Course Description
In this unit, we learned about the prevalent reality that is patterns in our everyday life. We then learned how to represent these patterns, and more importantly why they matter.
Cover Letter
Where do we see patterns? This was one of three guiding questions asked to us at the beginning of the unit. The answer, we see patterns everywhere. Patterns are used to keep society afloat, an infant cries, you feed them. Patterns are used in order to create relevant laws, is this an issue that needs addressing. Patterns are found in every tree and animal, every building and city street, every family, school, friend group, and sport. Patterns are everywhere, if only we are willing to look close enough to find them. Every society and species create patterns that guide their life, without them we would live in anarchy, or not be alive at all.
We represent patterns in four ways, number one being tables. Tables are a great way for people to find the common pattern in a sequence of seemingly random events. Secondly, we have equations. Once you have found that there is a common difference between all of the listed events you can create an equation which is, in short, a summarized explanation of what the pattern is. Third, the graph. Graphing is a way of showing the information in such a way that the pattern becomes evident and summarized, even to the untrained eye. Fourth, is the verbal explanation which should be used mainly on an untrained audience, as it is the most drawn out of all of the ways to represent a pattern. That being said, when you are trying to teach others about what you are doing, and more importantly why, this is the best form to do so under the assumption that the audience is totally ignorant on the subject.
Why do patterns matter? This is a very wide spread question, after all patterns are, as stated earlier, everywhere. Primarily, I believe patterns matter because without them life would not exist. Plants would not have been able to get enough sunlight to survive without the Fibonacci sequence. Without plants, every other step in the food chain wouldn't have happened. This, of course, would lead to the almighty and rather arrogant genesis that is Homo Sapiens never being born.
Extension Question
How can the patterns we see in nature be used to create more efficient architectural structures in order to cause a positive effect in the climate?
In this unit, we learned about the prevalent reality that is patterns in our everyday life. We then learned how to represent these patterns, and more importantly why they matter.
Cover Letter
Where do we see patterns? This was one of three guiding questions asked to us at the beginning of the unit. The answer, we see patterns everywhere. Patterns are used to keep society afloat, an infant cries, you feed them. Patterns are used in order to create relevant laws, is this an issue that needs addressing. Patterns are found in every tree and animal, every building and city street, every family, school, friend group, and sport. Patterns are everywhere, if only we are willing to look close enough to find them. Every society and species create patterns that guide their life, without them we would live in anarchy, or not be alive at all.
We represent patterns in four ways, number one being tables. Tables are a great way for people to find the common pattern in a sequence of seemingly random events. Secondly, we have equations. Once you have found that there is a common difference between all of the listed events you can create an equation which is, in short, a summarized explanation of what the pattern is. Third, the graph. Graphing is a way of showing the information in such a way that the pattern becomes evident and summarized, even to the untrained eye. Fourth, is the verbal explanation which should be used mainly on an untrained audience, as it is the most drawn out of all of the ways to represent a pattern. That being said, when you are trying to teach others about what you are doing, and more importantly why, this is the best form to do so under the assumption that the audience is totally ignorant on the subject.
Why do patterns matter? This is a very wide spread question, after all patterns are, as stated earlier, everywhere. Primarily, I believe patterns matter because without them life would not exist. Plants would not have been able to get enough sunlight to survive without the Fibonacci sequence. Without plants, every other step in the food chain wouldn't have happened. This, of course, would lead to the almighty and rather arrogant genesis that is Homo Sapiens never being born.
Extension Question
How can the patterns we see in nature be used to create more efficient architectural structures in order to cause a positive effect in the climate?
Reflection
Effort
I've found in the past that effort is a hard thing to prove. I could say that I put in effort but many would not believe me. I could show you a picture of some of my work and some might say that they would have done a better job. All that being said, I believe I put in as much effort as was possible into this unit, and that I do deserve an A in Effort. I did the extension questions everyday, inside of class and outside. I looked for patterns in everyday life. I turned in all of my work on time. I worked to find ways to stay engaged in the lessons. This is possibly best showed through my POW, my problem of the week. (You can view this by pressing the button below.) I also put a lot of effort into my digital portfolio as is exemplified by my cover letter as seen above, please feel free to check that out if you haven't already.
I've found in the past that effort is a hard thing to prove. I could say that I put in effort but many would not believe me. I could show you a picture of some of my work and some might say that they would have done a better job. All that being said, I believe I put in as much effort as was possible into this unit, and that I do deserve an A in Effort. I did the extension questions everyday, inside of class and outside. I looked for patterns in everyday life. I turned in all of my work on time. I worked to find ways to stay engaged in the lessons. This is possibly best showed through my POW, my problem of the week. (You can view this by pressing the button below.) I also put a lot of effort into my digital portfolio as is exemplified by my cover letter as seen above, please feel free to check that out if you haven't already.
Growth
I believe that again, I deserve an A. In this case it is again because of the fact that I always try to do the extension question. Due to the fact that I had already taken this class in 8th grade, I expected that my teacher would probably end up needing to work a little harder to make this year worth while. Tori has done this magnificently. Every time that we do something, she always tries to come up with a way to challenge me, and often times it works. I always take these extensions, I have not once missed out on the opportunity to extend my knowledge when ways to do that are given. I also struggle with written explanations in math, indeed, struggle is an understatement. I have always thought it to be pointless, after all why write it out when math uses numbers to do the exact same thing. Through reflection I have realized that there actually might be a slight purpose, to explain your reasoning to people who disagree, or don't understand the concept. I realized very quickly why it was necessary when I needed to defend my answer against Tori's toward the end on my second POW (linked above). Below is a picture of an extension question that I did, I was the only one who took on the challenge in my class. It was hastily done, but it is an example of my willingness to do extension questions. I have turned my weakness into an opportunity for growth in this class. Due to the fact that I had already taken this class in 8th grade I have the ability to further reflect upon all of these subjects.
