Moment of Clarity

My "moment of clarity" was when I started to understand how to do the composition of functions.  Jackson began to explain how to do each step and I took notes on everything he wrote on the board.  Finally once we started to practice on our own, I checked my notes to see how to complete the problem and within a few minutes I was done and I had the correct answer.  I felt really proud because some of this stuff is really hard and I felt like I had accomplished something.

Clarity

This week after the quiz I was still struggling and I felt as if I was getting nowhere. But then when our class started learning about combining and composing functions all of a sudden I understood. I don't exactly know how but it just came to me, my moment of clarity. I'm glad that I'm becoming more involved in class because I understand how to work out these combination and composition of function problems.

Weekly blog post

This week I was having struggle grasping the ideas that composite functions were proposing or the f(g(x)) stuff. I had a moment of clarity when I heard the word "substitution" used to describe it. I now understand that instead of just f(7) and plugging in 7 everytime you see an x now it is f(g(x)) means to plug in the whole function g(x) when you see an x in function f.

Moment of Clarity

I think so far the most difficult thing for me to understand was doing the f(g(x)) equations. In class I was just so stressed out during the notes and examples and I was really frustrated. I remember though, on one problem in the most recent worksheet, I just all of a sudden got it. I don't even know how it happened. It just clicked and I felt so relieved.

My muddiest point this past week...I'm between combining functions and finding domain and range.  I kind of get the main point, I just get stuck when it comes to some of the steps in finding the answer to the problem.

Muddy point this week

The muddy point I had this week came when we started doing the f(g(x)) functions. The notation used was very confusing. Also I found it confusing when it came to finding the domain of the final function. I didn't understand which original function's domain to use to find the final domain. But by the end of the day Friday I was able to understand which function (inner) to use when finding the ending function!

Week 2

The roughest thing for me was finding the domain and range of rational functions. After looking over my notes and the answers keys on our class website, I understand how to find domain and range of rational functions.

Muddiest Point

My muddiest point this week was when we started composition of functions graphically and algebraically. I understood how to find it on a graph but when we got to the second part I was lost. My group members explained it to me and I started understanding it more but I am still a little confused.

Second blog post

I did not to nearly as well as I had hoped on the quiz we took on Tuesday. I made stupid mistakes which was my down fall but I have been getting help from Mrs. Cantrell and I feel that I have need getting better everytime I go in for help. 

Week 2-Muddiest Point

My muddiest point this week most likely would have been the quiz. I have NEVER studied for math before in my life! So, as usual, I did not study for this one either. Looking back at it now, I see that I would have done so much better if I would have studied every day like Mr. Jackson wants us to do. After receiving my grade, I understand now that i cannot just assume that i am going to receive 100% on every quiz I take. Now, I have looked over my notes as much as I can and feel as if I am understanding most of the unit so far. I did have my moments when i forgot how to write interval notation or struggled with this new concept of combining and composition of functions, then looked back at the notes I wrote(which helped a lot). 

Week 2 - Moment of clarity

When we got our first quizzes back, I saw that I had goofed up on the interval notation for range in the first section. I talked to Jackson about why there should be brackets instead of parenthesis for the k values, and I then had my "moment of clarity". He explained how when you graph the function, those points will be hit, so we had to include the k value in the notation. To do this, the brackets must be used. (The brackets really mean "greater/less than or equal to". Without using them, we're saying that the k value is not included in the function, which is a false statement.)

