Reflection

Overall so far during this class it has been a challange. Start of the tri was not as difficult until it got to the teat then it seemed like I had no idea what I was doing. Every week I try my beat and put 100'/, in what I do. This week I feel I'm gonna be more focused and go step by step. This course has been a bumpy ride from basic review to finding vertex form and completing the square. I feel in order to get to that next step is to ask more questions and ask my group

BOB 3

               Reflection

Overall this week went by pretty easily. However there were a few bumps in the road, in general i almost never have to come in after school to get help but this week was an exception. When Mr. Jackson was explaining the process of completing the square I made a common mistake of mine, zoning out -_- and from there on out nothing clicked. So i decided to break my streak of independence and ask for help after school, which to my surprise wasn't that bad. It literally took minuets of hearing it again and I had it down for good.

Bob 3

This week had given me more hope in toward the class because at first when I got my test grade back I was thinking it was going to be a bad tri but when we did the extra credit and brought my grade from a b- to an A- which gave me a lot of hope for this tri so I think it is going to be a good trip if I keep up the good work

B.O.B. #3

Looking back on this week, I'm feeling better. It felt good to take the test and get it over with, but I'm still not finished with it. There are a couple of concepts I still am not understanding on it... Domain in particular. I'm working on studying over everything so I can do really well on my retake. I'm really happy that we have moved on to a new unit, and I really like what we are doing. The process that our new idea has to undergo in order to be finished may take some time, but once the problem is done it's worth it. One thing that I am most proud to say is that I'm am gaining confidence day by day. This class so far has not only taught me math skills, but also life skills. And that is that no matter what you are doing, having confidence in yourself can take you a long way, and you shouldn't ever underestimate yourself. Can't wait to see what this week brings!

B.O.B

This week has given me more hope after seeing my test score. At first after I got my test score back I was worried that this trimester was going to be a rough one. But after we have started a new unit I feel a little relieved and not as worried because it is not as difficult. If this trimester keeps going in this pattern of getting easier, I will definitely not be so worried walking into class on test day.

B.O.B.

I feel like this week I am starting to get the hang of things. Seeming as I didn't do well on the test I decided to go in after school. After looking at my test I just made stupid little mistakes. I corrected them and realized I needed to attempt a retake. I took the review home and I'm not going to lie it was kinda hard. I have a few questions on a couple of problems but I think Jackson should be able to help. Looking back at what we learned this week it's making a lot more sense! I know it sounds nerdy but I liked doing the complete the square problems! And when Olivia and I were going back and forth on who had the right anwser it made it seem like it wasn't hard at all!

Bob

The past units have been fairly easy for me to understand and I've been confused on why everyone warned me about pre Calc being so difficult. I understand now what they meant. This unit has cause a lot of trouble for me. I get the steps of completing the square but every time I do a problem I seem to forget a step. Although I am having a rough time now I believe with more practice I will begin to fully understand all of the steps to finishing the problems and may even need extra practice in this unit to ensure my understanding. Things will improve and I'm hoping everything starts to click soon because I'm not enjoying being confused. After more hard work the confusion will pass by. 

B.O.B. - Vance W.

        This past week went pretty well. I'm feeling confident with quadratics. I particularly enjoyed when we looked at ax^2+bx+c=0 and completed the square to see where the quadratic formula came from. Seeing where things come from or why they work is the way I learn best, so at the very least I won't soon forget the quadratic formula.

B.O.B Progress

This unit is something I am really enjoying. I really understand how to find the perfect square as well as factor. Something I am struggling on a little bit is the range. I really just don't understand how it fits into everything. I really liked how we derived the quadratic formula. That really helped me to understand why and how to use it! I am excited about this course and to learn the new material! Thank you so much.

B.O.B.-Reflection on this week

This week started off with learning about completing the square. I thought this was the easiest thing in the world until the numbers weren't whole numbers. Then it got a little bit more confusing. Actually a lot more. But digging back through our prior knowledge of multiplying fractions came in handy. Completing the square is still fairly easy, it just takes longer and requires a lot more thinking and work. So far this unit has been easier for me than the last unit but I'm not banking on that yet because we just started and some smart math guy many years ago decided he wasn't going to stop at completing the square. Thanks smart math guy. And thank you Mr. Jackson for teaching us this math so well and for all the extra time you put into helping us understand the material! Let's have a great week and learn more math!

