BOB

Getting help from my piers has come to a great use. I am able to figure out certain problems because they are able to help and show me how to do them. I hate that we change seats all the time because some groups I like being with because they really gel me others I don't because they are not very helpful. I hope I can keep getting piers that can help me in the future .

Bob 5

This week in Jackson's 4th hour was a pretty decent week. To start off, we got new seats again. I like the idea of moving seats once a week for the fact that it's a good way to get to know some people, or sit with others who you know but weren't sitting with before. So far in polynomial functions, I really enjoy it. The simplicity of what we are doing with graphing makes me happy, and I find them fun since it tests my artistic abilities. I'm hoping that the simplicity of this unit continues; although that assumption is usually wrong. Also we found out about little baby Jackson, which was very cool, go you! Overall, I feel pretty satisfied with this class and I hope this next week is full of polynomial goodness!

Bob

It's getting better. This new unit makes the most sense out of them all. It's a good feeling to know that after working on something for a long time it starts to click and make sense. I like the fact that this class challenges me. I dislike the fact I may not always perfect grasp the concept right away. I am becoming more confident in my math skills since being in this class, and I believe it will only get better. I'm determined to get my grade up and keep working on mastering all of the material.

B.O.B

Well, the week went by pretty easy and steady.  The test ended up being easier than I thought. I'm always super eager to see how I did on a test so I hate waiting; it gets to me. But thankfully we can view our grades online before the tests are handed back and I scored as well as I had hoped. The new material we're learning is coming to me great and I understand everything with no troubles. Now, hopefully it stays that way. I'm very happy with the new group i'm in and the way things are going. It's always a relief when you finish all of your work before the bell. Looking forward to seeing what's ahead of us this next week.

B.O.B

This week we have been working on graphing. I feel like it is one of the easiest units yet and the new seating arrangement has helped me learn and given a few laughs. I think that every class should change seats every week in the way that this class does. It has a certain element of surprise that I really enjoy.

Bob

I think this unit went smoothly it was refreshing my memory on how to do this unit and teaching me some more stuff.  I like my groups I have been going to and I believe I did good on my test because I use able to understand the unit when you were teaching us and it was pretty fun.  But over all I liked this unit.

Bob

This week has been one of my best in the class. Although I struggled with this unit far more than any other, I feel as if I have improved more in this one week than I have the past few. Sometimes in class work doesn't quite cut it, the stress, the distractions, the impatience among everyone waiting for that bell to ring. This week I extended my learning by coming in before school. At first I was embarrassed that I needed to find extra help for a better understanding, but my view changed completely after I left. Everything became clear to me and I could solve problems with ease. Never be afraid to seek extra assistance because failing to do so will only hurt yourself.  With one on one help every question can be answered within seconds and all the pieces come together much quicker. Had I not gone in, I would still be confused and my have done poorly on the test but thanks to mr. Jackson's devotion to his students I feel more confident and ready to take the next step.

B.O.B. Progress and Reflection

I feel that I have made great improvement throughout this trimester. This past week really helped me to understand new concepts and I felt really comfortable with the new material! The graphs came really quickly to me. The only thing I am having a little trouble with still is factoring out when the a value is not 1 or the greatest common factor. I will continue working on that skill as we continue in the unit!

BOB-reflection

This week we started a new unit- Polynomials. So far this unit seems pretty straight forward and I haven't had any difficulties with it so far, which is a relief. I also am glad that we are using more graphs in this unit because I like working with graphs and seeing how functions look when graphed.

B.O.B. #5

This last week in pre calc was actually kind of fun.  The test we took wasn't anywhere near as hard as I thought it was going to be.  I'm pretty sure I even got the hard challenge problem that required you to find the right equation for extra credit. In the new unit I liked how Mr. Jackson started the class all narrowed in by giving us the factored form and showing us how to find the shape of the graph and then slowly broadening it out until he was talking to us about starting with a quadratic equation and factoring it then creating the graph.  The hard part is just doing the factoring itself because I find it difficult to determine what factors of A go in front of which X numbers and what factors of the C value will add up to make the B value all while still taking into account that the A will affect the B value.  I also liked how he gave us a lot more time in class to work on the pages and talk to each other on how we got our answers and be able to fix our own mistakes instead of just having to skip the question like we would have if it was homework.  It was especially interesting when we had to create the graph on our own the first time because it was kind of challenging and it got my entire group talking about how they think it should go.
-Dakota

Bob it gets better

This last week we took the quadratics test and started the unit on polynomials. The quadratic unit was actually pretty basic and I did pretty well on my test. It also helped me to understand the first unit better. Now polynomials.. So far I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND. Not only that but it is simple. It helps to also understand the first unit. To those who were struggling like myself... It really does get better. And you can do it I promise. But yes you do have to work for it you do have to be patient and ask questions but it is worth it. I cannot wait to see where we go in this unit so far I really enjoy it!

