B.O.B.- Class reflection

This last Tuesday, the day of the test,was almost a surprise to me, as I had forgotten that there was a test.  I know this sounds weird, but I actually enjoy it a little when teachers give out tests for three reasons.  One, it usually takes up the whole class period, and I usually get done a little early so I can just sit there and think for a little while as others are finishing.  It's like a short break from the rest of the day.  The second reason is that tests are a great chance to show my teachers and my parents how well I understand what we are working on.  It always feels good to bring home an A graded test.  Even when a test is not so good, I know what I need to work on.  The last reason is that teachers almost never give homework the day of a test.  On a daily basis I have what could be called a lot of homework, and it feels good to be able to have more time to myself, even if it is just a little.  So, when you passed out the homework on Tuesday, I guess I didn't really mind

Reflection

Sorry this is late! Last week was a little shaky on some parts for me.  When we were instructed to find the maximum area I got the right answer but was not quite sure about why it worked. Once I got some help, I figured out why it works and now it makes more sense. I am still working on the homework and am nervous for the test. I am getting help on the parts I don't understand, and think this next test will go better than the last!

B.O.B. by Mr. Jackson

This week was a challenge for me because I know that my students are working so very hard on the current material (which I appreciate more than you know), but I feel like some are forgetting the previous material in unit 1.  There are a few students who are absolutely kicking butt when it comes to that first unit, mainly because they are working on a review for the retake.  To those students that are putting in the time, thank you!  To everyone else, either you know it and don't need to spend more than a few minutes going over the previous material, or you have given up ever trying to learn it.  Let me remind you that it's not too late!  If something doesn't make sense to you, please visit Khan Academy at home or see another math teacher.  Perhaps we're having some communication issues and you just don't get me.  That happens!  There is nothing wrong with you asking for help, even if you've never asked before.  Failure in this case is not the absence of knowledge, but knowing what to do (get help) and not doing it!  If you communicate your issues with me, I will do everything in my power to find you the help you need.  Please advocate for yourself when you're struggling.  Don't try to conquer your struggles alone, but don't depend on someone else to give you all the answers.  This is your time to shine.  Make these next few days the best days of math you can and I promise it will be worth it!

Every. Single. Time. :: B.O.B. Vance W.

I found it pretty easy to keep up with this unit, but there was one thing holding me back. When completing the square and the a-value wasn't one. I could breeze through it if the a-value was one, and I would breeze through it if it wasn't one. Until I looked at the answer key and saw that it was incorrect. When I was adding the perfect c to the other side, I would forget to multiply it by a. Again, and again, and again. For whatever reason, I would forget every time, although I would immediately know what I did wrong. Luckily, the frustration of getting the same thing wrong every time made it so that it is now nearly impossible to forget.

B.o.b.

Completing the square was the most mind boggeling thing I have ever done before. I had no Idea why it worked or what the point was. I hated doing it because it was so confusing. But it knew in order to get good at it I had to practice at it. So every time I need to find the max, get the vertex, or anything! I complete the square. Now I am much better at it and now it's pretty easy. It's like a habit! A few times I even did it when I didn't have to! Completing the square is my first realization on how important it is to do the things you struggle with instead of avoiding them! Because eventually it will become second nature, and you will make progress! I like this progress thing, I think I'm gonna keep practicing and make more progress! that's my overall goal! Not just in math. But in everything! Practice makes progress towards perfection. 

B.O.B #3

The new seating arrangement definitely would have helped me last unit. I am no where near as distracted as I was the previous unit and it has helped me understand the material we are learning. I'm actually getting work done in class now and not having to do it when I get home during my relaxing time.

bob 4

reflection
            This week we learned a bit of new info but luckily with no challenge or confusion on my part, so i would have to say it was a productive use of my time. Reflecting back on this week reminds me of week 1 of algebra 1, which i thought was awesome because of what we learned and how easy it was to remember what we learned. I'm also really tired so this concludes by reflection.

Sitting in class on Sunday

There I was sitting in class on a Sunday. Yeah sitting in class on a Sunday that probably sounds crazy. It was a very helpful session where I was able to sit down and work on what I needed to. Plus we got some really good pizza and pop. I was able to finish a lot of my homework and get help on the stuff I needed. If Mr. Jackson could I wish we could do this every week.

