GCHS Math Blog

Edubloggercon was AWESOME!!!!

2009-06-27T15:05:00.004-06:00

They call Edubloggercon the "unconference". Whatever you call it I just think it is the model for how all conferences should be organized. Sessions have topic headings and a designated leader but really the entire session goes the direction of the attendees.

People ask questions. Those in the group provide answers and suggestions. You get to talk to total strangers who treat you as if you are one of their own. The connections you form are going to be very useful once you head back home.

You get to sit next to or have lunch with the likes of Jeff Utecht, David Warlick, Wes Fryer, Paul R Wood etc... (Yeah all of these people were at the same table with me for lunch. So cool!!!)

Look at this awesome group of people. The smiles on their faces tell you what a great event Edubloggercon was.

NECC here I come!!!

2009-06-26T22:38:00.005-06:00

I am finally in Washington DC for NECC. My colleague, Jared Nichol, attended NECC 08 in San Antonio and raved about it. This is my first NECC. Hope I brought everything I need. Let's see....
- digital camera - check
- Kodak Zi6 (Thanks for lending this to me Jared) - check
- Macbook - check
- card reader - check
- online conference planner - check
- maps of downtown DC so I can find my way around - check (NO I do not have an iPhone with GPS. But maybe someone will buy me one!!!!)

Need to get some sleep so I can enjoy Edubloggercon tomorrow.

Stay tuned for more updates from NECC 09.

PS: Staying at the Hotel Rouge. Has some interesting decore!!!

Wiki's are awesome!!!

2007-04-20T11:29:00.000-06:00

Most of you know that I stopped blogging about a year ago becasue i started using Wikis in my classes and found them far more useful.

If you want to set up your own class wiki click on the link below.

Check out the PBwiki tour!

I need your input!!!!

2006-03-31T07:02:00.000-07:00

I know I have not posted to my blog forever. I have found that access to the Internet was a huge problem for more than half of my students. As a result, more than half of my students could not even access my blog if they wanted to and of the half that had technology only some chose to use the blog. However, hopefully that will change. At my high school we found out a couple of weeks ago that we have been given $1.8 million to design our new high school. Yeah!!!!!! One of the things we are planning for the new school is to have 60 mobile, wireless laptop computers. That way instead of trying to take the students to the technology we can bring the technology to the students.

Here is where you all come in. I would like your input on designing a new high school. If you had the chance to start from the ground up, what things would you include in your classroom and your school? These items can be technology related but they do not have to be.

For example, I want a smartboard in my classroom and a computer projector mounted on the ceiling. A colleague of mine currently has to walk across the entire school just to use the staff washrooms. This person really wants a staff washroom closer to their classroom. Our current school has very few windows in it. So, the whole staff wants more windows in the new school.

I can hardly wait to hear your suggestions for our new school!!!!!!

Podcast test

2006-01-23T21:47:00.000-07:00

This is a test post to see if I can access a podcast I created using Garageband 3. For all of you Mac users out there, if you are thinking of creating a podcast, you have to get Garageband. It took me 15 minutes from start to finish to create this podcast. I did not have to read a manual or wrestle with 3 or 4 different apps to create this. All I needed was my eMac and Garageband. The audio was recorded using the built in Mic on my eMac.

If you listen to my podcast let me know what you think. By the way, my podcast is about fishing. It was the only idea I could come up with on short notice!!!!

Fishingcast podcast

Reviewing for this week's Trigonometry Exam

2005-10-30T20:08:00.000-07:00

You have a trigonometry functions exam coming up this week on Thursday. Here are some useful websites to help you practice all of the things you have learned in this unit.

There are some self-check quizzes at this site. Select the section titled "Graphs of Trigonometric Functions".

I will be posting other useful websites in the coming days. If you find any, email me and I will post them for the whole class to use.

Happy studying!!!!!

It's Been a Long Time Since I Blogged

2005-10-10T19:00:00.000-06:00

For those of you who followed my blog last school year you may be wondering what happened to my blog. Well I have to say "Life happened!!!!". Last semester I taught 3 blocks of the day and had 1 block as a prep period. I was not coaching last semester either. I have found this semester with teaching 4 blocks and coaching cross country running 4 nights a week I have had little or no time to blog. I hope to change this.

It is interesting though. I really do want to blog and provide extra resources to my students. However, time is necessary to do this. I still have to prepare my daily lessons, mark homework and assignments and fit a few minutes in with my wife and kids.

It would sure nice to have a prep period every semester. That 80 minutes a day makes it possible to keep up with my teaching duties and still blog. Ah, if only dream worlds did exist!!

I definitely have to figure out how to juggle all of the balls in life and still blog.

