Math Tutor Needs Graphing Calculator Help

[Guest Dennis In Va]

Hello,

 

I am a retired middle school math teacher who is now supplementing his retirement income with the private tutoring of elementary and middle school students.

 

Recently I was asked by a parent to tutor a student in Algebra 2. I told the parent that my Algebra 2 is extremely rusty, and that the modern curriculums of Algebra 2 have changed substantially since I last took it. I also explained that I am a near novice with the graphing calculator, which is practically a necessity for many Algebra 2 curriculums, especially during the 2nd semester.

 

The parent talked me into giving it a try, and I agreed, stating that I would probably be spending several hours a week studying up on the subject, relearning many topics I have long forgotten and learning some topics I never had. For example, I never had matrix problems when I took Algebra 2 course.

 

I also went out and bought a graphing calculator, a TI-84 Plus.

 

Unfortuntely, the textbook the student uses doesn't really teach you how to use it. For example, it might say something like:

 

"On your graphing calculator, enter the function 3x^2 + etc. + etc., and graph it."

 

But it doesn't tell you how to do it.

 

The instruction book that came with my TI-84 Plus is, in my opinion, poorly written and hard to follow.

 

Can anybody recommend a really good graphing calculator guide or tutorial, either in book form or on the internet, which teaches you step by step, exactly how to do what?

 

What I am looking for is something that will show me exactly which button to push in which sequence, step by step by step.

 

Can any of you math gurus out there recommend such a resource?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Dennis In Va

[MaryM]

You should find what you need at this site depending on the type of calculator. WE purchased the video for TI-83+ through calculus and it has been extremely helpful since I never used a calculator when I took math back in the dark ages!

 

http://www.vent-pub.com/pages/masterlist.html#gcb

[Sharon in MD]

I have not tried this but it has a good review and might be helpful in that it is visual.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Students-Guide-Graphing-Calculator-Cabral/dp/0534378021/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204996647&sr=8-25

 

This I have tried and it is helpful to have the real guide to the calculator. It is huge, but complete.

 

http://education.ti.com/educationportal/downloadcenter/SoftwareDetail.do?website=US&appId=6125&tabId=2

 

I hope one of these will be helpful to you. At least you can literally get your hands on the TI guide immediately and free through the download.

[Kareni]

The local community college here has a math resource room which is open to the general public. They have a variety of resources for learning to use a graphing calculator including some video tutorials which can be done onsite. Perhaps you might see if you have something similar available.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Sandy in Indy]

There's also a "graphing calculators for dummies" book. My son checked it out of our public library. Good thing I don't have to teach him how to use it...looks like airplane controls to me!