MAT 550

CAHSEE Math Preparation

Instructor:  Larry Green

Phone:  (530) 541-4660 x 341

email:  GreenL@LTCC.edu

Course Website:  http://cahsee.cvc.edu

Course Description  This class is a preparation course for students studying for the mathematics portion of the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE).  It is especially geared towards students who have finished high school but have not yet passed the mathematics portion of the CAHSEE.  The course includes test taking strategies, geometry and measurement, statistics, beginning algebra, mathematical reasoning, and number sense.  This is a non-credit course where students can enter and exit at any time.  Although grades are not given, a student will not be able to pass the CAHSEE without putting forth a substantial amount of work.

INSTRUCTOR OFFICE HOURS: 

Monday  ............................  11:00 to 12:00 AM            MSC

Tuesday..........................      11:00 to 12:00 PM            MSC

Wednesday ....................      2:15 to 3:15 PM                A 210

Thursday........................       10:00 to 11:00 AM           A210

Friday........................            11:00 to 12:00 PM           A210

Live Online Sessions:  These are real time lessons using a virtual white board tool called Elluminate.  The instructor will have a web cam and a microphone set up so that the students can watch and hear the lesson.  Students can also speak and project their own cams onto the lesson.  The dates and times for these sessions are scheduled as needed.  To find out this week's schedule please contact Larry Green or go to the Moodle calendar.

Course Resources-  This course uses the Moodle platform.  This allows for discussion, links, resources, Wikis, and other online assistance.

  • Interactive Lessons-  This is the primary resource for the class.  It includes lessons that will assist the student with the topics that are covered on the CAHSEE.  The lessons include 4 parts
     
    1. A multimedia presentation that provides motivation and examples that address the concepts of the lesson.
       
    2. An interactive game where the students work interactively to practice problems that relate to the lesson's concepts.
       
    3. Guided exercises that help the student through the steps needed to solve CAHSEE problems that relate to the lesson.
       
    4. CAHSEE-like problems.  Two of the problems relate to the current lesson and one is a problem that relates to a lesson that has already been successfully completed.
       
  • Lesson Supplements-  These are online textbook style lessons that include an explanation of the topic, examples and exercises.
     
  • Glossary of Terms-  All of the mathematics vocabulary related to the CAHSEE.
     
  • Become a Testmaker-  This component analyzes CAHSEE type problems and the choices (distracters) that are given.  Then the student practices creating CAHSEE problems of their own.
     
  • Email for Help-  At any time, a student can email the instructor.  An answer will either be given immediately or within a short period of time.
     
  • Social Forum-  Students can chat with other students and work together to learn the CAHSEE-related material.
     
  • Links to Other Resources-  Students can go to other sites that contain CAHSEE-related materials.

How to Be a Successful Student

  • Work on the computer lessons at least three times per week.
     
  • Attend all of the Live Sessions.
     
  • Ask for help when you get stuck.
     
  • Join the Social Forums.
     
  • Do not be afraid to make a mistake.  Reflecting on mistakes is the best way of learning.

 Topics and Subtopics

  1. Number Sense
    1. Scientific notation
       
    2. Arithmetic of rational numbers
       
    3. Fractions and Decimals
       
    4. Applications from finance and commerce
       
    5. Rules of exponents
       
    6. Roots and exponents
       
    7. Absolute values
       
  2. Statistics, Data Analysis, and Probability
     
    1. Measures of central tendency
       
    2. Validating claims based on data analysis
       
    3. Probability and diagrams that display outcomes
       
    4. Probability, proportions, and ratios.
       
    5. Independent and dependent events
       
  3. Algebra and Functions
     
    1. The use of variables
       
    2. Order of operations
       
    3. The relationship between equations and their graphs
       
    4. Graphs of lines, parabolas, and cubic equations
       
    5. Slope of a line
       
  4. Measurement and Geometry
     
    1. Units and ratios
       
    2. Perimeter, area, and volume
       
    3. The Pythagorean Theorem
       
    4. Graphs and their coordinates
       
    5. Congruent figures
       
    6. Scaled drawings
       
  5. Mathematical Reasoning
     
    1. Analyze problems for relationships, relevant, and misleading information.
       
    2. Mathematical conjectures
       
    3. Estimation techniques
       
    4. Inductive and deductive reasoning
       
    5. Development of generalizations of mathematical results to solve new problems.
       
  6. Beginning Algebra
     
    1. Simplifying linear expressions
       
    2. Solving linear equations
       
    3. Parallel and perpendicular lines and their slopes
       
    4. Systems of two equations and two unknowns
       
    5. Arithmetic of monomials
       
    6. Rate, work, and mixture problems
       

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Pass a practice CAHSEE exam.
  2. Solve mathematics problems that are typical of problems seen on the CAHSEE.
  3. Apply geometric principles to solve mathematics problems that are used in the workplace.
  4. Implement statistical constructs to analyze data generated charts.