Welcome Back!!!!

2005-09-01T06:29:00.000-06:00

Welcome to the first day of the 2005-06 school year. This blog will be used during semester I for my Pure Math 30 class.

Some of you had a chance to use the blog last year in our Pure Math 20 class. All of the information that I posted last year is still at this blog if you just navigate backwards using the months on the right hand side of the screen.

In class today I will be explaining the purpose of the blog. For those of you that want to get started now here is a quick explaination. I will be using the blog to post additional resources that are deigned to assist you with the material that we are studying in class. Sometimes the postings will be just pictures and/or text. Most times the postings will contain links to useful websites on the Internet. The whole idea is to give you, my students, more information on the topics we are studying so that you can better understand them and be more successful in your study of mathematics.

Make sure that you comment on my postings using the comment button at the bottom of any post.

To get you started using the blog here is a question. What is a transformation? Once you come up with an answer post it on the blog by using the comment button. I look forward to your responses.

P.S. The picture in this posting is of a waterslide in Penticton that my family and I went to this summer. I know some of you would like to be at the waterslide right now, however, all good things must come to an end!!!!!

Final Exam Review

2005-06-10T13:17:00.000-06:00

Today we are writing our last unit exam in Pure Math 20. Now begins the process of reviewing for the final exam. This blog can be an excellent resource for your review. Remember that you can go back to the beginning of the semester on the blog and look at the links and information I have provided. If you are having difficulty in a unit while you are studying and reviewing for the final exam you can use the resources here to assist you.

Oh yeah, do not forget to tell your friends in the class to go to the blog. Many of them do not visit the blog as regularly as you do.

Happy studying!!!!!

Equations of Circles

2005-06-04T18:06:00.000-06:00

Drayton Valley Crop Circle
Originally uploaded by tkaminski.

On Thursday we studied how to determine the equation of a circle. The following link let's you practice this some more.

The picture I have included is of a crop circle in a farmer's field outside of Drayton Valley, Alberta. How would we determine the coordinates of the center of this circle if we wanted to write its equation?

Hint: It has something to do with a piece of technology that starts with a G!!!

Something Fun!!!

2005-05-29T19:53:00.001-06:00

I found this little test over at Mr.Kuropatwa's Pre-calc 40S site. Take a couple of minutes to do this. If all math classes in PhD programs online were like what is below, I’d be signing up to study more. It is a blast!!! :)

Below are four (4) questions and a bonus question. You have to answer them instantly. You can't take your time, answer all of them immediately.

OK?

Let's find out just how clever you really are. No looking at the answers in advance.

Ready? GO!!! (scroll down)

First Question:

You are participating in a race. You overtake the second person.

What position are you in?

Answer:If you answered that you are first, then you are absolutely wrong!
If you overtake the second person and you take his place, you are second!

Try not to screw up in the next question.
To answer the second question, don't take as much time as you took for the first question.

Second Question:

If you overtake the last person, then you are...?

Answer:If you answered that you are second to last, then you are wrong again. Tell me, how can you overtake the LAST Person?

You're not very good at this! Are you?

Third Question:

Very tricky math! Note: This must be done in your head only.

Do NOT use paper and pencil or a calculator. Try it.

Take 1000 and add 40 to it. Now add another 1000. Now add 30. Add another 1000. Now add 20. Now add another 1000 Now add 10.

What is the total?

Scroll down for answer.

Did you get 5000?
The correct answer is actually 4100.
Don't believe it? Check with your calculator!

Today is definitely not your day.

Maybe you will get the last question right?

Fourth Question:

Mary's father has five daughters: 1. Nana, 2. Nene, 3. Nini, 4. Nono. What is the name of the fifth daughter?

Answer:Nunu?

NO! Of course not.

Her name is Mary!

Read the question again.

Okay, now the bonus round:

There is a mute person who wants to buy a toothbrush. By imitating the action of brushing one's teeth he successfully expresses himself to the shopkeeper and the purchase is done.
Now if there is a blind man who wishes to buy a pair of sunglasses, how should he express himself?

He just has to open his mouth and ask, so simple.

So simple it is...

Ferris Wheel

2005-05-29T19:48:00.000-06:00

Ferris Wheel
Originally uploaded by tkaminski.

Yet another great picture of circles in real life. I see a radius and a diameter in this ferris wheel. Are there any chords or tangent lines?

Guitar

2005-05-29T06:37:00.000-06:00

guitar
Originally uploaded by tkaminski.

I have been really impressed with the real life photos of circles that have been submitted so far. In this photo of a guitar what particular part of a circle do the strings represent?