BOB 3

During the first unit, I was extremely worried about the future of the class and how tough it would be. It was extremely hard to learn the material for a while, but at some time in every math class I take, something clicks in my head and I understand most things. After the first unit, my mind was ready to learn new things, and it seems to be coming pretty easy so far. I'm not saying the rest of this trimester won't be a challenge and there won't be a lot of work, however, its nice to know "the click" has already happened. Hopefully the rest of the units come as easy as this one.

BOB

So far with this unit I'm feeling very confident with quadratics. I've found it easier to focus on one type of equation rather than 3 or 4. If that makes any sense to anyone else! however I'm a tad shaky on completing the square with weird A values. I feel like I  take waaaayyyyyyy more time than I should be.

muddiest point

My muddiest point in this unit is trying to solve vertex forms without using perfect squares. i think its difficult because many times they come out as fractions under radicals. i believe that by the end of the unit, i may get better at doing it. i am confident about it.

BOB 3

FINALLY something I understand!!!! Our first unit was really hard and I didn't know how to do anything. But now what we are doing is just the best! I understand how to do most of it but I can't do it from memory. So with a little hardwork I think I can get this down and be able to do it. Having a great partner really helps to Brianna is great and she really helps me understand this so I think this unit is overall going to be good. 

B.O.B #3

this week I felt a lot more confident on what we are working on. As long as I seen one explained step by step I understood on what to do on other questions. 

My thoughts about stuff that happened this week

I ended up missing a day this week because of Heartwood.  However, it was only a review day, so I didn't have much homework.  I am a little concerned though that I may not be understanding things as well as I might have been.  I think though that if I just see some more examples any concerns will minimize.  As for the quiz, I think I did okay.  I wasn't sure how to simplify the perfect square questions, however.  They ended up being nasty fraction square roots with subtraction signs after them.

Reflection

Last week went a lot better for me in this class and I think I somewhat understand everything we have just learned.  I am still working on using fractions to solve the problems because I hardly ever use them.  It makes more sense to me to use decimals, but I know that I will have a greater advantage using fractions, and will continue to practice using them.  Hopefully this week in class I will understand any new material! 

BOB #3

I really like how Mr. Jackson lets us figure out a lot of problems ourselves. I think that problem solving skills used to solve a new or unfamiliar problems is incredibly useful and very applicable to the world. In previous math classes we have just been doing pointless repetition, for our homework. And in class I felt like I was just listening to the teacher explain things that seemed obvious to me. This class is quite different, and I enjoy the challenges put forward to us by Mr. Jackson. I hope that in the future that this will continue or even that we will be offered more challenges.

BOB #3

Class this week was really cool.  I really liked how Mr. Jackson had us try to solve for X ourselves instead of just telling how it works.  When he was about half way through showing us how to simplify it I realized that it was creating an equation I had already used in math a few years ago.  I used to always be confused how all 4 types of quadratic formulas fit together.  Now it actually makes sense.  I especially liked how he made it into a competition instead of just a task.  It made the problem solving a lot more fun and kept a lot more people interested in the class.  I am getting very interested in this class because Mr. Jackson makes it so exciting.  all the equations finally make sense and my group and I had a lot of fun this week learning about them

Reflection From Friday the 4th #B.O.B

On a late friday afternoon, while i was sitting in my seat, Mr. Jackson announces that their will be a pop quiz! I was thinking to myself, oh greatttttttt, more time for me to fail! But then he claimed you could use your notes. So i smiled and did a little dance in my head because honestly, the last test my class took, i did not do so fantastic. Anyways, Jackson then told us,"Oh, this quiz is timed." Uh oh.. my little dance stopped.

