Math Curriculum
The Mathematics Department believes that there is a level of mathematics study available to every student. The mathematics program emphasizes computational skills, problem- solving techniques, and mathematical structure. Students learn skills and concepts, and practice analytical and critical thinking. They study the uses of the computers, statistics and measurement. In addition, algebraic and geometric structure, logic, and analysis provide a sequential program for the college-bound. The decisions made about the courses taken in high school affect each student for the rest of their lives.
The teaching faculty, the school counselor, the school administrators, and parents can all advise in the course selection process, but the student should be fully involved in the final decision and be ready to bear the responsibility for that decision. For this reason it is imperative to read course descriptions with considerable thought and care. In selecting your courses for next year, several factors should be considered. These factors include graduation requirements and your job or school plans for the future. All students are required to complete successfully three credits of mathematics and demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency on a New York State exam.
High School
Basic Algebra (1 Credit)
This course is designed to focus on foundational skills required to be successful in the Algebra 1 course. Topics covered in this course include exploring algebraic expressions, algebraic equations, and functions. Number Sense will be reviewed and sustained through the continual practice of identifying and applying the properties of real numbers, simplifying radical terms, exploring rational numbers and expressions, and review of integer operations.
Basic Algebra - ESL (1 Credit)
This course is designed to support English Language Learners. Please see course description of Basic Algebra.
Algebra 1 (1 Credit)
This course will assist students in developing skills and processes to be applied using a variety of techniques to successfully solve problems in a variety of settings. Linear equations in one variable, quadratic functions with integral coefficients and roots as well as absolute value and exponential functions will be taught in this course. Coordinate geometry will be integrated into the investigation of these functions allowing students to make connections between their analytical and geometrical representations. Other units of study include, right triangle trigonometry, elementary probability, and measurement within a problem solving context. A separate section of this course is offered to English Language Learners in order to provide necessary support. Students will sit for the NYS Algebra 1 Regents Examination at the end of this course.
Algebra 1-ESL (1 Credit)
This course is designed to support English Language Learners. Please see course description of Algebra 1.
Mathematics Tutoring (0 Credits)
The purpose of mathematics tutoring is to provide additional support to students who are preparing for a first level Regents Exam. Students may be recommended by their math teacher or school counselor
Geometry (1 Credit)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra 1
This course will require students to apply and adapt a selection of strategies and algorithms to solve a variety of problems. It is expected that these strategies and algorithms will be implemented using both traditional and technological tools. Within this course, students will have the opportunity to make conjectures about geometric situations and prove in a variety of ways, both formal and informal, that their conclusion follows logically from their hypothesis. This course is meant to employ an integrated approach to the study of geometric relationships. Integrating synthetic, transformational, and coordinate approaches to geometry, students will justify geometric relationships and properties of geometric figures. Students will sit for the NYS Math A Regents Examination in January 2008 – FOR 2007-08 SCHOOL YEAR ONLY.
Math B Accelerated (1 Credit)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math AB Accelerated and teacher recommendation.
This course continues the Math AB Accelerated sequence. The curriculum will extend the study of algebra, geometry and probability, including a full development of trigonometry. The rigor and pace of the course will allow for the introduction of Pre-Calculus topics during the fourth quarter. Students will sit for the NYS Math B Regents Examination at the end of this course
Math B2 (1 Credit)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math B1 and teacher recommendation
This is the second year of a two year Regents level Math course. Topics include trigonometric functions and graphs, trigonometric equations and identities, statistics and probability, geometric and analytical proofs, and the binomial theorem. Students will sit for the NYS Math B Regents Examination at the end of this course
Math Investigations (1 Credit)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math A curriculum and teacher recommendation.
This course is designed as a third year math course for students who will not pursue an Advanced Regents diploma in Mathematics. It will be a high interest course which extends beyond the Math A curriculum. Topics include history of mathematics, graph theory, mosaics, and topology. Students will also explore the Fibonacci sequence, Pascal’s Triangle, Cryptography and Coding.
Algebra and Trigonometry (1 Credit)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math A curriculum or Math Investigations.
This course is recommended for students who wish to pursue mathematics due to interest, to provide stronger background for college preparation, or specific career plans in the technical fields of science. This course integrates second year algebra with an introduction to circular and trigonometric functions. This course is under review.
Pre-Calculus BC Honors (1 Credit)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math B Accelerated and teacher recommendation.
Topics from this course carry forward the study of elementary functions from Math B Accelerated with greater emphasis upon graphic representation and algebraic processes. Polynomials and polynomial equations are extended to equations of higher degree, rational functions are sketched using asymptotes, and an extensive treatment of conic sections is taken expanding the theory to the general cases involving translation of axis, eccentricity and discriminant. Student knowledge of logarithms will be broadened to include natural logarithms. Analytic Geometry, Polynomial functions, Logical functions and complex numbers will be studied as well. The last five units of this course are Calculus topics.
Pre-Calculus BC (1 Credit)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math B2 and teacher recommendation.
Topics from this course carry forward the study of elementary functions from Math B Accelerated with greater emphasis upon graphic representation and algebraic processes. Polynomials and polynomial equations are extended to equations of higher degree, rational functions are sketched using asymptotes, and an extensive treatment of conic sections is taken expanding the theory to the general cases involving translation of axis, eccentricity and discriminant. Student knowledge of logarithms will be broadened to include natural logarithms. Analytic Geometry, Polynomial functions, Logical functions and complex numbers will be studied as well. The last five units of this course are Calculus topics.
Advanced Placement Calculus-AB (1 Credit)
Offered to Grade 12. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Pre-Calculus AB or BC Honors and teacher recommendation.