Bob

Just downloaded the blogger app. Hopefully it works. The graphing i was very confused on when we first got the worksheet. Other people at my table were whipping through it and I just didn't  understand it until the next day when we got the second worksheet and I started to ask my group questions and they explained it to me. I wasn't able to go through as many of the problems as I would have liked this weekend because I spent my weekend with my dad who came up from Ohio. That took up most of my weekend but I was able to get some problems done Friday night. I'm understanding the graphing a lot better after working through some problems and think I grasp the concept of why the graph is doing what it is doing a lot better.

B.O.B.

It was amazing this weekend for me to see myself improve at graphing while doing my homework. I went from checking my notes on every problem to remembering that an even degree with a positive a curves down then back up and an even degree that is negative curves up then back down. Also and odd degree with a starts out in -x,-y coordinates and moves to the +x, +y coordinates and and odd degree with a negative a value starts out in the -x,+y and goes down to +x,-y. It was also amazing to see that I could tell the bounce or curve through of the graph just by the powers! It was really cool to see me improve fast like this and I hope this trend continues.

I have really liked the past week in class, and the new group that I am in is really cool. I like long distribution problems and I am really looking forward to this new unit. They are kind of mindless (like mowing the lawn or vacuuming) as long as you pay a little attention you will be fine. I have noticed recently that I am not reading all of the directions on questions, especially on tests. I have to be really careful from now on.

B.O.B.

My muddiest point of the unit so far is the factoring. The rest of the unit has went very well and has been a breeze for me. Although I do struggle with drawing nice graphs the first time but I at least understand the concept and try to make them look pretty by redrawing parts 24 times. The factoring will require more of my time, effort, and focus but I should be able to get it with the help of my group and this handy little survival guide Mr. Jackson has kindly provided us. So stay real and let's have a great week of learning

b.o.b.

my progress through this corse has gotten way better. i think that im getting better with domain with radicals and i can graph without a calcultor. my grade has gone up since the begining of the trimester. im understanding more in the units

B.O.B.-Progress

This week went really well for me.  I enjoy polynomials and the graphs just make sense.  I liked drawing them and also writing the formulas for given graphs.  The one thing I need to work on the most is factoring.  I struggle a little when the equations are more complicated.  However, my group and I get along really well and we are able to work together and help each other out.  It seems like just about every week I blog about my group, but they are a big aspect of my learning experience.  Just like last week, and the week before, when I found out that we were moving seats again I wasn't thrilled.  But once again, I got a great group of students who help me to learn, yet also have fun.  I am excited to continue learning with them! 

B.O.B.

I've never been good at factoring with more than powers of two, but I guess I'm gonna have to keep trying to get better and faster at it eventually, but with the knew group I'm in .... again is better than ever before everyone shares ideas with the group (which I think is pretty awesome) and everyone is there to help when it is needed. I'd also recommend looking stuff up online it does really help if you're unclear about anything. When we were drawing the graphs it was pretty easy but now that we are past that I've been getting real confused, which means I should start to ask more questions more often.

B.O.B: reflection ツ

During this week in PreCalc Functions my class started a new unit by the name of Polynomials. It sounds complicated and the word even looks complicated. Welp, at first it was for me honestly, untill Mr. Jackson gave me a better understanding of how to graph and write an equation for a Polynomial.

