Locust Grove High School
GSE Pre-Calculus
2016 - 2017
Instructor: Mr. Willis –
Room #: 111
Course Description:
Pre-Calculus focuses on standards to prepare students for a more intense study of mathematics. The critical areas organized in eight units delve deeper into content from previous courses. The study of circles and parabolas is extended to include other conics such as ellipses and hyperbolas. Matrices provide an organizational structure in which to represent and solve complex problems. Students expand the concepts of complex numbers and the coordinate plane to represent and operate upon vectors. Trigonometric functions are introduced and developed to include inverses, general triangles and identities. Probability rounds out the course using counting methods, including their use in making and evaluating decisions.
Materials:
Graphing calculators will be used throughout the year and will be provided as needed during class. You will also need pencils,loose-leaf notebook paper, a 3-ring binder, and aruler. Finally, for homework, you will need to either purchase a graphing calculator or gain access to Desmos, a free graphing calculator which can be found on the Internet or downloaded as a free Apple app.
Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT):
In addition to graphing calculator technology, we will periodically use technology as a tool for learning. If you have a personal, internet-capable device (Wi-Fi), please bring this to class with you. It is intended that you will have prior knowledge of the days when devices will be required. Students who are found to be using devices for anything other than instructional purposes will be dealt with according to the school’s disciplinary procedures.
Course Content:
1st Semester:2nd Semester:
ConicsTrigonometric Functions
MatricesTrigonometry of General Triangles
Vectors Trigonometric Identities
Introduction to Trigonometric FunctionsProbability
Standards of Mathematics Practice are addressed throughout the learning tasks throughout the year!
- Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
- Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
- Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
- Model with mathematics.
- Use appropriate tools strategically.
- Attend to precision.
- Look for and make use of structure
- Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
Grading Policies: Grading is done using a points-out-of-points method instead of just straight percentage-correct method. In the long run, using the former method is to the student’s advantage. You must show all work (even if you use a calculator) to ensure full credit is received for correct answers. Students will receive progress reports throughout the year; however, credit for successful completion of the course will not be awarded until the end of the school year. Letter grades will be assigned according to a student’s current average in the course.
A = 90 – 100 B = 80 – 89 C = 74 – 79 D = 70 – 73 F = 69 or below
Warm Ups:
Students should enter class and immediately begin working on any warm up activity found on the board. Students are responsible for keeping up with warm ups, as they may be relevant to current or future tasks and may be used for unannounced quizzes throughout the semester.
Homework:
Homework is an important part of learning mathematics and will be assigned as necessary. A mixture of task related and skill reinforcement assignments will be used to help students master content being covered.All work must be shown for each problem. Homework may be checked for accuracy. The frequency of these checks is at my discretion.
Formative Assessments:
Formative assessments will be given throughout the year to assess current mastery of skills. The assessments may be given on an announced or unannounced schedule.
Tests:
Tests will be given midway through and/or at the end of each unit. A student who is absent from school the day before an announced test will be held responsible for taking the test at the scheduled time. If a student is absent on a test day, s/he must get with me on the day s/he returns to school to schedule a makeup test. Tests may be cumulative in nature and makeup tests may be different from the original test. Portions of each test may be used to replace lower, previously earned grades on similar content. Accordingly, students should take advantage of every opportunity throughout the year to demonstrate mastery of content on every assessment.
Mid-Year Assessment (December) and Final Exam (May):
The mid-year assessment and final exam are cumulative. I highly recommend periodically reviewing past material so you are not overwhelmed reviewing at the end of the semester or at the end of the year.
Attendance:
Attendance is extremely important, especially on the modified block schedule we follow at LGHS. You miss valuable class discussions that help you master topics being covered when you are absent. It is the sole responsibility of the student to make arrangements to make up missed work or assessments and secure all notes from classmates.
Makeup Work:
A student who has been absent (EXCUSED) is responsible for meeting with me within two days of returning to school to arrange for makeup work. The time during which makeup work must be completed should not exceed the number of days missed by the student. For example, a student who was absent (excused) for three days will have two days (maximum) to arrange for makeup work and three days (maximum) to actually make up work - a total (maximum) of five days. Makeup work for this student is eligible for maximum credit for correct work. Class time will not be spent completing makeup work.
Availability:
I am available during posted “Office Hours” to help you and will answer your questions in any way I can unless I have duty, a meeting, or a parent conference. Please check the posted hours on my classroom door or web site to be sure I am available on any particular day. Tutoring is “drop-in” (no appointment necessary).
Restroom / Hall Passes:
No passes will be issued during the first or last 15 minutes of the class period. All students will begin the year with three restroom passes. Please use them wisely. For each pass requested beyond the first three, students will receive a discipline step under the 4-Step discipline process. Additional restroom passes may be earned by earning an “A” on most assessments throughout the year, and by returning signed forms such as those distributed at the beginning of the school year and/or progress reports issued by me.
Classroom Management Behavior Guidelines
- Come prepared (bring materials & homework, have personal electronics turned off & put away, etc.).
2.Be respectful (speak kindly, allow each other to learn, keep your workspace neat, etc.).
3.Work hard and ASK QUESTIONS- BELL to BELL.
NO FOOD or DRINK!!! (CLEAR water in its original container is allowed)
Locust Grove High School
GSE Pre-Calculus
2016 - 2017
Instructor: Mr. Willis –
Room #: 111
Classroom Management Behavior Guidelines
- Come prepared (bring materials & homework, have personal electronics turned off & put away, etc.).
2.Be respectful (speak kindly, allow each other to learn, keep your workspace neat, etc.).
3.Work hard and ASK QUESTIONS- BELL to BELL.
NO FOOD or DRINK!!! (CLEAR water in its original container is allowed)
I have read and understand all of the objectives, requirements, and expectations for this course.
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Student name (please print)
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Student signatureDate
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Parent/Guardian name (please print)
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Parent/Guardian signatureDate
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Parent/Guardian E-Mail Address(es): ______
______
Parent/Guardian Phone Number(s):______
Other Contact Information: ______
Best Method for Contact: ______
Questions!
1)Does your student have access to the Internet after school?Yes ______No ______
2)Does your child have an Internet-capable (Wi-Fi), personal electronic
devicethat he/she may bring to school for classwork?Yes ______No______