This course is designed to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to that of a college course in single variable calculus. This course will emphasize a multi-representational approach to calculus, with concepts, results, and problems being expressed graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally. Topics include limits, continuity, differentiation, integration, and applications of these concepts. Students will sit for the Advanced Placement Calculus AB Examination in May. Based upon performance, students may receive college credit for one semester of college mathematics.
Advanced Placement Calculus-BC (1 Credit)
Offered to Grade 12. Prerequisite: Successful completion of Pre-Calculus BC Honors and teacher recommendation.
This course is designed to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to that of a full-year college course in single variable calculus. This course will emphasize a multi-representational approach to calculus, with concepts, results, and problems being expressed graphically, numerically, analytically, and verbally. Topics include limits, continuity, differentiation, integration, polar coordinates, parametric equations, vectors, and infinite series. Students will sit for the Advanced Placement Calculus BC Examination in May. Based upon performance, students may receive college credit for one or two semesters of college mathematics.
Advanced Placement Statistics (1 Credit)
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Pre-Calculus AB Honors, Pre-Calculus, or Math B2 and teacher recommendation.
This course is designed to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to that of an introductory college course in statistics. This course provides effective preparation for students interested in the social sciences, health sciences, and business. Students will be introduced to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Students will sit for the Advanced Placement Statistics Examination in May.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT COMPUTER SCIENCE A (1 Year -1 Credit) 5 per. weekly Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math B2 and teacher recommendation. This course is designed to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to that of an introductory college course in Computer Science. Emphasis will be placed upon object-oriented programming methodology with a concentration on problem solving and algorithm development. Also included is the study of data structures, design and abstraction. Topics include program design, class design, implementation techniques, programming constructs, and Java library classes. Students will sit for the Advanced Placement Computer Science A Examination in May.
HARVARD PRE-CALCULUS (1 Year) 5 per. weekly (1 HS Credit and 4 College Credits) Prerequisite: Successful completion of Math B2 or Math B - Accelerated or Algebra 2 and Trigonometry and teacher recommendation. In this course the functions concept plays the unifying role in the study of polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, and trigonometric functions. The modeling of elementary functions is stressed and topics are presented following the Rule of Four. Two separate grades will be given for this course: a high school grade and a college grade. Students will be instructed primarily by high school faculty. On a bi-weekly basis a Nassau Community College representative will come to the high school to provide instruction. In early May, students will take the college portion of their final exam at Nassau Community College. The high school portion of their final exam will be administered in June. Students who desire to take this course without receiving college credit will only be instructed by high school faculty, will not need to take the college final in May, and will be registered in a different section.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT COMPUTER PROGRAMMING (1 Year -1 Credit) 5 per. weekly Prerequisite: Minimum average of 80 in Algebra I. This course is an introduction for learning to program with ALICE Animation. Students will create animation projects using ALICE, a software package for creating animation in small, virtual using 3D models in Pixar and Disney animation style. Students also learn programming in the computer language JAVA. Topics covered include input, output, looping, methods, swing and the beginnings of object oriented programming. This course is a prerequisite for AP Computer Science and is, therefore, considered college preparatory.
Middle School
The goal of every math teacher in Finley Middle School is to provide students with the knowledge and understanding of the mathematics necessary to function in a world very dependent upon the application of mathematics. The New York State Education Department has clearly defined learning standards that will assist students, teachers, and parents in achieving this goal. All students will understand and become proficient in the skills of mathematics; communicate and reason mathematically; and become problem solvers by using appropriate tools and strategies. This will be accomplished thorough the integrated study of Number Sense and Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, and Statistics and Probability.
Mathematics 7 (40 Weeks) Number Sense, which was the emphasis in kindergarten through grade 6, continues to play an integral role as the students enter middle school. In the seventh grade students sharpen their number sense, primarily through the integration of Probability and Statistics. Emphasis will be placed on the students’ ability to organize, display, and analyze data. The continuous development and reinforcement of algebraic concepts also plays a major role in the development of our seventh graders as they prepare to move forward into the eighth grade. The New York State Math 7 Assessment will be administered to all seventh graders in March and a uniform final exam will be administered in June.
Accelerated Mathematics 7 (40 Weeks) This course was designed to meet the needs of exceptional seventh grade mathematics students. The course covers topics in the Pre-Algebra curriculum and topics from Math 8. These students will take Integrated Algebra 1 Regents Examination in eighth grade. Students must be able to work independently and should expect more extensive homework assignments. Students must maintain at least a B average to remain in the program. The New York State Math 7 Assessment will be administered to all seventh graders in March and a uniform final exam will be administered in June. This course is currently under review.
Math 8 (40 Weeks) Algebra and Geometry will be the primary focus in eighth grade. Some of the topics introduced will be factoring algebraic expressions using the GCF, factoring trinomials, solving linear inequalities, and performing arithmetic operations with polynomials. The Geometry unit gives students the opportunity to investigate geometric relationships such as vertical angles, complementary and supplementary angles, and parallel lines cut by transversals. In addition to geometric relationships, students also learn how to describe and identify transformations in a plane, using proper function notation such as rotations, translations, dilations, and reflections. The New York State Math 8 Assessment will be administered to all eighth graders in March and a uniform final exam will be administered in June.
Math 8 Accelerated – Algebra 1 (40 Weeks) This course is offered to students who have demonstrated the ability to handle rigorous coursework during seventh grade. The focal point of this course is the algebra content strand. Some of the topics that will be covered include quadratic functions with integral coefficients and roots as well as absolute value and exponential functions. Coordinate geometry will be integrated into the investigation of these functions allowing students to make connections between their analytical and geometrical representations. Students enrolled in this course will take the New York State Math 8 Assessment in March and the Algebra 1 Regents in June. The grade earned in this course will be entered on the student’s high school transcript and computed in the high school Grade Point Average. Students who do not wish to have the grade entered in this way must drop the course before the midpoint of the course.