When looking at the graph and equation for a Polynomial you have to know all the possible characteristics of them and i didnt know that. I learned on friday why Jackon kept saying the terms bouce,straight,curve,even, and odd. So when we all got handed the paper called "Even or Odd" I asked him about how to write an equation by looking at the graph. When you look at a graph you always want to read it left to right. So if you have to arrows going up, you know the graph will be even. This means it has a even number of degrees and a positive "a" value. Then on the graph if a line goes straight through a number, it will be written like this in an eqution (x±#) if the line bounces off a number you know in the equation the x will be squared. And if you have a curve through a number you know it will be raised to the third power. If the even degree was negative, your 2 arrows would just be going down. Now if you look at a graph and the arrow starts up and ends down, its odd and its negative. This means theres an odd number of degrees and the "a" value is negative. So when you write the equation its just like using the the same stratigies for a even graph.

Anyways, on friday i finally learned how to write an equation and draw a graph for a polynomial thanks to Jackson. I feel more confident then i did like 4 days ago.

B.O.B Progress

This week we started learning about polynomials, which are for the most part new to me.  Right now I'm getting the basic ideas, but need to brush up on some factoring skills when the power is more than 2.  Other than that the class is going pretty smooth.  Also my new partners are pretty good at sharing ideas and I think we work pretty well together.

b.o.b.

This week was pretty good for me in pre calc. Starting a new unit means a fresh start , sort of. Learning new stuff gives me new opportunity to improve my grade and comprehend the material. Being gone Friday may set me back. I'm hoping not too much though. I need to work on memorizing the graphs for certain functions, like the even exponents and stuff like that. I'm still looking forward to getting my test back. I'm hoping it will be a huge motivational push for me.

B.O.B- Reflection on Polynomials

I was very happy when we first introduced this unit. I understood everything which made me so happy and I left class that way.  When we graphed polynomials, I managed to get each one right and I did not use our "cheat sheet" at all. So I am actually quite shocked at how I feel about this unit.  So far I like it. Hopefully my feelings stay the same throughout the entire unit.

BOB

Well this last week was pretty good. The polynomial unit has had a pretty good start and I'm feeling pretty good. Jackson announced that's gonna be a father soon! (If you're reading this congratulations!) I think that was a really good morale boost for every one. Fourth hour is always interesting! 

B.O.B. #5

This week we stared polynomials with the equations and graphing. I'm understanding the concepts but sometimes I mix up the positives and negatives, which will come with more practice. Also, this week we took the quadratics test (which i finished at 5:30 in the Morning). I'm truthfully not sure how I did, but I feel much better about this test than the last one. Hopefully now that some stressful things in my life are over, I'll have more time to focus towards studying and making sure I get the extra help if I need it.

B.O.B. - Vance W.

 Graphing polynomials, after I became comfortable with what even or odd degree means for the graph or what the exponents on individual factors mean for the graph, has so far been pretty straight forward. I think I still need some more practice with the more difficult examples of factoring, but I'm confident it'll come with time.

B.O.B

My muddies point so far is understanding when to boumce the graph and when to go straight through. Then sometimes on graphs you do both and I don't really understand as to why you do that. I'll figure it out soon I'll just ask someone at my table for help.

-Hannah-R

BoB.

I am liking this unit so far. I haven't thought it was nearly as challenging as others we have done up to this point. I definitely have been doing better in this class since I have been in before school and after school and just improving my study habits in general. I look forward to this class and how my work will affect the outcome. Looking back to specifics of the week, I feel that the part I understand the most is creating the graphs because there are really only three rules you must know.  

B.O.B.-hooray for polynomials.

This is one of my favorite units to do, second only to Logs. It's odd that I'm going to be looking forward to math class for the next week or two, because I rarely enjoy math. I was stressed out beyond belief last week, but I knew that if I made it to Sunday everything would be fine. And here I am, alive and all in one piece. Frankly I'm just excited to do long division of polynomials because that's fun. Actually it's probably the most fun thing we'll do this trimester. But yeah. This unit is going to rock.

Reflection on the week previous to the current week

We did stuff this week.  Near the later half of the week we worked on polynomials.  My attitude toward polynomials in relatively positive.  The work is easy to understand and get through.  Graphs are fun, especially when they look like sea monsters (positive even polynomial).  Before that, we took a test.  The normal problems weren't hard to go through, but I couldn't figure out any of the extra credit questions.

