I would never put a smiley face after a post...

That was Zaiba. She's my student teacher/assistant person G period, and so will be helping out with the blog, and I know she has already taken initiative with your facebook group...

As for the homework, that is in fact true.

Just remember--I need those permission slips for January 9th if you've yet to get them in! Hurry!

Correction on weekend assignment!

Hey guys!!
There's a change to the worksheet I assigned for the weekend...

You do NOT have to do #4 on the back --the one involving binomial experiments.

*stay away from binge drinking!

:)

Thursday! Talent Show Tonight!

First off, if you didn't get me that Saturday Session permission slip--I need it manana!

And homework tonight--Quiz B, Quiz C worksheet--eventually, you'll have Quiz A as a quiz (who would've thought?) so it's great practice. For number 3, try a tree diagram. Look it up!

Wednesday....one more week til XMas break!

Homework:
•Page 364
▫13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 31

Homework (12/15)

Long time no post! Too much Modern Warfare 2? Maybe...

Homework tonight: page 363? 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 19, 27

Thursday!

We're gettin there...we're done with chapter 14 (probability)...three more to go! No homework tonight for periods E,F, but period C you have the "Chapter 14 Quiz B" worksheet (actual quiz grade!), and the two multiple choice questions for extra points on your test.

See you manana. Then the weekend, woop woop.

Monday! Long time, no update...

Yo yo! Onto the world of probability...make sure you make up the test ASAP if you weren't here Friday.

Homework tonight:

Page 339: 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23

Monday....ALMOST Thanksgiving!

Alright...so we're getting there. Should be a fun week...so let's kick it off with the most fun possible! Stat homework! As follows:

Page 313: 3, 5, 17, 23, 27

Quiz Tomorrow!

Lot's of information today...your homework tonight is to study.

For Monday, make sure you read chapter 13 and complete the crossword puzzle you got today.

On Monday, you'll have a reading quiz, and we'll wrap up chapter 13 on Mon/Tues, and you'll have some problems to take home. Yay!

Sports Day Tomorrow

Homework: complete the two AP problems we didn't complete in class, found on the handout you got yesterday. It won't be collected, but will be checked as homework. We'll write some answers in class tomorrow.

Tuesday! Is NEASC over yet?

Alright...so Neasc's almost done, spirit week's coming, and then we have a little vacation. So we're approaching some good times here at EHHS. And, to top it off, today we capped off the information on chapter 12. Of course we'll do some more practice with it, but only one more chapter to go (13) before our next test! Yay!

Homework tonight: complete the 24 multiple choice questions assigned in class.

Have fun!

Monday! :/

Homework: Page 290: 9, 13, 15, 17, 31

Weekend! Yay!

Page 289: 1,3,5,7

Thursday 11/12

Take home quiz tonight! Use your resources--your book, your notes, your brain---and start off with a high quiz grade. Don't forget to add question 20 on page 267 to the back. Explain how to conduct the simulation, and then simulate.

Veteran's Day.

Hope you're enjoying that day off...take a moment to appreciate Veteran's day for a sec, salute those who've battled past, present, and future.

Homework: finish up the sampling exercise "Rolling Down the River.." We'll talk about "sampling," a massive statistical concept, tomorrow.

Monday Nov. 9!

Started finishing up simulations/randomness today (ch 11); we'll tie it up tomorrow, and have a quiz on Thursday.

For tonight, hw is:

Page 266
1 – 9 (odd)
13, 15, 19

This is what your quiz is like!

End of the Marking Period!

Tomorrow starts us fresh! New grades, new chapter.

Homework tonight is to read chapter 11 and get ready for a reading quiz.

As for the first marking period, the last grades entered will be your test corrections...there were just too many people absent, including myself, to get it all together in time. So the next marking period starts off with your test grade...we'll have a different kind of extra credit on the test this time around.

See you tomorrow...new stuff!

Monday!

Yo yo yo! Homework tonight is to finish your chapter 7-9 (Bivariate Data) take home test for Wednesday. If you were absent, you unfortunately face the challenge of completing the take home for Thursday, as grades close Friday and this will be included.

Also, remember you have your in class portion of the test Wednesday, but no re-expression is included. You'll have 3 questions, but no choices this time. Study! Make sure you can use all those writing templates!

Halloween!

No homework! Well, you have the test corrections due Monday, but that's been outstanding for a couple weeks now.

I'll be after school this Monday--you're take home test will be due Wed., so feel free to come Monday after school, work together, and maybe I can even help a little.

Be safe tomorrow! Have fun, dress up, and enjoy!

Wednesday's HW (sorry it's late)

Page 213: 5,7,9,11,13,17

Homework, Review

Yo yo. Homework tonight is the multiple choice problems I handed out in class, and get crackin' on that crossword puzzle which is due Friday.

Also, ALL of you have test corrections due on Monday. NO LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Period C, you have until Friday to come try the extra credit.

And Thursday, we'll have an after school review focusing on the graphing calculator.

Homework!

