Orono High School

Math Department

Faculty  Heather Holmes Margie Innis Rick Jelley
Course Offerings

Students are required to complete a minimum of 4 credits of Mathematics, which must include Algebra IA (for 1 credit), or Algebra B (for 2 credits), Algebra 2 (for 1 credit) and Geometry (for 1 credit).

This course is for students who have no trouble with basic number operations and have a solid understanding of fractions, decimals, and integers. The course emphasizes learning to use expressions and equations to describe problem situations and to solve equations. Students study linear, rational and quadratic equations in one variable and systems of linear equations. Time is spent on graphing solution sets and functions. Graphical methods are used to describe relationships and model problem situations.

This course is for students who benefit from taking more time to learn algebraic concepts such as expressions and equations, and linear and quadratic equations. Students have the opportunity to review arithmetic operations, the foundation for using algebraic formulas to solve problems. Effort is made to connect concepts to real-world applications and to understand how each application fits into the larger context of mathematics. Note:  This class meets every day. Also, of note, although this class awards two credits, one is a math credit and one is an elective credit.

HONORS ALGEBRA II  1 Credit

*Recommendation of Algebra I Teacher Required

This honors level course, which follows Algebra IA, is designed for students with a very strong math background. This accelerated course would be ideal for students with greater aptitude and interest in Math.  Honors Algebra IIA will cover everything Algebra IIA covers as well as units in advanced functions/relations and discrete mathematics. Further development of critical thinking skills and application and integration into other disciplines will be stressed as will collaboration, presentation, research and reflection.  Students completing Honors Algebra II will be well-prepared for AP Pre-Calculus.  Note: If a student is taking Honors Algebra II and not able to keep up with the rigorous work and pace, they will be placed in Algebra II A.  

This course, which follows Algebra IA, is designed for students who plan to do more advanced work in mathematics and/or science. It includes a review and extension of elementary algebra and features units in matrices, relations and functions, quadratic equations, sequences, logarithms, polynomials, and some basic trigonometry. Note: If a grade 9 student is enrolled in Algebra IIA and fails semester 1, the student will drop down to Algebra IA. Further, if a student is taking Algebra IIA and Geometry A simultaneously and starts failing either math class, they must drop the class they are failing and retake it the following year; the student will not be permitted to drop from the A to the B level.

ALGEBRA II B 1 credit

This course is for students who benefit from taking more time to learn algebraic concepts. In this course we explore such topics as equations, inequalities, linear relations, functions, systems of equations, quadratic functions, polynomials and rational functions.

HONORS GEOMETRY 1 credit

*Recommendation of Algebra I or Algebra II Teacher Required

This honors level course, which follows or is taken concurrent with Honors Algebra II, is designed for students with a very strong math background. This accelerated course would be ideal for students with greater aptitude and interest in Math.  Honors Geometry A will cover everything Geometry A covers.  In addition, students will be expected to construct more formal logical arguments and proofs.  Cooperative learning and computer activities will be integrated throughout the course. Students completing Honors Geometry A prior to or concurrent with Honors Pre-Calculus will be well-prepared for Honors Pre-Calculus.  Note: If a student is taking Honors Geometry A and not able to keep up with the rigorous work and pace, they will be placed in Geometry A.

GEOMETRY A 1 credit

Four dimensions of understanding are emphasized: visualizing and following algorithms; understanding of properties, mathematical relationships, and proofs; using geometric ideas in real situations; and representing geometric concepts with coordinates, networks, or other diagrams. Cooperative learning and computer activities will be integrated throughout the course. Geometry must be taken before Pre-Calculus or concurrent with Pre-Calculus. Note: If a grade 9 or grade 10 student is enrolled in Algebra IIA and Geometry A simultaneously and starts failing either math class, they must drop the class they are failing and retake it the following year; the student will not be permitted to drop from the A to the B level.

GEOMETRY B 1 credit

This course is for students who benefit from taking more time to learn geometric concepts. In this course, we explore such topics as segment measure and coordinate graphing, angles, parallels, triangles and congruence, and triangle inequalities.

