ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Mathematics
The Mathematics Department
The Mathematics Department offers a wide range of classes designed to help all students achieve mastery of basic mathematical principles and techniques. More than developing computational techniques, the department looks to develop in students the habits of thought native to mathematical reasoning: estimation, logical method, abstraction of concepts, and methods for problem solving.
Our mathematics teachers will go any distance to motivate and inspire you with boldness and humility. We seek to provide you with opportunities to seek the good, true and beautiful in how mathematics is integrated in God’s creation. Our focus is to direct students to pursue understanding for its own sake through the vehicle of excellent teaching methods and curriculum.
The study of mathematics at FGR will equip you to solve a real-world problem. Using mathematical language and notation, you will be able to model the problem and employ a variety of strategies to solve it to an appropriate precision. Through mathematical study, you will develop the ability to enter into discourse and to clearly communicate your thinking in a logical and linear way.
Four credits of mathematics are required for graduation.
Referring to the table above, students may double up in some cases or move from one row to another with permission of the department.
Algebra I Essentials
Calculator purchase required.
This course intends to present the critical Algebra I topics and would be recommended to any student who has had little or no Algebra instruction or desires to sharpen their skills at a slower pace. The use of a scientific calculator will be required. TI-30XIIS or similar is recommended.
Textbook: Glencoe 2018 Series, provided by department
Algebra I
Calculator purchase required.
This is a full-year course in mathematical problem solving using algebraic techniques with an introduction to analyzing, graphing, and solving linear and quadratic equations and inequalities. Students will develop facility in working with polynomial expressions. The use of a scientific calculator will be required. TI-30XIIS or similar is recommended.
Textbook: Glencoe 2018 Series, provided by department
Honors Geometry
Calculator purchase required.
Prerequisite: Approval of the department
This first course of the honors mathematics sequence is designed for the advanced freshman (top 20%).This is a rigorous study of Euclidean Geometry integrated with solid and coordinate geometry. Logic, geometric theory, and geometric problem-solving techniques will be emphasized. Writing, solving, and graphing systems of equations and inequalities, factoring polynomials, solving quadratic equations, and working with irrational numbers will be used in the context of geometry. The use of a scientific calculator will be required. TI-30XIIS or similar is recommended.
Textbook: Geometry, McDougal Littell/Houghton Mifflin,provided by department
Geometry Essentials
Calculator purchase required.
Prerequisite: Algebra I Essentials
This course intends to present the critical geometry topics while incorporating proofs. It would be recommended to any student who has taken Algebra I Essentials. The use of a scientific calculator will be required. TI-30XIIS or similar is recommended.
Textbook: Glencoe 2018 Series, provided by department
Geometry
Calculator purchase required.
Prerequisite: Algebra I
Students will develop logical thinking skills through direct and indirect proofs of theorems. Concepts of Euclidean Geometry, problem solving techniques, fundamentals of right triangle trigonometry, and a study of solid geometry will be the main emphasis of the course. Included in this class will be a review and practice of Algebra I skills. Topics covered include inductive and deductive reasoning, similarity and congruence, transformations, triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, circles, prisms, cylinders, pyramids, spheres, perimeter, area, volume, and surface area with real-life applications throughout the course. The use of a scientific calculator will be required. TI-30XIIS or similar is recommended.
Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry
Calculator purchase required.
Prerequisite: Honors Geometry and approval of the department
This is an accelerated course in advanced algebra and trigonometry, with extensive work on problem solving requiring several steps and is a rigorous course requiring fluency in Algebra 1 concepts. Students will develop a solid understanding of algebraic techniques and transcendental functions. The use of a graphing calculator will be required. TI-84 Plus or TI-84 CE is recommended.
Algebra II Essentials w/Trig
Calculator purchase required.
Prerequisite: Geometry Essentials
This course intends to present the critical Algebra 2 topics. Instruction will be adjusted to meet the needs of students requiring a slower pace to attain proficiency in the content. It would be recommended to any student who has taken Geometry Essentials. The use of a graphing calculator will be required. TI-84 Plus or TI-84 CE is recommended.
Algebra II/Trigonometry
Calculator purchase required.
