Precalculus – An Exploratory Course with Applications

This is a course for high school students who have completed Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2.

This course will be taught using Investigations and real world applications. In the Investigation approach students work in groups to do exercises that lead them step by step through their own discovery process, and then come together for lecture and discussion. Each class will be packed full of activity, a focus on deeply understanding the core concepts and their applications, and often a game or two !

This course primarily focuses on functions. Functions covered will include polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions, and polar functions, including complex numbers. Students will also be introduced to vectors and matrices and to the concepts of rate of change and derivatives.

Dr. Karen Felzer has a PhD in geophysics and a minor in history and also teaches history classes at EIE. She is a third generation teacher and, like her parents, passionate about teaching well. She earned teaching awards as a Teaching Fellow and has taught summer school at the University of California, Los Angeles. She has been a homeschooling mom since 2020.

This class is A-G aligned and can be taken as regular or honors. The course material will also prepare students who are interested in taking the A.P. Precalculus exam on their own.

Time: Regular class meeting Thursdays 2-4pm, homework help Tuesdays 12-1pm. Students can attend in person or online for homework help. 

Cost: $285 per semester for private pay, $328 per semester for charter schools. Most charter schools accepted through Home School Coaches. The cost includes all classroom handouts – no parent printing responsibilities as long as students come to class in person !

Book: Course reader with homework problems made from open source materials. $15 for printed copy (highly recommended !), free for .pdf. Charter students add $17 to the course price for your PO to have your printed course reader included.

Dates: September 3 – May 27

To register please email karenfelzer@gmail.com