Doc Dos Math & CS
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Jacksonville, Florida, United States
About the store
I was an associate professor of mathematics and computer science for 13 years at a small university before moving to my current position as a high school teacher at an independent high school.
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Precalculus Puzzle Activity Bundle
This is full set of activities used in my Precalculus Honors course. The level corresponds to the highest level of Precalculus that was taught by my last two schools (prior to AP Precalculus being created). This bundle contains 13 different activities. Generally, I use these as a review activity, allowing students to work in groups during class time. In a 60 minute class, most students will be able to finish the problems and start the puzzle, finishing for homework.
9th - 12th
PreCalculus
Precalculus Exponentials & Logarithms Tic-Tac-Toe Puzzle Activity
Includes a variety of exponential and logarithm problems used for my Precalculus Honors class, covering SimplificationEvaluating exactlyFinding equations given data/values/graphsWord problemsNatural logs, common log, log base bThe puzzle is a 10x10 three-in-a-row/tic-tac-tow puzzle. These often end up being my students favorite type of puzzle (many end up doing these for fun on their own time). There are quite a few problems on this activity, so it may take students more than one hour to finish.
9th - 12th
Algebra 2, Math, PreCalculus
Also included in:Â Precalculus Puzzle Activity Bundle
Precalculus Polar, Parametric, & Vectors Killer Sudoku Puzzle Activity
Some parametric, polar and vector equations used for my Precalculus Honors class, covering Deriving vector components from force/angleDetermining polar equation from plotConverting polar to rectangular/CartesianConverting parametric to rectangular/CartesianDetermining parametric equation of a line2D projectile motionFinding an angle between vectorsFinding the magnitude (norm) of a vectorThe puzzle is a standard killer Sudoku. Students tend to take a bit longer than a hour to finish both the prob
9th - 12th
Math, PreCalculus
Also included in:Â Precalculus Puzzle Activity Bundle
Precalculus Matrix Algebra Cryptogram Puzzle Activity
Some matrix algebra problems used for my Precalculus Honors class, covering Matrix multiplicationMatrix inversionMatrix solutionsThe puzzle is a substitution cypher/cryptogram where each original letter in the phrase was replaced with another (an perturbation of the alphabet). There are not 26 problems, thus the students will still have to use some basic logic to solve the puzzle. Many students recognize the phrase quickly and finish within an hour. Copyright: Resource cannot be shared online un
9th - 12th
Math, Other (Math), PreCalculus
Also included in:Â Precalculus Puzzle Activity Bundle
Precalculus Trigonometric Identities & Equations Tic-Tac-Toe Puzzle Activity
Includes a variety of trigonometric identity problems used for my Precalculus Honors class, covering Basic alternatives to Pythagorean IdentityDouble angle identityAddition identitiesProduct-sum identitiesProblems include both verifying/proving/disproving identities and using identities to solve numerical problems. The puzzle is a 10x10 three-in-a-row/tic-tac-tow puzzle. These often end up being my students favorite type of puzzle (many end up doing these for fun on their own time). There are q
9th - 12th
Algebra 2, Math, PreCalculus
Also included in:Â Precalculus Puzzle Activity Bundle
AP Calculus Precalculus Review - Sudoku Puzzle Activity
I use this as a "day 1" activity in AP Calculus. It is not meant to be a comprehensive review of all of Precalculus, but rather a quick reminder of some topics of importance. There is at least one problem corresponding to Solutions to rational functionsUsing the Pythagorean identity to solve a trig equationInverse trig algebraSlopeAmplitude, period, vertical shiftLog rulesExponential growthFinding an inverse functionUnit circle trig evaluationHorizontal and vertical asymptotesPiecewise function
10th - 12th
Calculus, PreCalculus
Also included in:Â AP Calculus BC Puzzle Activities Bundle - First Semester
Precalculus Functions Battleship Puzzle Activity
Includes a variety of basic functions problems used for my Precalculus Honors class, covering DomainCompositionLocal min/max graphicallySolutions to linear inequalityFinding inverse of a function (rational)Shifts/scaling of template functionAs this is geared toward Precalculus, it is expected students have seen all of this material before, and this is part of the first set of "review chapters" in my class. The puzzle is a traditional Battleship placement one. Student can typically finish this ac
9th - 12th
Algebra 2, Math, PreCalculus
Also included in:Â Precalculus Puzzle Activity Bundle
Precalculus Sequences & Series Crossword Puzzle Activity
Sequences and series problems used for my Precalculus Honors class, covering Arithmetic and geometric sequences and seriesRecursive sequences and seriesBasic sequence pattern recognitionThe puzzle is a simple crossword with numerical answer. Most students finish both the problem and activity within an hour long class. Copyright: Resource cannot be shared online unless the site is password protected and for student only access.
