Mr. Cotter's Blog

Math 3

Tuesday we took notes in class using this PowerPoint file:Download Complex_Numbers

Today in Math 2 we talked about graphing numbers in the complex plane.  Here is the worksheet that we did in class: Download Math 2 Graphing Complex Numbers mini Task

We also had this worksheet for a homework assignment: Download WS Dividing with i

Thursday we will go over the homework and then work on a review for Friday's quiz.  Here is a copy of the review we will use in class: Download Complex Number Review

Math 2 First Quiz

The first quiz in Math 2 will happen Wednesday 8/24/11.

Here is the review that we worked on in class today: Download Math 2 Unit 1 Review 1 Quiz 1 Three forms of Quadratic FunctionsName

Here are the answers to the review: Download Quiz 1 Review Answers

Here are the handwritten solutions to the review: Download Key Review Math 2 Quiz 1

I will be in my room by 7:30 Wednesday mrning if you have any last minute questions.

Math 2 Review for first quiz

Wednesday we will have the first quiz of the year.  Tuesday we will use this review to help us prepare: Download Math 2 Unit 1 Review 1 Quiz 1 Three forms of Quadratic FunctionsName

I will be available before and after school for extra help.

Math 2

We had a good first week in Math 2.  A few of the students asked for some extra pratice with factoring trinomials.  Here is a worksheet from Math 1 that covers some of the factoring we need to do well in this unit.  Download Extra Practice Factoring

We are planning on having our first quiz Wednesday of next week.

AMDM Presentation Rubric

Next week we will have the first presentations of the year over Fermi Problems.

Here is the Rubric I will use when I grade your presentation:

Presentation Rubric : Fermi Questions
Student Names: ________________________________________
CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Mathematically Correct	Logical with no math errors. Assumptions are described.	Logical but with minor errors. Assumptions are described.	No logic nonsensical math. Assumptions are not explained.	No math, no logic and no assumptions explained.
Visual Aide	Professional quality that contributes to the overall presentation.	Well designed visual aide that aides the overall presentation.	Poorly designed visual aide that does not add to the presentation.	No visual aide.
Content	Shows a full understanding of the topic.	Shows a good understanding of the topic.	Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic.	Does not seem to understand the topic very well.
Questions	Manages every question (100-85%) with satisfactory answers.	Manages most questions (85-70%) with satisfactory answers.	Manages less than 70% of the questions.	Does not answer questions.
Organization	Students are completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed. All team members contribute.	Student seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals. All team members contribute.	The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking. Not all team members contribute.	Student does not seem at all prepared to present. Not all team members contribute.

Math 2 Calendar

Here is a link to the calendar for the first few weeks of Math 2   Download Plan The Great Quadratic Part 1

Our first quiz is Wednesday of next week.  This quiz will cover the material covered in these worksheets:
Download Quadratics Revisited
Download M2U1_Quads_A_Roots
Download M2U1_Quads_B_Vertex to Standard Form
Download M2U1_Quads_C_Roots of Quadratics
Download M2U1_Quads_D_Square Roots

Here are the PowerPoit files that we have been using so far in class:
Download Quadratics Revisited
Download Worksheet A roots and Vertices introduction
Download Worksheet B Vertex form to standard form

Don't forget to print the results of your learning style inventories for class Friday.  We will not need our textbooks this Friday.

AMDM Day 1

Today we looked over the syllabus.  Parents please use the Syllabus Acknowledgement form to let me know you are aware of the policies for this class.

In addition to the syllabus students also started to work on a Learning Styles Inventory. Download Learning Style Inventory  This assignment as well as three others from internet sources will be due Friday.  Students can find the other three inventories here:  Learning Styles Assignment

Finally we talked about logic puzzels using this PowerPoint: Download The Island of Knights and Knaves Besides the logic the reason for these puzzels was to demonstrate the importance of group discussions to an individual's grade.  In this class getting the correct answer is just the first step.  You must also be able to explain and justify your answers to earn the best grades.

Advanced Mathematical Decsion Making (AMDM) Welcome

Advanced Mathematical Decsion Making (AMDM) is a course designed to follow the completion of Mathematics 3 or Accelerated Mathematics 2. The course will give students further experiences with statistical information and summaries, methods of designing and conducting statistical studies, an opportunity to analyze various voting processes, modeling of data, basic financial decisions, and use network models for making informed decisions. (Prerequisite: Successful completion of Mathematics 3 or Accelerated Mathematics 2)

Here is a copy of the syllabus that I will began the course with Download AMDM Syllabus 2011.2012 Cotter  Here is the same information in a PowerPoint file Download AMDM Syllabus Fall 2011  Because this is a new course adjustments to the policies may be neccessary.  Whenever there is a change I will announce it in class and post notification about it here.

Parents, please let me know that you are aware of the information in the syllabus by using this link http://lhsblogs.typepad.com/cotter/syllabus-acknowledgement.html

Math 2 Syllabus

Use this link to access a copy of the syllabus for Math 2: Download Math 2 Syllabus 2011.2012 Cotter

Here is a copy of the PowerPoint file we used in class to cover the syllabus: Download Math 2 Syllabus 2011.2012 Cotter

Parents, please let me know that you are aware of the contents of this syllabus with the online syllabus acknowledgement form. 

If you prefer not to use the online form you can print the syllabus and complete the acknowledgement on the form on the third page.  Students whose parents do not complete the online form are required to turn in the hardcopy by Friday 8/19/11.

Welcome

Welcome to Spring Semester 2012.  I hope you had a productive and fun break.  This year I am teaching Advanced Mathematical Decsion Making B (1st, 3rd, and 5th period) and block AMDM A/B (6th and 7th period).

For extra help you can find me in my room most mornings from 7:45  until 8:15 and in the afternoons on  Monday and Wednesday until about 4:00.  You can also reach me by email at walter.cotter@cobbk12.org or on my mobile phone at (404)-218-9265.  I'm also available during 4th period lunch to go over material with students. Second period is my planning/extra help during 2nd period.  Occasionally I will have a meeting that will conflict with these office hours so please try to let me know you are planning on dropping by.

This semester I am fortunate to be team teaching with Mrs Brice.