Advanced Geometry Course Description

Mr. David Alger 2016– 2017

Goals and Objectives

The primary goal of this course is to develop your logical thinking and problem solving skills. An equally important goal is to master the tools and skills neededforfuture math classes and to be successful on standardized tests likethe MCAS and the SAT/ACT.

Class Routine

Please be on time for class and prepared with all necessary materials

  • pen or pencil (your choice)
  • notebook for notes, folder or binder for handouts and quizzes/tests
  • a calculator (you will always be free to use one but I do not lend them out)
  • your homework from the night before

Homework

…will be assigned nightly, and should take no more than 30 minutes to complete. I do not assign HW over weekends or vacations.

Homework is checked periodically and graded for completeness and accuracy. We typically discuss the more important problems in class the following day.

It is implied that part of yournightly homework routineshould be to review andunderstand the notes, definitions, activities, and example problemswe did that day in class.

Quarterly Grade

Your grade for the quarter is calculated according to the number of points earned.

Some of the ways to earn points and their typical values are:

Quick Quizzes 10-30 points Homework 5 points

Quizzes 30-50 pointsMini-projects 50points

Tests 100 pointsClasswork10 points

The final calculation will weigh homework/classwork points as 10% and everything else as 90%

I do not offer Extra Credit assignments. If you are having trouble with the current workload, why would I give you more work???

Attendance

Regular attendance is strongly encouraged. There is no substitute for the learning that occurs during class through discussions and investigations. Ifabsent, it isyour responsibilityto:

  • find out exactly what handouts/assignments/tests/quizzes you missed (check Google Classroom!)
  • complete and hand in for credit any and all missed work in order to earn the points

If you are absent on a quiz/test day, the expectation is that you take the test on the day you return to school.

Tests and Quizzes

QUICK QUIZZESare frequent, usually unannounced, and typically take between 5-20 minutes to complete. They are also called formative assessments because they help inform the teacher and the student as to how well you are grasping the fundamental concepts as we move through a unit.

QUIZZES are given every week to ten days and are used as a summative assessmentfor shorter units or to break up very long units. They usually take most of the period to complete. ATEST typically happensat the end of a major unit and takes the entire period to complete. As part of the honors curriculum, you will be asked to demonstrate on quizzes and tests not only the basic skills and concepts, but also that you are able to apply them in new, sometimes unfamiliar situations. You will oftenbe asked to communicate yourproblem-solving process and/orinterpret yourresults.

Corrections and Retakes

If youscore below 70% on anytest or quiz, youhave the option of improvingyour grade by doing corrections and a retake. CORRECTIONS are done as follows:

  • on a separate sheet of paper, copy each missed problem
  • solve the problem completely. Show your workand circle your answers
  • staple the corrections to the front of the test and pass them in
  • any score below 60% will also need a parent signature
  • you can come to my room after school or during Power Block to do the retake
  • the deadline for retakes is one week from the day the graded quiz or test is returned

The new grade will be the average of the retake and the original grade, not to exceed a70%.

Given that the geometry curriculum is very cumulative (each unit we study uses concepts learned in the previous ones), quiz/test corrections are super important!

Rules of the Classroom

Please showRESPECTtowards each other, yourteachers, yourselves, and school property.

All school rules (as stated in the student handbook that you signed) will be enforced.

Extra Help

I am available most days after school to help with corrections or answer any questions about the material we are studying in class. Pleasefeel free to stop by.

I am sometimes available in the morning by appointment – please let me know in advance.

The best way to contact me is by email at or through Google classroom.