ConcepTests High School Mathematics

The resources here were written by experienced secondary mathematics teachers for use in high school mathematics classes.

In order to teach and assess individual student conceptual understanding and also stimulate student-student discussions, try this:

• Present the ConcepTest and prompt students to quietly determine their individual solutions.
• Have the class vote on the best answer(s), and display class results.
• It is helpful to create a method of anonymous voting, perhaps using computer technology, individual white boards, or flash cards.
• Without hinting at the correct solution(s), give students several minutes to discuss their ideas in small groups.
• Revote!

It is likely that students will solve their own misconceptions, and the second vote will tell you whether or not to devote more discussion to the problem. Use a ConcepTest as an anticipatory set to motivate a lesson or a unit. Use during the lesson to give students time to process and discuss their ideas. Use as lesson or unit closure or for an exam review.

Please feel free to send comments on these resources and, of course, to write and use your own ConcepTests as well! (lisa dot berger at stonybrook dot edu).

Summer 2018!!!

We anticipate facilitating a group of ten experienced geometry teachers interested in learning about ConcepTests and creating geometry resources, for individual use and dissemination, this summer. Interested teachers should submit the brief application form by April 20, 2018.

Application for July/August Geometry ConcepTests Workshop

ConcepTests:

• Parallel Lines
• Perpendicular Lines
• Linear System
• Linear System Two

• Graph of Quadratic Function
• Quadratic Equation--Application
• Quadratic Equation--Application
• Quadratic Equation--Solution Methods
• Quadratic--Graph of Quadratic Function

• Polynomial--Graph from equation
• Polynomial--Factoring and roots
• Polynomial--Even Function
• Polynomial--Solution to polynomial equation
• Polynomial--Factoring expressions
• Polynomial--Roots
• Polynomial--Remainder Theorem
• Polynomial--Intercepts

Exponential and Logarithmic Functions:

• Properties of Logarithm
• Exponential Function--End Behavior One
• Exponential Function--End Behavior Two
• Exponential Function
• Exponential Function--Interest Application
• Exponential Decay--Application
• Exponential Decay--Application--Solution

• Simplifying radical expressions
• Equation with radical
• Equation with radical, two
• Simplifying rational expressions
• Equation with rational expressions

Trigonometry:

• Properties of sine and cosine functions
• Trigonometric equation
• Trigonometric equation two
• Radian measure
• Pythagorean Identity
• Trigonometric functions, transformations

Probability and Combinatorics:

• Combinatorics, Inclusion-Exclusion
• Combinatorics, Sample space
• Probability, Sample space-two
• Probability, Independent events and mutually exclusive events
• Probability, Inclusion-Exclusion
• Combinatorics, Sample space-three
• Probability, Independent events and mutually exclusive events, two

Functions:

• Odd and even functions
• Odd and even functions, Two
• Sum of functions
• Functions, composition, and inverses
• Function composition, domain
• Function transformations
• Function composition
• Average rate of change

Sequences and Series

• Recursive Sequence
• Recursive Sequence Two
• Summation notation with finite sum
• Summation notation with finite sum, Two

Acknowledgements:

The teachers contributing to this work, to date, include: Kristen Acierno, Amy Cappiello, Lawrence Maggio, Pam O'Brien, Donna Engel, Ellen Fraser, Kristin Holmes, Elizabeth Kamerer, Theresa Kraycar, Christina Pawlowski, Derek Pope, Marianne Schoepflin, and Bobby Varughese

Most secondary mathematics teachers contributing to this project were partially supported by the NSF through an RTG grant of the Department of Mathematics and the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics. Some teachers were also partially supported through their participation in the SUNY Master Teacher Program.