Calculus Advice Poem
Cathy Gellis and Amanda O’Connor 6/92
To whom it may concern, If it is calculus that you will learn, Take heed of our advice, We hope it will suffice.
First some things you’ll need to know, (If you don’t, well, we told you so) Know your algebra very well Or your life will be a living hell.
Absolute values may look silly, ’tis true, But unless you know them you won’t have a clue. Geometry will come back to haunt you; Know it or else this class will daunt you.
Know about functions in relation to sets (A good thing to know for blondes and brunettes). A silly rhyme but what else is new? Now here’s more you’ll need to review.
Do not think as asinine Tangent, cotangent, and cosine. And do not dismiss it as incidental When you study a transcendental.
If you don’t remember log and ln Oh what trouble you’ll be in. And though derivatives may seem quite grim, If you don’t know them you’ll be out on a lim.
Be prepared to understand integrals (Calculating area within intervals).
Later in the year you’ll learn the rest Of what you should know for the AP test.
And now as we are nearing the end There’s one last thing we will recommend: When concepts become a little muddy It’s good to study with a learning buddy.
This is all we have to say. We hope you have a nice day. Though poorly written, this poem’s no lie; From Cathy and Amanda, good luck and good-bye
http://www.csua.berkeley.edu/~cathyg/writing/calculus.html
Genre: Poetry
Annotation:
The “Calculus Advice ” Poem expresses what students should know before entering or enrolling a Calculus class in a creative way. The poem includes many concpets and topic that will be covered in a calculus class, as well a prior knowledge from Algebra classes, Geometry and Precalculus.
Basis of Selection:
I chose the poem because it does a great interpretation of how some students think is the best way to prepare for the class, but the single most important reason why I chose the poem is becasue it was written by students. Presenting work that professional experts have done not nessessarily gets the message to students. Students listen more to their peers so, showing them this poem can get them to see what concepts they should know as well as concepts they will see in the Calculus class. when students read a poems they are more likely retain some information and vocabulary, because they can form a connection especially if it is humorous, vivid and appealing to the student.
Supporting Resource- -Article :” Teaching Content Subjects Using Poetry”
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/teaching-content-subjects-using-poetry
Use in The Classroom:
I would use this poem at the end of the year of a Precalculus class because many students might be nervous of anxious about a higher level class like Calculus. I would read the poem and analyze it with the students because concepts that they will be introduced to have been touched upon in the Precalculus class, so students will know what to expect.
Citation:
Gellis, Cathy, and Amanda O’Connor. “Calculus Advice Poem.” Calculus Advice Poem. N.p., June 1992. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. <http://www.csua.berkeley.edu/~cathyg/writing/calculus.html>.
Precalculus Text Set 