When he handed my group..more like my table buddy and I's quiz. I actually looked at it and thought wow, 4 questions about completing the square and factoring (2 in each catageory) do not seem to be all that bad. Not to shabby at all. When i started to solve the problems of completing the square i felt confident because before the quiz my class was going over questions, and i was answering what steps to take while solving a problem like this. Mr. Jackson said "you guys should be over here in Breannas group because she knows what shes doing." That made my day. Firstly, because i know im definetly not the brightest crayon in the box. Secondly, I actually love solving these kinda problems, gets my  brain juices flowing. (lol)

After i solved the completing the square problems, i then had to do factoring. Oh how factoring and i have a love hate relationship. It always takes me a few minutes to find what pairs mulitply to be the "c" values and what they add to be the "b" values. By the time i started to work on finding the pairs, time was out. Thanks factoring its all your fault! Just kidding, its really mine. So Jackson collects our quizzes and im sitting there feeling down, because i didnt finish, and someone asks a question about factoring. Mr. Jackson demonstrates it, and in some weird way, some lightbulb from no one knows who, clicks in my head. I now get this completey and i see how fast Mr. jackson finds the pairs for the equation, the pro he is, and im thinking yup. Please let me finish my quiz i got this! So i get my quiz back and i complete those factoring problems. Am i 100% positive i did the correct? No, but im 90% sure  i did them some justice.

On friday, October 4th 2013, i felt good walking out of Mr. Jacksons Precalc Functions class. :)

BOB

This week i have understood things a lot better. The stuff we are doing, we did a lot at my last school so a lot is coming back and i am able to understand it. I finished the pop quiz pretty fast and i hope i did well on it but i didnt think to go back through and check my answers which i should have done with as much time as we ehere given. Stuff is clicking in place like how to find y intercepts and x intercepts and vertexes. I really understood how a problem could not factor out but still have x intercepts when mr. jackson explained it on friday and when i graphed it, it even made more sense to see it visually. Hope to keep learning and im interested to see the real life problems that we will be learning next.

B.O.B. Reflection

The past few weeks I have been very frustrated with not getting the concepts and doing bad on my test and I was just constantly worrying about this specific class and my grade. I have been coming in for help before school and that has definitely been helping. I was happy this past week because I actually understand completing the square and that definitely boosted my confidence in the class. I just need to keep coming in for help and keep practicing to make sure I really understand the concepts.

B.O.B- Reflection

Out of all my classes, this was the class I worried the most about missing on Thursday. We learn and do so much each day, I thought I would be completely behind. Luckily, that day was one of the better days to miss. I am really starting to get the hang of completing the square and I have been keeping up with my homework, unlike last unit. Overall, this week has made me excited for this unit and I am glad to be starting fresh.

B.O.B. Progress

It's taken awhile but I'm really starting to get into the everyday routine of school.  I am feeling more and more comfortable in math class everyday.  Currently we are working on quadratics and completing the square, I enjoy this unit because I almost always get to double check my answers.  I really am starting to enjoy math now, because the concepts are becoming more clear to me, rather than more muddy.  

Reflection

I was super surprised by how well I actually understand this unit. Especially since the last one was and still is a struggle for me. It is a huge relief however that this unit is going as smoothly as it is. I love actually understanding what Jackson is talking about and actually being able to help people in my group instead of always asking questions.
-Hannah-R

B.O.B. Week 3

This has been a bit of an annoying week for me. In class, I think I understand what we're doing with the perfect squares and everything. 

Having a number other than one for a is ok too. Solving for x rather than setting the equation equal to y is a lot harder though, especially when a isn't equal to one. 

But everyday in class I think I have it figured out by the end, then get home and start on the homework and am completely lost, and get into class the next day and not understand. It's like I'm starting at it anew each day, not completely from scratch but still not in a good way. It's slightly frustrating that I'm doing this, and can't seem to fully grasp and remember it. 

B.O.B.

This week when we started to learn about completing the square, it didn't make sense to me at all. When we went over examples in class, I just didn't get it.  I asked my group members when I got stuck on a question, and then I got it, but I would get stuck again a few questions later.  I was thinking that I got it, and I was, but not really.  Finally on Friday we were going over one of the homework problems and the whole thing just kind of clicked.  And I realized that this whole thing was a lot simpler than I had originally thought.  I was over thinking the entire concept, and when I finally realized this, I got pretty annoyed with myself.  Sometimes, you just think too much about something and becomes so much more complex than it really is.  For me, this was one of those times.

