Blair math: functions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is really interesting. My DC told me Ms. M told the kids who were recommended for Functions that theydo not need to go to the summer math camp. None of the kids I know went to the camp.

My daughter took pre-calc but did not go because vacation plans were already set before we knew about it. No big deal.

When in the summer is it?

Either the first or second week of the summer break.

[Anonymous]

Function kids should DEFINATELY go to the summer camp!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is really interesting. My DC told me Ms. M told the kids who were recommended for Functions that theydo not need to go to the summer math camp. None of the kids I know went to the camp.

My daughter took pre-calc but did not go because vacation plans were already set before we knew about it. No big deal.

When in the summer is it?

Either the first or second week of the summer break.

this summer it's the first week (June 18-22)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current function parent responding to the extra homework and extracurricular questions.

My DC also participates in several extracurricular activities including math, coding and debate competitions.

My DC's homework in the Functions class was stressful initially but has caught up. Mr. Schwartz's class is engaging and he might call on you at any time. My DC has learned to think and work faster. More information (from students) on rate my teacher: https://www.ratemyteachers.com/jeremy-schwartz/3817377-t

Thank you for this information. It is interesting to know that several kids who were taking Functions this year got straight A's as well (who also participated in extracurricular activities), and then there were some kids who really struggled and got B's despite extensive help from the functions teacher. I wonder if this has to do with the basics being taught differently in different schools. Some kids seem to have a stronger foundation than others and are successfully getting A's as well. Any recommendations on what worked and did not work for your DC for functions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current function parent responding to the extra homework and extracurricular questions.

My DC also participates in several extracurricular activities including math, coding and debate competitions.

My DC's homework in the Functions class was stressful initially but has caught up. Mr. Schwartz's class is engaging and he might call on you at any time. My DC has learned to think and work faster. More information (from students) on rate my teacher: https://www.ratemyteachers.com/jeremy-schwartz/3817377-t

Thank you for this information. It is interesting to know that several kids who were taking Functions this year got straight A's as well (who also participated in extracurricular activities), and then there were some kids who really struggled and got B's despite extensive help from the functions teacher. I wonder if this has to do with the basics being taught differently in different schools. Some kids seem to have a stronger foundation than others and are successfully getting A's as well. Any recommendations on what worked and did not work for your DC for functions?

None of the kids I know in Function class are strugling. Most of them got As or Bs in test but all have As in each quarter. I guess more than 70% kids in Function will get A in both semesters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current function parent responding to the extra homework and extracurricular questions.

My DC also participates in several extracurricular activities including math, coding and debate competitions.

My DC's homework in the Functions class was stressful initially but has caught up. Mr. Schwartz's class is engaging and he might call on you at any time. My DC has learned to think and work faster. More information (from students) on rate my teacher: https://www.ratemyteachers.com/jeremy-schwartz/3817377-t

Thank you for this information. It is interesting to know that several kids who were taking Functions this year got straight A's as well (who also participated in extracurricular activities), and then there were some kids who really struggled and got B's despite extensive help from the functions teacher. I wonder if this has to do with the basics being taught differently in different schools. Some kids seem to have a stronger foundation than others and are successfully getting A's as well. Any recommendations on what worked and did not work for your DC for functions?

None of the kids I know in Function class are strugling. Most of them got As or Bs in test but all have As in each quarter. I guess more than 70% kids in Function will get A in both semesters.

This is absolutely incorrect. There are plenty of kids with Bs in quarter and Semester! It will lower their GPA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current function parent responding to the extra homework and extracurricular questions.

My DC also participates in several extracurricular activities including math, coding and debate competitions.

My DC's homework in the Functions class was stressful initially but has caught up. Mr. Schwartz's class is engaging and he might call on you at any time. My DC has learned to think and work faster. More information (from students) on rate my teacher: https://www.ratemyteachers.com/jeremy-schwartz/3817377-t

Thank you for this information. It is interesting to know that several kids who were taking Functions this year got straight A's as well (who also participated in extracurricular activities), and then there were some kids who really struggled and got B's despite extensive help from the functions teacher. I wonder if this has to do with the basics being taught differently in different schools. Some kids seem to have a stronger foundation than others and are successfully getting A's as well. Any recommendations on what worked and did not work for your DC for functions?

None of the kids I know in Function class are strugling. Most of them got As or Bs in test but all have As in each quarter. I guess more than 70% kids in Function will get A in both semesters.

This is absolutely incorrect. There are plenty of kids with Bs in quarter and Semester! It will lower their GPA.

Both these messages are good to know. It seems like B's are expected in some tests but it is not impossible to get overall A's in quarter. For kids who took Functions and are getting A's, any suggestions on what helped?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Current function parent responding to the extra homework and extracurricular questions.

