Week of December 8th: Revisiting Sade and extending polynomial understanding to solve problems

General  Last week we improved our understanding of graphing polynomial functions and discussed key features of this function family including relative and absolute extrema.  In addition, we learned how to predict the end behavior of their graphs based on the degree and lead coefficient; and the relationship between the degree and number of turns we see on a polynomial graph.  This week we will extend what we learned about quadratic function solving techniques to solve problems involving polynomial functions.    
  

3 Key Learning Goals for the week

• Become and even smoother operator (factorer).  You will be asked to self-assess/rate your current understanding of factoring (GCF, DOT's, Factoring Completely, etc.) and apply similar techniques to rewrite polynomial expressions in a different form to solve problems. 
• Be able to make sense of word problems that lead to polynomial functions.  The persevere in solving them using factoring or other techniques.
• Address some misconceptions that showed up in the last two online assessments. Specifically,  there were some errors related to understanding exponent rules and writing expressions to represent volume algebraically.  These previously learned skills from other classes could be obstacles to doing well with our polynomial modeling and problem solving

Self Regulated Learning

My last post mentioned some of the characteristics of being a self-regulated learner.  One was that a self regulated learner identifies areas of strengths and weaknesses.  My teacher perspective is that graphing is, in general, a strength for our class.  Especially, problems that involve (FIF) interpreting functions, zeros, rates of change, domain and range etc.  However, the mixed tenmarks assessment results indicated that some of the problems reflecting the building function standard (FBF3), mainly transformations, were not as strong.  When I collect your paper homework next class be sure you can communicate any misconceptions related to transformation.  Previous paper pencil quizzes showed pretty strong understanding.  

Also, I need you to know how well you know your rules for exponents and can set up word problems.  If this is not a strength, there are some strategies and follow up activities you can do to improve your understanding.   

And of course, if you are not a smooth operator you need to improve your factoring.you