Read chapter 9! Take notes if you like, you can use them in the event of a reading quiz.

Bock Visit!

Hopefully you all had a good time and learned a bit from Bock's visit...I think he shed a lot of light on R squared--at least more than I could've!

Homework for tomorrow: finish the "Quiz" worksheet I gave out yesterday.

Tomorrow's review session will focus primarily on the calculator. Be there!

Homework

Page 189: 3,4,6,8,12,19,21

Don't forget--for 3 and 4 you need to look up residuals in the chapter!

Homework

Page 189: 1,2,5,13,17

Homework

Yo yo...homework tonight is to work on the chapter 1-6 crossword puzzle...I'm pretty sure it'll be impossible to finish, but try as much as you can without going crazy.

PERIOD C STUDENTS...

Yo...we have no class tomorrow, so you BETTER have those outlines done Thursday for your extra time. If you'd like, you can come by tomorrow and get your tests back. Your homework for Friday is going to be to finish the other 3 AP problems on your exam, so it might be a good idea to grab the test tomorrow and get a head start.

Also, you have the opportunity to earn back 10 points on your exam with some more questions I have set aside. If it's possible, it's my recommendation that you come to my period E or F statistics class (if you have lunch or study) and get those done. If that's not possible, you'll have through Tuesday to come to my class during a free period or after school to work for a half hour on the problems.

On Thursday we'll get back into this regression stuff...and I owe you, since it's not really your fault we have no class tomorrow (for the third time this year). Maybe donuts? We'll see...

READ ALL OF THIS POST! I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT!

Alright, so I have one period of open-ended (free-response) exams left to grade, and I'm feeling the need to take a break and give you the summary. No, I am not only on the last class due to procrastination; actually, for the first time I've been on top of my game. However, I have no-lie spent about 8 hours so far grading 60 tests...I'm not trying to boast, I just want you guys to know that I have the same commitment to our class that I expect from you. Remember, in this AP environment we're a team, working to collectively beat that evil AP monster. After test one, here's what I'm feeling...

First off, the most important thing for you to remember is that the exams are tough. Every single question you answered, multiple choice or free-response, came from a past AP exam, so you're working at a high level of difficulty. Not only do I think this challenge will overall help you grow statistically, but I think the familiarity of the AP exam format will serve as an incredible aid come May 6th. Given the rigor of these tests, you may not receive grades you're used too--if you scored an 8/12 (24/36) on this exam, I'd say that's extremely impressive. Further, you'll have plenty of opportunity to make up the extra points to get you to "A" territory. Remember what else I told you--I'm not here to give you all grades, I'm here to teach you statistics. Whatever it takes, as long as you learn the content, I'm happy (whether it's the first try or not).

On that note, tomorrow (for periods E,F) we'll have the opportunity to earn back some points (not sure exactly how many yet, at most 12). You'll have the entire shortened period to annihilate a few AP questions--only a perfect answer gets full credit. As you saw before, if you'd like to study a little for the test, check out the following:

• Comparing distributions--SOCS
• How shape (skewed, symmetric) affects the mean in relation to the median
• What does it mean for two things to be associated?
• Whenever asked to find a proportion above/below/in between, remember we use the z-table.

Overall, I'm feeling very confident after test one. The scores could ideally have been higher, but no matter what happens, all of us can always do better. You all showed a lot of potential, and with some practice, I think we have many students capable of achieving 3's, 4's, and 5's. I liked what I saw in much of your writing, and there were a few tests that simply blew me away. I know I was tough on you after the first section, but I promise that all of that angst solely lies in effort--I can't have people skipping questions. I will always only ask for one thing from you--your 100%, best effort. I have confidence that with this effort, each and every one of you is capable of great things, both in statistics and otherwise.

Finally, I'll begin stepping off my soapbox with some updates:

• I'll be after school tomorrow, but the b-boy (breakdance) club is meeting. It'll be loud in there, and maybe a little stanky from a bunch of sweaty breakdancers, but I'll be there.
• THURSDAY I'll be holding a review, focused on the language of statistics. We'll spend the time from 2:20 to 3:30 looking at how questions are worded, and taking some notes about
  "code words" that tell us which statistics we need.
• And Friday, we'll go over the unit one free response. You'll have the opportunity to take notes on your test for 3 additional points on the exam. If you're absent, we'll have to go over it on your own time, so be there!
• Finally, next Wed/Thurs David Bock, author of our text, will be in town to spend some time with the class. I'd like you all to have the opportunity to experience a lesson, but we'll see how it goes.

Good luck. See you manana.

Hope those SAT's went well.

Absent Today

Hey guys...sorry I couldn't make it today. Believe me, I'd rather be there. Every second is precious in our course, as we have less time to cover all the content as it is, and we don't get any snow days back or anything before the AP exam.

So today in class, get that chapter outlined...I'm going to check your outline and that will serve as a 10 point reading quiz...as long as it's done thoroughly, you'll all get a 10.