Haley

Bob#3

Well this week went a lot better than the last. Completing the square has its rough points for me but for the most part I understand it and it is making my stress level go down a bunch. My only problem is working with fractions. I don't know why, but I have always hated working with fractions so I always go to use decimals. Lucky for me my calculator can put together fractions. I think I will get used to the fractions (hopefully) or just put them at the end of the problem. Other than that, finding the vertex form isn't that bad I somewhat enjoy it actually. So this class is definitely looking up for me. All I have to do now is fix up what I was confused about in the last unit! Wish me luck!!!

B.O.B

This week in pre calc functions, I gained a lot of confidence, even thought I got my last test results back. The unit we started is going really well for me. I am understanding every concept of the worksheets we are getting. I was actually excited when I learned that we would be taking a "pop quiz" on Friday afternoon. My grade needed an improvement and I thought that this quiz would be great to do that. I took the quiz and felt very good about it. After class I approached Jackson so I could ask him to evaluate my quiz and give me an idea of how I did. He ended up telling me I made a small erro, not balancing the equation. Over all I would say this week went very well.

B.O.B. 3

This week during precalc functions we started completing the Square stuff. At first I was a little confused, and I really didn't want to ask questions, since I like to figure things out on my own. But, as things continued I realized that I wasn't going to fully understand anything in any of my classes, especially when I get to college unless I ask questions. Once I started to ask questions, even the simple ones gave me clarity. I would have to suggest to anyone else who is struggling to ask questions. If people think you're stupid for asking them, then you don't need those people if they're just going to be negative. I have to say, understanding what's going on in class makes the homework much easier! :)

B.O.B.

On Thursday Mr. Jackson had us try to solve for x in ax^2+bx+c and my group did solve it but was not simplified but when he told us that the answer simplified was x=(-b +or- the square root of b^2-4ac)/2a it was like wow I would not have suspected that. It was cool and fun to try to do that with variables instead of numbers and it was a little bit like being thrown in the deep end with the sharks again. It was a fun to do that that day even though I lost extra credit on a rock paper scissors game.

Reflection BOB

I would like to dedicate this post to my group that I sit with in math class. In past class periods, when presented with a math problem, each of us would get a different answer. Now, in math, there is not generally three correct answers, so of course there would be debate which would lead to arguing that was tearing our little math family apart. I feel that in this class this past week, however, we have become a single unit, with much less arguing and much more learning and explaining. Looking back, I have learned and retained more mathematical information this week than in any weeks prior. 

B.O.B-Thursday in class

I didn't figure out that we were deriving the quadratic equation until I was almost done. That made me slightly frustrated with myself because I did that last year and I figured it should have been familiar/easy...and it was neither if those. I also had issues with x and y intercepts, but I finally got that straight, so that's good. I just have to be more careful when I complete the square to change an equation to vertex form as opposed to solving when that equation is set equal to zero. I have to remember to either factor out the a value or remember to devide f(x) or y or whatever that variable is  by the a value so I don't get rid of it completely and mess myself up. But besides that, I'd say I'm on pace with this unit so far.
-Kristin R

B.O.B Reflection

Because I actually enjoy math, and did well on the unit test, I was kind of bummed that we were moving on to a new unit.  I had grasped the ideas from the Function Basics unit, and just abandoning all of those processes that I had learned was kind of annoying to me.  I was a little worried that I would not understand the Quadratics unit as well as Function Basics.  However, old information came back to me and I feel as, if not more, confident in this unit as I did in the last.  Because I missed class on Thursday to go to Heartwood, I had another cause of concern this week.  I think I missed the best day I could have though, and when I came back on Friday I was right where I needed to be! Overall, I feel good about Quadratics and am looking forward to this week.   

B.O.B.

This new unit that we are getting into is alot easier than the last one. I am going to retake the test from the last until because I messed up on the domain and range's. going over two of the big problems that i missed on the review packet made the new review packet alot more understandable. Its really hard trying to catch up and try to understand the last unti while trying to learn the new one,but I am putting in extra time and making it work!

B.O.B. - By Mr. Jackson

This week started out very difficult for my students. They were frustrated with their test scores. Their frustrations were at me, themselves, and the material.

Domain of radical functions?