BOB

I'm feeling a lot better while writing this weeks blog post. I feel like I now have a grasp on what I'm doing in this class. At first, it was a bit overwhleming... But now I feel as though I know what I have to do to get where I want to be. I'm working on mastering the material from the first unit so that I can nail my re-take. I'm also trying to prepare for our test on Tuesday on the second unit... I'm still stressed. I'm always stressed no matter what. But it's getting better. I feel better this week, and I think I'll feel even better next week. I like the second unit material better than the first unit, and I like that it is shorter. Having the unit shorter is easier because you feel like you actually have a chance at learning it... Because it's not as much material all at the same time. I hope next week when I'm writing my blog post I'll feel even better than I do now.

BOB

This week in class I had a lot of fun learning how to solve the equations and I like this unit a lot more because I was able to catch on a lot faster than the other one I think I am going to do good on the next test which will bring my grade up to an A which I want to keep for the rest of the tri.  I was able to help the other people in my group because this was one of the units that I caught on fast to and it was easy to teach the people in my new group.  So I had a good time this week.

Study Group

Today Mr. Jackson had a study group thing at school. I beleive that it is a good idea to have these. I get better help on one-on-one time than learning in a class. The study session was fun and i really hope he can do it again.

BOB

Idk really how to start this blog but i guess i just did. This past week i have understood how to do certain things like opposite b over 2a but ididnt know exactly when to do it til i did the homework and now i feel farley confident after doing that "quadratics madness" worksheet. This weekend i had a lot of homework and i feel really behind because i was busy both saturday and most of sunday but i belive that the extra practice in Pre-calc homework will really help me on the test. Repititon helps me even if i dont want to do it. I hope to do well on the test .

BOB

I was gone Monday and Tuesday, but I got caught up pretty quickly. This unit has been easier for me to grasp than the first, and i feel pretty confident with it. I would have gone to the study session but I was at my moms and she lives in Allen Park. I plan on staying after sometime this week to get help and find out how I can boost my grade.

B.O.B. Muddiest Point

This week I had a hard time understanding questions in the extreme value packet and stuff like -b/2a.  When I came in to get help though (also thanks for the pop and pizza to Mr. Jackson) I had a better understanding of dimensions and -b/2a and what really help the most is when Jackson showed the graph to me. He showed that you find the vertex of "x" and then use that to find "y" value and it made a lot more sense to me.

BOB

So this last week has been pretty laid back. That's good and bad. I'm glad Jackson didn't give us a Monday test because those are the worst. I wish I had gone to the help session today but I couldn't get a ride out to mason. I think I'm doing ok with quadratics and I'm feeling rather confident about the test. 

BOB4

Oh pre-calculus how I have such a bipolar relationship with you. This last week in precalc we began working with quadratics. This is a sigh of relief for me because  domain is always all real numbers. Completing the square I can get pretty easily, my only problem is when I go back and check my work, because I do a different strategy than Mr. Jackson my answer on occasion is different but I look at the answer a million times and cannot find something wrong. I just want my grade up but I just fell like it is impossible no matter how many times I go in  for help it is so overwhelming. Luckily though today (Sunday) Mr. Jackson came in to help us and it just made loadstone difference. So guys.. Don't be afraid to ask for help!! It makes a huge difference don't suffer in silence!

B.O.B. #4

This week during precalc, we worked more with quadratics, and started finding extreme values. This unit has made a lot more sense to me. We have been working with completing the square and have added onto it. Such as finding the range by completing the square, finding the x and y intercepts, line of symmetry, and finding the domain as well (which is all real numbers for quadratic functions). We've also made quadratic equations using the vertex and a point in which the final answer passes through. This took me a while to really get the hang of, but now I understand it much better. I've been really focused this unit, and I'm hoping for an excellent grade on the test this week!

B.O.B.- Reflection

During the middle of the week, I was shaky on how to construct functions and I certainly did not understand why we took the steps we did.  But over the weekend when I was working on the packet I flew through all the problems and got them right.  Everything made sense and I was able do story problems and find the minimum or maximum value. I am not sure when everything made sense, but somewhere along the way it did.  In any case I am happy that I know how to do the story problems.