Tomorrow in class, periods E, F, we'll be working on 3 AP problems from chapter 1. These will all be for additional points toward your open ended test grade. You can use notes, but you only have a short time, so you should study ahead...know your boxplots, SOCS, shifting/rescaling, the Normal model...all that good ol' stuff. Remember, it's all extra point, so no stress. They could be huge though for your test grade. Step it up.

As for period C, we do not have class tomorrow. Thus, I am giving you a little while to get these extra credit points...because I need you to work alone, you'll have to come in on your own time (either study hall, after school) for a half hour-ish to work. If you like, I recommend you come tomorrow during E or F (my other stat classes). Any day within the next couple weeks is ok, any period...lunch or study...just let me know ahead of time and I'll give you a pass.

Good luck today. See you tomorrow.

Homework:

Tonight's HW: Page 160 1, 3, 5, 7, 9,11, 13, 17

My bad...in class today I told you to draw the histogram for number 13. I meant number 9.

Lil' Tidbits of Info...

So, I've been corresponding with one of CT's other AP Stat teachers, trying my best to answer some questions. It struck me that not only might this info be valuable to teachers, but to you too! This is some review stuff...

Remember your homework tonight is to read chapter 7. Do it.

For contingency tables, I'm not sure of a systematic method. I'd just check out the textbook and see how it goes. When I personally do them, I always check to see how a group is distributed among the whole. For instance, with the titanic, I'd see what percent of all passengers were in each class. Then, I'd look at the percentage of survivors by class and those who died by class; these number should reflect the overall proportions if everything was independent. For example, if Wilby high school is 30% black, 30% hispanic, 30% white, 5% asian, and 5% other, then I would expect the AP statistics class at Wilby to consist of those same proportions (ideally). The numbers within each group should reflect the overall proportions. Did that make any sense?

As for your other question, when describing a distribution's center and spread, we always report the mean/standard deviation for a symmetric curve, and median/iqr for a skewed curve. In a skewed curve the extreme values in the tail will either pull the mean up (skewed right) or down (skewed left). Since standard deviation is a measure of the average distance a data point is from the mean, these extremes in the tail will similarly "ruin" the standard deviation. Further, given which measures we use, to determine an outlier in a skewed curve we would use the fences (since they're based on IQR) and for symmetric curves we check if the z-score (distance from the mean in standard deviations) is greater than 3 (or less than -3).

Tuesday's Homework (and some more extra credit):

Tomorrow (TUESDAY 10/6) your homework will be to read chapter 7 if you'd like to get ahead. You can take notes for a potential reading quiz.

Also, if you want extra credit on the MC take home portion of the exam, you can answer the multiple choice questions posted on this blog. Simply number each question (in the order they appear, top to bottom) and your answer. Each is 1 extra point, for a total of 5. Get on it.

You would be surprised how many people I met who have bumped/will bump/regularly bump the stat rap. Spread the word so I can be famous someday...I'll give you a cut if I get famous.

Wow, that test was pretty hard...

I hope not. But it was definitely a difficult test. And although it pains me to do so, you can all take an extra day and finish up those take homes. Therefore, I expect even BETTER work. If you're done, go back and check your answers. On the open ended, make sure you have a picture drawn for each question--if you draw this and shade in the appropriate region, I think it could make your life quite a bit easier.

As for the test today, we'll see how it went! You'll likely get them back Tuesday--first off, I have tons to grade b/w the take homes, SAT papers, and tests. I'll try to get the tests done first and show you your grade, but with people making them up and such you probably won't actually own them until Tuesday (because Monday is a day off! Yeaaaaah Christopher Colombus!).

I just learned crazy amounts of goodness at the AP Stat conference. Got some hot problems for us to work on this week as we start unit 2! Bivariate data! Woop!

TONIGHT'S HOMEWORK: None. Just finish up that test and get ready for a new unit tomorrow. Or, if you want to get ahead, you can start reading chapter 7 and taking notes for a potential (definite) reading quiz.

EXTRA CREDIT INVESTIGATIVE TASKS ARE DUE NEXT TUES.

Don't stress too much about the test...I'm not here to try to fail you. I'm here to teach you statistics so you can pass the AP exam. So, no matter how much practice it takes, if we can get you to learn what you need for this first unit, we can handle some extra credit. Last year I had a review session after Test 1; everyone who came worked on another test-like worksheet, and when completed entirely correctly, they got 15 points on the first test. So it'll be ok, as long as you're willing to learn the material.

Test Topics, Announcements, and Such...

Alright...just finished whipping up your multiple choice and free response tests, so I got the plan figured out for the rest of the week.

Wednesday: In class, we'll go to the computer lab and work on our SAT projects. I'm going to have to take some time making announcements and talking about some other things, so we'll be here Thursday as well.

Thursday: We'll be in the computer lab working on our SAT projects.

Friday: On Friday, you'll get your take home test, and can use the period to work on either this, or finish up your SAT paper. Use the whole period though...I'll be getting a list of people who waste the time and they'll be getting a "0." If you work, you get a 5/5 for that day.

And onto your test....

