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Originally, I hated showing my work, for the same reason as ProfAlstad.  Then, I found I needed to, and it reduced mistakes.  Then I hit calc, and knew I needed to show work, but had no idea what work to show, so I just wrote "-inf < answer < inf."  I got partial credit...once.

Really? For some reason, I thought the school you taught at was a middle school...I assume I was mistaken though, unless they are all overachieving 7th graders.

I used to teach at a magnet school for gifted middle schoolers in Virginia Beach, but that was eight years ago (and it was Geometry). I teach at the Professional & Technical High School in Kissimmee. I was also just trying to puff myself up³, since I will not be teaching Calculus until August. The last three years here I was teaching Precalculus, Algebra 2 Honors, Algebra 2 Regular, and Geometry Honors. I was moved to Calculus due to the lack of interest of the teachers with seniority, which (ironically) is the same reason I was chosen as the new Department Head.

Even so, my precalc class seemed more focused on memorization (unit circle, imaginary roots, etc.) than actual calculation. I probably did most of the work for that class in my head anyway.

I wish my students could memorize the unit circle. 





³I needed to raise my self esteem after getting trounced at Southeast Regionals by Rob Anderson's daughter. Seriously, who drafts the Terrifying Beast, Emperor Nero and Emperor Claudius!?

I was moved to Calculus due to the lack of interest of the teachers with seniority, which (ironically) is the same reason I was chosen as the new Department Head.

Interesting. I thought about trying to become a math teacher, but I would just have too little patience for students that didn't want to be there. The only way I could probably do it would be if I could be guaranteed to teach only Calc or higher, where for the most part students want to do well.

I wish my students could memorize the unit circle. 

That was a required part of my precalc class. If we didn't pass the unit circle test, we couldn't pass the class.

Interesting. I thought about trying to become a math teacher, but I would just have too little patience for students that didn't want to be there. The only way I could probably do it would be if I could be guaranteed to teach only Calc or higher, where for the most part students want to do well.

Then you need to teach in a magnet school. My current school is 700 application-only students who are dual-enrolled in a tech program. They graduate with a diploma and industry certification, as well as real-world training. This makes the entry qualifications very selective, with a waiting list to get in. My students know that if they do not behave and do well, then they go back to their home-zoned school and are replaced with someone who will give the necessary effort. This is an extremely powerful incentive, since most of the regular high schools suffer from drug and gang issues.

That was a required part of my precalc class. If we didn't pass the unit circle test, we couldn't pass the class.

In my county, I would be repimanded for such an ultimatum. 

Quote

I wish my students could memorize the unit circle. 

That was a required part of my precalc class. If we didn't pass the unit circle test, we couldn't pass the class.

Why would you ever want to memorize the unit circle? If you understand what the unit circle is and know your basic trig definitions, you can re-derive the unit circle in a nonce. Seriously, some things need memorization but the unit circle taint one of them.

Otherwise, keep up the good work training young minds, YMT.

Quote from: SomeKittens on July 18, 2011, 06:02:59 PM

Originally, I hated showing my work, for the same reason as ProfAlstad.  Then, I found I needed to, and it reduced mistakes.  Then I hit calc, and knew I needed to show work, but had no idea what work to show, so I just wrote "-inf < answer < inf."  I got partial credit...once.

I remember one kid who just listed the name and address of the restaurant where he worked.  I think he got extra credit.   

Physics is much easier.  Just scribble in a bad stick figure diagram and throw in a random "F=ma" or two and you are good to go.

Seriously, some things need memorization but the unit circle taint one of them.

Exactly.  Like all the lines for Carl the greenskeeper and Sheriff Buford T. Justice.

Quote from: EmJayBee83 on July 19, 2011, 08:30:29 AM

Seriously, some things need memorization but the unit circle taint one of them.

Exactly.  Like all the lines for Carl the greenskeeper and Sheriff Buford T. Justice.

From experience, physicists also need to retain space to hold the entirety of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

"You can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you. "  -- Dennis

"My monster is 'silent as tomorrow. He kills in the night. He has been acquainted with the night'."
"It sounds like your monster is acquainted with Frost, too."
"Yeah, and he sprays icy death from his bloody stumps!"   -- Crow and Joel

"What we're dealing with here is a complete lack of respect for the law." --Buford

"In the immortal words of Jean Paul Sartre, 'Au revoir, gopher.'" -- Carl

And that, kids, is what happens when you leave a potato in the microwave.

"Don't even know what panties are, yet they feel compelled to raid."

"Every male of every biological species has the innate urge to panty-raid."