort is made to accommodate various learning styles.
Math Strategies #129
For identified at-risk students who select Applied Algebra
This 9-week course was designed for those students who have experienced MCAS difficulty with previous coursework in mathematics. The primary objective of this course is to better prepare students for success in Algebra I. Student identification is based on previous coursework and a readiness determination for algebra conducted during the grade 8 school year. A software program will be used to individualize the course based on student needs. Various mathematical skills and concepts will be addressed. Areas of study include the following: order of operations, properties of real numbers, operations with decimals, integers, and fractions, percents and proportions, solve simple equations, square roots, and linear equations.
Math Connections I 5 Credits
118 For students who select PreAP Geometry or Algebra IA
119 For students who select Algebra IB or Applied Algebra
Designed to help prepare freshman for the demands and high standards of high school in mathematics and enhance each student’s experience in algebra and geometry, this course focuses on the five strands of mathematics: number sense; patterns, relations and functions; geometry; measurement; and data analysis and probability. Multiple strategies for problems solving will be reinforced and emphasized to improve mathematics achievement in school and on the MCAS tests. Every effort is made to accommodate various learning styles. This course does not count towards the meeting the mathematics graduation requirement.
Math Connections II #126 5 Credits
Designed to help prepare sophomores for the demands and high standards of high school in mathematics and enhance each student’s experience in algebra and geometry, this course focuses on the five strands of mathematics: number sense; patterns, relations and functions; geometry; measurement; and data analysis and probability. Multiple strategies for problem solving will be reinforced and emphasized to improve mathematics achievement in school and on the MCAS tests. Every effort is made to accommodate various learning styles. Students are selected for this course based upon their performance in mathematics freshman year as well as the results of the Stanford-9 testing administered in grade 9. This course does not count towards the meeting the mathematics graduation requirement.
Honors Geometry 5 Credits
PreAP Prerequisite: In order to qualify for admission into our Honors PreAP program, the student must pass the Honors Algebra I midterm and final examinations in January and June respectively, earn a B+ or better in Honors Algebra I, have a teacher recommendation from his/her 8th grade mathematics teacher, AND recommendation of the curriculum supervisor.
111 PreAP Geometry
123 Geometry A
124 Geometry B
120 Applied Geometry
ALL Geometry Courses:
Each Geometry course uses the process of deductive and inductive reasoning to develop theory, solve problems and to demonstrate proof. Areas of study include the following: congruence; similarity; inequalities; parallelism; perpendicularity; areas and volumes; properties of polygons, circles and three-dimensional figures. Key algebraic topics are integrated throughout this course in preparation for MCAS and SAT’s. Both the PreAP Honors Geometry and Geometry A are taught from a deductive perspective whereas Geometry B and Applied Geometry primarily utilize an inductive approach. Every effort is made to accommodate various learning styles. It is recommended that students who successfully complete Algebra and Geometry take the PSAT/NMSQT.
Algebra II #121 5 Credits
PreAP Prerequisite: In order to qualify for admission into PreAP Algebra II, the student must earn a grade of B+ or better in PreAP Geometry AND have a teacher recommendation from his/her geometry teacher.
121 PreAP Algebra II
133 Algebra IIA
134 Algebra IIB
(Recommend SAT II Math Level IC at the conclusion of this course)
ALL Algebra II Courses:
Each Algebra II course is a continuation of the algebra I – geometry sequence. Emphasis will be on involving students in exploring and discovering mathematical concepts as well as connecting algebra to the real world and other subjects. The course uses functions as a unifying theme, integrates technology as a problem-solving tool and connects algebra to geometry, data analysis, probability and discrete mathematics. Areas of study include the following: systems of equations and inequalities; rational expressions; relations and functions; quadratic equations; exponential and logarithmic functions; binomial expansions; complex numbers; conic sections; probability and statistics. Every effort is made to accommodate various learning styles.
Applied Integrated Math #137 5 Credits
This course is designed for junior or senior students who having completed the Applied Algebra/Applied Geometry sequence are interested in Tech Prop or a school-to-work program who desire to improve their mathematical skills. It is also required for junior or senior students who have yet to achieve a competency determination on the MCAS mathematics test. It is the third course in a three-semester sequence and deals with both Algebra and Geometry topics. The course content is prescribed from a set of main topics included on the MCAS examination as well as an analysis of the individual instructional group’s strengths and weaknesses. The course also emphasizes problem-solving and test-taking skills. Students taking this applied level course should continue their study of mathematics by taking Algebra IIB to be fully prepared for the rigors of college level mathematics. Every effort is made to accommodate various learning styles.
Statistics 5 Credits
AP Prerequisite: In order to qualify for admission into AP Statistics, the student must earn a grade of B+ or better in Statistics Academic AND have a teacher recommendation from his/her Statistics Academic teacher.
Statistics Academic #135 5 Credits
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Algebra II or a third-year algebra course.
