Mr.

Kelleher Boston College High School

[email protected] Vol. 1
630.501.5112 Issue 4

Pre-Calc
Happenings
9/16/2019

The Art of Manipulation

Desmos Graphing Calculator
This week in class I will be introducing Desmos Graphing Calculator to
the students as an educational resource. Desmos is a beautiful graphing
calculator that will augment our studies of graph behavior this semester.
Desmos can be accessed for free on any computer or laptop via the
internet as well as through an application available in the App Store or
Google Play. Students don’t even have to sign-up to utilize this resource. Desmos
Desmos allows students to quickly and efficiently create and edit
mathematical graphs in real-time, and it has several interesting functions. Applications
However, the most exciting function (which we will utilize frequently in
class) is the ability to manipulate graphs.
Beautiful Graphs of:
Once in the app, students can choose a type of graph from an extensive • Inequalities
preset list (parabola, trigonometry, etc). They will then see an example • Lines
graph of the requested form which they can experiment with. This
function is crucial. Using a sliding bar, students can change specific • Parabolas
values in the equation to understand how changing each value changes • Data Sets
the shape of the graph. They will literally see the graphs bend and stretch • Exponents & Logs
before their eyes.
• Trig Functions
A central theme throughout the year will be graphical transformations. • Derivatives
Desmos allows students to transform graphs in real time to gain a • Integrals
tangible glimpse of what is changing in each graph, something I cannot • And more!
provide them with any written form of instruction or demonstration. As a
result, we will use this app often. When we study trigonometric
transformations, we will utilize Desmos to understand how changing the Manipulations of
amplitude and period change the graph. We will also experiment with • Parabolas (All Forms)
this app when we begin our work with polar equations, once again
• Lines
understanding how changing the equation changes the graph.
• Trig (Periods/Phases)
I am thrilled to be bringing Desmos into the classroom this year, and I • Unit Circle
have high hopes that it will bring a new level of clarity to our complex
course. Please encourage your student to utilize Desmos at home as a • Conics (All Kinds)
study tool, when they need help with homework, or just if they want to • Polars (All Shapes)
make a creative drawing out of graphs… • Translations/Scalings

*See an example to the right above of Desmos at work

Student Help without Stress
Khan Academy
I’m sure that many of you parents have seen your child we begin our studies of vectors. Students will
struggle with math over their lifetime. At one point or complete Khan Academy exercises in class to ensure
another, you were likely asked if you could help, and, they have a rock-solid understanding of vectors
at one point or another, I’m sure you found yourself before we build off of that knowledge and begin
nearly as confused as they were. working with complex and polar coordinate systems.
Students will each make an account with their school
This website will take the homework help out of your email so they can track their progress and save it on a
hands in the best kind of way. Khan Academy is an personal dashboard.
online learning tool that aims to personalize learning
and allow learners to work at a pace specialized for I also highly encourage the use of Khan Academy at
them. They accomplish this perfectly by providing home. I cannot stress enough the value of the
exercises, instructional videos, and personalized instructional videos. They are clear, concise, and
progress reports. Students can zip through exercises essentially provide the experience of having a private
that they understand or take their time on and find tutor in the comfort of your own home. Students
ample resources for topics that are more challenging. should use these videos to help them study and
complete homework assignments as often as needed.
We will begin utilizing Khan Academy next week as
I also encourage the use of Khan Academy for
practice exercises. One can find an infinite amount
of exercises available for practice here along with
step by step solutions. Students can “use a hint” to
reveal each step of a problem they are stuck on so
as to ensure successful completion of assignments
in conjunction with thoughtful understanding of
content.

I am excited to introduce this program in the

classroom in the coming weeks. As students work
their way through the Vector Unit, I am more than
optimistic that they will enjoy a personalized
learning experience in the classroom. However,
please do encourage students to utilize this at
home. I really cannot stress that enough, and it
prevents you from having to do the math with your
student yourselft: a win, win!

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have
Questions? after reading this newsletter. I am always happy to chat about your student’s
learning at any point during the year. See my contact info on the first top of the
Concerns? first page of this newsletter.