Final Exhibition Project
I will be exhibiting the semester exam project, which of the three projects that we have completed for Algebra II is the one that I am most proud of. The project required us to create 10 different Algebraic equations using our various skills and the knowledge that we have gained. The equations had to have varying levels of difficulty from relatively simply to quite complex. We developed and refined these equations over the course of the project and my final equations are presented in the document below. Our Algebra II teacher randomly chose a few written problems from each of us to create a test review and a semester exam. One of the key outcomes of this project was that our class created our final exam.
This project is the culmination of what I have learned over the course of the school term in Algebra II. By designing equations, I was able to exhibit my understanding of mathematical concepts that I had mastered. During this project I did not learn any new content, but I did perfect and review past Algebra concepts to the point where I am able to teach people what I have learned by walking them through the problems that I have written. This semester exam project challenged me to re-learn older content and perfect the more recent skills that I have learned.
My key takeaway from this Exhibition is that it is exceedingly hard to have an interactive math exhibit because parents and students seem to want to learn more about a project and its process rather than participate. While I tried to share the process by involving people in actual problem solving and asking them to determine the answers to progressively more difficult math equations, I largely found that they were uninterested in this approach. I wonder if I somehow had tapped into their discomfort at tackling math problems and their insecurities with math. If I were to exhibit this project again, I would focus more on the process and spend the time explaining my approach. I certainly would not have printed so many copies of my equations and wasted an unnecessary amount of paper.
My greatest strength in mathematics is that once I grasp a concept, I can run with it and apply it to my projects and homework. At that point, I can apply the concept independently and extend it to more difficult problem solving. I also excel at advocating for help when I need it and I am quick to ask my peers and Algebra II instructor for assistance on projects and homework. I see my biggest weakness as my inability to remember concepts that I have previously learned. Typically, when we review or are tested on concepts that we learned a few weeks prior I have no memory of how to solve them. In the future I will strive to remember previously learned mathematic concepts since it is crucial for my understanding of math to remember past content.
This project is the culmination of what I have learned over the course of the school term in Algebra II. By designing equations, I was able to exhibit my understanding of mathematical concepts that I had mastered. During this project I did not learn any new content, but I did perfect and review past Algebra concepts to the point where I am able to teach people what I have learned by walking them through the problems that I have written. This semester exam project challenged me to re-learn older content and perfect the more recent skills that I have learned.
My key takeaway from this Exhibition is that it is exceedingly hard to have an interactive math exhibit because parents and students seem to want to learn more about a project and its process rather than participate. While I tried to share the process by involving people in actual problem solving and asking them to determine the answers to progressively more difficult math equations, I largely found that they were uninterested in this approach. I wonder if I somehow had tapped into their discomfort at tackling math problems and their insecurities with math. If I were to exhibit this project again, I would focus more on the process and spend the time explaining my approach. I certainly would not have printed so many copies of my equations and wasted an unnecessary amount of paper.
My greatest strength in mathematics is that once I grasp a concept, I can run with it and apply it to my projects and homework. At that point, I can apply the concept independently and extend it to more difficult problem solving. I also excel at advocating for help when I need it and I am quick to ask my peers and Algebra II instructor for assistance on projects and homework. I see my biggest weakness as my inability to remember concepts that I have previously learned. Typically, when we review or are tested on concepts that we learned a few weeks prior I have no memory of how to solve them. In the future I will strive to remember previously learned mathematic concepts since it is crucial for my understanding of math to remember past content.
Semester Exam Project
Our final exam for the semester was to create 10 math problems from the material that we had studied during the term. The challenge was to create three hard, three medium and three easy problems as well as one ridiculous problem. We were not allowed to copy any of the problems from a math book nor could other students help us with the problems.
1) What did you think of the last project?
This project was challenging, but very rewarding. I was able to apply my knowledge of mathematics to create a variety of Algebra related problems. At times I struggled with mastering a concept and then applying it to an original, solvable problem. While this could become tedious, it also taught me how to persevere. Typically, I find that I master a math concept and then need a refresher on it a few weeks later when the material is stale. By applying my knowledge in this project, as opposed to just completing problem sets or tests, I found that I retained my Algebra skills.
2) How are you going to study for the exam?
I plan to study for the upcoming exam by reviewing past homework and notes in my composition book. This will help me review and retain math skills that I have previously learned. As I review past work, I will focus on fully understanding concepts that I still do not have a concrete grasp of. The semester exam project itself was review for the exam, and helped me solidify my knowledge in many areas.
3) General reflection about the semester: How did it go, what are your strengths and weaknesses related to working and understanding the content in Algebra II?
This semester’s work has been quite challenging, but also a great learning experience. My biggest break through was learning to complete my Algebra II work independently. In the past, I have not always been confident in my math skills and often sought out a tutor or teacher to guide me in the process. Since I have been independently completing my Algebra II assignments , my confidence in my work has greatly increased. This transition to more independent work has made this semester a major growth experience with all of the attendant challenges.
During this semester I have also greatly improved my test scores. In the past I would rarely score over seventy percent on tests, but so far this semester my lowest score has be an eighty percent. I believe this is due to my newfound confidence in my math skills and better study habits. My downfall in the class has been my note taking skills and my struggles with stress management. Essentially, when a large amount of homework is assigned, I get overwhelmed and my ability to focus on my work and take productive notes declines. While I have not quite figured out how to overcome this stress management issue, I am addressing it and hope to continue to make progress next semester.
1) What did you think of the last project?
This project was challenging, but very rewarding. I was able to apply my knowledge of mathematics to create a variety of Algebra related problems. At times I struggled with mastering a concept and then applying it to an original, solvable problem. While this could become tedious, it also taught me how to persevere. Typically, I find that I master a math concept and then need a refresher on it a few weeks later when the material is stale. By applying my knowledge in this project, as opposed to just completing problem sets or tests, I found that I retained my Algebra skills.
2) How are you going to study for the exam?
I plan to study for the upcoming exam by reviewing past homework and notes in my composition book. This will help me review and retain math skills that I have previously learned. As I review past work, I will focus on fully understanding concepts that I still do not have a concrete grasp of. The semester exam project itself was review for the exam, and helped me solidify my knowledge in many areas.
3) General reflection about the semester: How did it go, what are your strengths and weaknesses related to working and understanding the content in Algebra II?
This semester’s work has been quite challenging, but also a great learning experience. My biggest break through was learning to complete my Algebra II work independently. In the past, I have not always been confident in my math skills and often sought out a tutor or teacher to guide me in the process. Since I have been independently completing my Algebra II assignments , my confidence in my work has greatly increased. This transition to more independent work has made this semester a major growth experience with all of the attendant challenges.
During this semester I have also greatly improved my test scores. In the past I would rarely score over seventy percent on tests, but so far this semester my lowest score has be an eighty percent. I believe this is due to my newfound confidence in my math skills and better study habits. My downfall in the class has been my note taking skills and my struggles with stress management. Essentially, when a large amount of homework is assigned, I get overwhelmed and my ability to focus on my work and take productive notes declines. While I have not quite figured out how to overcome this stress management issue, I am addressing it and hope to continue to make progress next semester.