Weekly blog option 2

Weekly blog option 2.
Well it was the day we had gotten our quizzes back and to see what I got all I had felt was disappointment and dumb.  After looking over the quiz and going back over some of the problems and taking my time making sure not to mess any little detail up, i noticed right away what I had done wrong and was rather angry at myself for making such stupid little mistakes.  While no matter what I would have still gotten the last problem wrong, the other two that I only got half credit on could have been completely avoided and I would have been much happier with my grade.  I learned that even when the quiz is unexpected and timed, I still need to be careful about the problems and make sure I have done all of the steps right without missing and little detail that could change the answer.  The good thing is that when looking around and asking others, it seemed as if I wasn't the only one who was not proud of what grade they had received.  So while I may have done bad on that particular quiz I am still around where the class is in general, meaning I am not falling behind.  The only thing now is to wait for the next quiz or even the test and make sure I do a tremendous job on it.

week two

Unfortunately, I haven't had any moment of clarity. I feel completely stuck. Usually I'm pretty good at understanding new concepts but I've had so much on my mind lately and it's really bringing me down. I really need to get extra help but I can't stay after unless its at my parents' convenience. All I want out of this class is a good grade ad maybe some better math skills.

Second Blog Post

Earlier in the week, I didn't get the grade I wanted to on the quiz. However I believe that with studying and hard work that I can obtain a good grade in this course. Something that was difficult for me is finding the domain and range of the radical and rational functions, but after today in class I gained a better understanding!

Week 2

I never really have been interested in most math classes.  I am mostly looking to make it through this one in a single piece with a good grade.  However, I try to remember that giving up is a choice that I make, and I often make that choice when struggling with schoolwork.  Or at leafs, I try to.  I have my family always pushing me back up from the depths of forfeiting, whether I like it or not.  Later, I always remember what pushing on and finishing what work lies in front of you is like in the end.  I always have a little saying for when I begin tiring out, and want to just fall on my face.

Remember, if you give up on yourself, you give up on the world.

Garlic Onion Flavor Gum

Dear Flavio, Thank you so much for the garlic onion flavored gum! It stimulated my senses and made me very happy. You rock! -Sam

Week 2 blog post

I was not very happy with my quiz grade at the beggining of this week. I was not ready to take a quiz which is my fault for not looking over my notes as much as I should. I struggled early this week with domain and range but I got some help and I'm pretty confident about it now. However I am struggling a little with combining and composition of functions. 

Second Blog Post (9/19/14)

The part i struggle most (not much struggle) is with finding the domain of combined functions.

Second blog post!

I wasnt too happy about my quiz earlier this week. I just made little mistakes that were critical. I'm going to have to take more time into reviewing material everynight!

Second Blog Post

After the quiz on Tuesday, we reviewed some  of the material in which we were tested on and I was confused on finding the domain of radical functions. After we reciewed, it finally clicked with my mind on how to do it and I lost the confusion in which I had. I had my "ah-ha!" moment on Wednesday during class.

I know you're frustrated...

Hang in there.  Sounds easier said then done, I know.  One of the hardest concepts to teach is how to accept failure.  By accepting failure, you are not giving up (this is a choice), but you are deciding to bring your very best to the fight, so that if you fail again you'll have learned a new set of lessons.  Maybe its not failure that you're afraid of.  Maybe you honestly don't know where to start when it comes to the concepts in class.  Please trust me when I suggest that you try "something," even if it doesn't seem "correct."  You have so many years of experience that has led you here...so use it!  Make sure you spend time every day thinking about what you want out of this class.  

Do you:
1.  Just want to make it through it.  
2.  Develop a deeper understanding of mathematics.
3.  Become a better student in all of your classes.
4.  Increase your awareness of those around you and show compassion.
5.  Get rewarded just for showing up.
6.  I'll take whatever I want from this class, you can't tell me what to do.
7.  All of the above.
8.  #'s 2-4 with a little #1 if possible.

Remember, I'm here for you.  I'm on "your side."  We need to go to battle together.  Maybe a little motivation is necessary.  

"I am Mr Jackson. And I see a whole army of students, here in defiance of tyranny! You have come to fight as free men & women. And free man & woman you are! What will you do without freedom? Will you fight?"

"We risk failure & humiliation!" - a veteran student shouted. "No! We will run - and keep face!"

"Yes!" Jackson shouted back. "Fight and you may fail. Run and you will at least last a while without fear of frustration & anxiety. And dying in your bed many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance, to come back here as young men & women and tell our enemies that they may take our time & energy but they will never take our freedom!"
-adapted from a speech from William Wallace.

