GEOMETRY SYLLABUS – Ms. Anderson - 2008 - 2009

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Classroom Expectations
 

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Algebra or Algebra X.

Statement of purpose: In this course, you will develop reasoning and problem solving skills as you study topics such as congruence and similarity, and apply properties of lines, triangles, quadrilaterals, and circles. You will also develop skills using length, perimeter, area, circumference, surface area, and volume to solve real-world problems. You should expect to work diligently to succeed in the course. You will be exposed to the use of computers and graphic calculators as tools related to the study of the subject matter.

Equipment:  All work should be completed in pencil.  Students are required to bring a scientific calculator to use in the class. Those wishing to purchase a graphic calculator should see the teacher first.

Textbook: McDougal Littell Geometry, R. Larson, L. Boswell, T. Kanold, and L. Stiff. McDougal Littell, 2008.

Textbook Online Site: The publisher provides support for learning geometry and preparing for standardized tests on its interactive web site for student use at http://www.classzone.com

Teacher Web Site: See DHS home page - Academics - Math or link to

http://dist428.org/dhs/depts/math/anderson

Math Department Web Site: See DHS home page - Academics - Math or link to

http://dist428.org/dhs/depts/math

 

Software: GeometerÕs Sketchpad, v. 4, Key Curriculum Press. Student edition is available.

COURSE OUTLINE:

First Semester will include material represented in Chapters 1-6. The student will see

o    introduction of geometric concepts to use throughout the course, such as naming figures, identifying congruent figures and classifying angles and polygons

o    algebraic work with measurement using Distance Formula, Midpoint Formula and perimeter and area formulas

o    role of reasoning in geometry by contrasting inductive and deductive reasoning, using counterexamples, conditional statements

o    use of postulates and theorems from algebra and geometry in two-column proofs, paragraph proofs, and flow proofs

o    continued use of reasoning about parallel and perpendicular lines, angle pairs and transversals, while proving theorems about perpendicular lines

o    use of algebra in finding slopes of parallel and perpendicular lines and writing equation and graphs of lines

o    proofs congruence of triangles and classifying triangles

o    relationships within triangles, with Midsegment Theorem, perpendicular and angle bisectors, medians, and altitudes

o    Triangle Inequality Theorem and indirect proof

o    applications to similar using ratio and proportion, geometric mean, and indirect measurement

 

Second Semester will include topics from Chapters 7, 8, 10-12 of the text. The student will see

o    properties of right triangles, including Pythagorean Theorem and special right triangles

o    trigonometric ratios and solving problems with trigonometry

o    properties of special quadrilaterals and angle measures in polygons

o    classification of quadrilaterals and properties of parallelograms, rectangles, rhombuses, squares, trapezoids, and kites

o    measuring plane figures with formulas for areas of triangles, parallelograms, rectangles, rhombuses, and kites and solving problems with these formulas

o    use of rates to solve problems

o    solving problems using various properties of circles, with tangents, chords and secants, arc measures, and properties of chords

o    properties of inscribed angles and inscribed polygons and other angles and segments in circles

o    method for writing and graphing equations of circles

o    application of formulas for area and circumference of a circle, arc length and areas of sectors

o    formulas for areas and perimeters of regular polygons and composite figures and similar figures

o    investigations using geometric probability

o    formulas and techniques for finding surface are and volume of solids, including prisms, cylinders, pyramids, cones and spheres, as well as composite solids

o    the relationships of surface areas and volumes of similar solids

 

Classroom Expectations and Management Procedures
 

Student Expectations:

You are expected to bring the textbook, scientific calculator, paper, and pencil and pen to class each day. You will not be allowed to leave to get any of these items. You are expected to be in your seat, ready to work when the bell sounds. School tardy and disciplinary policies will be followed.