My thoughts on things

This week we did a bunch of quadratic things.  I have a few iffy points here and there, such as how far you can simplify, but I feel as though I am doing okay.  Mostly though I just enjoy drawing 3-D shapes. Other than that, I'm glad we didn't have as many packets this unit.  Although I dislike the amount of work, I wouldn't mind having the exact same amount of work as much, just so long as I didn't have to write down the problems.  I try to organize them, but I am very bad at it.  Part of it is my handwriting, but sometimes though I'll miss how many different things you have to do for one problem.  That even further messes up what little sense of organization I had.  Anyways, I appreciate less of those.

B.O.B.

This week I am feeling fairly confident with the new material that we have learned. I have been looking on youtube at some videos and that seems to help. Today I went into Jackson's room to work on my homework. He really helped me understand the problems I had questions on. When I do the homework I usually keep the answer key close by. Once I finish a problem I check to make sure I have the right answer, or if I don't understand I see what steps it takes to finish the problem. I really feel like I have a grasp on the content we learned this past week! Bring on that test!

B.O.B.- Progress

When I walked into class at the beginning of the week and realized that we were changing seats, I was really upset.  I loved my old table, and even though we had fun together, we still managed to do our work and help each other out.  I was worried that this would be gone with my new group.  However, my new table is awesome too!  My two partners keep me on my toes and we have had some pretty interesting discussions (that were actually about math!), as well as shared some laughs.  Overall, I'm feeling pretty good about the test on Tuesday, even though I lost my old table group.  I'm looking forward to this week!

B.O.B. 4

This may make me unpopular with my fellow classmates, but I feel like we should spend more time learning in class. The ghost stories are fun and all, but I really enjoy learning and challenging myself in class. Not to say we didn’t learn anything. I particularly enjoyed the story problems in the packets. I loved challenging myself be coming up with as many different ways to solve the problem as I could. But, again, I would like to stay a little more focused in class.   

B.O.B. #4

This week in pre-calc functions was actually a lot of fun.  I liked working with the quadratics because there is always a reason behind what we do.  We don't do it just "because that's how its done", we do things because there is a reason and it is logical.  I also liked how there were a lot of packets with real life situation problems, they really made it click that we aren't just learning this because we have to, we are learning about quadratics and completing the squares because we are going to need to use them out in the real world.  I found it very funny how my group didn't change at all this week when the tables were moved around it the "mathematical chairs".  I myself am very glad that our group didn't change because I think that we have been working very well together and that we have helped each other at some point were a member was confused on what we had to do next.  Originally this unit was confusing on how to complete the square and the problems were very hard to do.  After talking to my group about it and going over a few problems together I became very confident that I could find the answer.  Over all I believe that I will do pretty well on this upcoming test due to my group helping me in the beginning of this unit when I was confused.
-Dakota C.

B.O.B. Progress

Now that we are in the quadratic portion of the class I'm feeling pretty.  They're feel familiar, and I can understand them with relative ease.  Also the real world questions keep the math interesting while keeping me more enticed to the homework.  In addition to that it's nice that some of the skills I learned in AP physics applies to this class and vice versa.  Ultimately I'm quite pleased with my progress in this course.

B.O.B.

So, when Mr. Jackson first told us that we were going to have a test this week Tuesday, I was pretty nervous.  I've been understanding stuff in class, but even the word "test" just absolutely freaks me out.  I'm an alright test taker, but I get so worked up over these things that I know I understand, and it's totally irrational. I'm feeling pretty good about this test, though.  I understand stuff this unit, and I'm actually pretty confident about this test, which is something I don't say very often...  So, yep, I'm feeling pretty good about this test, it's gonna be great!
Haley

BOB reflection

As I get home from a cross country meet i realize i have to do some homework. So I got my bag out and start looking at the homework and my notes. I put the two together and everything is making sense. At this point I was flying through the problems and it felt great.

B.o.b. 4

This past week in Jackson's pre calc functions class was very enjoyable from my point of view. On Monday, we had a fun little game where we switched seats, with the intentions of separating my table. Unfortunately, that did not work at as planned and we are now split up with neighboring tables. That being said, I think I really enjoy the new seating chart for the reasons that 1. I can get along with both of my partners. 2. I feel less distracted and can do my work without any issues. And 3. Within one week, we have had multiple mathematic arguments with eachother, which in my point of view, is very entertaining. 