9th - 12th
Math, PreCalculus
Also included in:Â Precalculus Puzzle Activity Bundle
Precalculus Conic Sections Skyscraper Puzzle Activity
A set of practice questions for conic sections used in my Precalculus Honors class, covering Determining Vertex/Foci for hyperbolas and ellipses from equations Determining vertex/focus/directrix for a parabola from an equationDetermining standard equation of hyperbola, ellipse, parabola given a graphThe puzzle is a 7x7 skyscraper/tower. Most students finish the problems within an hour, but the puzzle usually needs to be finished at home. Copyright: Resource cannot be shared online unless the sit
9th - 12th
Math, PreCalculus
Also included in:Â Precalculus Puzzle Activity Bundle
Precalculus Polar, Parametric, & Vectors Killer Sudoku Puzzle Activity
Counting and probability problems from my Precalculus Honors class, covering Polynomial expansions/Binomial theoremCombinations and PermutationsBasic probability/addition rule The puzzle is an interesting "dominoes" puzzle. Very few students have done puzzles quite like this one before. Most students finish both the problem and activity within my hour long class. Copyright: Resource cannot be shared online unless the site is password protected and for student only access.
9th - 12th
Math, PreCalculus
Precalculus Periodic Functions Sudoku Puzzle Activity
Includes a variety of periodic function problems. Includes Determining amplitude, period, phase shift, and vertical shift from equations, graphs, and word problemsSolving mixed-form inverse trig and trig problems.The puzzle is a traditional Sudoku one. As many textbooks use a, b, c, d ( or A, B, C, D) for standard forms of periodic functions, the students get to learn some Greek letters in this activity. A student can typically finish this activity and puzzle in an hour long class. Copyright: R
9th - 12th
Algebra 2, Math, PreCalculus
Also included in:Â Precalculus Puzzle Activity Bundle
Precalculus Right Triangle Word Problems Kakurasu Puzzle Activity
Right triangle SOH-CAH-TOA word problems. Some problems have sketches to help students set up the problem, others do not. The puzzle is an 8x8 Kakurasu puzzle. A student can typically finish this activity and puzzle in an hour long class. Copyright: Resource cannot be shared online unless the site is password protected and for student only access.
9th - 12th
Algebra 2, Math, PreCalculus
Also included in:Â Precalculus Puzzle Activity Bundle
Precalculus Systems of Equations Nonogrid Puzzle Activity
Includes systems of equations problems used for my Precalculus Honors class, covering 2 equation/unknown linear3 equation/unknown linearWord problems2 equation/unknown nonlinearThe puzzle is a nonogrid/nongram/picross. Student can typically finish this activity and puzzle in an hour long class. Copyright: Resource cannot be shared online unless the site is password protected and for student only access.
9th - 12th
Algebra 2, Math, PreCalculus
Also included in:Â Precalculus Puzzle Activity Bundle
Precalculus Polynomials Skyscraper Puzzle Activity
Includes a variety of polynomial problems used for my Precalculus Honors class, covering Complex +,-,*,/Algebraically finding rootsDetermining equation from graphWord problemsThe puzzle is a 6x6 Skyscraper puzzle. Many students have not seen this type of puzzle before, and tend to enjoy the challenge. A student can typically finish this activity and puzzle in an hour long class. Copyright: Resource cannot be shared online unless the site is password protected and for student only access.
9th - 12th
Algebra 2, Math, PreCalculus
Also included in:Â Precalculus Puzzle Activity Bundle
Precalculus Lines Mathdoku Puzzle Activity
Includes a variety of linear problems used for my Precalculus Honors class, covering Line between two pointsLine perpendicular to anotherModeling line given dataFinding equations of lines given graphAs this is geared toward Precalculus, it is expected students have seen all of this material before, and this is part of the first set of "review chapters" in my class. The puzzle is a 7x7 Mathdoku, which has the same rules as Sudoku but provides hints in the form of arithmetic problems. Student can
9th - 12th
Algebra 2, Math, PreCalculus
Also included in:Â Precalculus Puzzle Activity Bundle
Precalculus Pretest Nonogrid Puzzle Activity - Free Resource
Precalculus Pretest ActivityIncludes a variety of Algebra II review problems whose solutions lead to clues for a nonogrid/nonogram/picross puzzle. Typically, students finish the problems within a 60 minute class, then get far with the puzzle. Students who have done many nongrid puzzles before often finish well within class time; others may finish for homework. I usually give this the first or second day of Precalculus. Basic function evaluation, properties of polynomials, and logic that I want
9th - 12th
Algebra 2, Math, PreCalculus
Also included in:Â Precalculus Puzzle Activity Bundle
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About the store
Experience
I was an associate professor of mathematics and computer science for 13 years at a small university before moving to my current position as a high school teacher at an independent high school.
Teaching style
For the past five to six years, I have incorporated puzzle-style activities into my mathematics curriculum. My belief is that fostering students' analytical thinking is crucial, and I have observed that these puzzles provide an enjoyable challenge for them. In fact, some students view these puzzles as a rewarding experience after completing the mathematical components of our lessons.
In my computer science courses, I often have the privilege of teaching exceptional students. To accommodate a range of abilities, I design labs and projects that are achievable for the average student, occasionally with some guidance. However, these assignments are structured with enough complexity to ensure that even my most advanced students do not find them trivial and remain engaged.
My own education history
I have an BS, MS, and PhD in mathematics with an emphasis on computational mathematics.
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