You are the future and I believe that you can do so much more than what the previous generation gives you credit.  Please...believe in yourself.  This is just math.  There are real solutions here.  Life is much more complicated and will challenge you much more than I can ever do in 12 weeks.  






 

Chewing Gum

Thank you so much for the onion flavored chewing gum! It my breath smell AWESOME for the rest of the day! It was quite the experience.

In five years I will be....

Just graduating from Oklahoma State in Warner Oklahoma. My major will eithor have been in ag education or ag buissness. I will then start taking tests to become an agricultural teacher. 

I've never been more frightened than when..

Late third tri of my sophomore year I was sitting in Mr. Martels history class listening to a lecture or something (I can't really remember) but I noticed a very large spider hanging on the ceiling across the room from me. I'm super afraid of spiders so every so often i'd glance at it to see if the spider was keeping its distance. It was slowly and slowly approaching the table I was sitting at and I started to panic. The spider reached my table and at that point my eyes were glued to it and HONESTLY the second I looked away the sneaky spider abandoned its web and dropped and skid my cheek and I was extremely perturbed and done at that point. 

In 5 years

In 5 years I will most likely be in college. I will hopefully be doing well in college, but no promises there. I'm not sure what I'll be there for, but it'll be something. I will also most likely be doing a part time job as well as college in order to pay for different things. This job will definitely not be fun, but whatever. I hopefully will try to stay in shape, because I'm not really liking the idea of getting fat. I hope that I will have fun with college, and that I won't have to spend every second studying.

Nightmare

One night I dreamt that I was swimming in a huge pool with a few of my friends. The pool was very deep and we could not see the bottom at first but once we went under the water there was thousands and thousands of sea monsters. I cannot even describe how terrifying they were. As the nightmare went on, I tried to swim to the side of the pool so I could escape my death but it kept getting bigger and bigger and I kept swimming slower and slower. It didn't end until right when I woke up and out of breath.
Luckily I am not afraid of the water now but I will never forget how real that nightmare felt.

In 5 years I will be at college! Hopefully where ever I go I will play soccer there! I would like to study buisness in school! I would also like to stay in michigan for school! That is where I will be in 5 years.

My Favorite Childhood Toy

My favorite childhood toy that I had were my Hot Wheels. I had, and still have, like 300 in my basement and they were really fun to play with. I remember how I used to count them out and sort them by size, color, and other things. Of course I was a bit violent and would send them racing down my hallways, outside on the side walk, and would even take them to school and play on the slides with them. I remember a giant dinosaur like race track my mom got me as a birthday present once and it was insane! I would play with that race track and my Hot Wheels for hours on end.

my hero: first post thing

My hero isn't a person, it's music. If we didn't have music, I probably wouldn't be here today typing this post. Whenever I feel alone and like nobody cares, music is always there. Whenever I'm sad, or in a bad mood, or trying to find reasons to stay, I turn on the radio or grab my guitar and feel a million times better.

favorite toy

When I was a six years old my parents moved to Michigan from Colorado so that my mom could attend medical school at MSU. When I was about seven my parents told my brothers and i that we were going to a penny convention but we were actually going to Great Wolf Lodge. Being from Colorado, when we arrived we did not know where we were or what great wolf lodge was. In great wolf lodge there was a toy shop that had all these stuffed animals of bears, wolves, raccoons, moose and other forest animals. The moment i walking into the toy shop i saw this white and gray wolf stuffed animals with bright blue eyes. Being seven years old that loves stuffed animals, you could imagine how much i wanted the wolf stuffed animal. My mom told me that the only way that i could get him was if i could give him a name. the first word out of my mouth with shrieks of joy and excitment was, "Wolfy!" Ever since Wolfy has gone everywhere with me and will always be with me. I still sleep with him sometimes when Im sad or stressed out.