The Statistics course is designed to expose the students to those topics included in a college level course is elementary statistics. The course integrates technology as a problem-solving tool and makes connections across mathematical disciplines. Areas of study include the following: exploring and organizing data; the normal distributions, data relationships, non-linear relationships, correlation and regression, samples and experiments; probability and inference. Any student who is planning a career in the social science, education, criminal justice, or political science fields should take this course. Every effort is made to accommodate various learning styles.
AP Statistics 5 Credits
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Statistics Academic
Advanced Placement Statistics is a continuation of the Statistics Academic course but at an advanced level in accordance with the College Board requirements. Students may elect the Advanced Placement course for which, upon successful completion of a national exam, the college a student attends may waive a freshman requirement. Contingent upon enrollment, this course will be offered for the first time in the 2007-2008 school year.
Algebra III (Precalculus) #121 5 Credits
PreAP Prerequisite: In order to qualify for admission into PreAP Algebra III, the student must earn a grade of B+ or better in PreAP Algebra II AND have a teacher recommendation from his/her Algebra II teacher.
131 PreAP Algebra III
143 Advanced Algebra
144 College Algebra
(Recommend SAT II Math Level IIC at the conclusion of this course)
All Third-year Algebra Courses:
Each Third-year Algebra course is a pre-calculus course designed to prepare the student to take some form of calculus in the future. The course integrates technology as a problem-solving tool and makes connections across mathematical disciplines. Areas of study include the following: trigonometric functions, identities, relationships and equations; complex numbers; series and sequences; theory of polynomial functions, matrices and determinants, probability and statistics. Any student who is planning a career in the medical, scientific, engineering, or business field should take this course. Every effort is made to accommodate various learning styles.
Calculus Course #145 5 Credits
Pre-requisite: Successful completion of a third-year algebra course earning a C or better. The major purpose of the calculus course is to acquaint these students with formulas and procedures needed in their college mathematics and science courses. This course is divided into two major parts, differential calculus and integral calculus. Differential calculus is the branch of calculus that deals with rate at which a variable quantity is changing and helps us find, for example, velocity and acceleration. Integral calculus is the branch of calculus that deals with finding a function when the rate of change is given and will give us, for examples, lengths, areas and volumes. The course integrates technology as a problem-solving tool and makes connections across mathematical disciplines. Any student who is planning a career in the medical, scientific, engineering or business field should take this course. Every effort is made to accommodate various learning styles.
AP Calculus Course #142 10 Credits
AP Pre-requisite: In order to qualify for admission into AP Calculus, the student must earn a grade of B+ or better in PreAP Algebra III AND have a teacher recommendation from his/her Algebra III teacher. Students may elect the advanced placement course for which, upon successful completion of a national exam, the college the student attends may waive the freshman requirement. The AP course meets daily throughout the year.
Computer Programming #141 5 Credits
Introduction to Computer Programming
Prerequisite: The student must earn a C or better in Algebra I and/or permission of the mathematics supervisor.
This is a semester course intended for the college bound student to develop programming skills in Pascal. It is designed to introduce the student to the structure of programming emphasizing the five-step process to problem solving, creating flowcharts, and writing algorithms. This will be accomplished through the language of Pascal. Emphasis will be placed on the exploration of simple data structures. Every effort is made to accommodate various learning styles.
Computer Programming II 5 Credits
Pre-requisite: The student must earn a C or better in Computer Programming I. It is intended for college bound students to extend programming skills in Pascal and develop new skills in C++. Emphasis will be placed on the further exploration of Pascal data structures as well as advanced structures such as sorting and searching, files, pointer variables, linked lists, stacks, queues, and trees. Also, the basics of the C++ programming language will be explored. In addition, comparisons will be made between C++ and Pascal. Every effort is made to accommodate various learning styles.
Advanced Placement Programming 10 Credits
Prerequisite: The student must earn a C or better in Programming II and/or the permission of the mathematics supervisor.
This is a full year course designed to be a continuation of computer Programming II. It is intended for the college bound student to further develop programming skills in JAVA. Emphasis will be placed on the further exploration of simple JAVA data structures as well as advanced structures such as sorting and searching, files, pointer variables, linked lists, stacks, queues, and trees. Upon completion of this course, a student may take the advanced placement test in JAVA and may receive college credit from a participating college.
Independent Study in Computer Programming 5 Credits
Prerequisite: The student must earn a B or better in Computer Programming II and/or Advanced Placement Programming permission of the programming teacher.
This is a semester course designed for the college bound student to further develop programming skills in a variety of high-level languages such as C++, Java, Visual Basics, etc. It is designed to extend and explore in more detail data structures and problem-solving techniques introduced in Programming II and/or AP programming. Emphasis will be placed on comparing and contrasting different languages and advanced data structures. Students will work independently on projects designed to further enhance their knowledge of programming and relate these skills to real world applications.
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