Information for Parents
In 2009 the Mathematics Department introduced an Algebra Certificate scheme in Years 9 & 10. This scheme has been adapted from a very successful scheme run at Burnside High School in Christchurch. Our aim is to increase your daughter’s Algebra skills and quality of work when solving equations. The particular focus is not just to find the correct answer to a problem but to communicate the working very clearly. There is more than one valid method for finding the correct answer but the entire Department has decided upon ONE CONSISTENT FORMAT for answering the questions that the students will be EXPECTED TO FOLLOW. So in order to gain good results for this scheme your daughter needs to follow the prescribed method of working.
Throughout the year Algebra will
be taught alongside or in conjunction with the current topics in class. Each
week your daughter will be given five Algebra homework questions to be
completed in a 3B1 notebook that she has been provided with for this purpose.
Once each month she will sit a 10-question proficiency test that will generate her
Algebra Rating. This rating will be calculated as a running average of her test
scores (excluding her lowest score) and will be recorded to 1 decimal place. Obviously the highest rating will be 10.0 and
I am sure there will be many girls trying to achieve and maintain that score
through the year. In order to keep her
Algebra Rating high your daughter will need to answer the questions using the method she has been shown. We believe that by consistently
utilising this method we will see a marked increase in the girls’ algebraic
abilities. High quality certificates will be
designed and printed with images relating to our school. We will finalise the
criteria as to who will earn the certificates and publish this in a future
newsletter.
Information to students (also included in the course outlines that every Year 9 & 10 student receives).
At the beginning of the year you will have a brief introduction to some Algebra. Each 6-day cycle you will receive a short homework sheet of 5 questions to be completed and marked. You will be given a 3B1 notebook to paste in these questions and write in your answers. Each month there will be a 10-question test on the skills practiced in this homework.
The reason for the homework and monthly tests is to learn A PARTICULAR METHOD of working in Algebra. You will be shown the method to use to answer these questions. It is not just about getting the correct answer. THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO USE THE CORRECT METHOD OF WORKING.
The results from these tests will generate your ALGEBRA RATING. The calculation will the average of your monthly tests, excluding your worst result and the result will be recorded to 1 decimal place.
Example:
|
Test Scores |
Scores used |
Average |
Algebra Rating |
|
6 |
6 |
6 |
6.0 |
|
6, 8 |
8 |
8 |
8.0 |
|
6, 8, 5 |
6, 8 |
7 |
7.0 |
|
6, 8, 5, 9 |
6, 8, 9 |
|
7.7 |
Criteria for gaining the Algebra Certificate
There are three levels of achievement available:
Basic Certificate: Must sit at least 5 tests with an average of 5.0 or higher
Silver Certificate: Must sit at least 5 tests with an average of 7.0 or higher
Gold Certificate: Must sit at least 8 tests with an average of 9.0 or higher.
Certificate designs
We would like to use quality artwork from students to go on the certificates. Artwork can be computer generated, hand-drawn or photographic and should not be in breach of copyright laws.