Circle Geometry Site

2005-05-26T21:39:00.001-06:00

So, we have spent the last week investigating circle geometry using Geometer's Sketchpad. We have looked at chords, inscribed and central angles as well as tangent lines.

There is a fellow by the name of Ron Blond (a former Alberta teacher) that has developed a number of very interesting applets to help summarize what we have learned about circle geometry. Check out his site. It will be very useful in helping you quickly review what we have learned.

P.S. Have you made your one page sheet summarizing all of the properties we have learned?? Remember you get to use this on your exam next week. If you have not started this summary sheet you need to have it completed for Monday. It will be very helpful in completing your assignment on Monday.

Cheers!!! Have a great weekend.

Steering Wheel

2005-05-26T21:39:00.000-06:00

Steering Wheel
Originally uploaded by tkaminski.

Here is the latest real world picture of a circle. I hope Matt didn't take this picture while he was driving!!!!

Real World Pictures of Circles

2005-05-25T10:56:00.000-06:00

Some of you have submitted real world pictures of circles to obtain your bonus mark on your next exam. What about the rest of you?? This is a great opportunity to exert a little bit of effort and impress me!!!! Find those really cool pictures and get them in to me.

Terminology

Today you need to find the definition for a Cyclic Quadrilateral. Our Math Dictionary does not have one. So, head out on to the Web and see what you can find!!

Inscribed and Central Angles

2005-05-24T10:53:00.000-06:00

Here we are, the second day of circle geometry. Before we start our Geometer's Sketchpad investigations we need to define some more terms. Please use the Math Dictionary to write definitions in your notes for the following terms:

Inscribed Angle
Central Angle

Sometimes drawing a picture helps make your definition absolutely clear.

Do not forget about the challenge to find pictures of circles in real life and submit them for a bonus mark!!!!!

Daily Math Puzzle

2005-05-23T15:24:00.000-06:00

Most of you have probably seen or maybe even try to complete the daily crossword puzzle in the Edmonton Journal. Now, if you are good with words (which are not my strong point) you probably quite enjoy completing crossword puzzles. Since I am good with numbers I prefer number related problems.

Yesterday I was sitting in my backyard enjoying the shade of my favorite tree reading the newspaper. There was an article about a number puzzle called Sudoku. Here is how Sudoku works:

You are given a 9 x 9 grid. The object is to fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3 x 3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. Sounds easy!!!! Well, I thought I would give it a try. I am hooked!!! I can't put down these puzzles until I solve them.

For a more detailed and pictorial explanantion of Sudoku check out this site.
If you get hooked on Sudoku and would like a new puzzle each day visit The Times of London website where they publish a new Sudoku puzzle each day.

Give Sudoku a try. I think you will like it.

Circles: Brondby, Denmark

2005-05-20T20:40:00.000-06:00

Brondby, Denmark
Originally uploaded by tkaminski.

Is this a cool picture or what!!!! thanks for sharing this Chad.

Stonehenge

2005-05-20T07:07:00.000-06:00

stonehenge.jpg
Originally uploaded by tkaminski.

Here is the first contribution of circles in the real world by one of your classmates. It is an artist's drawing of stonehenge.

Do you see any mathematical symbols in this picture??

Circle Terminology

2005-05-19T16:04:00.000-06:00

Big Wheel
Originally uploaded by natalieb.

Before we start using Geometer's Sketchpad to investigate properties of circles we need to define some parts of the circle. Using the Math Dictionary link in our blog define the following terms:

Circle
Radius
Diameter
Chord

Mark sure to write these definitions in your notebook. You may even want to draw a diagram to help illustrate these parts of a circle.

This picture of a bicycle wheel illustrates some of the parts of a circle.

Challenge: The long weekend is before us. Anyone who brings in or e-mails me a picture of a real world example of circles receives a bonus mark on their next exam. Make sure that you can explain to me where this picture was taken, ie. the city or town, the building location etc... Wouldn't it be cool to post these to our blog!!!!!

Circle Geometry

2005-05-18T19:12:00.000-06:00

church rosetta window
Originally uploaded by lunaryuna.

Tomorrow we start studying circle geometry. Many students always wonder where in the world circle geometry is ever seen or used. So, here is a Math Trail about circle geometry created by some teachers in Saskatchewan. It does an excellent job of illustating where in the world circles appear and are used.

Enjoy!!!!!

P.S. If you are no sure what a Math Trail is. Check out this video.

Does Blogging work??

2005-05-15T07:09:00.000-06:00

It has been a couple of weeks since my last post. Things have gotten busy in the trenches. Even though I have not posted to the blog for 2 weeks not one of my students has complained about this. This really concerns me. I started this blog to help my Pure Math 20 students. I wanted to provide them with additional resources for the course.

