1. AIM for Success: Getting Started
Instructor Notes
AIM for Success: Getting Started
Explain to students that the purpose of this lesson is to suggest to them successful strategies that will help them succeed in your class. The most important aspect of success is consistent practice.
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2. Motivate Yourself Prepare to succeed.
Instructor Notes
Motivate Yourself
Prepare to succeed.
Stay motivated!
Actively pursue success!
List two reasons why you want to succeed in this course.
Picture yourself where you want to be and use this image to stay on track.
It is easy for students to be motivated during the first week of class. An important key to success is to revitalize that motivation throughout the term. Have students list reasons they are taking this class. A reason does not have to be “to learn math.” Whatever reasons students mention, suggest they reflect on those reasons when their enthusiasm wanes.
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3. Make the Commitment Stay committed to success.
Instructor Notes
Make the Commitment
Stay committed to success.
List a time when you accomplished a goal through:
Learning
Practice
Commitment
Learn and practice the skills in this book, and you will succeed!
Having students list goals they have accomplished through practice and commitment will help them understand that success in math requires devoting a lot of time to studying it.
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4. Develop a “Can Do” Attitude
Instructor Notes
Develop a “Can Do” Attitude
Be an active learner.
Study regularly.
Attend class.
Participate in class discussions.
Math is not a spectator sport.
Do the homework—regularly!
Create good study habits.
People who feel part of a community are generally active in the community. This activity is rewarding to the participant and it benefits the community. The same is true for the community of the classroom. Students who participate in class become active learners who take responsibility for learning.
Encourage students to consistently study math. Studying a half-hour every day (which is probably not enough for most students) is better than spending three and one-half hours once a week.
Learning math is much like learning to play the guitar, piano, or any other musical instrument. It cannot be achieved by watching. The student must practice.
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5. Skills for Success Get the “big picture.”
Instructor Notes
Skills for Success
Get the “big picture.”
Read the Table of Contents.
Look at pictures, diagrams.
Look through the Index of Applications.
Find topics that interest you.
Flip to the pages where the topics appear.
Notice ways that mathematics can be used in daily life.
Encourage students to look through the text, noting topics that may be of interest. Have students identify examples and important definitions. Tell students they do not have to understand the definitions but just know how to recognize them.
Students should look through the Index of Applications and find a couple of applications that are of interest to them. Ask students to flip open to the pages in the book where these problems appear, and observe how the problems show the use of mathematics in daily life.
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6. Word Problems Learn to solve word problems from daily life by:
Instructor Notes
Word Problems
Learn to solve word problems from daily life by:
developing a strategy
using the strategy to find the solution
Use these steps:
Read the problem.
Determine the quantity to be found.
Think of a method to find it.
Solve the problem.
Check the answer.
After students give a few examples of word problems that may interest them, urge students to take a disciplined approach to solving word problems. The most fundamental part of solving word problems is to identify what must be found. Have students turn to page 122 and look at You Try It 10. Without asking students to solve the problem, have them write a sentence that states what must be found.
Each of the word problem examples in the text shows both a strategy and the solution for solving the problem. Encourage students to write a strategy when solving a word problem. This not only helps students organize their thoughts but promotes writing.
Encourage students to check their answers.
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7. Get the Basics Read the syllabus. Understand the course requirements.
Instructor Notes
Get the Basics
Read the syllabus.
Understand the course requirements.
Chart your progress! Keep track of:
dates of exams
chapters you need to learn by each exam
homework you need to do by each exam
grades you receive on your exams
Encourage students to keep track of their exams and the material they will need to master by each exam. Let students know how they can access extra help through the resources that accompany this text (tutorials, DVDs, and SMARTHINKING) as well as additional support available on campus.
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8. Manage Your Time Choose a realistic course load.
Instructor Notes
Manage Your Time
Choose a realistic course load.
Create a time management plan.
Make time for:
Classes
Study time
Work
Fun
Sleep
Remind students that there is no rule that says they must finish their education in four years. A measured approach where they do not fail a class or have to drop a class serves them quite well.
Time management is one of the most difficult chores for most people. Having unrealistic expectations as to what can be accomplished in a given time period leads to failure. Remind students that working 10 hours a week is equivalent to taking one course. Have students complete a time management grid similar to the one on page AIM6.
Students should check their progress as the term progresses. Are they attending class regularly? Are they studying regularly?
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9. Study Strategies Create flash cards featuring:
Instructor Notes
Study Strategies
Create flash cards featuring:
important definitions
important formulas
Set aside time for study and homework.
Form a study group.
Keep up to date.
Compare notes with a classmate.
Encourage students to keep flash cards with them. Any time they have a few minutes (waiting for a friend, on the subway) they should take them out and review them.
Urge students to set aside time for study and homework. It is an advantage for students to arrange their schedules so they have a free hour right after class. This is the perfect time to review the class material. Also suggest that they rework the examples in their notes before starting on the homework.
Urge students to form a study group. These groups should meet at the same time each week.
To be a successful math student requires constant practice. The best time to start homework is right after class when the topic is fresh. This will help solidify new knowledge. Another learning aid is to review the homework before class.
