Syllabus
for Geometry
Course Description:
The WCA Geometry course begins with
an introduction of basic facts and ideas on which all this “earth measure” is
built. These facts/ideas coupled with
the different aspects of reasoning become the everyday language of the student
as the course progresses. This progress
takes the student through triangles, circles and other polygons, focusing on
the multitude of special properties of each.
These properties are then expanded into relationships between like
shapes and solids (similarity and congruence) as well as to the
inter-relationships between them (i.e., surface area of pyramids through
triangles, etc.). Combined and
interspersed throughout these explorations is the practice of the Geometric
Proof, a vital tool in training a student in the method of inductive
reasoning. A distinct portion of the
course is devoted to the many geometric transformations and the
properties/relationships of such in both two- and three-dimensional space. This Geometry course concludes with an
introduction to basic trigonometry and its applications to measurement, both
direct and indirect.
Course/Teacher Expectations:
In
order to function effectively in the environment of this Geometry class, the
student must have successfully completed Algebra I and have
retained the basic concepts presented therein. Minimal
class time will be spent in what should be deemed "review" at this
point and the student will be responsible in keeping himself/herself from falling
behind the rest of the class.
The standard by which I expect all students to perform is that presented to us
in
Finally, I am in my classroom by
7:15 every morning. During this
forty-five minute “before class” period, I am available to answer any questions
from students regarding their homework, class/chapter projects, or other
related materials. I encourage students
to take advantage of this time as sometimes simply hearing/participating in the
discussions can help those who may be struggling with certain concepts – even
if it wasn’t “their question” being discussed.
I also post any daily warm-ups during this time – students may come in
early and get started on this exercise if they find themselves pressed for time
during the time allotted for such at the beginning of class.
*** There exists NO EXTRA CREDIT in this class -- a
student is REWARDED with the grade he/she EARNS as a RESULT of his/her WORK
throughout the ENTIRE course of the YEAR! ***
Students must have their binders/material supply
up-to-date at all times! A zero will be
given for a day’s assignment(s) if a student does not have the required
material on a day for which such is called.
† A three-ring
binder A two-inch binder
is recommended; however, any type or size will do as long as it is made for 8.5
x 11 paper. The contents of this binder WILL BE as follows:
All class
lecture notes (spiral notebook recommended)
Loose-leaf
paper for homework, quizzes & tests
Quarter-inch
graph paper for homework, quizzes & tests
Current and
returned homework
All corrections
to returned homework
All tests & quizzes
All corrections
to tests & quizzes
All work on
current Chapter Project (may be in a manila envelope)
Vinyl pencil
case containing all applicable geometry and writing tools
One dozen
manila envelopes for use with chapter projects
†
Spiral-bound Notebook 8.5”
x 11” college ruled – class notes should be taken & kept here.
†
Loose-leaf Paper 8.5”
x 11” college ruled – the student should have an ample supply at all times.
†
Quarter-inch Graph Paper the
student should have an ample supply at all times.
†
Tracing Paper one
pack will probably be enough for the whole year.
† Pencils /Sharpener I accept NO work in pen
- any exceptions will be CLEARLY and SPECIFICALLY noted to students.
The student should have ample supply to avoid having to sharpen pencils during
class as I provide NO pencil
sharpener in my classroom. If necessary, the student should have a small
manual sharpener with them. Mechanical pencils (with sufficient lead
supply) are recommended.
†
Geometry Tools (In Appropriate Case) compass,
protractor, ruler, colored pencils, manual pencil sharpener, scissors.
† Scientific
calculator Graphing
capability NOT required -- PLEASE do not feel the need to purchase a
"Lincoln Continental" when a "Ford Sedan" will do just
fine!
Grading System:
I
accept NO work in pen - any exceptions are RARE and will be CLEARLY and
SPECIFICALLY noted to students.