If my students are not using my blog should I keep creating it?

Why wouldn't my students want to use these additional resources?

Maybe the content I am providing is of no use to them?

I have many questions that I need to answer for myself and for my students. I guess part of my class on Monday will be to talk to my students about the blog and try to get answers to my questions.

It concerns me that I think blogs are of incredible benefit to my students and they do not. I do not think they realize what they are missing out on if they are not blogging. I have to get them hooked on blogs some how!!!!

Linear Inequalities

2005-04-29T15:19:00.000-06:00

We learned how to graph linear inequalities by hand and using our graphing calculator. Here is a gizmo to help you test yourself on whether or not you understand this concept. There is a second gizmo that you may like better.

I have a blogging prompt for you also. I would like you to answer this prompt by commenting here at the blog.

Blogging Prompt:
We have been using the mini-white boards for a couple of weeks now. Do you like using them? Are they helping you to learn? What ways to you think we could be using them better or differently?

Have a great weekend!!!!

Solving Systems of Equations Using Elimination and Substitution

2005-04-22T11:33:00.000-06:00

We have learned two algebraic methods of solving systems of equations. The yesterday we learned the method of elimination or addition and subtraction. Today we learned the method of substitution. For a detailed explanation of each of these methods you can visit this site.

Then if you want more practice on elimination go to the sparknotes site. There is also more practice for substitution at sparknotes.

Have a great weekend and don't forget to watch Numb3ers.

Solving Systems of Equations Graphically

2005-04-20T15:16:00.000-06:00

So today we started working in partners. How did you like your partner? How do you like using the whiteboards? Let me know if there are things I could improve on.

I have links to a couple of sites that have questions and answers related to solving systems of equations graphically.

The first site is Sparknotes. It is a site I will be using for this entire unit.

The second site is a website set up to practice for the Regents exam. It is an exam something like our diploma exam.

Preparing for Tuesday's Exam

2005-04-17T16:18:00.000-06:00

Yes, that is right!!!! We have a unit exam this Tuesday on Ch.4 on Equations and Inequalities. Do not forget to check back at the links I have provided over the past 2 weeks. Some of the sites I have suggested contain online quizzes to test your knowledge of the material in this unit.

If I get my act together I may even have an online quiz up by tomorrow that will help you study.

Polynomial Inequalities

2005-04-07T11:26:00.000-06:00

The following link shows a couple more examples of how to solve a polynomial inequality. For some of your seeing some more examples might help.

This second link shows how to solve polynomial inequalities graphically as well as using test intervals.

Zeros of Polynomial Functions

2005-04-06T08:15:00.000-06:00

We are learning about how to determine all of the real zeros of a polynomial function. You can take a quiz to see how you are doing in this area.

Go to topic 16 at the following site and there are 5 questions you can test yourself on related to determining the zeros of polynomial functions.

Remainder Theorem and Synthetic Division

2005-04-05T08:40:00.000-06:00

Today we learned about Remainder Theorem, Factor Theorem and Synthetic Division.
Use these links to review what we discussed in class.

This Synthetic Division link also contains some quiz questions on synthetic division as well.

Remeber that understanding synthetic division will really help simplify your life in higher mathematics!!!!

Quadratic Formula

2005-04-04T16:52:00.000-06:00

Today we discussed the quadratic formula. We looked at how it lets us determine the exact value of the x-intercepts of a quardatic function.

For a summary of what we learned check out this link.

There is also a really good explanation on how the quadratic formula was derived using completing the square. This link talks about the history behind the quadratic formula and who was the first mathematician to use the formula.

Trivia question

2005-04-02T08:24:00.000-07:00

For those of you that watched Numb3ers last night you might have seen this.

If you take a single piece of paper and fold it in half you have 2 layers. If you fold it in half again you have 4 layers. This represents a geometric progression.

2^1 = 2 layers
2^2 = 4 layers.

If you could fold the paper in half 50 times, how high would it reach?

What is the world record for the number of times a piece of paper can be folded in half?

If you find the answers to these questions I think you might be surprised!!!!!

Spring Break Starts in 2 Hours!!!

2005-03-24T13:27:00.000-07:00

Have a relaxing Spring Break!!! Come back revitalized and rejuvenated and ready to attack some serious math.

Watch the blog over the break. I will try to post some recreational items.

Preparing for Thursday's Exam

2005-03-22T10:47:00.000-07:00

I know that some of you are having some trouble in this unit and would like some extra work to help prepare for your exam. Check out this website(topics 14, 18 and 19) for some online quizzes to help you review some of the topics we have studied.

