Course Syllabus for Honors Geometry

Mr. Cherry’s Class Fall 2016

Course Description/Overview

Geometry is a one-semester high school math course that is taken after taking Algebra I. This course now has a new StateTNReady exam. This year the test has three sections and will be given December 5ththrough December 9th.

Course Content/Plan

  • Transformations and Congruence (Unit 1)Modules 1-3Test 108/19/16
  • Lines, Angles, Triangles (Unit 2)Modules 4-8Test 209/02/16
  • Quadrilaterals and Coordinate Proof (Unit 3)Modules 9-10Test 309/16/16
  • Similarity (Unit 4)Modules 11-12Mid-Term 09/30/16
  • Trigonometry (Unit 5)Modules 13-14Test 510/21/16
  • Measurement and Modeling (Unit 7)Modules 18-20Test 611/04/16
  • Properties of Circles (Unit 6)Modules 15-17Test 711/18/16

Course Materials

Required:

  1. Pencil and Eraser – all math work MUST be completed in pencil. Assignments completed in ink will may not be graded.
  2. Organizer – A 3-ring binder. The binder is to keep pages from your consumable textbook, loose leaf paper, tests and other handouts.
  3. Calculator – Any graphing calculator will work. However, I strongly suggest a TI-83 or TI-84. In class, students will see a TI-84 regularly taught. The TI-84 is a good investment. The calculator will last all the way through high school and into college.
  4. Notebook paper – Loose leaf is best for neatness and flexibility. However, spiral notebooks can be used and placed inside the organizer.
  5. Graphpaper – Can be used in lieu of notebook paper for work. Again, loose leaf is best.
  6. Protractor – For measuring/drawing angles.
  7. Compass – For drawing circles.
  8. Ruler 6” or 12” – For drawing diagrams and graphs.

Suggested:

  1. Colored Pencils – May be used to highlight diagrams to make them more easily understood. Color coding notes can also be helpful.
  2. 4”x6” Index Cards – for writing formulas to help study and use on in-class tests.

Course Policies & Procedures

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Mr. Cherry’s Syllabus Revised 10/30/2018

Classroom Rules:

  1. Follow directions the first time given
  2. Be on time to class
  3. Be prepared for each class
  4. Respect classmates and teachers/staff
  5. Use appropriate language
  6. Show respect for individual and school property
  7. No food or drinks allowed
  8. Gum is not allowed.

Consequences:

Rule infractions will incur reminders, reprimands, possible poor grades, or referral to the office for further discipline.

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Mr. Cherry’s Syllabus Revised 10/30/2018

Procedures:

  • You must be in the room when bell rings or you are considered tardy.
  • When you come in, check the board for “Bell Work”. “Bell Work” is what you are to do during the first few minutes of class.
  • If you have been absent, you should give your admit slip to me when you come in. Missed assignments can be found on Skyward.
  • You must have your student handbook with you at all times. Handbooks cannot be shared. Your name should be written in ink in several places in the handbook.
  • If you need to use the restroom (or go anywhere else) you need to bring your handbook to me with date, time, and destination already filled out. Once I sign, put your handbook on the table and take the hall pass. Only one student at a time will be allowed out of the classroom. If the pass is not in its place, then do not ask to leave (except for a nurse emergency).

Tutoring:

  • FREE Tutoring is available by appointment during open lunch on Wednesdays, also before or after school.
  • Tutoring is optional for students with a passing grade and no missing assignments.
  • If you are failing you may be assigned to “Assigned Study Hall” during one of your E&I classes. You will be assigned this for a two-week period. If you are still not passing you will assigned another two-week period.

Missed work – Any missed homework or in-class assignments should be made-up so you can learn the material. Any tests missed during an unexcused absence earn a zero and cannot be made up for a grade (see student handbook). Tests missed due to an excused absence should be made up. Make-up tests can be taken during class or after school by appointment.

Test Retakes - A test may be retaken for a new grade after school by appointment. The maximum grade you can earn is a 90. You must bring your old test(s) when you come to take a retest (no original = max of 80). Tests may be retaken as many times as you wish. The score of the retest will be recorded, even if lower than any previous attempts. All retakes must be taken before final exams begin.This semester, the last day for retaking a test is Monday, December 13, 2016.

Grading Policy/Assessment

Your class grade will be calculated as a percentage based upon points earned out of the total points possible. The final course grade is calculated as 75% class grade and 25% Final Exam, by State of Tennessee policy. Grades are available online through Skyward. Students are responsible for knowing their current grade at all times. Computers are available in the library.