Together, I know that we can do so many great things in my classroom.  The material that we're learning is only one aspect of what I'm trying to teach my students.  I want them to be self-sufficient, confident, capable of facing any challenge that comes at them, and above all passionate about what they're learning.  I know that if we all put in a little more time and effort we can accomplish our ultimate goals.  Don't give up on yourself too early, keep fighting until you don't have any more left in you and then take that one extra step.  One of my favorite (non-Star Wars quotes) of all time is from Christopher Reeve, "So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."  I believe if you really want something, no matter how small it might be or how insignificant it might be in the grand scheme of life, it can easily be obtained with hard work and passion.  I will continue to put my blood, sweat (its hot in my classroom), and tears into what I do every single day.  I am here with an incredible passion for teaching and math.  I won't let you down and I promise to do everything in my power to help you feel success without comprising your learning.

So, lets join together and finish this journey that has brought us half way through trimester 1.  We have 6 more amazing weeks left.  What do you say to a strong finish with some beautiful mathematics?  Are you with me?

B.O.B.

So this week I was absent on Wednesday and that made coming back on Thursday really hard. Mainly because we started out with a warm up that i didn't know how to do(solve for x when the a value isn't 1) and on Thursday we solved for x when the problem was only variables. I actually just finished the work from Wednesday and I'm getting most of it but I still struggle with solving for when a isn't 1. To help fix that I'm going to watch some youtube videos. Also I just got a tablet yesterday and it can help with math problems so I'll see what I can do with that. If all that still doesn't help I'm going in Monday morning to get help.

B.O.B

I'm feeling very confident with the quadractics unit and think I can definitely bump my grade up. I think the fact that domain and range isn't a part of this unit makes it so much easier to learn. I think that I can really push through this unit and make the most of it!

B.O.B.

The new unit we are starting the Quadratics unit i'm starting to understand a lot better and i feel more comfortable with this unit then the last unit we did which was the Functions review. Why? Well i have changed by going over the unit more and doing more practice and getting better prepared. This is helping way more then the last unit when i was not prepared and didn't want the test score i got. I'm doing test corrections for the last test so when we get tested over it again i will know what i did wrong and i will fix that and get it correct the next time. The quiz Friday we had i got the completing the square parts right but i;m still confused on the factoring and hopefully we get more practice so i can get a better understanding on that specific part of the unit.

B.O.B.- something cool

I think that what we learned about completing the square is really useful and cool.  Now I finally now a way to solve for X in a quadratic without using the quadratic formula.  Completing the square is much easier and it technically does not even require the use of a calculator.  Technically you can use the quadratic formula without a calculator but completing the square gives a more simplified answer.

B.O.B.

I am feeling really good about our quadratics unit.  I understand how to do my homework better than I did last unit, and don't have to look at my notes as much.  I am doing test corrections for last unit, and I am feeling really good about this unit.  I hope I continue to feel this way and succeed in this class.

B.O.B.- something I didn't understand for a long time

Find x,y-interceptions:

I always had problems to find the interceptions, sometimes I could find them but normally it was just coincidence. Now I understand it, because a classmate explained me, how I can find them and what they are. He told me that when you graph a function, the x-interceptions are the 2 points, where the graph crosses the x-axis and the y-value is zero. You find the x-interceptions, when you you write them in the fallowing term: (.....)(....)
When you got so far, you have to take the opposite of what is done with the number in the brackets (change sign!).
For example: (x-3)(x+4), Then the x-interceptions would be 3 for x and zero for y; and -4 for x and zero for y. Also often written as: (3,0) (-4,0)
To find the y-interception is easier, because there is always just one, because the graph crosses the y-axis only once. To find the y-interception you don't have to write it in this (....)(....) -form, or when it is already in this form, you have to distribute it to find the y-interception.
For example: x^2-3x+5, here the y-interception is five, because here the sign doesn't change.

Instructions to find x-intercepts:
1) put the equation in the fallowing form: (....)(....)
2) change the signs of the numbers in the brackets and you get 2 numbers, those are your x-interceps with y=0

Instructions to find the y-intercept:
1) put the equation in the fallowing form: x^2+3x-2 (just an example)
2) the y-interception is -2, always the number without an x and here: don't change the sign!