You will get the take home portion Friday and it is due Monday. It includes 17 multiple choice questions, each worth 2 points. It also includes 2 open ended questions (both with parts a,b) based on all this Normal model stuff, for 16 more points. So part 1 is worth 50 points, and DUE MONDAY. Simply working on this will inherently force you to study for Monday.

On Monday, you have the in class portion. You have 3 pages...each page has 2 questions on it, and you have to pick one. So, doing the math, that's 6 questions you get and you have to do 3. You'll have to work quickly, so get to class as early as possible, sit down, and get started. Each of the three questions will be worth 12 points, for a total of 36.

I've also got a bunch of AP questions for tomorrow and Thursday's review sessions to help us prepare.

For MONDAY, you need to know the following topics:

• Determining independence--analyzing a contingency table and using percentages to decide if two variables are associated or independent (check out chapter 3).
• Graphing--you need to know how to make categorical displays (bar graph, pie chart), and DEFINITELY a boxplot. Don't forget histograms and stemplots (stem and leaf)
• Comparing distributions--SOCS (using appropriate vocabulary, talking about mean or median for center, and talking about range/standard deviation/iqr for spread)
• Measures of center and spread (mean, median, midrange, range, IQR, standard deviation)
• When do we use each measure based on the shape of a distribution?
• How does the shape of a distribution affect the mean?

To review, look at the "Part 1" review in your textbook that follows chapter 6. We've covered up to this point. Use your resources to study--your text has good examples, as well as calculator procedures. Look online at this blog--check out practice tests. This is big, our first test.

Impress me right of the bat like I know you can. To be honest, like I expect you to.

Homework!

Homework tonight....

30, 32, 41, 43, 45.

We'll have a review after school both Wednesday and Thursday to wrap up the chapter We'll go through some AP problems, talk about how to write and analyze statistically, and get ready for the test....

Which will start Friday, with a take home/in class/open notes multiple choice section. Don't waste your class time though, b/c not only will you have to finish this for homework, but you'll be finishing up your SAT essays.

On Monday we'll have the open ended portion of our exam--I'll give you (probably) 5 free response AP questions and ask you to do 3. Study! Once the exam is made, I'll post a list of topics to study as well.

Homework!

Chapter 6 exercises (p. 125?): 24, 27, 29, 31, 33

Weekend!

Yay! Friday! Homework for the weekend, all classes, is chapter 5, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 25.

Sorry it's so late...

I apologize for the late update...hw tonight was the following:

Periods C,E: 1,3,5,4,8

Period F: 1,2, 14, 16

HW

Page 124 (chapter 6) problems 7 - 15 (odd).

Tuesday 9/22 and Monday 9/21

Sorry I blew it yesterday...your homework was to complete the chapter 5 quiz worksheet handed out in class.

As for today, periods C and E should read chapter 6. Remember, you can take notes if you like, and if so, you may use them on a potential reading quiz.

Period F, since you got the shaft on the textbooks, you're all set--no hw. Don't get used to it though, you just got lucky.

And tomorrow we get moving on chapter 6. What a great day. Way better than the Big E (I know, I've done chapter 6 and was at the Big E Sunday, there's no comparison).

Friday, September 18

Alright, here's the deal:

Period C: Today in class we'll work through some matching exercises with boxplots/histograms; for homework, you should complete the 10 multiple choice questions given in class, as well as the two boxplot AP problems (on the same sheet as our flexibility histogram quiz).

*If I suspect cheating on the AP problems (it's pretty easy to tell), your paper will simply be trashed.*

Periods E,F: Today we'll complete two AP problems in class, and for homework you have 10 multiple choice and one open ended question (handed out in class).

When we return Monday we'll begin looking at standard deviation, the Empirical Rule, and get into z-scores. Yessssssss. And it's the last chapter before our exam!

Parent's Night!

Big day today! Hopefully I'll get the chance to meet some of those parents/guardians and tell them how fantastic you all are. I was very impressed with your work today on the boxplot/histogram matching--that stuff's not easy. You'll see tomorrow when we hit up two more AP Problems.

Yesterday's (Wednesday) review session went well. Thank you very much to those of you who came! I know some people have after school obligations--no problemo. Just talk to me and I'll help you anytime. For those of you who have study halls/lunch during periods C, E, or F, anytime we're doing something you find tough feel free to come to one of those periods and see the Stat lesson a second time--it will probably help. And otherwise, I'm in my room B, G, and F. Always down to help.

Onto tonight's homework (for periods E and F since C got lucky with that assembly). Complete problems 27 and 28, as well as the "Olympics" problem on last night's worksheet. We'll do some boxplot AP problems tomorrow, and get crackin' on standard deviation and standardization on Monday (then it's test time--yay!).

Let's keep up the good work. You've all impressed me thus far with your consistency in homework and effort, and I have faith we can continue until the AP exam and all rock 3's, 4's, and 5's for scores.

And tomorrow's Friday!

HW: grapes, ozone, and #26 on the new sheet, 13 and 14 on last night's

Monday, 9/14

Got the first AP problem done today....that's a big day in the world of AP Stat.

