Advanced Mathematics & Statistics I Syllabus
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COURSE DESIGN:
This class is quite different than most other math classes. The Contemporary Mathematics in Context materials (better known as CORE-plus) are designed to engage students in discovery based, small group investigations where students gather data, look for patterns, construct models and meanings, and make and verify conjectures. Students collaborate in small groups while the teacher circulates providing guidance and support, clarification, propositions, hints, encouragement and promotion of group discussion. The unit materials and related questions posed by students drive the learning.
At the beginning of each unit, students will be given unit objectives and vocabulary. Objectives are reviewed as a class regularly. Students are expected to update vocabulary definitions as they cover the material. Vocabulary questions are included as part of each quiz.
OVERVIEW OF SEMESTER II CONTENT:
Exponential Properties & Functions and Logarithms – exponent properties, simplifying radical expressions, writing exponential growth & decay functions
Geometric Sequences & Logarithms – Recursive & explicit geometric sequences, relationship between exponents and logarithms, solving for exponents, evaluating logarithms
Probability – students explore probability simulation situations involving chance, running simulations on their graphing calculators, calculate probabilities for independent events, expected value
Quadratic Functions – use function notation, identify domain and range of functions, create equations for quadratics from given points, write quadratic expressions in equivalent expanded or factored form, solve quadratic equations by factoring and using quadratic formula.
Students will be expected not only to master algorithms, but to intelligently discuss and defend (usually with written sentences) their choice of mathematical strategies. This is not a class where students learn an algorithm and then practice it 20 times at home with merely different numbers; authentic real-world situations are part of the everyday process. This course requires students to think, formulate, test and adjust regularly, incorporating previously learned material with new concepts when approaching the “non-traditional” situations encountered daily.
MATERIALS:
For this class you will need the following on a daily basis: your textbook, loose leaf paper or a notebook, a 3-ring binder, several pencils (or other erasable writing utensil), and a graphing calculator (preferably a TI-83, TI-84, or TI-Nspire). You will be given online access to the textbook so you may bring up the textbook or your device and leave your textbook at home. You may not share calculators during a test or quiz! You may not use your phone (or device) as a calculator.
ADDITIONAL HELP:
It is expected that you will need help from time to time. Self-advocating for yourself is a sign of personal strength, not weakness. You are accountable for your learning. Make success at school “the” priority and don’t blame others for your actions/decisions. Mr. Martin’s free periods are 1st, 7th & 10th hours. I can usually be found in the classroom during these times. I am also available to help after school. I drop my daughter off a daycare so I will not be available before school until about 7:00am. Mrs. Hassler’s free periods are 2nd & 7th hours. She can usually be found in the Learning Center (N123). During other hours of the day, she is in the learning center and may be available to help you. Additionally, Students Assisting Student Success (SASS) are available in the library during all hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are there to help answer your questions, so use them when you need them!!! See me if you need help finding assistance.
ATTENDANCE/TARDY POLICY:
Students’ attendance in class has a direct effect on their ability to do mathematics. If a student has an excused absence it is the student’s responsibility to get any make-up work. Attendance can help or hinder your grade. VERY FEW people fail my class if they are here (and participating) each day. On the other hand, VERY FEW students pass if they miss often. Do not let poor attendance be your demise.
With our short class periods we have a limited amount of time to accomplish our daily goals, so being tardy to class is unacceptable. To be on time and ready to learn, you must be in your seat with your materials out on your desk. Walking in when the bell rings counts as a tardy. Students will be given three verbal warnings about tardiness with the fourth being a Saturday detention. Take care of filling your water bottle and bathroom breaks between classes.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
Respect and effort are keys in this classroom. Respect for other students, the teacher, and school property is essential to create a positive learning environment and learning cannot happen if effort is not exerted. General school rules apply at all times. In addition the following rules apply to this class:
1) Students are to be in their seats when the bell sounds and remain there until the teacher dismisses the class.
2) The restroom should be used on your time, not mine. This means either before or after class, not during. You may sign out to use the bathroom during worktime until you misuse the privilege.
3) Students are to bring materials to class (including a working graphing calculator everyday), and participate in class activities.
4) Students will keep all hand-held devices in their backpacks during class time. Not on your desk, not in your hands, but in your backpack! Phones and other electronic devices may be confiscated if you cannot follow this simple rule.
