Ms. Lahaie's MCAS MATH
This course is designed to boost your students MCAS scores in mathematics. We cover several Problem Solving Strategies to help students to organize the information given in order to reduce stress and solve for the correct answer. We will spend a substantial amount of time learning techniques for the various problem solving styles: multiple choice, short answer, and open-response.
All students have a spiral notebook which is left in the classroom and used on a regular basis to do various class assignments.
There will be little to no homework for this course. Students grades are strongly basded on the work they do in class. If they should be absent, they should see me for any make-up assignments.
The following 4-Step Method has been the focal point of the first quarter, and will continue to be used as a problem solving technique.
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4-STEP
METHOD |
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FIND OUT: What is
the question? What is the problem you are trying to solve? |
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CHOOSE A STRATEGY: Organize your information, then decide on the best strategy to
solve. |
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SOLVE IT: Show all
your work! If the first strategy does not work, choose another and keep
working. |
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LOOK BACK: Does your
answer make sense? Write your answer in a complete sentence by restating the
question. |
GRADING SCALE |
4 - Thorough explanation using math terms, rules, graphs, etc. as necessary. Must have the correct answer. Written answer in complete sentences. 3 - Explanation shows clear understanding of the math problem. Must have the correct answer. Answers may not be in complete sentences. 2 - Explanation is not clear and has missteps. Must have the correct answer. Answers may not be in complete sentences. 1 - No explanation, just an answer given. 0 - No work, no answer. This is a PASS/FAIL course, however, progress reports will be given in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters with a letter grade to advise you as to how your student is doing.
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