 These courses are all activity based, meaning that students are asked to do something that will demonstrate to them the big mathematical ideas that we are working for. Our approach is very different from what is found elsewhere. These QED™ designed courses are:
We want our students to be excited to learn mathematics, to draw connections with the physical world they live in. | Level 1 (grades 1-2) This sequence of courses is designed to help students become acquainted with some of the most important ideas and concepts of mathematics at an early age. 2013-2014 Patterns Abound This course shows students where they will find mathematical patterns both in the classroom and outside the classroom. Students will learn how to create their own patterns and how to classify them. Shape Up This geometry course acquaints students with geometric ideas, where students will learn how to identify and create polygons and will become acquainted with their properties through actually constructing the polygons using materials and drawings. The Number Line The number line is home to all of the different kinds of numbers that a student might experience in their lifetime. In this course students will learn the different strategies of number identification and will be able to discern rationals from irrationals. 2014-2015 This course helps students look for relationships between different groups of numbers that can identified through addition, multiplication, and recursion. Factors, multiples, and exponentiation are all part of this course. Measureful This course introduces everyday measurement and demonstrates measurement technique. Students will understand that measurement is a process of approximation, involves rounding, and is capturing rational numbers from an irrational world. Number Systems This course is an explanation of the idea of number systems from around the world. Students will cover binary, decimal, hexadecimal, and the Mayan vigesimal. Level 2 (grades 3-4) For the students who wonder if there's anything more than just addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to mathematics. 2013-2014 The Golden Number This is a fascinating exploration of the Golden Ratio and its derivation, construction, and usage from buildings to art. Students will learn ideas of irrational numbers and how and where they might be discovered around us. What are the Chances of That? This is a course on measuring and understanding probability using the world around us as a guide post. Students will explore a range of natural and man-made phenomena. Mystery of the Primes The prime numbers have long been a major source of mystery for mathematicians. This course will be an opportunity for students to explore these numbers and some of the amazing problems that they pose. 2014-2015 This is the next step in geometry, 3-D. The solids is a course on some of the principles that govern these interesting 3-Dimensional shapes where students will work at a range of model constructions. Computation Automation In our modern age of computing, understanding automation becomes even more important. This course will walk students through cellular automata and the rudimentary practices of creating algorithms. The Cartesian Approach Students will learn the methods that Descartes introduced to best understand algebraic principles geometrically. It is an opportunity for students to get used to the techniques of creating and classifying graphs. | Level 3 (grades 5-6) These courses are designed to help 5th and 6th graders to get real world insight into some of the deepest ideas in mathematics. 2013-2014 How Predictable This course takes students into the world of predictive probability. Students will learn to use factorials and ideas of grouping to predict real world phenomena. The Pythagoreans The Pythagoreans are most notable for their theorems, one famous one in particular. Students will learn these theories and how to apply them to solve real world problems. That's Complex? Complex numbers aren't that complex. This is an amazing topic for 5th and 6th graders that will help contextualize many of the basic properties of the number line. They will even learn how to make complex number graphs. 2014-2015 This course helps acquaint students with the basic ideas of logic. They'll learn how logic plays into our daily lives. They'll learn how to code logical ideas using mathematical symbols. About Fractals This is course covers the amazing topic of fractals, recursion, and ideas of infinity. Students will build their own fractals and will learn to apply the use of fractals to mathematically describe surfaces. A Slice of Pi Pi is one of the most important numbers ever conceptualized by mathematicians. Students will learn where it comes from, how to find it, and will look for its existence in the world around us. Level 4 (Grades 7-8) These courses combine real world application with amazing theoretical ideas and will help frame the power of mathematics. 2013-2014 Infinite Ideas What is infinity? Students will explore the different concepts of infinity using set theory. The course will combine a hands-on approach to axiomatic systems that will help contextualize infinity. Incremental Change This course is an introduction to huge idea of the derivative and slope. What is it? How is it used? How is it related to algebraic functions? Students will explore these concepts using real world examples. Euler's Formula There is one equation that nearly every mathematician claims to be the greatest embodiment of mathematics. Students will go on an exploration of trigonometry, logarithms, and complex numbers to understand this ultimate equation. 2014-2015 This course is on the application and theory of the Method of Exhaustion. It combines geometry with the power of reasoning to make predictions of both area and volume. The Quadratic No middle school program would be complete without learning the quadratic formula. Students will approach this formula from a series of experiments designed to highlight each key part of this formula. The Power of Binomials Binomials stand as part of some of the most useful tools in the mathematical belt. Students will work to understand ideas of approximation and application of the binomial expansion to better understand the physical world around them. |
QC Mathematics
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