Pre-Calculus Syllabus

Mrs. oom: Temple 234

Math is fluency in a language. It is the wise use of many skills, based on clear ideas about their value, why a skills works or doesn’t work, and when to use it.

Educational Goals

1) Acquire important information. 2) Make meaning of that information. 3) Effectively transfer learning of that information to new situations both within school and beyond it.

Course Description

The purpose of this course is to promote in-depth understanding of concepts and mathematical thinking necessary for higher levels of math and applications of those concepts. This course is part of an overall mathematics studies program with a rigorous academic core that extends what students have previously learned in the introductory-level math courses as well introducing more advanced topics. Pre-Calculus teaches properties of algebra and the language of functions.

Textbook

Glencoe Precalculus Common Core Edition, 2014.

There will be a classroom set of textbooks that students can sign out as needed.

Course Content

  • Explore the symmetries, rates of change, and end behavior of graphs; write inverse functions.
  • Use polynomial functions to model data; find all zeros of a polynomial function; solve and graph rational equations.
  • Use properties of exponents and logarithms to evaluate, solve, graph, and apply functions.
  • Construct and analyze probability distributions.
  • Use trigonometry to solve right triangles and describe any angle; graph trig functions.
  • Solve trigonometric equations using identities and properties of functions and angles.
  • Evaluate limits of polynomial and rational functions; find instantaneous rate of change.

Assignments

  • Work must be shown for every problem or an explanation of your mental math/calculator work must be written for every problem. This is to show your full understanding (or not) of any topic.
  • Homework will be assigned throughout each chapter and typically on a daily basis. Your success in this course will greatly depend on the effort you put into your homework!
  • Formative Assessment and Quizzes will be given at Mrs. Dickerson’s discretion throughout a chapter.
  • A Test will be given at the end of each chapter.
  • A cumulative Test will be given after every chapter.
  • A cumulative Final Exam will be given at the end of the year. Students can be exempted.
  • Mrs. Dickerson may level any assignment, at her discretion, for specific students.

Course Assessment/Grading Plan

Assignment Type / Description / Points
Formative Assessment / Quick assessment designed to catch mistakes early and inform future lessons. Assessed for accuracy, but not included in grade. / 0 points
Homework / Intended to help students master course goals. Homework is primarily completed outside of class time. Students may use class notes during Homework. Graded by completion; reviewed in class for accuracy. Occasionally, a homework problem will be collected as formative assessment. / 2 points per assignment; partial points possible
Quizzes / Assessment of an individual lesson or topic. Students may use applicable Homework during Quizzes. Graded for accuracy. / 10-20 points per quiz
Chapter Tests / Assessment of an entire chapter. Students may use applicable Quizzes during Unit Tests. Graded for accuracy. / 100 Points per test
Portfolio / Collection of and Self-Reflection on work accomplished and content learned in each unit. Written assignment. / 20 points per portfolio
Cumulative Unit Test / Assessment of all preceding units. Students may use applicable Unit Tests during Cumulative Unit Tests. Graded for accuracy. / 50 Points per test
Final Exam / Cumulative exam designed to assess knowledge from the entire school year. Students may use applicable Unit Tests during Final Exam. Graded for accuracy. Students with 93% year grade average 1 week prior to the Final Exam are exempt from the Final Exam. / 150 Points per exam

In real world mathematical situations, notes are often accessible, and that is why Mrs. Dickerson lets you utilize applicable previous assessments on current assessments.

Grade Scale

Course Weight: 1.00

A=90%-100%, B=80%-89%, C=70%-79%, D=60%=69%, F=59% or below

Corrections to Formative Assessment, Quizzes, Unit Tests, and Cumulative Tests

  • Formative Assessment and Quiz Corrections are required. You will not earn points back on your grade for them, but you will earn up to 2 points for their completion. Students with no corrections to make will receive an automatic 2 points.
  • Unit Test Corrections are required when your score on the test is lower than the score your quiz and formative assessment scores indicate you should have earned (the understanding you should have been able to demonstrate). 50% Points back on accurately corrected questions.
  • Cumulative Test Corrections are required, using the same criteria as Unit Test Corrections. 25% Points back on accurately corrections questions.