Let me know if this helps by leaving a comment.

You can also go back to my post for Feb.11th. There are links to the GIZMO on polynomial graphs and a lesson on polynomials.

Composition of Functions

2005-03-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

I thought I would post a blogging prompt to help you work on that blogging mark for your exam on Wednesday.

Tomorrow we will be studying composition of functions. Once you have seen the lesson I would like you to contribute links and other resources on the web related to composition of functions. The idea is to find things on the web that would help others understand composition of functions or learn about them if they did not understand the lesson that day.

Hope this helps you get that blogging mark!!!!

Blogging for Marks

2005-03-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

We have an exam coming up this Wednesday. Just a reminder that you can obtain a mark on your next exam for contributing to this blog. Here is the criteria for obtaining that mark.

- You can make a comment or post to the site discussing something you learned in class.

- You can contribute a picture, link or comment related to something we studied in class.

You still have a few days to earn that mark!!!!

Pi Week Trivia Contest

2005-03-20T06:25:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all of you that participated in this contest. I received many responses and guesses to our questions. Just to recap our winners:

Day 1: Matt Laroque and Caitie Clapp
Day 2: Sandra Geelen
Day 3: Caitie Clapp

It was amazing to see how motivated some of you are when your reward is some food!!!!

New, Harder, Pi Trivia!!!

2005-03-16T14:46:00.000-07:00

Which teacher's classroom number appears in the digits 151 - 200 of Pi??

I require you to tell me their classroom number AND their name.

Happy hunting!!!!

Pi question for today

2005-03-15T15:49:00.000-07:00

For those of you that missed the question in class:

Find another famous mathematician, other than Einstein, that has their birthday on Mar. 14th??

Happy hunting!!!!

Remember their is an edible prize for the first person to correctly answer this question.

Pi Day!!!

2005-03-14T11:06:00.001-07:00

Pi Saying
Originally uploaded by tkaminski.

So today is Pi day. That is because Pi = 3.14 and today is the third month(Mar.) and the 14th day. Cool hey!!!

Here are a couple of pictures from Pi Day last year. These were created by students in my classes.

I want you to post other pictures or comments realated to Pi!!! Start digging. They should not be hard to find.

Edible Pi

2005-03-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

Edible Pi
Originally uploaded by tkaminski.

Equations and Graphs of Polynomial Functions

2005-03-11T10:51:00.000-07:00

We talked about the multiplicity of the zeros in a polynomial graph today. This link summarizes what we discussed, and for some of you, may provide the AHA!!!! experience.

We then moved on to determining the equation of a polynomial. The above link also helps demonstrate how this works.

Look at the following GIZMO to help with determining the equation of a polynomial graph.

Don't forget to watch Numb3ers tonight!!!!!

Graphs of Polynomial Functions

2005-03-08T12:43:00.000-07:00

Today we talked about how the equation of a polynomial defines its graph. We also talked about some generalizations for even and odd degree polynomial graphs.

This link on polynomial graphs summarizes our lesson today. Hopefully it will also assist some of you that are still having trouble remembering all of the properties.

More stuff to help with Tueday's Exam!!

2005-03-07T15:26:00.000-07:00

Go to this link and look for the section on quadratic functions. It will give you an online quiz to help you test whether or not you know anything about quadratics. I hope this helps get ready for tomorrow's quiz!!!

What do you think of this blog??

2005-03-07T15:08:00.000-07:00

I introduced the blog to you in class today. What do you think of this?? Do you think it will be useful to you?? If you have looked at the blog, what can I do to improve it or make it more useful??

Please comment on this using the comment link.

Preparing for Tuesday's Exam

2005-03-05T14:07:00.000-07:00

Some of you are having some trouble creating the equation of a quadratic function from its graph. Try this link. Select the equation of a quadratic (f(x) = A(x+B)^2) then click on the middle button at the bottom of the screen. It creates a graph. Your job is to try to determine the coefficients of the equation and type them in for A, B and C. Finally, click the bottom left hand button to check your answer.

Hope this helps you get ready for Tuesday!!!!

Numb3ers

2005-03-05T12:14:00.000-07:00

numb3rs-main_a
Originally uploaded by tkaminski.

I would like to know if any of my students or parents watch the TV program Numb3ers that comes on Friday nights? The program is similar to CSI but they use mathematics to help catch criminals. Last night's episode was really good.

If you have not watched this program, I think you would like it.

My First Post

2005-03-05T06:56:00.000-07:00

Here is my first attempt at blogging. I hope that this site becomes a valuable discussion area for myself, my students and my parents. The idea is to get students talking about math. So, here it goes!!!!