B.O.B. My Moment of Clarity

So today as I was doing my Precalc homework, I realized I didn't forget everything from Friday! I was able to get through the whole worksheet (All about Quadratics) without having the answer key right next to me for reference. I realized I only have to focus on what the three equation forms look like and what they can tell me. For example, standard form can give you your y intercept, vertex form can give you your vertex (of course) and your line of symmetry, and lastly factored form can give you your x intercept(s). I'm really clicking with this unit so far, so I'm hoping I can keep it up! All I need to work on involves last unit. I still need touch on brackets vs. parenthesis from last unit to make sure I understand the whole domain part of the unit. I'm hoping to be able to retake the last unit test to better my understanding. After that, I should be ready to move on fully, and boy will that be a happy day for myself.

B.O.B. Reflection

This past week in class I understood the concept of completing the square really well. At first I was a little worried to start a new unit because I thought I would have a hard time with it. Throughout the week I understood the work sheets and the class work.

On the surprise quiz I also believe I did okay with everything on it. Also, on the homework this weekend I checked the answer key when I was finished and I got a large majority of the answers right. The only part I messed up a few times was the sketching the graph part. Although, I eventually understood it.  Since I understand the basic concept of the new unit, including completing the square, factoring, and vertex form, I believe I will be able to figure out the more difficult concepts later on. This is a much better start to a unit compared to the first one we did. 

B.O.B

In my 4th hour Math class we are going into a new unit, completing the square. For some reason I've become very good at this, but only in completing the square into vertex form. My "muddiest point has been factoring the standard form with multiple "X squared" (2x^2, 5x^2). I have been able to complete the regular standard form at first but now it's challenging me to a whole other lever. But until then I will continue to work and study to complete this task, maybe even ask questions class, or watching lectures on the internet.

B.O.B- Reflection

The new concept that we are learning in class makes so much sense to me.  I am able to complete the square and find vertex form for almost every problem.  I understand what is going on in class and am able to do the homework correctly.  On Friday, I thought that I did very well on the pop quiz, but that could just be wishful thinking.  Still I am very happy that this concept makes sense to me.  Hopefully I can continue to do well even when the problems become harder.

B.O.B.

Finishing a test and starting a new unit is one of those bittersweet moments you encounter during school. You get so excited because the units over and you think you don't have to ever look back at it again! Then you realize that the first unit carries over to the next unit and on and on. So far unit two has been easier for me. Completing the square is something that really clicks with me and i actually enjoy working through the problems. Even though my scores on the last test didn't come out to what i wanted them to be, i plan to go in and get help because i understand the material I'm learning right now. It's time to play catch up and get caught up before i get to behind because in all your classes you never get to just totally forget what you learned after a test, you will always need to know it.

Moment of Clarity

Starting this new unit I was a little uneasy because I knew it would be very fast paced. Learning how to complete the square I understood how to do it but could not get the right answer. My moment of clarity was when we went over how to do it in class and I figured out I was doing it completely wrong the whole time. Now I understand how to do each problem and am not stuck in the mud anymore. It feels good to know how to finally do something after struggling with it before.

BOB

This week in pre calc functions we worked on finding the vertex form and completing the square. I had trouble with finding completing the square when there was a fraction with the x value and the trying to find the perfect "c". The moment that it cleared up was when I was doing the practice problems. I had to try to find a number that went ino both fractions. It was trial and error. After trying multiple times I was able to figure out how to find the right x value. I feel confident now completing the square.

B.O.B Completed the Square!

Completing the square, is awesome! I believe it was Tuesday that we began working with completing the square. I wasn't very enthusiastic about class that day due to physics and the review paper we got on Monday, both drained me of all my abilities to think. We go over questions on the review shortly after we begin working on learning perfect square. Mr. Jackson gave us a sheet of salmon colored paper that went through the steps. As I read the paper I didn't find myself getting confused or frustrated, I actually got it! The next day we were given "Completing the Square and Factoring" packet for homework. When I got home I started working on it right away, come to my surprise I was able to finish in in a short amount of time, and many on my answers were right! That was a awesome ego boost. After that day We received another page of homework called "All about Quadratics". I flew through that sheet with flying colors. I felt like Einstein. This unit makes me feel awesome.