Mathematics Course Syllabus 2011-12
Course: Advanced Geometry
-
2 Semesters (1 Credit)
Teacher: Mr. Dan Cleary
E-mail: cleary@muhs.edu
Web:
www.MrCleary.com
I am available
for student help 1st, homeroom, 4th, and 8th
(Eanelli Lab) periods.
Class
Materials: It is your
responsibility to be prepared for class. This includes
having
the appropriate materials to complete class activities, a
system for
note
taking, completing and saving assignments, and general
preparation to
be an
active participant in class. Such
materials will include:
Text: Geometry
for
Enjoyment and Challenge by Rhoad,
Milauskas and Whipple
McDougal,
Littell & Company.
1995.
Folder
and/or 3 ring binder, notebook, notebook/looseleaf paper for homework, ruler,
mechanical
pencils and eraser (no pens!) calculator (graphing calculators are
not
necessary)
Consequences
for not having appropriate materials for class may include,
but are not
limited
to monetary fines, demerits, and jugs.
NOTE: Electronic devices such as
cell phones/Blackberry’s, I-pods, I-phones etc are absent from
this
list.
Please leave these types of items in your locker. If these are
seen or
heard
within the classroom they will be confiscated and delivered to
the Dean
of
Students. Refer to the Student/Parent Handbook for addtional
details.
Homework: Homework
will
be assigned daily and will
include reading of the section and completion of problems from
the text. Each
assignment will be due the next class day.
Homework will be collected on the last
school day of the week and must be
completed in pencil on notebook/looseleaf
paper. Each assignment will
have your
name, the
date, the class period, and the assignment in the upper right
hand
corner of
your paper. Homework
completed
in pen will not be
accepted. Homework will be
graded on
neatness (1 point), process (2 points), and completion (2
points). Late
homework will be downgraded by 50%. Illness/absence
from
class
does not excuse you
from homework. Homework is to be
handed
in upon your return to class. Warning:
After an absence it is your responsibility to turn in your homework. I reserve the right to "spot
check" homework at any time. No homework = no
credit. There is no "late grade" for "spot checked"
homework.
Mathematics
is
not
a
spectator sport.
You will
learn more by being involved in the subject through both
class participation and homework. As a result, you can expect
to earn a
higher
grade by keeping up with homework and being an active
participant in
class.
Completing your homework will confirm what you do and do not
understand. It is
the best test preparation you have.
Exams: Exams are scheduled at the
culmination of each section of the text.
The concepts in Geometry build upon one another
synthesizing
material
learned in prior sections. The
exams will
reflect that. Each exam will be
one
class period. The semester exam
(75
minutes) will be cumulative. You
will be
notified well in advance of exam dates. If you know you will
be absent
(games,
trips, etc.), see me to make alternate arrangements.
If you are absent the day of an exam, you
must take the exam during class time the next day.
If you miss the day before the test you will
take the test with the class. For
longer
absences, see me to schedule a make-up during one of your free
periods.
Quizzes: There will be periodic
quizzes throughout the semester. Most
will
be announced, however, I do reserve the right to give
unannounced
quizzes. These will be a great
way to
boost your score and show you are keeping up with the work. In general, I will try to give a
short (20-40
point) quiz each week. Quizzes
missed
due to absence will not be made up -- no
effect on
your grade -- You will receive a copy of the quiz for study. If you know you will be absent,
advance
arrangements should be made to take the quiz.
Abuse of this policy will be reviewed on a case by case
basis.
Projects: A longer term individual or
group project will be assigned quarterly.
The project will synthesize your current studies in
geometry,
math
history and current applications of geometry and mathematics. The point value of each project will
be
comparable to one exam.
Presentions: Pairs
of students will be required to teach one section of the text
during the course of each semester. A sign-up sheet will
be available each quarter along with speaking
guidelines. You will be assigned a group grade.
The presentation requires one meeting with me prior to
the presentation to confirm understanding. The
presentation will be scored out of 50 points.
Grading
Scale: Your grade
will be
based on
the percentage of the total possible points you have earned.
The
grading scale
will never be tougher than that listed in your handbook and
shown below.
A+ 100-98
B+
89-87 C+ 79-77
D+ 69-67
F
below 60
A
97-94
B 86-83
C
76-73 D 66-63
A-
93-90
B- 82-80
C-
72-70 D- 62-60
Your
total points will accumulate throughout the semester. You will
start
over again
with zero points at the start of semester two. I encourage you
to
maintain a record of your grades and to periodically check
your grades
online. The purpose is two-fold,
first, for you to see where you stand and, second, to compare
your
records to
mine to ensure I have correctly your recorded your scores.
Online Grade Updates: Grades
will
be
updated at the school required deadlines as outlined in the
Student/Parent Handbook. More frequent updates will
occur
only at my convenience.
Class
Participation: You
will be
expected to
participate in class. This includes and is not limited to
answering and
asking
pertinent questions, participating in cooperative groups, and
completing
homework assignments at the board.
Notebooks: It is essential to keep good lecture notes in Geometry. Unlike Algebra, there should be substantial written material in your notebook that you will need to study and learn. You are required to take notes daily. Be sure to include in your notes postulates, theorems, definitions, properties, sample problems, and hints. I recommend taking written notes as you read each section in preparation for homework.
My
Expectations: I
expect you to
be in
class. I expect you to be on time
for
class. I expect you to do your
homework
daily. I expect you to
participate in
class. Absenteeism, tardiness,
and
misconduct will be dealt with in an appropriate manner,
including, but
not
limited to monetary fines, demerits, and jugs.
Students are expected to treat the teacher and each
other with
respect
and expect the same in return. I expect academic honesty.
Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.
Refer to your student handbook for additional information.
Finally, I expect you to do well in this
class and for us to have a great year.
STUDENT
NAME:
_______________________
STUDENT
SIGNATURE:
___________________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN
SIGNATURE:
__________________________________