Ian Collison

Portfolio #1

Section 1:

Problem set one had us dealing with all sorts of quadrilaterals like squares, rectangles,

and rhombi as well as the different qualities that define these different shapes. We

compared and contrasted these qualities and talked about how some of these shapes can

sometimes be one and the same. In problem set two we talked about more quadrilaterals

with a focus on those containing parallel lines as well as parallel lines with a transversal

and some of the properties that the transversal creates. Shapes like rhombi, squares, and

rectangles were compared to parallelograms to see if there were any similarities between

the two. We also had our first journal assignment in which we were asked some personal

math questions about why it is that we want to teach and what our strengths and

weaknesses are and how we plan to improve. In problem set three we began to look at

triangles. We looked at the properties of triangles in respect to side length and well as the

measurements of interior angles. We talked about acute, right, and obtuse as well as

equilateral, isosceles, and scalene triangles. We also had to support these properties and

we had to explain and understand them. In problem set four we talked about all different

types of lines. We talked about lines, line segments, perpendicular lines, and collinear

lines. We were asked to demonstrate our knowledge of the properties of these lines

through exercises throughout the problem set.

Section 2:

Throughout the problem sets I actually relearned a lot of information that I have not

looked at in a long time. My memory of all of these ideas was refreshed and it was very
interesting to see the differences in teaching strategies from some of my high school

teachers. I find the material to be much more understandable now and answers come

easier to me than they have before. The hardest idea for me is the ven diagrams used to

express some of the ideas. Im having a hard time understanding them and they do not

come to me easily like the other info so far.

Section 3:

Studying the study guide was my main preparation for the test. I still had a hard time

with the ven diagrams on the tests but I think the reason for that is that I do not have a

real understanding of them. Memorization does not help me during test time so when it

came to those questions I had some difficulty. Other than that I felt very well prepared

and very confident about the test and I think I did well. I understand the rest of the

material very well and I am very comfortable with what we are learning.