My DC also participates in several extracurricular activities including math, coding and debate competitions.

My DC's homework in the Functions class was stressful initially but has caught up. Mr. Schwartz's class is engaging and he might call on you at any time. My DC has learned to think and work faster. More information (from students) on rate my teacher: https://www.ratemyteachers.com/jeremy-schwartz/3817377-t

Thank you for this information. It is interesting to know that several kids who were taking Functions this year got straight A's as well (who also participated in extracurricular activities), and then there were some kids who really struggled and got B's despite extensive help from the functions teacher. I wonder if this has to do with the basics being taught differently in different schools. Some kids seem to have a stronger foundation than others and are successfully getting A's as well. Any recommendations on what worked and did not work for your DC for functions?

None of the kids I know in Function class are strugling. Most of them got As or Bs in test but all have As in each quarter. I guess more than 70% kids in Function will get A in both semesters.

This is absolutely incorrect. There are plenty of kids with Bs in quarter and Semester! It will lower their GPA.

Both these messages are good to know. It seems like B's are expected in some tests but it is not impossible to get overall A's in quarter. For kids who took Functions and are getting A's, any suggestions on what helped?

Both these messages are good to know. It seems like B's are expected in some tests but it is not impossible to get overall A's in quarter. For kids who took Functions and are getting A's, any suggestions on what helped?

[Anonymous]

For kids going to summer math camp at Blair this week, how are they enjoying it? My DD is unable to go since she had committed to a job in senior living center for 2 weeks. Any info is appreciated. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Day 1 was a test for the instructor to get a sense of what to review. Also some factoring quadratics. Day 2 was a lot of simplifying really complex polynomial fractions (fractions within fractions added together). Stressed DD out because she approached it backwards and made it all harder, and she shut down. But, she's back on track (I hope). Not sure if the different groups are doing different things. I think the kids already designated for Functions are in the class w/ the Functions teacher. I don't know about the others.

There is a packet of material (exponents, simplifying, factoring quadratics, multiplying quadratics, functions, linear equations, & a few other things) they are working through. Maybe the office would let you pick one up. It would probably help if someone knows math and can check process.

[Anonymous]

Did anyone from PHS SMCS receive a Functions invite? We have not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Day 1 was a test for the instructor to get a sense of what to review. Also some factoring quadratics. Day 2 was a lot of simplifying really complex polynomial fractions (fractions within fractions added together). Stressed DD out because she approached it backwards and made it all harder, and she shut down. But, she's back on track (I hope). Not sure if the different groups are doing different things. I think the kids already designated for Functions are in the class w/ the Functions teacher. I don't know about the others.

There is a packet of material (exponents, simplifying, factoring quadratics, multiplying quadratics, functions, linear equations, & a few other things) they are working through. Maybe the office would let you pick one up. It would probably help if someone knows math and can check process.

So, is the summer math camp for all those who are admitted to the SMAC magnet program? I thought only students recommended for Functions had a camp.

How long is the camp? In the camp are students separated based on the classes recommended for them next year, like Geometry, precalc, functions, etc. or is it only functions vs non-functions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Day 1 was a test for the instructor to get a sense of what to review. Also some factoring quadratics. Day 2 was a lot of simplifying really complex polynomial fractions (fractions within fractions added together). Stressed DD out because she approached it backwards and made it all harder, and she shut down. But, she's back on track (I hope). Not sure if the different groups are doing different things. I think the kids already designated for Functions are in the class w/ the Functions teacher. I don't know about the others.

There is a packet of material (exponents, simplifying, factoring quadratics, multiplying quadratics, functions, linear equations, & a few other things) they are working through. Maybe the office would let you pick one up. It would probably help if someone knows math and can check process.

So, is the summer math camp for all those who are admitted to the SMAC magnet program? I thought only students recommended for Functions had a camp.

How long is the camp? In the camp are students separated based on the classes recommended for them next year, like Geometry, precalc, functions, etc. or is it only functions vs non-functions?

The camp is for everyone. I am not sure how it is broken down as my child could not attend.

[Anonymous]

The camp is for all SMACS kids. I don't know how it was broken down, but I suspect the kids already recommended for Functions are in the group w/ the Functions teacher.
Day 3 was exponents, more simplification of complex polynomial fractions, radicals, algebraic equations, quadratic formula, line theory. Day 4 was difficult geometry stuff. Not sure if all groups go over identical concepts/problems.

[Anonymous]

I suspect Functions kids are together, but DS said the kids asked and the teacher didn’t know. We do know someone who was in summer with the Functions teacher last year who was NOT a Functions student.

DS said there’s been nothing new for him so far, but from where he is in math, we suspected that would be the case.