Highlights of Teaching - Regular Mathematics Unit Projects

In the first semester, Grade 11 math has covered Chapter 7 (Analytic Trigonometry), Chapter 8 (Polar Coordinates, Parametric Equations, and Vectors), Chapter 9 (Systems of Equations and Inequalities), and part of Chapter 10 (Matrices and Determinants), placing us slightly ahead of the planned teaching pace. This semester, students have not only learned the essential knowledge, procedures, and situations to apply, but also practiced their ability to communicate math through multiple media and model real-world situations with algebraic tools.Unit projects are listed below.

Chapter 7: Modeling Project – Modeling Traveling and Standing Waves

Students were asked to identify a real-world situation that they found interesting. They then designed three questions and provided answers. The answers involved trigonometric identities or trigonometric equation formulas, sketches of the function, and transformations of trig functions.

Chapter 8: Polar Graph Contest

Students were asked to create, using a single polar equation, a polar graph which they loved. Alternatively, they could create a Desmos page in polar using as many equations as they wanted. There were three deliverables: 1) a Desmos link; 2) a description of how they arrived at the graph; and 3) a brief appraisal of their final work. Each class had three winners selected by the teaching faculty.

Chapter 9 & 10: Matrices: What Is in It for Me?

Students watched the video "The Applications of Matrices | What I wish my teachers had told me way earlier." Then, they wrote a short essay on how understanding matrices might apply to their chosen major or future career.

Big Project: mini-lectures

Every student, individually or in pairs/trios delivered a 15 to 20 minute mini-lecture to help their classmates review/preview a section. Our “lecturers” were asked to prepare at least one visualization and to raise at least 2 questions to engage their audience.