BOB reflection

This week was generally easy for me to understand. First, I thought the test went really well. I understood the concept of quadratics so I thought the test was better than the first one. I was a little nervous to start the polynomials unit because it sounds a little more challenging. I also did not remember how to do long division so it made me realize I need to look that over.  I struggled a little bit at first with understanding the graphs. Then I began to notice patterns of how the graphing works. I understand these problems much better now. I think my progression in this class is much better than it was previously. I am actually doing the homework to understand and grasp

the concepts, not to just get it done. 

B.O.B.

So far this whole polynomial thing is not going well. If i don't understand the review then i defiantly won't understand everything else that adds on to it. I'm struggling with graphing right now and also missed the next day of class where i probably could have cleared some things up when we went over the practice packet. But with the help of friends and practice, and maybe teachers help if i need it, i know I'll figure it out.

BOB #4

This week was actually pretty easy it took me a few problems to get it but after that everything that we did made sense. Hopefully the rest of this unit goes by easily. 

B.O.B. Reflection

This week was a good week for me. We had the test this week and i think i did very well because i did the whole review and i didn't get a 100% on my homework packet but it was well worth it. Because i would rather make sure i get a good test grade then losing a few points on homework. The new unit we are learning with polynomials when we did the the review challenge paper. I didn't know how to do long division and defiantly need to learn how to do it. I have doing the homework and i'm getting better at the graphing and knowing how to write the equations from just looking at the graph. My progression in the class is getting better and hopefully and can keep getting better and learn more.

B.O.B.

So throughtout the last unit I missed quite a few days. But on the test day I felt ready to take the test. The reveiwband quadratics madness helped but I think what helped most was the fact that I had been doing the test corrections from the first test the day before. It helped me remember a lot of stuff I probably would have forgotten and gotten wrong. After taking the test there was still stuff I think I got wrong and one problem I just didn't know. But I did my best.

B.O.B

I am really enjoying our polynomial unit so far.  It is my favorite unit.  I understand it, but am still making a few small mistakes.  The only thing I am having problems with is telling what kind of graph to use.  I think will a little more studying, I will remember.

B.O.B- Reflection

Before and after the test this week I felt way more confident than I did on the last test. Hopefully my grade reflects this. This unit came a lot eaiser to me and I am starting to understand the way this class works. On Friday, I understood the polynomial graphs a lot better and it's become easier for me to do.

Reflection

Last week went a lot better than any other week in this class. I felt that I understood at least most of the new material and had an easier time following along in class.  I was able to focus more on what we were learning and understand why the graphs look the way we do.  Hopefully this unit will go better than the past ones!

BOB

This week in math we were working on investigating polynomials. I feel confident with sketching the polynomials, labeling, and finding the x-intercepts.  I understand when the line curves, bounces off, or go straight through the line. This subject is easy for me to understand.

I think B.O.B.'s stressed

I am so stressed lately. I have so much going on its hard to think about one assignment for very long. Now in class we are learning about Polynomials and I'm having a difficult time grasping the concept. Maybe its because of my stress or just me being dumb. Either way I have to try harder even if it adds on to my stress. Because I know that one of the biggest stresses is the grade I'm receiving in this class and I have to get it back up to where I want it. So I Must stare the beast known as Polynomials in the eyes and figure out how defeat it without killing myself.

B.O.B. - Reflection

Review:
Last week we started a new chapter. We started with a polynomial challenge, where we first had to divide without a calculator, what was first a bit difficult, but when we remembered again how to do it, wasn't it very difficult anymore. Then was a exercise as a review of our first unit (domain), and then we had to factor.

New:
We started something completely new for me with polynomials. But what helped me a lot to get this completely new thing were the notes on polynomials you put for us on one page.
After we had to use, what we learned on the notes and graphed functions with polynomials. With the four graphs we have to look at. First I was very confused, how to do this, but then Emilie could help me a lot and now I understand it better: What Emilie learned me, might also help some of you;)
- When it curves through the axis = 1 degree
- When it just touches the axis and goes back in the same direction, as it came from = 2 degrees
- When it goes along the axis for a while and then curve through = 3 degrees

What I realized that helps me a lot, when I have to make the graph and then find the intervals: I first draw the graph and then label all the positive sections of the graph with one color and all the negative sections of the graph with one color. Then, when I have to make the interval notation, I just need to describe each individual colored part.

B.O.B.