Encourage students to take complete notes that include all steps to the solution of a problem. These notes can then be used as additional models for doing homework. Students should compare notes with classmates as a way to ensure that notes are accurate.
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10. AIM for Success Chapter Checklist Math Word Scramble Concept Review
Instructor Notes
AIM for Success
Chapter Checklist
Record dates for your assignments.
Check off definitions as you learn them.
Math Word Scramble
Pit your knowledge against the puzzle!
Concept Review
Cover the basics without more homework.
Suggest that students use the Chapter Checklist to track their homework assignments far in advance. If you include the entire semester’s assignments on your syllabus, advise students to transfer all the dates onto the Checklist.
You might want to include the Math Word Scramble riddle as an extra credit question on tests, or even distribute an entire Scramble as a quiz itself.
Introduce the Concept Review as an easy way for students to prepare for a test. Students can jot small notes about material they already know in the chapter, and will know where to look for those topics that require more study.
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11. Features for Success in Your Text
Instructor Notes
Features for Success in Your Text
Cumulative Review Exercises
Prep Tests
Objective Statements
Key Terms and Concepts
HOW TO Examples
Example/You Try It Pairs
Guide students through the features of the text that will help them succeed. Students should turn to the pages mentioned below.
The Cumulative Review Exercises (see page 231) allow students to refresh skills learned in earlier chapters. The answers to all Cumulative Review Exercises are in the Answer Section along with an objective reference.
Prep Tests – These tests (see page 234) focus on skills that are required for the upcoming chapter. The answers to the Prep Test are in the Answer Section (see page A12). Next to each answer, there is a reference (except in Chapter 1) to the objective from which that question was taken. Students should review the lesson material corresponding to any question that was missed.
HOW TO examples are flanked by green stripes (see page 184). When reading through a HOW TO example, the student should take note of the steps used to solve the problem listed on the right.
Example/You Try It Pairs – Paired with each Example (see page 184), there is a corresponding You Try It. Students should study the solution to the Example. After studying the Example, students should try to solve that problem without looking at the solution. Once they can successfully solve the given Example, have them attempt the You Try It. A complete solution to the You Try It can be found in the Appendix (see page S12).
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12. Review Practice and review the skills you’ve learned:
Instructor Notes
Review
Practice and review the skills you’ve learned:
Section Exercises
Chapter Summaries
Chapter Review Exercises
Chapter Tests
Students should practice and review the skills they have learned by completing:
Exercises found at the end of each section. The solutions to the odd-numbered exercises can be found in the Student Solutions Manual.
Review Exercises found at the end of each chapter. All solutions to the Chapter Review Exercises can be found in the Student Solutions Manual.
Tests found at the end of each chapter. All solutions to the Chapter Tests can be found in the Student Solutions Manual.
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13. Additional Tools for Success
Instructor Notes
Additional Tools for Success
Student Solutions Manual
Check odd-numbered solutions.
Student Website:
Interactive Time Chart
Online Multimedia eBook
ACE Quizzes
Additional resources are available with this textbook, which will help students study and refresh on key concepts:
Student Solutions Manual contains odd-numbered solutions to the Section Exercises, as well as all solutions to the Chapter Reviews, Chapter Tests, and Cumulative Reviews.
The Basic College Mathematics Student Website contains:
Weekly Planner
Interactive Time Chart
Affirmation Certificate
Student Solution Manual – Chapter 1
Keystroke Guide
Online Graphing Calculator.
Online Multimedia eBook includes Video Explanations and Interactive Lessons to help reinforce concepts.
ACE Quizzes improve students’ understanding of the course concepts, and include step-by-step tutorial help and are based on problems from the textbook.
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14. Get Involved Ask questions in class. Visit a math center.
Instructor Notes
Get Involved
Ask questions in class.
Visit a math center.
Visit your professor during office hours.
Form a study group.
Test each other.
Practice teaching each other.
Compare class notes.
Brainstorm test questions.
Being an active participant in the learning process will help students master the concepts and skills in this text. Remind students that there are many resources available to them for extra help, including the math center on campus and regular office hours.
Urge students to form a study group to help with homework and prepare for exams.
At least 3 days before exams, students should:
Read the Chapter Summary.
Review every section, paying close attention to items mentioned in the Chapter Summary. Attempt about five problems from about the middle third of the exercise set.
Do the Chapter Review Exercises (see page 195). As with the Prep Tests, the answers to the Chapter Review Exercises have objective references so that students can focus on the objectives associated with questions they missed.
Do the Chapter Test (see page 197). Tell students to set aside the amount of time allotted for the actual test, making sure there are no interruptions. The answers to the Chapter Test exercises have objective references so that students can focus on the objectives associated with questions they missed.
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15. Ready, Set, Succeed! Stay on track.
Instructor Notes
Ready, Set, Succeed!
Stay on track.
Remind yourself why you are taking this course.
Dedicate time and effort.
You will succeed!
Remind students that the most important factor that leads to success in math is to keep up—they must not fall behind.
Encourage students to review the reasons why they are taking this course. Even if it is to complete a degree requirement and they hate math, completing this course is a necessary prerequisite to reaching that goal. Urge them to complete the class so that math is not an obstacle to success.
Remind students that all successful endeavors require effort.
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