Geometry Syllabus
Instructor: Ms. Kayla Brock Room: 619
3rd hour prep
Contact information: (preferred method of contact)
480.472.5833
Hello, I am Ms. Brock, and I will be your Geometry teacher. I am looking forward to getting to know you all. You will hopefully find this course to be both challenging yet fun as the year progresses. That being said, I believe every one of you has the capability to be successful in this course as long as you are committed to learn.
J Course Description: The study of Geometry focuses on geometric methods, properties, and relationships as a means to recognize, draw, describe, connect, and analyze shapes and representations in the physical world. As you work through the material, you will be encouraged to make conjectures while you persevere through exercises. This class is not just about the computation of numbers; you will be required to support your numbers with logic and sound explanations. Assignments will be given on a regular basis and a notebook will be kept throughout the semester. This course is required for high school graduation.
J Rules and Expectations: WE ARE MESA
1. Respect: Respect
Everyone’s
Stuff,
Personality,
Emotional well-being,
Culture, and
Thoughts
2. Be prepared for class, have all materials, turn in assignments, and sit in your designated
seat.
3. Follow all school rules and policies.
4. You are responsible for your educational experience.
5. Give yourself permission to succeed
Consequences
I expect that every student will act in a responsible, mature and respectful manner at all times.Each student has the right to learn from the teacher and from fellow peers while in this classroom.A student behavior matrix will be enforced at Mesa High. If you do not follow the rules and/or disrupt the learning of others, any combination of the following negative consequences will take place depending on the severity:
1. Verbal warnings
2. MIR
3. Student-teacher meeting
4. Parent or administrative involvement
5. Detention
Serious one-time or repeated offenses will be referred to an administrator.
Academic honesty is expected of all students. I will have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to cheating, and I will involve administration if I feel it is necessary to do so.
J Materials: Students who are successful bring their materials EVERY DAY
1. A fully charged LAPTOP with charging cable and stylus
2. Folder for handouts or section in a three-ring binder with loose paper
3. Pencils/erasers/highlighters
4. One small notebook for notetaking
5. Optional: scientific calculator or TI graphing calculator
Note: Mesa High school provides access to the TI-84 Plus CE calculator to address technology aspects of the state standards. Students are welcome to bring their own graphing calculator, but the school recommends students purchase the TI-84 plus CE if they do. Students can also check out a calculator from the bookstore.
J Tardy Policy: The expectation is that each student will arrive to class on time and be in their assigned seat, with any needed technology for the day, before the bell rings. If you are outside the door when the bell rings, you are considered tardy and will need to sign in the tardy book on the back table.
The consequences for coming to class late are as follows:
1st Tardy Verbal Warning
2nd Tardy Written Warning/MIR 1
3rd Tardy Parent Contact/MIR 2
4th Tardy Detention (Teacher supervised)/MIR 3
5th Tardy Office Discipline Referral
J Grading
Grading scale:
A= 90-100%
B= 80-89%
C= 70-79%
D= 60-69%
F= Below 59%
Grading Categories by semester:
20% Assignments/Projects
25% Quizzes
40% Tests
15% Final Exam (will be included at semester’s end)
J Classroom Procedures: The teachers at Mesa High are attempting to drastically reduce the amount of paper used and go near paperless in the classroom. In Geometry, students will be taking notes and completing most assignments on the computer. Therefore, it is extremely important that students come to class each day with their computers fully charged and in good working order.
Computer Etiquette Do:
· Charge your 1:1 laptop at home nightly
· Bring your fully charged 1:1 laptop to school every day
· Conduct all communication in a responsible, ethical and polite manner. Appropriate language should be used in all communication at all times.
· Respect the district rules for Internet filtering and security measures.
· Use technology for school-related purposes only during the instructional day.
· Respect copyright laws and fair use guidelines and only download or import music, video or other content that is legally permissible by law.
· Make available for inspection by an administrator or teacher any messages or files sent or received to or from any location using your laptop. Files stored on district-owned technology are not private insofar as they may be viewed, monitored or archived by the district at any time.
· Do not run with the laptop, or carry it around when open.
· Place the laptop securely on your desk, not hanging over the edge
· Make sure your hands are clean and dry before handling laptop or touching the screen
· Use only your laptop, and keep it safe, secure and in good working order
Computer Etiquette Don’t:
· Don’t eat or drink while using the laptop.
· Don’t mark, deface, or place stickers on your laptop.
· Don’t reveal or post personal information through communication with unknown persons on the Internet
· Don’t attempt to override, bypass or otherwise change the Internet filters installed by the district
· Don’t use another person’s account or password, and don’t share your information
· Don’t loan out your laptop, leave it unattended, or leave it in a vehicle unattended
· Don’t leave your stylus on the table, always replace in the holder
· Don’t download and/or install any programs, files or games from the internet or other sources. This includes viruses or other malicious software.
· Don’t attempt to locate, view, share or store any material that is unacceptable in a school setting
Assignments will be given 4-5 days per week. It is important for your success in this class that you make an earnest attempt to complete all assignments. Students should become proficient with the concepts assigned for practice and to get in the habit of showing all work. The expectation is that each student will complete the assigned work and turn it in on its due date. That being said, if homework is assigned while a student is absent, assignments are due the same number of days that were missed in class, if it was excused. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to make up any missed assignments and obtain the corresponding notes and assignments.
Late Work will be accepted for full credit, but it must be turned in before the test for the unit. A student can turn in late work after the test for partial credit (70% of their earned score). The deadline for all late work is 8 school days before the end of each quarter. To earn this partial credit for a computer assignment, students must send in an email to me with their name, assignment name, and a screen shot of completion page if the assignment is from Big Ideas or a screen shot showing that the assignment was uploaded successfully onto Canvas.
Tests and Quizzes You will have quizzes throughout the unit and a test at the end of the unit. Point values will vary depending on the amount of information being tested. If you miss the review for a test, you will still be expected to take the test as scheduled. Make-up for tests/quizzes is mandatory and your responsibility to schedule. Retakes for tests is an opportunity given in this class—regardless of your original test score. All retakes must be completed eight school days prior to the end of semester. Before retaking the test, you must complete all assignments for that unit and at least two 30 minute sessions of documented tutoring. I will keep the better score between the original and retake. Retakes for quizzes are not given.
If a student would like to come in for tutoring from me, I am available by appointment only. If you would like to get tutoring in the morning (except Wednesdays), go to room 614, or if you would like tutoring during “A” lunch, go to room 615. In addition, Mesa High offers tutoring in the library every Tuesday and Thursday from 3 until 6.
Cell phones should be turned off during class and may only be used when directed to so by the teacher. Students can only charge their cell phones before or after school in my classroom.
Communication: Grades are updated weekly on the Portal. You are responsible for checking your grades and resolving any problems by communicating concerns with me.
Things to keep in mind
Expect the challenge to come. Understanding takes work, but it will come in time.
Take responsibility for your learning. You’re the only one who can make you succeed.
Listen and take notes in class. Ask questions and write down the examples.
Review your notes and do the assignments, even if you’re not totally comfortable yet.
If you’re lost, don’t wait. Come right in and get help before you get far behind.
Give yourself permission to succeed!
Note: This syllabus is subject to change.
Please have your parent/guardian email me at with the student name in the subject line and best contact information in the e-mail.