Prerequisites: Geometry
This course is a second year of algebra and an introduction to transcendental functions with an emphasis on problem solving using graphical and algebraic techniques and on developing and using functions to model and solve practical problems. Introduction to basic Trigonometry will be covered to prepare students for standardized testing. A graphing calculator is required. TI-84 Plus or TI-84 CE is recommended.
Advanced Placement Precalculus
Calculator purchase required.
Prerequisite: Honors Algebra II/Trigonometry or Algebra II and approval of the department
AP Precalculus prepares students for other college-level mathematics and science courses such as Calculus.
Topics will include advanced algebra concepts, Trigonometry, and other transcendental functions, sequences and series, function analysis/transformations and limits. A graphing calculator is required. TI-84 Plus or TI-84 CE is recommended.
Students who take AP Precalculus will be prepared to take the National AP Examination in the spring of the year in which they are taking the class.
College Prep Algebra
Calculator purchase required.
Prerequisite: Algebra II or Algebra II Essentials course AND math department approval for students coming from Algebra II
This semester long course aims to deepen students’ mathematical mindset. Students will gain a deeper understanding of foundational algebra principles, building upon knowledge gained in previous courses. Topics covered will include problem solving strategies, computation practice, an overview of polynomial, exponential and logarithmic functions, and sequences and series. This course is intended for the student who will not be taking AP Precalculus or Honors Statistics. It should be paired with Statistics (one-semester course.) A graphing calculator is required. TI-84 Plus or TI-84 CE is recommended.
Statistics
Calculator purchase required.
This course will introduce students to statistics to prepare them for a college level statistics course (a general education requirement for almost all four-year college degree programs). As such, the course will focus on the topics of statistical graphs and tables, probability, confidence intervals and hypothesis testing. A graphing calculator is required. TI-84 Plus or TI-84 CE is recommended.
Honors Statistics
Calculator purchase required.
Prerequisite: Honors Algebra II or minimum B average in Algebra II AND permission of the instructor
This course will provide far more depth to the field of statistics and would approximate the college course required of students in a nursing, medical, engineering, or similar program that will heavily use statistics. All topics from the semester statistics course would be covered in greater depth, and added content would include data modeling, survey writing, and two-sample hypothesis testing, among others. A graphing calculator is required. TI-84 Plus or TI-84 CE is recommended.
Textbook: Advanced High School Statistics: Second Edition, provided by department
Advanced Placement Calculus AB
Calculator purchase required.
Prerequisite: AP Precalculus and approval of the department
This course will follow the AP Calculus curriculum (AB syllabus). It is equivalent to a college level Calculus I course with emphasis on underlying theory and complex problems. A graphing calculator is required. TI-84 Plus or TI-84 CE is recommended.
Students who take AP Calculus AB will be prepared and expected to take the National AP Examination in the spring of the year in which they are taking the class.
Introduction to Computer Programming I
Corequisite: Algebra 1 or higher math course
Prerequisite: Algebra 1 Essentials (course must be completed prior to enrolling)
This course is an introduction to computer programming for students with limited or no programming experience. The course is also beneficial for students with programming experience who desire to gain knowledge of the text-based Python language. Units covered in this course include foundational topics such as creating basic graphical objects, functions, mouse and key events, conditionals, methods, and motion.
Computer Programming II
Prerequisite: Introduction to Computer Programming 1 or permission of the instructor.
Students in this course will continue to explore and apply the essential coding fundamentals learned in the Programming 1 course. Topics covered include loops, advanced functions, data types, lists, and incorporation of audio/images. Completion of this course will provide the essentials needed for further computer programming in Python or other similar languages.
College Programming and Computer Science
Prerequisite: Computer Programming II AND permission of the instructor
A technical introduction to the fundamentals of programming with an emphasis on producing clear, robust, and reasonably efficient code using top-down design, informal analysis, and effective testing and debugging. Starting from first principles, the course covers a large subset of the Python programming language, including its standard libraries and programming paradigms.
This is a rigorous and fast-paced course geared towards students with a strong interest in computer science and self- motivation to learn more difficult concepts. It is equivalent to Carnegie Mellon University’s 15-112 course and should substitute for any first-semester college programming course as a result.
Students will be prepared to take Carnegie Mellon’s CPCS Exam in the spring of the year in which the class is taken. Carnegie Mellon credit will be awarded to students passing the exam.