Homework tonight: page 91: 3ab, 5a and range, 6, 7abc, 11ab.

For the homework, do all the parts that ask for median, mean, and range (what we've discussed in class so far). Tomorrow we'll start with the IQR, 5 Number Summary, and get into boxplots and standard deviation.

Thurs. 9/10/09

Yooooo...finally done with the graphs after tonight...time to get to some more intense stuff.

Your homework tonight is to complete the Quiz A/Quiz C worksheet. Not a quiz grade, just plain ol' homework. Do it up, b/c histograms are probably the most important thing we've discussed so far. We'll be using them all year, and you DEFINITELY will have a test question about them.

(And on Monday you'll probably have a pop quiz--1 AP problem [I mentioned it as a potential test question in class]--make sure you can draw a histogram and talk about SOCS!)

Wednesday, 9/9/09

So many 9's today!

HW: Chapter 3, page 65: 3, 4, 5, 7, 17, 22

For number 22, try to sketch a histogram rather than stem and leaf (since you did that in 17).

Good luck! Tomorrow I'll show you how to do some of this on your calculator.....save some time.....sorry.

Tuesday, Sept. 8

HW: Complete the multiple choice packet we started in class, and don't forget to skip short answer #10 (about job status and transportation I believe).

Thursday, Sept. 3

Homework: take home quiz on chapter two, handed out in class. Don't forget!

We got a chance to get into chapter 3 today...we'll get through that tomorrow, ideally, and then we can start doing some actual math when you return Tuesday.

First Post! Second day!

Sooooo....homework tonight....problems 13, 14, 15, 17, 19 on the w/sheet I gave you (which is page 17 in the book you'll receive soon). Remember, you need to find the following:

Who? (What is the source of our data...ie, in problem 13, where do we get the weight, sex, neck size, etc. from?)

What? (What information did we gather? And for each, is it quantitative or categorical)

When? Where? (Easy)

Why? (If it doesn't say, think of a logical reason...why would we want to know all this stuff?)

How? (Did we just look up information in a record/database? Survey? Experiment? Observational study?)

Summer Fun

Yo! Hope you're all enjoying the summer thus far! And by "you all" I mean both my beloved AP Stat kids from this past year, as well as you rookies joining me in the fall. Just a little update...I'm currently entrenched in an Eastern CT State U. classroom honing my own statistics skills. I also spent a week at a conference exploring how AP mathematics can be foreshadowed in prior courses. Further, I'll be at Taft Boarding School in Watertown, CT later this month to learn even more. Why do you care? Maybe you don't...but if so, it's because you know I'll be sick with it come next year and you'll all be earning 5's on the exam. And yes, you'll take it. It's free--so why wouldn't you?

Onto the summer assignment...have fun. Relax. Totally rejuvenate yourself for the upcoming school year, because once we hit day 1, it's gametime. You'll be working hard from the second you enter class until the AP exam. I don't mean to scare you, but you need to know the deal. If you like, you can feel free to browse around this blog. In the stat downloads section you can find all of our chapter notes (powerpoints) from last year, as well as many of the assignments/projects, and even some past grades (by ID of course). Although most of this stuff will surely change/evolve with my further developed statistical skills, you can get a good idea of what's coming.

If you don't know, I can flow. Go to the stat downloads section, look at the bottom, and check out the stat rap. Not only will you guiltily bob your head to a math song, but you'll learn quite a bit of vocab we'll use throughout the year. Video coming soon.

And as for you veteran stat kids, I gotta say--I miss you guys. And if you're reading this blog post-graduation, you surely miss class too! It was fun times...I'll be in touch/posting with some more updates in the coming weeks as our AP scores come in. You'll be able to check back and see which topics we did well on as a class, as well as those we struggled in as a class. Then, if you're still feeling statty after all you've learned, you can start banging out some z-scores and such and comparing yourself to your peers. Why not? You can't sleep 'til noon everyday.

Feel free to email me, whether I know you yet or not, if you gots any questions. New students--let me know if there's anything I can add to this blog to help you out for next year! You can contact me at: fred.carofano@gmail.com.

Final Exam

Alright yo, here's the deal. If you have an A or B, you're exempt from the exam. If not, you have an assignment (in the Stat Downloads section) to be completed for Friday, June 19. You will have a series of questions discussing statistics and their relation to the court case United States v. Kristen Gilbert.

If you are exempt from the exam, but have a B or low A, you can take this opportunity to boost your final grade (why not go out on top?) You have ample time to take advantage of this and boost your grade with a potential 100 exam score (I mean, you do have a week...and an article to reference...and lots of other resources). Do it.

