The Brehm Preparatory School Department of Mathematics is focused upon meeting the diverse needs of students with learning disabilities. The department designs, modifies and implements curriculum so that students can be best served given their individual math strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, the math curriculum is designed to meet the educational goals set by the state of Illinois. The core goals encompass:
- numbers
- calculations
- measurement
- estimation,
- algebra
- geometry
- data manipulation
Additionally, opportunities are provided for basic skill development or maintenance, graphing, measurement and preparation for standardized tests.
Description of Courses
Remedial Courses:
Math I
This course is intended for students who have not mastered the basic math skills and concepts. Such skills include the concept of number, representing numbers, understanding and applying operation, computational fluency and estimations. Instructional techniques are very concrete and include practices derived from Marilyn Burns and Cloud Nine Math (LindamoodBell) whose goals are to conceptualize skills and basic ideas. Instruction includes addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, measurement (encompassing money measurement, time measurement, linear measurement, spatial measurement, etc.) and geometry.
Math II:
This class is intended to provide instruction in the fundamentals of numbers, operations, geometry and measurement while introducing the basic abstractions of algebra. Instruction includes operations using whole numbers, decimals and their usage, fraction concepts and operations with fractions, measurement (encompassing money measurement, time measurement, linear measurement, spatial measurement, etc.) and geometry.
Applied Math:
This class is a survey of broad and foundation concepts in Math. We then apply these concepts to projects designed to illustrate and practice those concepts. There is a heavy emphasis on the basics of arithmetic and geometry.
Modified Courses:
Pre-Algebra:
This course is intended for the student who has successfully completed or has mastered the concepts developed in Basic math Skills and Intermediate Math. . Instruction includes: ratios and proportions; operations with integers, exponents’, square roots; the Pythagorean Theorem; geometry concepts; and coordinate graphing.
Basic Algebra A:
This course is intended for students who have successfully mastered and completed the concepts as outlined in the Pre-Algebra course who would also benefit from a slower sequential development of the topics. . Instruction includes a review of the rules of arithmetic, order of operations, linear equations, applications, exponents, polynomials, and factoring.
Basic Algebra B:
This course is intended for students who have successfully mastered and completed the concepts as outlined in the Basic Algebra A course who would benefit from a slower sequential development of the topics. Specific instruction includes but is not limited to: algebraic fractions, graphing of linear equations and inequalities, systems of linear equations, irrational numbers, radical expressions, and quadratic expressions.
Algebra II without Technology:
This course is intended for students who have completed Basic Algebra A and B, or has demonstrated a basic competency in algebra. Furthermore this course attracts students who posses strengths in mathematics and are inclined to pursue a college career but would benefit from a more concrete sequential approach to the topics presented. Topics include but are not limited to: linear functions, linear equations and inequalities, quadratic graphing, operations on polynomials, rational expressions, powers, roots, radicals, exponents, conic sections, and trigonometry.
Business Math:
This course is designed to engage students with application activities that relate the mathematical concepts directly to common workplace activities. Additionally, this course helps prepare students with math applications that relate to life skills needed for independent living. Specific topics include but are not limited to keeping a checkbook, budget planning, managing income and expenses, marketing and selling.
Standard Courses:
Algebra I with Technology:
This course is designed for students who have mastered the fundamentals of basic mathematics and pre-algebra and posses higher order thinking skills necessary for a strong college track math curriculum. The course systematically examines realistic situations with respect to their tables of values, graphs and rules through the use of graphing calculators and other software. Topics include but are not limited to: the concept of variables and functions; as well as linear, quadratic, exponential, rational, and logarithmic functions; and systems of functions. Coordinate graphing and a review of basic skills are also included.
Algebra II with Technology A:
This course is designed for students who have successfully completed an introductory algebra course and who also possess the higher order thinking skills necessary for a strong college track math curriculum. The course examines realistic problem based situations using math technology such as graphing calculators and computer software. Topics include but are not limited to: patterns and recursion, sequences, statistics, data analysis, functions (linear, quadratic, square root and absolute value), parametric equations, trigonometry, exponential, and logarithmic functions.
Algebra II with Technology B:
This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Algebra II with Technology B or topics consistent with this course and who also possess the higher order thinking skills necessary for a strong college track math curriculum. The course examines realistic problem based situations using math technology such as graphing calculators and computer software. Topics include but are not limited to discrete mathematics, systems of equations, polynomials, probability, statistics, functions (inverse, rational, growth, and conic sections) and trigonometric functions.
Geometry
This course is designed to provide both experiential and abstract knowledge of the geometric world for both the college and non-college bound student. Students will be exploring geometric concepts and spatial relations using the Geometers Sketchpad computer program. Topics include but are not limited to parallelism, quadrilaterals, triangles, other polygons, circles, 3-dimensional structures, tessellations, Pythagorean Theorem, and trigonometry. Skills and processes development include sketching geometric figures, angle and length measurements, perimeter, area, volume, and graphs.
|
