math
CONTENT
C1E8F9
Mathematics
Teachers on Math
Gallery
According to math teachers, Math is simply applied logic. In Math courses, students use their intelligence to come up with unique and efficient methods to solve problems. Some students struggle with Math and couldn't see how it applies to their lives, but Math is, in fact, an enjoyable activity which can be made easier and more fun with various activities and games, something Mr. Li strives to achieve. He tries to engage students who dislike Math and makes his lessons more than just note-taking, as he had to do multiple hours of Math homework each day in Asia; he believes that in Palmer, math is easier and more engaging, which is beneficial for students.​​​​
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Palmer offers a wide variety of Math courses to ensure students always have a choice of what courses they wish to take, including AP courses. Palmer also provides opportunities for motivated students to take part in contests such as Pascal, Cayley, Fermat, Gauss, and the Canadian Open Math Contest (COMC). Palmer puts in a lot of effort into preparing students for post-secondary mathematics courses that can lead to careers such as engineering, accounting, and areas inside the sciences.
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Outside of the curriculum, the Math programs at Palmer also teaches students to manage personal finances, such as grocery shopping and taxes, which will become useful in the future.
Math builds the general intelligence of communities through fostering logical thinking and problem solving; at Palmer in particular, teachers have noticed that students who excel in Math tend to go on as organized and intelligent students in other subjects, as well as in the near future. Math improves problem-solving skills of students, which is important for not only the math problems they face in homework, but also other issues that require logic in later life. Students often run into roadblocks while solving problems, so they have to surpass it and avoid similar mistakes or problems in the future.
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However, despite all the advantages Math offers, Math is a lot of work and requires you to be studious. Every week, students are expected to be evaluated — whether in small quizzes, homework checks, or major unit exams. Finals make up around 40% of your overall grade, and homework is assigned almost every day. According to teachers, students should prepare for exams earlier and not wait for the last minute, while revising the material and any concepts that might be difficult.
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Every day, there will be new concepts — but the fun of Math is in its challenges and the achievement after understanding a new, interesting concept — Math is a cornerstone of one's success, so work hard to achieve success in the course!
Inside the Classroom: 1
Inside the Classroom: 2
Mr. Kwan's classroom, room 207
Math-related decorations in Mr. Kwan's classroom
THE MATH COURSES IN PALMER​
In general, all students from Grades 8-9 will enroll in their respective Math 8 and 9 courses to build up on foundations. It covers decimals, fractions, squares. and square roots, volume and surface area, linear equations, Pythagorean Theorem, and financial literacy.
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In grades 10 and above, Workplace Math is offered for students who struggle heavily with Math to prepare for future Math courses required for graduation. Foundations Math is a course between Workplace and Regular Math for students who do not plan on having a career that require math skills, such as the arts or trades. Meanwhile, Pre-Calc Math starts at Gr. 10 to prepare for calculus that would be encountered in university. AP calc succeeds the courses with an advanced, university-level knowledge of calculus, which is extremely beneficial for students pursuing careers in the sciences or to increase the chances of being admitted in university courses, which may have high competition.
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The Incentive program in Palmer provides enriched courses for highly motivated students. Students take an enriched Math 8/9 course in Grade 8 and Math 9/10 in Grade 9, which compresses content from Grades 8-10 in a span of two years, along with a mandatory Pascal contest in Grade 8 that take up around 10% of the course marks. Pre-calculus Enriched 11 continues from the Incentive courses or Grade 10 content, accelerating and going more in-depth than the average Pre-calculus 11 course. The course admission requirements are based off recommendation which requires students to have an 86% (A) or above in previous courses.