The rest of this week went pretty well also, considering the small amount of time we spent learning. Don't get me wrong, math is fun and all, but I would much rather spend most if class listening to ghost stories! Also, the fire drill added to the shortage of class time. But when we were actually learning, I was very satasfied with what we were learning. I think it is really cool to be able to apply math into real life situations, which Is exactly what we can do with this part of the unit. I have always wanted to know how in the world you can find the area of something with only the perimeter, along with other situations like that. So learning how to do that was very enjoyable for me. So long story short, this week was a very satisfying week, and I feel as if I am prepared for this upcoming test on Tuesday. Thank you for reading my post!

P.S. I am also proud that I remembered to do this post.

Reflection B.O.B.

This last week we have been working hard and learning fast for the next test we are having Tuesday. I've surprisingly and keeping up and getting better with factoring and completing square and improving what i did wrong on the quiz. I feel comfortable on the homework we got this weekend and have completed a lot of it. I think this is a good weekend for me because i have been spending more time doing my homework and making sure i get most of the questions correct and the questions we have are challenging. They make you think a lot more and i feel that this test score will be way better and ill be more prepared for this so i can get the grade i want.This unit has went by fast and you have to do a lot to keep up but its helped because i'm more focused and i want to know the material so then i can get a good grade.

reflection B.O.B

Monday was really good for me in precalc. We got our quizzes back and my results were exactly what I needed to see to make my self work harder in this class. Going in today (Sunday) was so much help. I was very confused and knew I needed to figure out how to do the work before the test. Some times I just need a little 1 on 1 with a teacher to make the material click, and Mr Jackson really made that happen today. I am very glad to have a teacher who cares this much about his students, as a whole and each of us individually. I really appreciated today! And I am now confident, still with some questions that I'm hoping to get answered tomorrow, for the test Tuesday.

BOB

Overall, the week went by pretty well. The new groups seem to be working out great. I'm getting a lot more of my work done. The new material we're learning seems simple enough, but can be worded in weird ways that make it more complicated. This unit is going to take a lot more thinking through things instead of us being given the right equations to use. I need to study up on the first unit because I have to retake the test, so hopefully I don't forget what we've been learning. Judging on how things are going, I think i'll do fine on this upcoming test tuesday.

Muddiest point

My muddiest point is the story problems. It's not so much the math that's the problem it's just figuring out what the question is asking. If I don't understand what the question is asking then I have no idea what to do. Usually I have to read the questions a couple times and underline the information given to be able to figure it out. I'm slowly starting to figure out how to find out what the questions are actually asking me to do and I'm starting to get faster at figuring out the questions.

BOB- reflection

I don't know about anyone else but this week was pretty easy, I was getting everything right, and I was having to help the other people at my table,  and I was actually learning! Until one day I picked up a little slip of purple paper. I was moved to a group where luckily I knew people, but instead of being a teacher I was now part of a group. Now my group and I accomplish a lot by working together as a team. We were actually cruising through all the questions on Friday until the bell rang. But my group and I will continue to crank out our problems and compare answers, but I'm telling you work as a group and stuff will get done a ton faster!

B.O.B-Reflection of Sunday Study Pizza Party ♥

Today at about 12pm, i went in to Mr. Jacksons room to do some homework, as questions, and catch up on the past 2 days that i've missed. Walking into his room, i knew i had a alot of questions but they were accompanied by no answers. I was very happy that some of my class members and I got the chance to come in and have a Precalc Functions get togther with Mr. Jackson.

I learned several things today. Like when writing a quadratic equation, and you are given the x intercepts and a low or high point, it is much easier to sketch out the picture so you hae find the middle of the x intercepts. Finding the middle gets you the x part in the coordinates for the vertex. And the y part of the coordiante is whatever number you are given for your low or high point. After that, then you plug the vertex in the quadratic formula, which is y=a(x-h)*squared* + k. When the vertex is plugged in, then you pick one of the x intercepts and enter it for the y and the x in the equation. I also learned that using the formual -b/2a is used alot when solving problems. Includong steps in finding tha maximum area or minimum.

