Math 3 Second Semester Reflection
Project Reflection
For my concluding Math 3 project, I worked with Ce, Atlantia, and Emma to write and produce a video demonstrating how to use the Distance Formula. I really enjoyed doing this project because it was a creative way to help other students learn an important math skill, and I had fun making the video in the theme of Bob Ross. However, I would definitely change some things about my project. If I were to do this project again, I would try to get more outside of my comfort zone, rather than choose a topic that I was familiar with. Also, I don't think I incorporated enough research into my project; I mostly researched Bob Ross storylines to make my video more authentic, but our topic, the distance formula, was something I already knew how to use. I wish I would have chosen a more challenging topic than the distance formula, then tried to use the same format to explain that topic. However, I know that sometimes I have a difficult time remembering the distance formula; since I made this video, I have not forgotten it!
Junior Year Reflection
Having finished Math 3, I definitely feel prepared for Math 4 and my other math electives. Although Math 3 content didn't always challenge me, I know that I gained valuable teaching and explaining skills from participating in class. Hannah gave me multiple opportunities to engage with my classmates and teach them, which no teacher had really given me before. She let me teach a lesson about derivatives, which helped reinforce my own understanding of derivatives and empathize with my classmates when they didn't understand something. Because of this, I feel more confident in my own math abilities and my ability to explain math concepts to my peers. I do feel that I was able to balance this class with the other classes that I was taking, because the work load wasn't too heavy and some of the content overlapped with other classes (like the cross-curricular project with chemistry).
The main goal that I set for myself this year was to be engaged with class and help my peers learn, even if the content was review for me. I think that sometimes I met that goal, and sometimes I failed with respect to that goal. As I mentioned above, Hannah gave me the opportunity to teach derivatives, which allowed me to engage in class and help my peers. We also did several number puzzles and problems throughout the year, which were interesting and enjoyable--so it was easy to stay engaged. I usually tried to explain things to my classmates I was sitting with. However, sometimes I felt uninspired and didn't want to work on math, which lead me to mess around and not help my classmates. I don't think this happened very often, but I know that it did occasionally, so I didn't totally meet my goal.
For my concluding Math 3 project, I worked with Ce, Atlantia, and Emma to write and produce a video demonstrating how to use the Distance Formula. I really enjoyed doing this project because it was a creative way to help other students learn an important math skill, and I had fun making the video in the theme of Bob Ross. However, I would definitely change some things about my project. If I were to do this project again, I would try to get more outside of my comfort zone, rather than choose a topic that I was familiar with. Also, I don't think I incorporated enough research into my project; I mostly researched Bob Ross storylines to make my video more authentic, but our topic, the distance formula, was something I already knew how to use. I wish I would have chosen a more challenging topic than the distance formula, then tried to use the same format to explain that topic. However, I know that sometimes I have a difficult time remembering the distance formula; since I made this video, I have not forgotten it!
Junior Year Reflection
Having finished Math 3, I definitely feel prepared for Math 4 and my other math electives. Although Math 3 content didn't always challenge me, I know that I gained valuable teaching and explaining skills from participating in class. Hannah gave me multiple opportunities to engage with my classmates and teach them, which no teacher had really given me before. She let me teach a lesson about derivatives, which helped reinforce my own understanding of derivatives and empathize with my classmates when they didn't understand something. Because of this, I feel more confident in my own math abilities and my ability to explain math concepts to my peers. I do feel that I was able to balance this class with the other classes that I was taking, because the work load wasn't too heavy and some of the content overlapped with other classes (like the cross-curricular project with chemistry).
The main goal that I set for myself this year was to be engaged with class and help my peers learn, even if the content was review for me. I think that sometimes I met that goal, and sometimes I failed with respect to that goal. As I mentioned above, Hannah gave me the opportunity to teach derivatives, which allowed me to engage in class and help my peers. We also did several number puzzles and problems throughout the year, which were interesting and enjoyable--so it was easy to stay engaged. I usually tried to explain things to my classmates I was sitting with. However, sometimes I felt uninspired and didn't want to work on math, which lead me to mess around and not help my classmates. I don't think this happened very often, but I know that it did occasionally, so I didn't totally meet my goal.
My Favorite Problem of the Week from Second Semester
Below, you can see my favorite POW from second semester, called On Patrol.
Below, you can see my favorite POW from second semester, called On Patrol.
Math 3 Semester Reflection
Going into this semester of Math 3, I knew that a lot of the content may be review for me. So, I decided that I was going to dedicate my time to helping my peers. I think I have mostly met this goal. When we have work time in Math 3, I try to look around me for my peers that could use some help. Then, I do my best to explain the concepts to them and help them understand the problems. There are times when I use the work time to get my own assignments done, but I also try to help those around me with their work. This is one goal that I have met in Math 3.
Midway through the semester, Hannah worked out a deal with the students that are in Calculus or above--we didn’t have to do most of the classwork, as long as we helped our peers understand the content and attended Friday Math Club at lunch. I really appreciate that Hannah allowed us to do this--it made Math 3 more enjoyable for me. However, I don’t feel like I was able to uphold my end of the deal as well as I would have liked. I only went to a few Friday Math Club meetings: sometimes I forgot, other times I was out of town, other times I had different lunch meetings. In the coming semester, I would like to rework the agreement with Hannah so that I can contribute an appropriate amount to class and uphold my end of the agreement entirely.
Midway through the semester, Hannah worked out a deal with the students that are in Calculus or above--we didn’t have to do most of the classwork, as long as we helped our peers understand the content and attended Friday Math Club at lunch. I really appreciate that Hannah allowed us to do this--it made Math 3 more enjoyable for me. However, I don’t feel like I was able to uphold my end of the deal as well as I would have liked. I only went to a few Friday Math Club meetings: sometimes I forgot, other times I was out of town, other times I had different lunch meetings. In the coming semester, I would like to rework the agreement with Hannah so that I can contribute an appropriate amount to class and uphold my end of the agreement entirely.
Favorite Problems of the Week (POW) from First Semester
Below, you can see two of my POWs from the first semester of Math 3. We did a few other POWs, yet I am most proud of these two. They are both number-analysis problems that I really enjoyed working on. The first POW, called Around King Arthur's Table, involved finding a pattern present in a scenario. I am proud of my work on this POW because I was able to find the pattern; I enjoyed working on this POW because I love when problems have clear solutions.
The second POW involved the growth of a rat population. This problem was different from the last in that it didn't require finding a pattern, but it was similar because it had a clear, correct solution. I enjoyed working on this POW because it was difficult but doable, and I think I found a reasonable solution. Also, I made a very detailed spreadsheet to help me with the problem, and I am very proud of my work on that.
The second POW involved the growth of a rat population. This problem was different from the last in that it didn't require finding a pattern, but it was similar because it had a clear, correct solution. I enjoyed working on this POW because it was difficult but doable, and I think I found a reasonable solution. Also, I made a very detailed spreadsheet to help me with the problem, and I am very proud of my work on that.