IB Standard Level Analysis and Approaches 1

This course is run through a google classroom. On that platform all of the lessons are posted, and as needed review guides, calendars, and any other necessary resources will be added. For parents, if you wish to have access to the google classroom, simply e-mail me (at edunham@cacegypt.org) and indicate which class you would like to join, and I will send you the link.

Students, use this link below to go to the google classroom.

Mr. Dunham's SLAA 1 Class

Course Overview

This course covers the main topics necessary for the completion of the IB Diploma Program. It provides students with a solid foundation from which they can go onto university with the ability to succeed in further mathematics. This course have functions and calculus as its emphasis, but we also ensure that students are verse in statistics and probability, which will serve them well in humanities and social science courses in the future.

Like the Integrated Mathematics program this course weaves together different mathematical topics and skills into Problem Sets designed to further a students mathematical understanding, while drawing on the principle of forced-retrieval to engage a students long-term retention.

Syllabus

IB Standard Level Analysis and Approaches is a course offered as part of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at CAC. As such the curriculum is based on the Course Guide published by the IB. The capstone of this course is the IB exam, so the course is designed to prepare students for this assessment.

The IB syllabus is broken into five topics:

Numbers and Algebra,
Functions
Geometry and Trigonometry
Statistics and Probability
Calculus

The delivery of instruction in this course blends these topics together, developing students' understanding through spaced-practice and topic interleaving. Certain lessons, or groups of lessons, will focus on one topic, but students are always expected to use forced-retrieval to practice a variety of mathematics on each assignment. The link below opens the official IB syllabus guide for this course. Individual items are listed as either SL, or AHL. SL indicates 'standard level' and these are the topics covered in this course. AHL indicates 'additional higher level' material, and that will not be covered in the scope of this course.

SLAA IB Syllabus

Class Expectations

WHAT TO EXPECT IN CLASS

Lessons are predominantly modeled upon a student directed discussion based format. Usually, the discussions are led and directed by individual students or small groups of students as they work through the examples and problems that have been prepared and compiled for each lesson. Students are expected to engage with the problem sets collaboratively, supporting each other as they are able and receiving help and instruction from the teacher as needed. The solutions to all problems will eventually be presented on the board during class.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE PROBLEM SETS

The teacher will prepare sets of questions which form the core material of this class. Some questions are meant for review, some are meant for extension of current skills, and some for the introduction of new concepts or skills.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE TEACHER

The teacher will usually circulate around the room, listening to students as they develop solutions. The teacher may interject ideas, or engage in conversations to guide students. Additionally the teacher will sometimes pull the class together and go over topics explicitly on the board. The teacher’s job is to ensure that the students are receiving a good education, and that requires a blend of conversation, instruction and observation.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF STUDENTS

Students are expected to participate in the exchange of ideas during class. This is essential for the development of the concepts and skills during the lesson. So during the classwork students should not be disruptive or off-task. Doing so only harms the student’s ability to learn.

REGARDING HOMEWORK

Feel free to collaborate with your peers, but make sure your work is your own.
Clearly label each assignment, and clearly number each question within an assignment. Failure to do so may result in assignments not being accepted.
There are no answer keys, but all the questions are presented on the boards during class. Students are expected to take that opportunity to make any necessary corrections.
Homework will be checked about once a week. Late assignments will impact a student’s participation grade.

REGARDING EXAMS

For Integrated Math courses, each text will cover the material from that unit, and the semester finals will cover the material from that semester. For the IB courses the content is cumulative, meaning any material from past and present problem sets can be assessed. Students will be given some advance notice about some of the topics or concepts of emphasis on upcoming assessments.
Students ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO BE current on ALL lesson notes and ALL homework assignments and other class assignments that were presented in our current unit.
Test Reflection and Correction initiative. After a major assessment students are expected to complete test corrections wherein they redo whichever questions they got wrong on the assessment and turn that work in as an assignment.

REGARDING ATTENDANCE

TESTS: If you are absent for a test, your parents will email me (as well as the school - HS Office) that morning. You will write a make-up test on the day of your return. Failure to comply: this qualifies as an unexcused absence and will result in a 0% score on the test and NO retake. If you are going to miss a test due to extracurricular activities, inform me prior to the activity.
LESSONS: You are required to do the lesson on your own at home (seeing that they are posted on this site and since you have a textbook)! All assigned class work & homework MUST be completed (seeing that it is posted on this site and since you have a textbook). If you have questions, ask your classmates or email me
HOMEWORK: You will submit your homework from the previous lessons and/or from the lesson(s) you missed.
Students who will be legitimately absent for a prolonged period of time should notify me in advance of the absenteeism and obtain an outline of the topics and a list of pages that will be studied (i.e. sports, family issues, etc....)
Exceptions will be made on an individual basis for legitimate affairs like family emergencies etc....

REGARDING TECHNOLOGY

You are strongly encouraged to bring a laptop or tablet to class. The expectation is that technology use is limited to relevant class activities.
Phone use is not permitted in class for any reason, especially not as a calculator.
All students are expected to have a GDC (graphic display calculator) in class with them every day. We mainly use the TI-84 model, but any GDC is acceptable.

EXTRA HELP

I will make myself available to you at any mutually agreed upon time. My free periods are Blocks D, E and F. I usually arrive to my class at 7:30 am and remain at school after classes, usually until 5:00pm. Additionally, I am available most lunch period sand during break time.

WHERE TO FIND ME

I will usually be in CLASSROOM MS327.