The 2 hours i spent with Mr. Jackson solving and doing multiple precalc problems was definatley worth it on a beautiful sunday afternoon. I got all caught up on my homework, learned how to solve problems i didnt know how, and well i even got to have pizza and pop. All thanks to Jackson, i am now a little bit smarter then i was this morning with Precalc Functions. Thank Mr. Jackson for taking the time to teach me as weell as others today, and thank you for buying us pizza and pop. Your time and effort spent with us is appreciated greatly. Have a nice sunday Jackson, you deserve it.! ツ

B.O.B.- Reflection

This past week has been crazy. We have been learning so many things in such a short period of time that I don't even remember what we learned on Monday. Good think for the homework to look over I guess. I enjoy my new pod of people. We all really try to help eachother to understand each thing instead of just ignoring and breezing through everything. I would love to stay with them but I know that the goal is to work with new people and talk to others beside who we want to. How do you end blog posts? Bye

B.O.B. - Reflection

Last week was a week, which went by very fast. We learned a lot in a short amount of time... the good thing was, that not everything was completely new. We could solve new kinds of problems with our knowledge from our years before. The most difficult thing for me was last week, the formulas, because we have different names for area, perimeter and so on. Now I'm studying them, that I can remember them on Tuesday. I am a bit afraid from the test on Tuesday, because I don't really know what and how to study...
But in general I think it was a good week :) Of course I miss my old table mates a lot but the new ones are also so nice!!!

B.o.b

This unit has gone by a lot smoother. I am really starting to understand factoring and completing the square. I still have been practicing how to find the domain and range of different functions. I'm understand mostly all of the stuff on the test this upcoming Tuesday. So now I'm getting ready to retake the first test we took!

B.O.B.

I missed two days this week. I understood most of the stuff we did but the hardest thing was coming back the next day and hearing there was a super easy short cut to something I didn't understand how to do at all. For example I had no idea how to find the max or min I read the packet and was still confused so I skiped those and on friday I came back and eveyone knew about -b/2a and I understood from context that it found the x vslue to the max and min but it was like it was pulled out of thin air and I was just suppose to know it. But I asked about where it came from and got a print out of the day we solved for x in the quadratic formula which helped a lot. Now all I have to do is catch up on homework.

B.O.B. Progress

I feel that I have made a lot of progress so far in this course. I started off really nervous about not remembering any of the review but as time has gone on I have grown more confident in my abilities. I really like my new group of table mates but I do miss having Taylor there to help me. I am confident that I will score well on our test Tuesday and I am excited to see how I do!

B.O.B

My experience with precalc has been very interesting. It's almost like a roller coaster, some days I'm up and understand everything that's going on, and the next day I'm way at the bottom struggling to make it up the hill. Right now i feel at the top. Finding the Vertex at the beginning of the class was like asking me to do the impossible, i had no idea what that meant. But now give me a problem and i"ll figure it out for you and actually be able to explain how to do it and what I'm finding. Math class will never be easy for me, but I'm just going along for the ride.

B.O.B-Sunday Pizza Party/Study Sesh

I came in on Sunday to get my homework done. I wound up eating pizza and trying to get my homework done-a couple of problems are giving me trouble and I know they will be discussed on Monday while I'm not here so my plan is to stay and get as ready for the test as possible. Yay for learning.

Sunday fun

Sunday was the most helpful day of understanding what I need to do on each question from finding the max or min value of a function to re learning how to complete to square. I got a lot of my homework done and work that I missed on friday in class. We should have these sunday help sessions more often. Thank you Mr. Jacson

B.O.B. Progress

So this new unit is not as bad as the very first unit, in my opinion. I actually understand how to complete the square, and I just have to make sure I slow down and take things step by step. I get now that you can use different forms of equations to find certain things. I realized...
1. Factored Form gives you your x intercepts.
2. Standard Form gives you your y intercept.
3. Vertex Form gives you your vertex and line of symmetry.
I am glad that clicked in so I can use that information to find answers to questions easier and faster. We also started learning how to use the completing the square in examples involving area and perimeter of certain shapes and objects. Sometimes I forget how to find the area or circumference of a circle, so I need to drill those equations in my mind. I can usually figure out the word problems you have given us, but I end up making small mistakes that mess up my answers. Oh and another thing, I don't really understand the x intercept equation involving a +/- square root. I hardly remember that from my other math classes. So I will probably have to find out how to do that if it will be on the test. All in all though, other than a few questions, I feel pretty okay with how this test is looking to be.