MAT 110 TECHNICAL MATH I (Dual enrollment with EMCC) 1 credit

Prerequisite:  Algebra IB, Algebra IIB, Geometry B

Technical Math I focuses on mathematics topics relevant to a variety of trades and technical disciplines.  Topics include: proportions, percentages, measurement, algebra, geometry and trigonometry.  An emphasis is placed on practical, contextual applications.

MAT 116 COLLEGE ALGEBRA (Dual enrollment with EMCC) 1 credit  

Prerequisite:  Algebra IA, Algebra IIA, Geometry A

College Algebra covers variables and symbols; scientific notation; formulas and literal equations; slope, intercepts, and equations of lines; graphs of linear and quadratic functions; graphs of linear inequalities; solving systems of linear equations; polynomials, products and factors; roots, rational exponents, and complex numbers; rational expressions; solving linear, quadratic and higher order equations; solving linear inequalities; an introduction to exponential and logarithmic functions, and applied problem solving.  

AP PRE-CALCULUS 1 credit

Prerequisite:  Geometry A must be taken before or concurrent with AP Precalculus.

AP Precalculus will prepare students for other college-level mathematics and science classes. The skills learned in this course are foundational not only for success in required college math courses, but also to careers in math, physics, biology, health science, data science and social science.  The AP Precalculus class will be made up of four units: 1. Polynomial and Rational Functions, 2. Exponential and Logarithmic Functions, 3. Trigonometric and Polar Functions and 4. Functions Involving Parameters, Vectors, and Matrices.  Through these units, students will gain a deep conceptual understanding of functions and their graphs, learning how to model and interpret models of functions. By the end of the course, the student will have established a strong foundation of higher math skills.

PRE-CALCULUS 1 credit

Prerequisite: Geometry must be taken before Pre-Calculus or concurrent with Pre-Calculus  

This course is designed to give students the mathematical background important in post-secondary study. Students must be competent in the topics studied in geometry and algebra, as these will be used throughout the course. The emphasis is the study of functions and their applications, especially polynomial, rational, trigonometric, and circular functions. Students use graphing calculators in problem solving, curve sketching, and data analysis. Most topics will be studied algebraically, numerically and graphically. The graphing calculator will be used to gather and analyze data for mathematical models. Students use the Internet to research information to be used in class.

HONORS CALCULUS 1 credit

This course is an introduction to differential and integral calculus.  This class would be a good fit for students who would benefit from having more time to explore and understand the concepts of calculus.  Although both differential and integral calculus is discussed, greater emphasis is placed upon the rules for deriving various equations and the applications of derivatives.  Due to the constraints of time, this class will not cover all the aspects of definite integrals that would be covered in AP Calculus.  Students will use a TI-84 graphing calculator to assist them with solving problems in class.

INTRO TO STATISTICS 1 credit

Statistics studies methods of collecting, organizing, summarizing, and presenting data, providing students the opportunity to develop skills using statistical techniques. Topics of study also include sampling methods, descriptive statistics, probability and probability distributions, normal distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, inferential statistics, regression, and correlation. Technology will be employed as appropriate.

AP STATISTICS 1 credit

Citizens of the information age are exposed to vast amounts of information daily. You are asked to make decisions based on this information. Statistics is the science of collecting, organizing and interpreting data (information). The collection and study of data are important to many professions. This course follows College Board guidelines for Advanced Placement to help students make sense of that process. Students learn through lectures, classroom labs, and individual projects. Evaluation of learning is through quizzes and exams. The course may be taken with other math courses that follow Algebra II. Summer work is required to meet the rigorous demands of the course, including the national AP Statistics exam in May.

AP CALCULUS (AB Level) 1 credit

This course is a study of the two branches of calculus, differential and integral, as well as a review of coordinate geometry, functions, and trigonometry as they relate to calculus. Some of the applications of the derivative and definite integral studied are curve sketching, optimization problems, related rate problems, and calculating areas and volumes. Students learn to differentiate products, quotients, and composite functions, as well as trigonometric, logarithmic, and exponential functions. Students will use a TI-84 graphing calculator to assist them with problems in class. Students must successfully complete a summer packet and pass the first chapter exam. This course maintains an accelerated pace, providing time to review for the AP exam, which students take in May. The course follows the College Board guidelines for Advanced Placement Calculus AB.