Sequences and Functions | High School Math, Module 1
In this 4-week course, learners will learn about sequences and functions, launching their algebra studies to new heights.
Avrila at Math With Avrila
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(12)
What's included
12 live meetings
10 in-class hoursHomework
2-4 hours per week. Learners will have practice problems for each lesson. Assignments, quizzes, and tests will be in TeacherMade. Occasionally, such as to clear group time for interactive tasks, learners will be assigned informational videos to watch outside class time. Some videos will be optional, over topics that learners may or may not already know from previous studies.Assessment
Informal formative assessment through discussion comments and homework corrections will be continuous throughout the unit. Shortly after the last meeting, parents will receive a progress report with all scores and a calculated numerical and letter grade. Parents can also get a copy of a draft progress report with work completed up to that point, upon request.Grading
includedClass Experience
US Grade 8 - 11
During group activities, learners will interact with the teacher and each other through verbal discussion and slides designed to be written on and organize our thinking, not just looked at. (Learners can either annotate from within Zoom, which will be reset as we move between slides but preserved in the session recording, or request the Explain Everything link, which will let them write directly on the board. Learners' contributions will be monitored for appropriateness, safety, and accuracy.) Activities will follow approximately this timeline: Week 1: Introductory activities on problem solving and sequences — 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 Week 2: Constant differences, constant ratios, and constant rates — 1.4, 1.5, and 1.6 Week 3: Comparing rates of growth, equations, and missing terms — 1.7, 1.8, and 1.9 Week 4: Geometric mean and review — 1.10 and 1.11 Learners' interests, background, and needs may cause variations in the week-to-week schedule. For further details, see the learning goals list. Consistent regular attendance is expected. I will not remove learners from class for missing group activity sessions, but they must take responsibility for catching up, by watching the session video and doing all work. I will be available to help if they find anything tricky.
Learning Goals
Learners will define quantities and interpret expressions.
Learners will represent arithmetic and geometric sequences with equations, tables, graphs, and story context.
Learners will understand arithmetic sequences as having a constant difference between consecutive terms.
Learners will understand geometric sequences as having a constant ratio between consecutive terms.
Learners will find, understand, and use initial values of arithmetic and geometric sequences.
Learners will understand arithmetic sequences as increasing or decreasing at a constant rate.
Learners will compare rates of growth in arithmetic and geometric sequences.
Learners will write and use recursive and explicit equations for arithmetic and geometric sequences, including function and sequence-term notations.
Learners will use rate of change to find missing terms in an arithmetic sequence.
Learners will use a constant ratio to find missing terms in a geometric sequence.
Learners will develop fluency with geometric and arithmetic sequences.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
GeoGebra Classroom is a free site running the open-source GeoGebra dynamic geometry software in such a way as to sync to the cloud and allow the teacher to view learners' work. Accounts which allow learners to sign back in with full access to previous work are offered, but not required. Learners need to give a name either when entering the class code or when setting up their accounts so that I can find their work in the teacher interface; if they wish, such as for added privacy, a nickname or pseudonym is OK.
TeacherMade is a site designed for school use which allows learners to access worksheets, tutorials, and practice problems. If they wish, such as for added privacy, learners can sign in using a nickname or pseudonym.
Explain Everything is a shared whiteboard, similar to Google Jamboard but more flexible. Learners do not need an account and can access the board to write on it through a link. Learners who do not specifically want to write on the board don’t need to access Explain Everything at all – I will share the screen in Zoom and they can watch.
Pre-Requisites
The recommended learner background is recent successful completion of a prealgebra class. Classes not called prealgebra but on the same level, and including topics like basic equation solving and coordinate graphing, are OK.
Supply List
Scratch paper and pencils, or a whiteboard and markers. Learners who are preparing for college admissions are advised to keep a portfolio (digital or on paper) of major assignments and 2-3 different types of problems, fully worked, per routine assignment; the materials of the student's choice should be available for this from the beginning of class. Examples include a Google Drive or Dropbox folder, LibreOffice software (Writer and Math), a binder and hole-punched printer paper or a hole puncher, etc. If you may apply to multiple colleges, consider that a digital portfolio is easier to duplicate, and can be printed if a physical copy is wanted. For this class, learners can use GeoGebra exclusively as their graphing calculator. Learners with future plans involving taking exams like the SATs should consider getting and beginning to use a calculator approved for those exams as soon as possible.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Sources
Mathematics Vision Project Secondary Mathematics One, Sequences
OpenStax Mathematics
Joined May, 2021
4.9
12reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in Mathematics from Western Governors University
I have a master's degree in math education for grades 5-12, as well as further graduate coursework in mathematics, and teach developmental, dual credit, and regular math classes for my local junior college.Reviews
Live Group Class
$57
weekly or $225 for 12 classes3x per week, 4 weeks
50 min
Completed by 2 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-16
1-12 learners per class
