Geometry 2012-2013
INSTRUCTOR: ALLISON RUBIN FORESTER
Home Phone: 827-7304 School Phone: 668-3580
Geometry is the mathematical study of the patterns, shapes and designs that make up our world. This is a full-year course that will meet all objectives for students studying high school geometry as stated in the Minneapolis Public School Guidelines. We will begin inductively, with the students discovering the rules, or postulates, and then move on to more formal proofs by the end of the year.
I. REQUIRED DAILY MATERIALS:
a) Positive Attitude: Respect your abilities and your classmates' desire to
learn. Be ready with pencil, paper, completed assignment and curiosity.
b) Well-Prepped Brain: Each day you will be expected to read each lesson
thoroughly, take good notes, answer all homework questions, participate in all class activities & ask questions PROMPTLY, EVERY TIME YOU NEED HELP.
c) TEXTBOOK & Tools: Discovering Geometry. You are responsible for covering
your book. You will be charged for any damage or writing. Also: compass & ruler.
d) Scientific CALCULATOR: You will need a scientific calculator to use
both in class and on homework assignments; please label yours with your name in permanent ink or see me to engrave your name upon it.
Your calculator from last year is FINE! We have graphing calculators to use in class also!!
e) MATH NOTEBOOK: You must maintain a folder or 3-ring binder with
pockets specifically for math and different sections for notes, classwork & homework, conjectures, and definitions. All notes, handouts, assignments, projects, quizzes and exams MUST be saved and organized chronologically throughout each semester. These notebooks will be checked for completeness.
2. HOMEWORK:
a) There will be an assignment given EVERY DAY. Expect to spend about 20 to 50 minutes per day outside of class in preparation for the next day's class.
b) All assignments should be completed before the class period begins. Since the learning of math is a sequential process, work will be checked daily & late homework will not be tolerated. Parent conferences will be scheduled if students are having difficulty meeting this expectation. You must make up ALL late work.
c) If you cannot complete your assignment (maybe you do not understand a concept well enough), call a classmate for help. If you are still unsuccessful after several attempts at peer tutoring, call Allison to see if phone-guidance might help or to make an appointment before or after school, at recess or lunch. It is acceptable to arrive in class with only one or two unsolved problems if you have your attempts and work shown. Circle this problem on your homework (or highlight it!) so you remember to ask for an explanation.
d) There will be a "No-Warning Homework Check" given 1 to 3 days after some chapter tests. Your textbook must remain closed; only your Math Notebook may be used. There will be a problem from each assignment, usually worth 2-3 points--one for the correct problem; one for the correct solution; and one for showing the steps or work needed to obtain the solution.
3. ATTENDANCE & MAKE-UP:
a) You are responsible for all material presented in class, including all notes, investigations, homework and hand-outs. If you miss class for any reason, call another student for the assignment. Then you will not be behind upon your return to school.
b) Expect to take all tests when they are scheduled. The only exception would be if you are ill the day before the test. (Doctor's appointments, planned family or field trips, etc. are not an excuse to miss the following day's test.)
c) If you need to make up a test, I highly recommend that you do so within a few days of your return to school. Past experience has shown that the longer you procrastinate, the lower your test score will be.
4. EVALUATION:
a) Students will be assessed on a standard H.S. grading system where the total points earned is a percent of the total points possible. 90-100% is an "A", 80-89% a "B", etc. Students must pass the class with a B- or higher to receive H.S. credit.
b) Points will be earned from:
*100% homework completion and performance on Homework Checks
*class participation and group work
*related field trips, analyses, projects, group projects and mini-projects
*performance on chapter tests and quizzes
*Algebra finals & 'minimum essentials' evaluations, to be completed at a minimum competency level that may involve retakes, at the end of each quarter. This is important so you will be ready for Algebra II next year in high school!
c) Any student scoring below 75% on a test (or project) must retake it (or re-do it). Please make an appointment for help & your retake within one week.
D) Wednesday Math Tutoring: Plan on staying after school Wednesdays, 2:00 –
3:00 for math help and tutoring with Allison in room 6. Make it your social plan!
I, , have read and reviewed these expectations with my adult. I will do my best to learn as well as I can.
Student signature Parent/Guardian signature
*Please sign & return to Allison by Tuesday, 28 August.
(This contract will be returned to you immediately to keep for future reference)