Pre-AP Pre-Calculus

Syllabus 2017-2018

Huntsville High School

Teacher: Jonathan Gallen

E-mail:

Website:

Room: 1407

Phone: 936-435-6100

Tutorials: Before School/Advocate/After School

Course Description:

Pre-Calculus is a mathematics course designed to bridge from Algebra II and Geometry to Calculus and other higher level mathematics courses. This course is designed to expand understanding through various mathematical experiences. As students progress through this course, they will continually use problem-solving, language and communication, connections within and outside mathematics, and reasoning. Students will also use multiple representations, technology, applications and modeling, and numerical fluency in problem-solving contexts.

Pre-AP Pre-Calculus is designed to prepare advanced mathematics students for the AP Calculus course. As such, Pre-AP Pre-Calculus will be taught at a high level of rigor, in preparation for collegiate level mathematics courses. This will require a significant dedication of time, effort, and skill. Please ensure that you have the proper resources to dedicate to this class to ensure your success.

The following Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) will be addressed:

  1. The student defines functions, describes characteristics of functions, and translates among verbal, numerical, graphical, and symbolic representations of functions.
  2. The student interprets the meaning of the symbolic representations of functions and operations on functions to solve meaningful problems.
  3. The student uses functions and their properties, tools and technology, to model and solve meaningful problems.
  4. The student uses sequences and series as well as tools and technology to represent, analyze, and solve real-life problems.
  5. The student uses conic sections, their properties, and parametric representations, as well as tools and technology, to model physical situations.
  6. The student uses vectors to model physical situations.

A complete description can be found at

Reference Materials:

Sullivan, Michael, and Micahel Sullivan III. Precalculus: Enhanced with Graphing Utilities. Texas

Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc., 2016.

The textbook will be entirely online. Students will be checked out a Chromebookas their textbook to use for the course. Students will be able to access the textbook and its features online.

Grading Procedures:

Major (exams, projects, labs)50% 2 @ a minimum/6 wks

Daily (independent practice, quizzes)50%7 @ a minimum/6 wks

Grades will reflect mastery of the TEKS. Grades will be updated weekly, at a minimum. An “X” in the grade book indicates a student is exempt from completing this assignment. It does not affect his/her grade.

Class Participation:

All students will have ample opportunity to receive bonus points on major exams through class participation in warm-ups, lectures, and class reviews. Class participation is strongly encouraged.

Assignments:

Independent Practicewill be given regularly (almost daily). The assignment is for your benefit. It is a chance to practice what you’ve learned and a place to receive feedback. You will have ample opportunity to ask questions about the assignment. ALL WORK MUST BE SHOWN in order to receive credit.

Late Work Policy:

Late work penalty only applies to students who are in attendance, but fail to turn in work on time. Late work will only be accepted until the end of a grading period. One (1) day late is minus 10 points (highest grade possible is a 90), two(2) days late is minus 20 points (highest grade possible is an 80), three(3) days late is minus 30 points (highest grade possible is a 70), and four(4) or more days late is minus 40 points (highest grade possible is a 60).

Retest/Makeup Policy:

Students receiving a grade less than 75 on a major exam will be required to attend tutorials and retest within one (1) week of receiving grade. Students must fill out a Request to Retest Form (new grade will NOT go into gradebook until completed form received). The maximum grade earned on a retest can be no higher than 75. Students shall be expected to make up assignments and tests after absences. A student has one day to makeup work for each day he/she is absent. Instructional Practice and Instructional Achievement assignments scheduled and communicated before an absence are due on the day of return.Make-ups of exams will be taken immediately upon the student’s return to class.

BYOT:

NO personal devices, with the exception of graphing calculators, will be allowed for use during lectures/quizzes/exams. Students will have access to the online textbook through a school-owned/checked out Chromebook.ALL personal electronic devices (including but not limited to cell phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) will be placed in the electronic device tub at the front of the classroom within the first five minutes of class every day there is a major quiz or exam and will be picked up during the last five minutes of class.