Crime in the Casino: Using Math to Beat the System (Discussion Questions)

Your Task: Complete each of the questions below using the provided article. You should reference/quote points throughout the article, constructing a thorough, detailed, and mathematically accurate response. These are "short answer" questions--not essays, but more elaborate than a simple one-sentence response. These will be collected at the beginning of class on Wednesday, May 20. Each question @ 5 points. You will be graded on detail, references, and c

1.) Explain, in detail, how card counting allows players to increase their chances of winning.
2.) What were the effects of Thorp's 1962 book Beat the Dealer?
3.) Describe the structure and benefits of team counting versus individual play.
4.) Explain (at least 4) of the strategies casinos have used to prevent/dissuade card counting.

Stat Rap

If you go to the "Stat Downloads" section you can find the stat rap download at the bottom. I tried to put up an Itunes and Windows Media Player file. Lemme know if it works or if I need to figure it out.

Absent Today

Hey guys and gals. Sorry I missed today; I just woke up and wasn't feeling any better than yesterday--not good. To be honest, I think there are some benefits to you being on your own for review today, as you worked on the mock AP MC exam without me, more like the actual test. We'll discuss where we go from there tomorrow.

I'm very sorry for not being there to review today. I'm more than willing to stick around for as long as you like tomorrow afternoon. And more importantly, don't forget you have the Saturday session which will be a HUGE help, as well as review Monday. Monday after school we'll do the 2008 free response, talk about test taking tips, and get ready.

When you have your own time, use those review guides to study. They're a huge help. This is the last big hoorah for AP Stats. I only ask that you give it 150% effort, and then I'll give you a little time to recouperate from the big day.

Homework (all week)

5 more classes....

All week we'll be reviewing various topics--here's the rough outline, though it's definitely subject to change.

Monday: Probability
Tuesday: Regression
Wednesday: Experimental Design
Thursday: Inference
Friday: the graphing calculator/formula sheet/test taking tips

Monday: Descriptive Statistics

There will also be some after school reviews--I've got some topics in mind each day, but of course I can answer/review any questions/topics you so choose.

Wednesday (after school): More probability, regression, and experiments
Thursdsay (after school): Chi-Squared and other tests
Monday (after school--we'll eat pizza if you come!): reviewing our practice exam

Each night this week you will have a multiple choice problem set, ranging anywhere from 5 - 12 questions. Each question will be worth 2 points. That means you have some serious grading going on this week as we prepare. Focus!

We'll also have a mock exam for homework this weekend.

I know I may sound pretty intense right now, but it's gotta happen. I'm going to be a little crazy and push you guys through May 5th. After that, we'll recoup, and then start talking about any mathematics you're interested in. I'm pretty pumped about it.

Online Practice Exam

Just looking up some stuff for a review session tomorrow and found this site....online practice exam baby! Woooo! Check it out...

http://stattrek.com/AP-Statistics-4/AP-Statistics-Practice-Exam-1.aspx?Tutorial=ap

April Vacation! And then the AP Exam!

I cannot believe that in a few hours I'll be teaching you the last day of new content in our class. We've learned quite a bit of math this year...now it's gametime.

Over break, your homework is to relax. Have fun, and rejuvenate your brains. Once you return, we have to focus. We'll review for that entire week, as well as the following Monday. There will be two after school reviews--one the Thursday after break for sure, and I'm thinking one the Monday before the test--but feel free to throw out any better ideas. At the review Monday I'll grab some pizzas and we'll study it up. Also, you have the Saturday review May 2nd, which is an incredible opportunity for you to study.

If that's not quite enough to fill your AP Stat needs, don't forget the resources you have. Within the links on the right are some good sites--one allows you to play some simple games reviewing vocabulary and such, one site gives a sort-of cliffs notes of each section, and so on. And in the back of your paperback AP review guides there are 4 mock exams, MC and free-response, with the answers. Look at those.

This is an important test. You could save yourself some study hours, some cash, and/or some time in a math class with a solid score. Plus, then you can brag about it b/c you just aced a pretty tough math exam. If we all do well, then we can collectively brag for EHHS too--and that'd be pretty sweet.

Enjoy your vacation.

Grades

Yo yo. Grades for the third quarter are up. Turns out your stamps inflated your grades far more than I expected, but it's all good...you guys have earned every single point you've gotten this year. I appreciate you all working hard and busting it over the past few months, it's really shown. I'm truly proud of each and every one of you as individuals, and also proud to say that we collectively represent the EHHS AP Statistics program. Keep it up--only one more month 'til that exam!

HW/Notes 4/3/09

Ch 25: 7, 13, 29 (but if you're in period D I accidentally told you 23).

And the notes are up.

Monday, 3/30 HW

Page 566
•1, 3, 5, 7, 8(abc)

3/25/09 HW

Page 541: 1, 5, 7, 9

3/24/09

Heeeeeeyyy. Sitting in a SMARTboard conference currently, so hopefully I'll be back with some new tricks.

Your homework tonight is to read/skim the first 10 pages of chapter 23. Reading quiz? We'll see. (I'm thinking no-ish).

Tomorrow we'll start the Ch.23 notes; we're going to tear through pretty quickly as we have much of the foundations already after all of our work with hypothesis testing/confidence intervals. We'll wrap up that chapter this week, then onto 24. Woop woop.