When we first started the polynomials unit I really liked it. I understand how to graph the equations and write the equations but once we got the factoring paper on Friday I started to doubt myself. Factoring is something that makes me really stressed and frustrated but I know if I spend time and practice it then I will improve my factoring skills.

B.O.B.-Class reflection

This new unit so far has been interesting. I learned different ways that a function can go through an x-intercept due to the degrees (odd or even). I also learned that it is difficult to make a curve x-intercept. I've helped others in my pod try to understand the things we are being taught, to the best of my abilities. I also learned that someone once called Vance Van Suede and he has wanted to be called that ever since. Yeah I would say that this week has been pretty productive. I still need to figure out how to end these.

bob

reflection
  So far in this week more specifically this unit, learning and using the material is really easy. graphing is kinda helpful though when trying to envision the domain of the functions we've been dealing with so far. other than that i don't really know what else to talk about.

BOB: Class Reflection

Last Friday, it clicked! Everything sort of came into place. I'm really starting to understand the first unit, and am almost ready to retake the first test we had taken in this class! Plus, what we are learning now is starting to click into place as well. Finding the degrees and graphing polynomials is one of the easiest things I feel like we have learned so far. Here's a list of what to do for polynomials (finding the degree and drawing the graph):

1. Find the degree by adding all of the x's together from the equation. Say you have y= x(x+3)^2, then you would have an odd degree of 3.

2. Now to find out if the graph will be negative or positive, you must also look at the equation. If you have an equation that is positive (y= (3+x)(4+x)), then your graph is positive. If you have an equation that is negative (y= -(3+x)(4+x)), then your graph is negative.

3. Using that information you can find out if your graph is positive/negative and odd/even. Then, I always remember that graphs that are positive always end positive, and graphs that are negative always end negatively. I also remember this saying, "Your even if you like McDonald's and Wendy's, and your odd if you don't." Even degrees lead to "M" and "W" shaped graph lines.

4. By the way, don't totally forget about the individual powers of each of the x intercepts. You need to know each power of each intercept to know how to draw the line. If an intercept is to the power of 1, then the line goes straight through the intercept. If its to the power of an even number, then you "bounce" the line on the intercept. And if you have a power that is an odd number that is greater than 1, then you curve the line through the intercept.

5. Now you are ready to find the degree, find out if the graph is positive/negative and odd/even, and how to draw a graph of any polynomial!

B.O.B. Learned this week

I'm so glad to finally learn why a graph curves through a x intercept, because the factor is to an odd power. And I also never knew that the graph can also bounce off a x interecpt if it is to an even power. This unit looks like it will be fun.

B.O.B. Week 5

I'll admit, I've been struggling some with the past two units. It's been frustrating for me to take such a long time to understand things. However, I'm really liking this unit so far. I guess I'm good with graphs because it just sort of clicks for me. When we started the unit with drawing graphs of the equations, I actually remembered stuff from last year, about bouncing and curving and such depending on the exponent, as well as the overall shape of the graph (positive/negative, even/odd). And while I might have been a bit unsure about domain in the first unit, this whole positive/negative part of the graph thing makes sense. Once we get to the more advanced stuff, who knows, but so far at least I'm really liking this unit!

B.O.B

I think I finally understand domain and range...two units after we learned it. But it's really helping me with the new polynomial unit. I think with staying after and coming in early I can really get it and do good in this unit. Confidence is key!

Bob

Progress: on the first test I had so much extra work to catch up on that I didn't do when it was assigned. I never ended up getting it completely done. So, I had less practice than everyone els before the test. The second test I had a little bit of extra work but remembered from looking back on last test that I had to keep up or the consequences could be tramatic! So I kept up more than last time but there's always room for improvement. This unit I understand a lot more and it's coming easier than the last two. I can see where all of it is going, and I'm excited. Also this unit my goal is to not have any work left over from previous days before the test. I want all my focus to be on reviewing for the test and not have to worry about past homework. This class is helping me manage time and become more productive and hardworking than I have ever been in school. 

Up coming week

I feel this unit will be more understanding for me. So far I understand how to find the degree amd what the graph should look like. I also can look at the graph and find the equation

B.O.B class reflection

As the class progresses things are seeming to get easier although easier they seem to also be getting longer and more time consuming and being that the assignments are easier and longer they also therefore become more boring which then in turn makes me lose interest in the class overall.