Mr. Wilkin’s syllabus

Email:

Room Number: 2-146

Office Hours: Tuesday’s 3:15- 3:59

High School Math Course 2

High School Math 2 is the second course in the college preparatory math sequence at Prospect Ridge Academy. Topics include operations with advanced exponents, exponential functions, quadratic functions, higher degree polynomials, geometric proof, similarity, properties of circles, volume, and coordinate geometry. These concepts will be covered at a rigorous and in depth capacity. Students will develop an understanding of these topics through developing theories and building habits of mind.

Overview of Topics covered in HS 2

1. Exploring Irrational numbers

2. Factoring and graphing quadratics

3. Exploring higher order polynomials

4. Understanding functions

5. Proofs

6. Applications of similar triangles

7. Applications of circles

8. Coordinate geometry

Classroom Expectations

Prepared:

  • I expect all students to organize their thoughts and themselves in the study of mathematics. Therefore, I ask that each student keep a notebook (a 3 ring binder and loose leaf paper). Keeping an organized notebook will greatly aid in a better understanding of the subject. At the same time, it will give parents the opportunity to stay abreast of their child’s progress. Students should also have a calculator, writing utensil, and access to a textbook with them when they come to class.

Respectful:

  • Respect the classroom and the people in it.
  • Academic Honesty is expected. Cheating, plagiarism and other forms of dishonesty are not tolerated and will result in academic penalties.
  • Abide by the PRA student handbook.

Accountable:

  • I expect all students to have good attendance and realize that good study habits are imperative to being successful in mathematics. Students must attend class regularly, study in a quiet environment, and complete their work on a daily basis. You can expect to have homework regularly.
  • Many math problems can be cleared up with only a few minutes of consultation, and I encourage students to come in for help whenever needed. Mr. Wilkin will be available to help students during office hours. Students and parents can contact me easily through email, which is located above.

Grading

Overview:

Course grades can have many different meanings, in this class there will be only one: the level of mathematics understanding demonstrated. This means that an assessment grade only reflects what the student has showed me what he/she knows. A variety of assessments will be used to determine a student’s level of proficiency. These will be extended assignments, portfolios as well as on-demand quizzes and tests. A numeric grading scale will be used to assess students understanding of course material. Assessments will account for 80% of a student’s grade.

Learning activities account for 20% of a student’s grade. These will be homework and in-class activities and grades will reflect the completion of the assignment.

Assessments (70%): Summative Assessments, quizzes, Projects. Students will have an opportunity for reassessment, see below. All Assessments will be converted to a 0-100 point scale.

A) 90- 100%

B) 80- 89 %

C) 70-80 %

F) 0 - 69 %

Final (10%): Final will be administered during the “finals week” of each semester. It will be accumulative of everything covered during the semester. The final will be converted to a 0-100 point scale and use the scale above.

Learning Activities, LEA: (20%): Homework and Class Activities. All LEA’s will be graded on a 0-10 point scale and converted to a 0-100 percentage scale. LEA’s grade reflections the level of completion of the assignment.

A) 9-10

B) 8

C) 7

I )0-6 (incomplete)

Re- Assessment Policy:

All students will be given an opportunity to reassess and turn in incomplete work. Students must show that they have worked to build mastery of the content and meet with the teacher before re- assessing as well as have a signed re-assessment contract. They must do so in a timely manner. Students may turn in incomplete work for partial credit until the end of the unit.

General Procedures

Absent work: Students are responsible for obtaining any worked missed while absent. Students with excused absences (due to illness, school related activity, etc) will be given two school days to complete and turn in work. If you know you will be absent ahead of time, please let me know.

Food and Drink: Water bottles are allowed. Please leave food and other beverages for passing periods and lunch.

Homework: Homework is a time for students to practice the content previously learned. It is expected that students complete homework before coming to class and are prepared to discuss during class. Homework will not be graded on daily basis but will be checked for completion at the end of the unit.

Late Work: Students with unexcused absences or didn’t turn in learning activities by due date are welcome to turn in learning activities in a timely manner for a reduced grade.

Technology: Any devices brought to school are to be used for academic purposes only. There will be times when devices will be highly utilized and others when they will need to be shut down and put away. There will be system in place for students to know when devices can be utilized. As a general rule, messaging isn’t allowed. It is required for all students to have a scientific calculator with at least square root, logarithmic, and trigonometric capabilities. It is highly recommended that students have a graphing calculator. A good suggestion is the TI-84.