Homework: 3/23 (and some other tidbits)

Yo yo yo. Remember that AP question I gave you...? Yeah, that's due tomorrow.

And, some other stuff. You have 15 minutes to finish the rest of your test (3 questions about Type 1, Type 2 Error, and what you would do with your alpha level). I'm also going to give you 10 more minutes to work on the rest of today's part....so that's 25 minutes for ya. Then we start chapter 23 and start tearing through the next sections.

3/17/09

492 (#’s 5, 9, 11, 13, 17).

Sorry it's so late.

Reading Quiz Tomorrow

Remember your homework? Read chapter 21? Here's four of the quiz questions if you're a blogger...

1. What is the power of a test?
2. What is the alpha level in terms of Type I and Type II error?
3. What are Type I and Type II error?
4. How can we decrease the probability of a Type II error, and thus increase power?

Homework: 3/10

Page 470: 3,5,9,11,13,14,20, 25

3/9/09 HW

Yooooo...finally we get back to real life tomorrow! Back to focused. Hopefully today's problem helped outline what the deal is with hypothesis testing. Your hw is to finish "Quiz B." Also, you gots that investigative task due on Friday. Keep up the good work.

Homework assignment #2: bring in your permission slips for the Saturday session! Even if you won't be attending, I need that form! And the nurse's slip!

Homework: 3/6/09

Page 469
–3, 5, 9,11, 20

MOCK EXAM TOMORROW!

Don't forget, we have our MANDATORY mock AP exam tomorrow morning. Be here at the beginning of the school day and head to room 122 for the mock test. Make sure you bring pencils and your calculator; I'll have the rest of the goods.

Enjoy your afternoon!

Homework 2/25

Page 447 9,15,18,23.

Will the sub collect it tomorrow? I don't know.....maybe....maybe not.

Will I just check it on Friday? Maybe, maybe not....

THURSDAY 2/26 HW:

Read chapter 20 for Monday.

Homework 2/24

Tonight's homework is p. 446 1,3,5,7,8.

Also, remember you have your two AP problems for Friday.

I have to say, most of you have really seemed to pick it up lately in class. I truly appreciate your effort--we have some tough work cut out for us, but it'll be well worth it on May 5. I'm really excited for after the exam, b/c I have lots of cool stuff for us to explore in math--some art, Deal or No Deal, the movie 21, gambling, some board games, college life info, guest speakers (grad student(s), engineer, etc.). It'll be hot.

Keep up the good work.

Mock exam next Wed. I'll bring foodz.

Back to Business

Break's over already?! What?! Back to work I suppose.

The notes for the next chapter as well as the official document for your letter on in the downloads section. An engineer I work with from Pratt sent me this information for those of you who may be interested in engineering.


* Visit www.discoverengineering.org <http://www.discoverengineering.org/> and promote this site to middle school students.
* Visit Internet sites of your professional and technical organizations <http://www.eweek.org/Coalition/CoalitionMembers.aspx?ContentID=75&Version=12> to see what they are doing for Engineers Week.
* Contact the Junior Engineering Technical Society (www.jets.org <http://www.jets.org/> ) to request guidance brochures for various engineering disciplines and explore high school programs.
* Visit the online Sightseer's Guide <http://www.engineeringsights.org/> to family-friendly engineering-related travel attractions.
* Visit www.greatachievements.org <http://www.greatachievements.org/> for useful information about great engineering achievements of the past 100 years.

Finally!

Hope break is going well...if you're trying to get ahead, here are the FCA's for your letter (will be assigned Monday night, due Tuesday):

Each @ 3 points for a total of 12 as a project grade (that's like 3 AP problems):

1.) Reference at least 3 points/details/facts about the course content (what we study, level of interest).

2.) Reference at least 3 points/details/facts/opinions about "AP" (pace, homework, the exam, is it worth it? college credits, etc.)

3.) Reference at least 3 "other" facts (about teacher, using graphing calculators/Smartboard, book, anything else you think of).

4.) Use complete sentences with appropriate vocabulary/punctuation/capitalization/grammar. No more than 3 mistakes.

Sub work today...

If you guys got the Probability Test packet today, it can be handed in on MONDAY! That's too much for one night! Sorry for all the confusion.

AP Problem Tips

2004 #3:
a.) Think about those 3 conditions we have for a Binomial model. If you really had 20 dinosaur bones, assuming male/female are equally likely, what's the probability of a male on the first pick? The second? The third?

b.) Without replacement.

c.) If they were equally likely, then the probability of all males is your answer in (b). Is that going to happen often?

d.) What do you need in a sample to generalize. For example, say I'm testing the average gpa at EHHS so I choose 15 students from AP Stat and 5 students from Gym. Can I generalize these results? Why?

2002 #3:
a.) Any time you see a Normal model, you think "z-score." After you use this to find the probability, sum up your answer in a complete sentence, in context.

b.) Look at your Expected Value/Variance formula sheet. The problem tells us Team = R1 + R2 + R3 + R4......

c.) Use your mean and standard deviation from b....z-scores again!