You must have a scientific calculator for this course, such as a TI-30IISX. A graphic calculator will be used periodically, which will be provided during class time. You may check out a graphics calculator after the end of the school day and return it before the start of school the following day. Please see me for suggested graphics calculators if you plan on purchasing one. No scientific calculators will be available. Please purchase your own.

You are expected to be courteous and respectful to other students and to any teacher. Disrespect will not be tolerated. If disciplinary action is necessary, the student's class participation grade will be affected. In addition, in certain situations, a discipline report will be filed with the assistant principalsÕ office. Any behavior that disrupts the educational climate will not be tolerated.

Attendance:

Attendance in class is mandatory and necessary for comprehension and class participation. In accordance with school policy, your parents should call the attendance office to report your absence before 7:45 A.M. when school starts. You are responsible for missed assignments, quizzes, and tests. If you are present the day before an announced quiz or test, but absent on the day of the test, you are expected to take the quiz or test the day you return. Please see me before school to arrange a time to make up the quiz or test. Tests or quizzes will be made up outside of class time, unless there is no possible time to do this. No work will be made up for unexcused absences. Unannounced class participation quizzes will be given periodically. There will be NO make-ups on these quizzes. You must be in class to participate.

Types of Assessment and Purpose of Assessment:

Two types of assessment will happen in this class: assessment FOR learning and assessment OF learning. Assessment FOR learning is assessment that is frequent, sometimes informal, and done as you are learning. It is used to tell you about what you know and what you need to learn to improve. Some examples might be oral or daily quizzes, practice problems, homework problems, or class discussions. Many times this assessment is not used to figure your grade, but can sometimes be used as part of your grade. Assessment OF learning is more formal, takes place after learning, and measures an achievement level. It is usually used to determine your grade, and includes things such as written quizzes, homework quizzes and chapter tests. Other assessments FOR learning happen outside the class setting, such as ACT, PSAE, and other standardized tests.

Grading Procedures and Homework:

Students' grades will be reported on Skyward Family & Student Access. You can link to this site from the teacherÕs home page. Contact the DHS main office for your account log on and password, as well as parent account log on and password.

Students' grades (assessment of learning) will be determined by performance on class activities, homework quizzes, quizzes and tests. Unannounced quizzes may also be given and will be added to the total grade -- remember, no make-ups on unannounced quizzes. Homework is required and homework quizzes will be counted in the grade determination. Chapter tests are generally 100 points and quizzes range from 30-70 points. Homework quizzes will range from 5-25 points and might be given up to three times in a chapter.

The general guideline for letter grade determination will be 90% and above for an A, 80-89% for a B, 70-79% for a C, and 60-69% for a D. Failure to achieve a cumulative total of 60% will result in an F for the class. Following first quarter grades, the grade for the second progress report and second quarter will be the cumulative grade of both quarters. During second semester, the same applies for third and fourth quarter grades. Semester grades will be figured with the following weighted values: 80% for first and second quarter [or third and fourth quarter] cumulative grade and 20% for the semester exam.

Homework

Homework will be assigned almost everyday and may or may not be collected at the following class meeting. Homework is required, whether it is collected or not. You are also expected to keep homework and notes in an organized folder or binder.

All work for this class must be done in a neat and orderly fashion, in pencil. A Geometry assignment will usually include many diagrams. You must show diagrams and all necessary steps in arriving at your solution. A list of answers is not acceptable. Include your name, page number, and problem numbers assigned. You must do the homework assignments to be eligible for extra credit problems on tests and quizzes.

Extra Help

If you need extra help, I will be available [on most days] before school at approximately 7:00 A.M., or 3rd hour and after school. Occasionally, I will have a meeting or another appointment, and hence, will not be available at these times. If you know ahead of time that you want extra help, let me know and I can tell you if I have a conflict. Other arrangements for extra help may be possible by appointment. Let me know immediately if you are having difficulty. You may also get help from math teachers by signing out of study hall to the Math Tutoring Lab, room 228A, if you cannot meet me at the above times.

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