Formative Assignments:

Formative Assignments are for helping the student progress toward the learning targets. Formative assignments and assessments are used to provide feedback and guidance in learning. Verbal and/or written feedback will be provided on each assignment. A numerical score is provided as a summary of the overall learning and effort to communicate how well a student is doing. Some assignments are optional. If you decide you do not want to complete an optional assignment, the effect on your grade is that other assignments will have a larger effect.

Homework – 5 points

Homework is assigned practically everyday and is posted on the classroom board. Homework is assigned to assist you in learning the material. Homework is reviewed at the beginning of class for feedback. The homework may alsobe turned in foradditional feedback on how you are doing toward the learning target. (See Scoring Rubric below.)

In-Class Work – Points vary, typically 5 points

Occasionally we will have an assignment that is to be completed in class. Like homework, in-class assignments are made to assist you in learning the material. (See Scoring Rubric below.)

Homework/In-Class Work Rubric:

Score / 5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0
Quality of work / Full assignment completed with excellent effort, allowing for productive and useful formative feedback. / Most of the assignment was completed with good effort, allowing for productive formative feedback. / Some of the assignment was completed with minimal effort, allowing for some formative feedback. / Minimal work completed with little effort, howeversome feedback with minimal usefulness was possible. / Work turned in; however, not enough was done to be able to receive any productive feedback. / Nothing turned in.

Quizzes – Points vary, typically 10 points

Occasionally we will have a quiz. If you miss a quiz due to an excused absence you should make-up the quiz at your earliest convenience. Quizzes are formative assessments.

Quiz Rubric:Number points earned

Summative Assessments:

Summative Assessments are for assessing how well a student has met a learning target. Also, some formative feedback will be given to help the student know what learning targets are still being missed.

Tests – 100 points

We have tests on a regularly scheduled basis (see Page 1 of this syllabus). All tests are cumulative. If you miss a test due to an excused absence you should make-up the test at your earliest convenience. Make-up tests can be taken during class or after school by appointment.

Test Rubric:(Number points earned Number points possible) x 100 = grade

Project(s) – 100 points

We may have a project as part of this class. The project will count as much as one regular test. The rubric and project instructions will be given out at the time the project is assigned.

To the student:

My goal for your class is that every student learns the required material. I want each of you to earn the highest grade possible; however, learning the material is what you need most. Good grades will follow good effort and good learning.

My expectation is that each student can learn and will do their best. The harder you work, the harder I will work to help you understand the material. I expect you to do all assignments to the best of your ability. I do not make assignments just to keep you busy. The assignments are necessary to help you learn the material. Practice is essential to learning. You cannot learn math by watching others do it. You must dig in and struggle with problems. You must practice. Learning math is not an easy thing and requires effort, especially if math is “not your thing.”

Attending class every day is extremely important. If you miss a class it is your responsibility to find out what we did in class. Homework assignments can be found on Skyward or on the Lesson Plans on the class website. The class website is at lhs.loudoncounty.org.

If you need help understanding the material, you can come to me for tutoring help by appointment. Sometimes working on your homework with me in the room is all you need.

It has been my experience that a student gets as much out of a class as they put into it. If you participate in class, complete all assignments, and ask for help as needed you should have no problem earning a good grade. If you do not do homework, do not ask me for help, do not take notes, and do not add to classroom discussions, you will not be able to pass.

I expect everyone to show respect for others. You, your classmates, and I are all in this together. If you have a problem with anything please bring it to my attention. Problems are best avoided by positive open communication. If you have a question about your grade, an assignment, my rules, something I said, or anything else, please come and speak with me. I will be glad to meet with you to discuss any problem you may have.

To the parent:

Please read through this syllabus and review it with your child. If you have any questions or concerns please let me know.

Homework is assigned practically every night. Please help your child by checking to see if he/she is getting it done. Sometimes they will have finished it in school, but should probably spend a few minutes reviewing it. Asking your child to explain the assignment to you could help them solidify the learning.

Student grades are available online at lhs.loudoncounty.org via the Skyward link. If you need your Skyward log-in, please contact the LHS main office. Your child should always be well aware of their grades. If there is ever a question or concern about a grade, please do not hesitate to call, come in for a conference, or email me.

Clear, timely, complete communication is key to solving problems. If you have any concerns please call me at school (458-4326, extension 94067). I will return your call during my planning period or after school. You may also send a note by your child or email me at .

Please sign below. This signature page must be signed by the student and a parent then turned in. Students must keep a copy of the syllabus in their notebook. The syllabus can be downloaded from the class website.

We have read and reviewed the Geometry Syllabus for Mr. Cherry’s class.

______(Student Signature/date)

______(Parent Signature/date)

Students:

After you and your parent have signed above, tear off this last page and turn in the entire page.

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Mr. Cherry’s Syllabus Revised 10/30/2018