B.O.B. Reflection

This week went better than I expected.  I still really understand the concept of completing the square. I find it fairly easy to do the problems correctly. I also don't make as many stupid mistakes as I did in the beginning of this unit. Such as, forgetting to add the "C" value to each side to keep it balanced. I am also relatively confident with the construction of the functions. The questions really make sense to me and I usually get a good amount correct. It made me really happy that I understand this concept because I was really worried about starting this new unit. Compared to the first unit I am using my notes to help me far less than I used to. It helps me to better understand the material if I try to figure it out first without notes, then go back and check the answer. I am glad I am progressing in this class. 

B.o.b. Has a Pome to Calc.

I found a pome called Calculus Advice Poem about pre calculus that really explains and expresses many things about it.

To whom it may concern,

If it is calculus that you will learn,

Take heed of our advice,

We hope it will suffice.

 

First some things you'll need to know,

(If you don't, well, we told you so)

Know your algebra very well

Or your life will be a living h***.

 

Absolute values may look silly, 'tis true,

But unless you know them you won't have a clue.

Geometry will come back to haunt you;

Know it or else this class will daunt you.

 

Know about functions in relation to sets

(A good thing to know for blondes and brunettes).

A silly rhyme but what else is new?

Now here's more you'll need to review.

   . . .

 

I Don't know about anyone else but this pome really helps! If only I Found it sooner. 

B.O.B.

I feel confident about completing the square.  I know how to do it, and I rarely make mistakes.  I am still a little unsure about applied functions, but I feel pretty good.  Even though I just learned how to find the maximum and minimum on Friday, I am feeling ok about it.  The only thing I am having trouble with is quadratic madness because I was absent Friday.  However, I will come in and get help, and I think I will understand it.

B.O.B.

This week has been better than I expected. When Mr. Jackson announced that we would be having a test soon I was unprepared and worried. As the week went on I started feeling better about what we were learning and the test didn"t seem so bad. I am a lot more confident this time than I was before the last test amd I am excited to see how I do.

B.O.B. Week 4

This past week has been okay for me. I still struggle with completing the square sometimes; I know how to do it, but I tend to make silly mistakes that give me the wrong answer. It's frustrating, because I know I know how to do it. I just keep forgetting to multiply by 8, or divide by 5, and so I end up with the wrong number.

In regards to the "function of" problems, I'm sort of doing okay. At the beginning it was hard for me to understand; I kept substituting the wrong variables. When were were working on the Extreme Values worksheet on Thursday, I did well on the first problem or two. When we had to find the maximum area or values, however, I was lost. I didn't understand what to do to solve, and when I did do something I didn't know what that value stood for. However, when Mr. Jackson reminded us of -b/2a, it worked. It was great to be able to solve the problem and actually know how/why I was doing it.

B.O.B

I have actually been understanding this unit. Factoring and completing the square have been coming fairly easy to me and compared to the last unit I am doing a lot better! I'm glad that I have been coming in before school because I am starting to understand everything a lot better.

BOB

I have been having trouble with constructing functions. Having to take two formulas and turn it into one. I couldn't figure out which variable you wanted to find and place in your final formula. My moment of clarity was when we were working in class my group helped explain the variable we had to find. I know feel more comfortable with constructing functions.

BOB3

This is late, but I am still going to do this post anyways.

This previous week in Mr. Jackson's Precalc class has been very easy in my opinion. I really like working with the quadratic equations and their multiple forms. I think the coolest thing that we have learned in this past week was completing the square. It took me a little while and I kind of struggled when we first got the paper that explained how to do this. But once that little button clicked, I felt really accomplished figuring out by myself how to complete the square. I also found the conversion of functions very intriguing and didn't even mind doing an entire homework on this. The conversions from quadratic, vertex, and factor form were very fun for me to do and it was very simple. It was kind of like solving a puzzle, which is what I like to think of when doing math. So overall, the past week in jackson's math has brought in some of my favorite functions so far.