GRADING:
Arrowhead has a “C or better” policy in effect for its math department. A student must attain at least a C- in a math class to be able to progress to the next course. This policy is an attempt to raise standards and give a better chance of success in the next course. Arrowhead policy states it DOES NOT use rounding to calculate grades. Extra credit is often available and is due the next school day, no exceptions.
Grading Scale 18 Week Criteria Semester Criteria
90 – 100 A Tests 40% 18-Week 85%
80 – 89.99 B Quizzes 25% Final Exam 15%
70 – 79.99 C Homework 10%
60 – 69.99 D Labs 15%
0 – 59.99 F Task Completion 5%
Participation 5%
GENERAL SCORING RUBRIC:
4 points / Contains complete response with clear, coherent, and unambiguous explanation; includes clear and simple diagram, if appropriate; communicates effectively to identified audience; shows understanding of question’s mathematical ideas and processes; identifies all important elements of question; includes examples and counterexamples; gives strong supporting arguments.3 points / Contains good solid response with some, but not all, of the characteristics above; explains less completely; may include minor error of execution but not of understanding.
2 points / Contains complete response, but explanation is muddled; presents incomplete arguments; includes diagrams that are inappropriate or unclear, or fails to provide a diagram when it would be appropriate; indicates some understanding of mathematical ideas, but in an unclear way; shows clear evidence of understanding some important ideas while also making one or more fundamental, specific errors.
1 point / Omits parts of question and response; has major errors; uses inappropriate strategies.
0 points / No response; frivolous or irrelevant response.
TESTS:
There will be approximately 3 – 4 tests per semester. They will be graded using the General Scoring Rubric. Most contain a section where your graphing calculator is necessary. No sharing of calculators or vocabulary notes. Some contain a section where a calculator will not be allowed. You may use your objectives/vocabulary packet on all tests. Students have 3 days upon returning from an excused absence to make arrangements to make up a test. Any missed test must be made up within two weeks of the test date. If you miss a test on an unexcused absence, you will be downgraded. If you know in advance that you will miss a test, it is best to make arrangements to take the test early. This will allow you the opportunity to complete the extra credit. There are no retakes on tests, so it is important you study and have appropriate notes prepared in your objectives/vocabulary packet.
QUIZZES:
Quizzes are meant to be informative feedback to guide your studying for the unit test. There will usually be a quiz or two for each unit. They are graded using the General Scoring Rubric. I will drop the lowest of your quizzes at the end of the semester. If a quiz is missed with an excused absence, it must be made up in the testing center (junior study hall) before the unit test. Once the test is taken, quizzes no longer serve their main purpose of helping to guide future studying. Make-up quizzes will not be offered for unexcused absences.
HOMEWORK:
There will be several assignments throughout each unit, but they will not be assigned everyday as they are in many other math classes. Many assignments will come from the On Your Own section of the textbook. During some units the assignments will be worksheets instead. Assignments will be checked for credit on the due date. Late assignments must be turned in for grading and are only accepted until the unit test. Answer keys will appear on my web site but work and explanations (usually written) are expected on most problems, not just answers.
LABS (GROUP INVESTIGATIONS):
They must be completed. If you are gone during lab time, you must catch up, learn, understand, and demonstrate that understanding as though you were there. This does not mean simply copying from a group member upon your return. I emphasize again the importance of excellent attendance. This particular part of the course encompasses learning from your group, experiments, and from the class as a whole. There is no substitute for group work. Things like field trips are in addition to, not instead of school. I want you to succeed to the very highest level possible, but I need you here and working every day to do that!
TASK COMPLETION:
On most days, you will have a warm-up problem. They appear on the board and should be written down and answered (including work) in your blue book. These problems will revolve around basic skills that are essential to passing any college placement testing. You will have a limited amount of time to complete the problem each day. Occasionally, your blue book will be collected and assessed. If you have attempted all problems on the assigned dates, you will receive full points. If you are tardy and miss problems or don’t show your work, points will be deducted.
PARTICIPATION:
Participation will be evaluated at the end of each investigation, lesson, or unit. Criteria includes attendance, promptness, cooperation, manners, asking questions, helpfulness, improvement, effort, attitude, preparedness, behavior, use of class time, contribution to class, responsibility, acceptance of criticism/consequences, motivation, patience, making school ‘the’ priority, politeness, respectful treatment of yourself and others, ability to stay on task, a ‘don’t give up’ drive, absence of whining.
You will also be asked to complete self-assessments as well as assessments of your group members. This will keep you accountable to your group and your group members accountable to you.