I believe that again, I deserve an A. In this case it is again because of the fact that I always try to do the extension question. Due to the fact that I had already taken this class in 8th grade, I expected that my teacher would probably end up needing to work a little harder to make this year worth while. Tori has done this magnificently. Every time that we do something, she always tries to come up with a way to challenge me, and often times it works. I always take these extensions, I have not once missed out on the opportunity to extend my knowledge when ways to do that are given. I also struggle with written explanations in math, indeed, struggle is an understatement. I have always thought it to be pointless, after all why write it out when math uses numbers to do the exact same thing. Through reflection I have realized that there actually might be a slight purpose, to explain your reasoning to people who disagree, or don't understand the concept. I realized very quickly why it was necessary when I needed to defend my answer against Tori's toward the end on my second POW (linked above). Below is a picture of an extension question that I did, I was the only one who took on the challenge in my class. It was hastily done, but it is an example of my willingness to do extension questions. I have turned my weakness into an opportunity for growth in this class. Due to the fact that I had already taken this class in 8th grade I have the ability to further reflect upon all of these subjects.
Mastery
I believe that I have shown mastery of this subject. In the Unit Test's for the mid-unit assessment I got a 100% and for the final I got a 98.5%. I got one of the answers wrong because I found one of the questions to be slightly unclear, although I made up some of the points by doing the extension questions. I feel that I also consistently provide neat, logical work. In the case of POW although I did not reach the supposed final answer I still believe that due to what the question was both asking and implying the answer was correct. If one does not believe that then at least they can be rest assured that I am able to logically work towards a solution, justify my answer, and communicate my thought process by the debate that ensued between my teacher and I about the correct answer.
I believe that I have shown mastery of this subject. In the Unit Test's for the mid-unit assessment I got a 100% and for the final I got a 98.5%. I got one of the answers wrong because I found one of the questions to be slightly unclear, although I made up some of the points by doing the extension questions. I feel that I also consistently provide neat, logical work. In the case of POW although I did not reach the supposed final answer I still believe that due to what the question was both asking and implying the answer was correct. If one does not believe that then at least they can be rest assured that I am able to logically work towards a solution, justify my answer, and communicate my thought process by the debate that ensued between my teacher and I about the correct answer.
Mid Unit Assessment-
100%
1) a) -8
b) 1
2)
a) y=2x+3
b)y=7x-4
c) y=-1x+20
3)
a) f(x)= 3x
f(x)= 4x-10
f(x)= 2x+10
f(x)=1x+20
y= x/2+25
b) y=5x
y=10x-25
y=3x+10
y=4x+5
y=6x-5
4) a) 11 people are needed. (I can't make a table on here)
b) f(x)=3x-1
Challenge-
5) y=-(x^2) -3
100%
1) a) -8
b) 1
2)
a) y=2x+3
b)y=7x-4
c) y=-1x+20
3)
a) f(x)= 3x
f(x)= 4x-10
f(x)= 2x+10
f(x)=1x+20
y= x/2+25
b) y=5x
y=10x-25
y=3x+10
y=4x+5
y=6x-5
4) a) 11 people are needed. (I can't make a table on here)
b) f(x)=3x-1
Challenge-
5) y=-(x^2) -3
Communication
I have always found communication to not be my strong suit. That being said I still believe I did pretty well. I let others contribute to group work, I personally contribute, and I try to initiate conversations if no one else is making an effort to work. I am not afraid to ask questions when I don't understand. Below is a picture of me participating in a group project, lovingly named super chickens.
I have always found communication to not be my strong suit. That being said I still believe I did pretty well. I let others contribute to group work, I personally contribute, and I try to initiate conversations if no one else is making an effort to work. I am not afraid to ask questions when I don't understand. Below is a picture of me participating in a group project, lovingly named super chickens.
Reflection
I feel this was a pretty accurate reflection of my work this year in the above sections. To reiterate, I feel I did really well in my effort, I was on time and present, missing no artifacts of work, finds a way to say engaged and curious. In growth, I have worked hard to turn weakness into a learning opportunities via reflection, and is not afraid to share my reflection with the class. Mastery, Consistently produces very neat, succinct work and meets all learning targets and finds creative ways of thinking about the subject. Communication, I feel that I try to initiate polite and productive conversation with group members. Below is a picture of the rubric I was following too create this portfolio, and the guidelines by which I reflected to create my evidence.
I feel this was a pretty accurate reflection of my work this year in the above sections. To reiterate, I feel I did really well in my effort, I was on time and present, missing no artifacts of work, finds a way to say engaged and curious. In growth, I have worked hard to turn weakness into a learning opportunities via reflection, and is not afraid to share my reflection with the class. Mastery, Consistently produces very neat, succinct work and meets all learning targets and finds creative ways of thinking about the subject. Communication, I feel that I try to initiate polite and productive conversation with group members. Below is a picture of the rubric I was following too create this portfolio, and the guidelines by which I reflected to create my evidence.