Syllabus
Textbook - Thinking Mathematically; Prentice Hall; ©2005
Supplies - For this class you will need the following supplies:
- a 3-ring binder with paper, or a spiral-bound notebook
- some pencils and pens
- graph paper
- a graphing calculator
Homework - You should expect homework assignments every night, and it is critical that you do not fall behind. The previous night’s homework will be corrected in class daily. There will be an opportunity to ask questions each day and I invite you to do so since questioning is a vital part of the problem solving process. You should keep your homework in a 3-ring binder or spiral notebook because you are allowed and encouraged to use your homework and notes on all tests and quizzes. Each Monday you will be required to show me all the homework from the previous week.
Unit Exams - We will have an exam at the end of each unit of study. You are encouraged to use your homework and notes on these quizzes. Points will be given for both showing reasonable work and getting a correct answer. There will be a large exam at the mid-term and the end of each semester. All of the topics that were covered to that point will be assessed. These exams will often be broken up over two days. You are encouraged to use any notes, homework, or handouts during the exam.
Explorations - At various times during the course, we will do explorations to help clarify the we are studying. These explorations may include hands-on constructions, lab work on the computers, games, discussions, or other activities.
Projects - The course requires the completion of a long-term project. To prepare for this, we will do a series of smaller projects that will focus on the various aspects of the long-term project.
Grades & Grading scale - The following percentages comprise your class grade:
Tests & Quizzes = 50%
Homework = 30%
Explorations & Projects = 20%
All grades will be determined using the following scale:
| - | + | ||
| A | 90-92.9% | 93-100% | |
| B | 80-82.9% | 83-86.9% | 87-89.9% |
| C | 70-72.9% | 73-76.9% | 77-79.9% |
| D | 60-66.9% | 67-69.9% | |
| F | 0-59.9% |
At the end of the semester, I will drop your lowest test score before determining your final grade (the mid-term and final exam will not be dropped). Because of the opportunities for retakes and the dropped test, I will NOT round up your overall percentage (no matter how close you are to the next grade!) If you have truly given your best effort, then you should be proud of the grade you have earned.
Scope & Sequence:
1st semester
- Introduction to Graphing Calculators
- Introduction to the Project
- Problem Solving
- Set Theory & Logic
- Number Theory
- Statistics
- Algebraic functions
- Financial Mathematics
2nd semester
- Geometry & Trigonometry
- Graph Theory
- Probability
- Introduction to Differential Calculus
- Alternative Mathematical Systems
- Voting & Apportionment
Classroom Rules -
1) Be respectful of the teacher, visitors, other students, and all property
- Use “Please” and “Thank you”
- Honesty at all times
- Cheating will be punishable by loss of credit on the assignment, project, or exam
2) No Food or Drink (with the exception of water)
- Do not ask to leave to get food, pop, or milk
3) No electronic devices in class (no pagers, no cell phones, no video games, etc.)
- Please put these items away before entering the room
- If you are found using it in class, it will be confiscated for at least 3 days
4) Disciplinary policies will be followed from the CHS or OSD student handbooks.
Absence Policy -
1) Make every effort to be in class, on-time each day
- absences can lower a grade very quickly
2) If you have a pre-arranged absense, please see me beforehand so we can find a way to plan for what you will miss.
3) If you have an unplanned absense during the week, please:
- Contact a friend for the notes and assignment, or
- Send me an e-mail before 2:30 that school day to slaviollette@osd.wednet.edu, or
- Call the school for a homework request, or
- Check the calendar for the assignments when you return
4) If you are confused about something we studied, I am available for help before school at 7:15 each morning (except Fridays), or after school on Tuesdays and Wednesdays until 3:30. I will be unavailable on some occasions due to other responsibilities.
5) If you miss an exam, or wish to improve your score, you have one week to take or retake that exam. The new score will replace your old score if it is an improvement, otherwise you will retain your original score. You must come in outside of class time to retake or make up a missed exam.
6) You must have your homework checked off by Monday (even if you are absent!) If you have any reason to believe that you will be gone on Monday, then make sure your work is turned in by the previous Friday (or send it in with a friend).
I will not accept any homework past its check-off date.
7) Any other attendance or tardy policies shall be in-line with the student handbooks.
Projects
Long-term Project Grading Criteria
1) The Automobile Investigation
Click on the calendar to view the daily assignments (or work that you missed while you were gone...)
Grades
To view student grades, use Skyward Parent Access and select the appropriate class for your student.
Fractal Images are courtesy of Blatte's Fractals (http://exoteric.roach.org). Used by permission.