2002B #2
a.) In which of the cases in the table would all the people get a seat? Think about how many seats there are, and so how many would fit. ___ or ___ ....

b.) If there are 41 tickets sold, and 36 people showed up, how many no showed? Rewrite your probability table with these numbers of no-shows. Then, you got it.

c.) Conditional probability! Use the formula.

2005B #2
a.) You got that.

b.) How would we find T (total tickets)? For instance, if we sold 3 child tickets and 4 adults tickets, we sold 7 total, right? What did we do there? Write an equation...T = ?. Then, back to that old Rosetta Stone sheet of formulas for expected value and variance.

c.) If I sell 2 child tickets at $15, and 3 adult tickets @ $25, I made.....$105, right? How do we get that? Write me an equation for T (total cost) using C (child tickets) and A (adult tickets).

Wed 2/4

Homework -- page 398: 13, 14, 19, 23, 25

Get on that!

Monday 2/2

HW: Page 398 -- 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11.

And, don't forget your AP problems. After school review on Wed.

Chapter 17 notes are up if you wanna cop 'em.

Thursday, Jan 29

Crazy schedule today. This snow stuff is not good for us in the AP world!

So, your homework is to work on the take home quiz that you'll have due on Monday. Also, read chapter 17 for Monday (reading quiz likely). I know it's a lot, but we really gotta work hard until May 5th. I've already been thinking of fun stuff for after the exam, such as analyzing the statistics of Deal or No Deal! Woo!

Stay focused until then, I know it's exciting. You probably can't sleep.

Tomorrow period H--AP registration. Sign up.

Tuesday, Jan 27

I originally wrote a longer post, but it got deleted. So this is round 2.

HW: Quiz A/Quiz B worksheet from class. We'll go over it when you return (tomorrow or Thurs) and have a quiz (Quiz C, coincidentally), the following day.

Get it done.

It's gametime from now until May 5.

Tomorrow's Review Cancelled....:(

Hello all.

I'm very sorry, but I've felt pretty much like death since Saturday. I'm not going to be in tomorrow, and thus can't have a review. I've attached a list of topics for you to study in the "Stat Downloads" section--it's exactly what's on the exam. There are 28 multiple choice questions (you scored out of 25, so 3 are extra credit), and there are 7 free response questions, of which you choose 5. Each free response should be around 11 minutes. Remember, this is like an AP exam--you'll need to write thoroughly, addressing all details. You need to show all of your work clearly and completely.

Look at the paperback study guides you have. They'll provide multiple choice practice, with answers, as well as free response questions with solutions walked through. Also, remember that all of our notes are online, and the blog also has links to some good review sites you can use to study.


If you can, I highly recommend you study in groups. If you can explain something to a friend, then you'll develop a much stronger understanding of it yourself.

I apologize to all of you for the inconvenience. Study hard. I'm confident you can all do very well on this exam after working through it and breaking down the content myself.

See you all on Wednesday. Don't forget your calculator, and bring a couple pencils. I can' t stress enough that you have to write thorough, detailed, complete, fantastic, chock-full-of-accurate-vocabulary, and correct answers.

And I know, I still owe you some food.

The first "chunk" of bullets is an outline of the free response on your exam.......

1/13/09

HW:

Page 381
3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 15, 18

1/9/09

Yo yo yo....

Fun times today.

As you all know, you have a type 3 writing assignment due on Monday. Some of the math may be difficult as we were cut a little short in class, but try your best. This assignment actually leads us perfectly into chapter 16, which we'll start Monday. We'll then use what we learn to better explore "Chuck-a-Luck" and you'll use this knowledge to make some revisions to your writing Monday night. That's right...I hope you read this blog...your paper Monday won't be your final grade, you'll have one night for revisions.

Other than that, enjoy your weekend. Chapter 16 notes are online, as is the Chuck a Luck exploration in the "Stat Downloads" section.

See you Monday!

1/8/09

Alright, we're back. We've got 7 days until exams, and it's going to be a tough 7 days. We have a lot of content to push through; I know snow days are nice at the time, but in the long run they're no good for us AP classes. The AP exam doesn't move no matter how many days we miss, so we end up with more to cover in less time.

Period D: Tonight you need to finish the multiple choice questions we had in class. If you didn't get the assignment over break done, get it to me by tomorrow. Tomorrow we'll start with our "Chuck-a-Luck" exploration and get ready to be tv stars.

Period H: We're doing things a little backwards...today we'll start analyzing "Chuck-a-Luck" and your Type 3 writeup will be due on Monday. Tomorrow in class we'll work on the multiple choice problems, and wrap up chapter 15.

Both classes will start chapter 17 this Monday, and we have to push through it quickly. Then, Thurs/Fri we'll review for the exam.

There will also be an after-school review session during exams week. I'm not sure which day, but probably Tuesday seeing as period D has their exam Wed.

Get focused. We just have to tough it out and work hard til exams, and then we can take a breather and start fresh.

And I'm glad we're back!