Communication

  • Email: Mrs. Dickerson will respond to emails between 7:30 AM and 3:15 PM.
  • casa-arts.org: FacultyMrs. DickersonYour Class. Current Assignments will be posted daily. Quizzes, Tests, and Exams will be listed several days in advance.
  • PowerSchool: Weekly-updated grades will be posted here. Missing assignments can also be seen here. Please note the comments for specific assignments. Ungraded formative assessment will be shown, but not counted.
  • Remind: Remind is a free, safe way for students to text Mrs. Dickerson at any time, as she responds to texts outside of the school day. Mrs. Dickerson can send full class announcements or individual messages. Remind is a great way for students to ask homework questions or to privately bring a concern to Mrs. Dickerson. Remind can be connected to a phone number for texting or an email address, depending on what the student prefers. Standard text and data ratesapply.

Field Trip and Guest Artist Workshop Eligibility

  • Students must be passing (60% or higher average grade) this class to be eligible to attend any Field Trips or Guest Artist Workshops. Eligibility will be determined 2 weeks prior to Field Trips and 1 week prior to Guest Artist Workshops. Refunds will not be provided for students who are ineligible.

Absent and Late Work Policy

Attendance is a vital part of the success in this course! However, absences do happen.

  • If a student was present for the assigning of work but absent for the submission, the student is expected to submit the work immediately upon their return to school, without penalty.
  • All assignments will be listed on casa-arts.org. Missed assignments will also be filed in the Absent Work binder located in the back of the classroom. It is the student’s responsibility to get missed notes from a classmate and seek necessarily clarification.
  • Students with a verified excused absence will have the same number of days to make up the assignments for full credit as the number of days they were absent.
  • Example: A student is absent Monday and present Tuesday. On Tuesday, the student will check the Absent Binder and gather missed work and notes. Their 1-day absence warrants 1 day to finish any missed work. That day will be Wednesday. The missed work is due without penalty on Thursday. Always ask Mrs. Dickerson if you are unsure of when your work is due.
  • Inform Mrs. Dickerson of future absences (educational field trips, college visits, etc) as soon as possible, so she can gather work for you to complete.
  • Late work will be given 75% credit when submitted within its corresponding unit.

Useful Tools

  • Graphing or Scientific Calculator (example: TI-83 or TI-30. Cell phone calculators can be used for class practice and homework, but not for assessments. A true calculator is recommended, to ensureknowledge of calculator-specific buttons and functions.)
  • 3 Ring Binder for notes and assignments
  • Pencils and erasers (all work is preferred in pencil)

Extra-Help

Extra help will be available by appointment after school on a day/time that will be convenient for all parties involved. Please contact Mrs. Dickerson at least 24 hours in advance of when you would like to meet.

Classroom Expectations

  • Students are expected to follow the behaviors outlined by CASA’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) Matrix
  • Arrival, Errands, and Dismissal: Arrive on time or with a signed pass. Errands around Temple require a written pass from Mrs. Dickerson. Errands to CASA require a fob and at least 2 people, of Mrs. Dickerson’s choosing. Sign out/Sign in on the back board. Mrs. Dickerson will tell you when to pack up and will dismiss you. Keep working until then.
  • Restroom: One person at a time. Ask Mrs. Dickerson every time. Ask to go only during appropriate times (before class, during independent work time). Sign out/sign in on the back board. Use the plastic pass found on the back board.
  • Illness: If you are feeling sick, let Mrs. Dickerson know, and she will decide to send you to CASA, either to the Nurse (9a-1p) or to the Office. CASA staff will contact your guardians if you must be sent home.
  • Food and Drink: Beverages in a closeable container are allowed. Snacks provided by Mrs. Dickerson are allowed.
  • Dress Code: Contribute to the academic atmosphere, not detract from it. Issues will be forwarded to the CASA administration.
  • Phones: You may always have your phone. It can be used in class when Mrs. Dickerson explicitly says that it is an appropriate time. Otherwise, you should keep the phone silenced and put away. The CASA office staff will handle emergency calls.

Complete, detach, and submit the bottom of this page.

I have read and understand the preceding syllabus. I understand my opportunities, roles, and responsibilities as a student or as a parent/guardian of a student in Mrs. Dickerson’s class.

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