Mr. Kopacz - Mathematics

Course Description: This course is a first year Algebra course that prepares students for the NYS Regents exam.  Topics covered include, but are not limited to, functions, solving linear equations, quadratics, exponents and polynomials.  The accompanying picture details the assignment; “Algebeard and the Lost Treasure at Seal” in which students must manipulate equations and plot lines and points on a treasure map.  Only after careful calculations will they be able to locate the lost treasure of Algebeard!

Course Description:   Students will review algebra skills in a business context.  Topics such as simple interest, compound interest, inflation, optimization, and regression will be studied.   Students will learn how to solve problems graphically, algebraically and via spreadsheets in Google Sheets.  Building on their knowledge of spreadsheets, students will manipulate data while running a virtual coffee shop on the computer.   Following the virtual coffee shop experience, students will run an actual snack shop at Clover drive and will make mathematically based decisions including what items to purchase, percent mark-up, gross income and net income.

Course Description:  Students in Geometry use hands-on manipulatives to learn geometry concepts.  For example, students learn about the medians of a triangle and the centroid by creating triangles that decorate the classroom.  Logic is studied by relating logic to simple electrical circuits.  Furthermore, students learn about the logic and proof by studying the classic board game, CLUE.   In addition, students utilize the computer program "The Geometer's Sketchpad" to make mathematical conjectures.

Course Description: In the first part of this course, students will learn the language programming  TI-BASIC by creating original games such as   “Guess My Number.”  In addition, students will review math topics and create programs to solve common algebra problems.  Sample programs include “The Pythagorean Solver” and “The Slope Calculator”.  In the second part of this course students will utilize the programming skills they have acquired to write programs to control and operate remote controlled cars.  Students will complete projects and challenge each other in competitions such as ”The Amazing Race,” “Balloon Pop,” and “Sumo Robot Wrestling”.