The objective of the mathematics department is to provide a variety of courses to prepare students for college, help them to reason logically, understand basic skills, and enable them to apply what they learn to everyday life. The department offers a full range of courses for both mathematically gifted and mathematically challenged students. Students are placed in a math course based on their completion of our math placement exam. Placement is not based on grade level rather on math achievement level. This type of placement ensures the success of the student. Geometry, for example, is an option for 10th grade.
Honors geometry is an option for the mathematically gifted student, and Geometry is an option for the mathematically challenged student who has completed two years of Algebra instruction. Accounting and Business Math can be considered by any student who is interested in the application of mathematics in business. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are also offered in Calculus and Statistics for those students who are seeking advanced placement for future college success.
PRE-ALGEBRA
Topics from the standard eighth-grade text include the introduction of abstract reasoning and equation solving using real numbers.
ALGEBRA I
Topics from the standard Algebra I text include working with real numbers in word problems, solving equations, inequalities and problem solving.
ALGEBRA II
Topics from a standard Algebra II textbook include working with real numbers in solving equations, inequalities, and problem solving. Prerequisite: Algebra I or Placement Test
GEOMETRY
Content areas include points, lines, planes, angles, triangles, polygons, circles, areas, volumes, and coordinates. Applied level students will take a "hands-on" approach to discover the properties of geometry.
HONORS GEOMETRY
Content areas include points, lines, planes, angles, triangles, polygons, circles, areas, volumes, and coordinates. Honors level requires higher level cognitive skills through theory-based proof-oriented studies to challenge students and prepare them for Pre-Calculus studies.
Grier's Advanced Placement (AP) program provides students with competitive courses which prepare students for university and college studies.
A.P. STATISTICS
This class uses a college level text with computer applications for college bound students who are interested in the study of basic statistical methods. This A.P. course prepares each student for the AP Statistics Exam.
PRE-CALCULUS
Content areas include induction, vectors, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometry, functions, complex numbers, and matrices.
CALCULUS
Content area include Differential Calculus including implicit differentiation, applications of the derivative, Maxima, Minima, Mean Value Theorem, Taylor's Theorem, Taylor's Series, Limits; Integral Calculus including definite integrals, area, volume of solids of revolution, indefinite integrals, applications of integration, theory of infinite series, and integration by parts.
A.P. CALCULUS AB
This course provides a thorough study of the elementary functions of Calculus designed to prepare a student for the A.P. Calculus AB exam in May.
A.P. CALCULUS BC
The A.P. Calculus BC course is designed to offer students who have completed a regular calculus course or A.P. Calculus AB course, an opporturnity to further study calculus.
ELECTIVES:
FINANCIAL LITERACY
This senior (12th grade) course covers business mathematics including personnel, production, purchasing, sales, marketing, warehousing/distribution, services, accounting, recordkeeping, management, and planning.
* * * FACULTY * * *
Jennifer Payne is head of the math department at Grier and also is a member of the Learning Skills team.
She is particulary adept at helping students who are weak in math to master the information needed to make progress. Her commitment to the students is evidenced by her substantial time spent tutoring in the evenings after dinner as well as during the class day.
Dale Drake has taught at Grier longer than any other faculty member. He started in the 1960's in the math department and has seen may changes around campus, but not in the Calculus he has always challenged the students with.
Danielle Kelley teaches trigonometry and AP Statistics. She earned a B.S. in mathematics from Penn State University and is now pursuing her Masters Degree from Drexel University. She lives near State College with her husband and three children.
Susan Crater, joined Grier in 2009. She teaches Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, and Financial Literacy. She earned her B.S. in Travel and Tourism and her Elementary Teaching Certification from Mansfield University, while earning her M.S. in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from Emporia State University. Prior to arriving at Grier, Susan worked as a Dorm Counselor for three years at a boarding school in Georgia. Susan resides in Bellefonte with her husband and her greyhound, and is expecting her first child later this fall.
Krista D. Garner joined Grier the summer of 2011 teaching ESL and TOEFL. She earned her B.S. in Communications with a minor in English at Penn State University in 2005. She then worked as a social worker for three years prior to deciding to become a teacher. She earned her Elementary Education teaching certification and her Master's Degree in the Science of Instruction from Drexel University. Prior to coming to Grier, she has substituted in many local school districts. She is now teaching Geometry and Honors Geometry here at Grier. Krista grew up in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, where she currently resides with her husband and two children.
