Advanced Problem Solving I & II

SYLLABUS Advanced Problem Solving 1 & 2 and 3 & 4 (First and Second Semesters, Respectively) 2013-14 Does not meet UC and CSU requirements

Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:45 pm to 5:45 pm Room 706 (with access to room 705) Suggested Course Preparation: Grades of “B” or better in 8th grade Algebra or concurrent enrollment in a 9th or 10th grade A or Honors level courses, i.e, Alg 1A, Alg 1A/Geom A, Geom/Alg2A, Alg2/TrigH or Trig/AnltA. Note that the above is the “suggested course preparation.” Any student may enroll in this course, but the above students seem to enjoy it the most. Curricular Objective: The objective of this course is to foster excellence through problem solving and competition as well as leadership via sharing expertise in one or another problem type. The course is offered in two discrete semesters, one not the prerequisite of the other, to students who want to expand their mathematical horizon beyond the usual high school curriculum. Mathematical discovery and alternate methods of proof, shortcuts and multiple solutions to challenging problems and cross-curricular applications are explored. This course is ideal for students interested in participating in contests like the American Mathematics Competition and the Mathematics Olympiad. Behavioral Expectations: 1. Teamwork—teamwork is expected among this variety of students. The students in this course have a variety of mathematical experiences, are a variety of ages, and exhibit a variety of personality-based characteristics. Each student should be prepared and enthusiastic about working with each and every student in the classroom in an interdependent manner. Bring your best game to teamwork to encourage your team’s full understanding of the concepts and most efficient method of solution. Be supportive of effort and expect support for your efforts. 2. Although the teacher plans, presents material and paces the course, the teacher will learn quite a bit from the experiences and insights of the students; the students are expected to present information, suggest alternate explorations and teach as well as learn material in this course. Ground Rules: Because of the simultaneous collaborative and competitive nature of this course, class protocols must be denoted and agreed upon. Although the students in the class will modify these protocols, the basics will include  Listening to one another well enough to summarize what was said  When brainstorming solutions do not check the flow of ideas by evaluating the ideas before the sorting process begins  In the case of competitions, a hierarchy will result. Congratulations are appropriate as well as authentic appreciation of solid efforts or spectacular solutions. Sincere displays of excitement are welcome, but arrogant or immodest displays of conceit are banned. Daily Coursework: Expect a debrief of a problem or the latest contest, the introduction and exploration of a new topic followed by an accessible experience then a tough experience, a contest—either individual or group, a summary of the day’s work.

Grades: You will earn an A. (For credit in the course, you must attend, or make arrangements with the instructor. Your attendance is tracked through the sign-in sheet.)

HW: There is no Homework for this class. CW: The class work is formative assessments. Class work can be either individual or team work and is corrected and scored by the students and teacher. Chalk Talks: Ten chalk talks are required throughout the semester. These include presentation of the solution of a homework problem, a contest problem, a quiz problem or a test problem. Students are encouraged to volunteer for such presentations as they are requested in class by the instructor or peers. A thorough discussion of problem-solving ideas and thought processes are expected in the explanation of the solutions. Tests: The assessments are contests and contest preparation. No assessment has any bearing on the grade; the scoring of assessments inform the student of areas of success and areas that require growth. Attendance: In order to learn new skills, your punctual attendance in class is required. Please do not be late. Class begins promptly. Please have something to eat in the 15 minutes after school and preceding class. It is important to your well-being. Honesty Policy: Class work can often be done with a study partner. This means you should be helping each other, "coaching," not copying. Copying someone else's work is prohibited. Instances of such copying will invoke family meetings for all parties involved, whether or not permission for copying was given. If I believe that you have cheated on a contest, you will earn a disqualification on the contest, and I will report you to the contest writers, your parents, your Teacher Advisor, our Department IS and the Dean of Students. If it happens again, you will be dropped from the course. Cheating cannot and will not be tolerated.