► Homework/Math
Toolkits & Enrichment/Class Work –
25%
Homework is usually assigned on a daily basis and is
posted on the webpage by the afternoon it is assigned (if not prior to class
that day). The student should expect to work on homework for about
one-two hours (give or take) for each assignment. It is DUE before
the second bell rings for class to begin; otherwise, it will be counted as
late! It is collected, graded and returned USUALLY by the next
class. Unless due to an excused absence, homework turned in late will
automatically be recorded at 10% per day
late off the total points awarded for the assignment in addition to the
points actually missed. Homework will NOT be accepted after TWO
DAYS late and will be entered as a zero in the gradebook -- there are no
exceptions to this rule! Although there is no class credit for
homework corrections, I strongly recommend this exercise as it is
the BEST way to truly learn the material at hand!! If a student is
aware of a day's absence from class or if an absence is excused (school
fieldtrip, school athletic event, family vacation, university visit, etc.), the
homework due for the absentee class period is due immediately upon return. Submittal of homework assigned during the
student’s absence will be worked out between the student and myself on a
case-by-case basis at my discretion – do not assume that just because a certain
schedule was worked for one student that such will apply to another! No
allowance is made for homework submittal for unexcused absences – they will
simply be entered as a zero in the gradebook!
There is a clearly-labeled file tray on my filing cabinet behind
my desk in our classroom where work can be turned in ANYTIME during a school
day.
Math Toolkits & Enrichment Exercises (These are graded/handled the same as
homework) Throughout our Geometry
textbook, there are Algebra review sections called “Math Toolkits”. Although we will not be utilizing all of
these in each chapter, I will emphasize
and assign work on some of them. I
may also assign some enrichment exercises (worksheets et al) which are not in
the text, but which include skills necessary for a full understanding of
current and upcoming geometric concepts.
All Math Toolkit and
Enrichment skills are expected to be mastered by the students and will be
utilized with the assumption that such is the case – if a student needs
extra-assistance in understanding any of the concepts presented therein, the
student is STRONGLY encouraged to make an immediate appointment to sit down
with myself to work through the difficulties.
See also the following
paragraph.
Enrichment
exercises may also be assigned on an individual basis. There are times when most of
the class may be “getting it” but there a still a few that lack some basic
algebraic skill or understanding which prevents or hinders their inclusion in
the “got it” crowd. In such instances, I
may assign individual enrichment exercises under my continued supervision, the
goal being to move them successfully and firmly into the “got it” crowd. The goal is to address any shortcomings as
they arise and not allow them to snowball into larger ones – every concept we
learn in Mathematics as a whole and Geometry in particular is a basis for more
expanded learning as the year progresses. Simply
stated, none of the concepts are “going away” – they will be re-visited over
and over, mandating that understanding at EVERY step of the way will determine
ultimate success!
Class Work/Time The first portion of each class period (except on a test or
quiz day) is focused on answering questions on the previous class' homework (if
any). This is not only for the benefit of the student, but for myself as
well to keep a handle on overall class comprehension of the topic being
discussed. Students are STRONGLY encouraged to ASK QUESTIONS BOTH during this time
AND in class during the lecture.
Periodically, the first part of a class will be devoted to a "Daily
Warm-Up" -- this is a problem/situational event involving ANY topics
already covered by the student in our class or any other mathematics classes as
required by the Geometry pre-requisites. It must be turned in by the designated time or the student receives a
zero for the day’s exercise.
Work Heading It is mandatory that each student include a proper heading on ALL work
submitted -- papers submitted without proper heading are subject to an
automatic zero. I have FAR too
many papers of which to keep track without the added headache of trying to
figure out to what class each paper belongs or for what assignment within that
class it applies!! A heading
includes the following information in the following location on the first page (subsequent pages need only
include first and last items!):
Top-line, Left-side Name
(First & Last)
Second-line, Left-side Date
Submitted
Top-line, Middle Date
Due (should match web lesson plans)
Top-line, Right-side Period
& Class (i.e., 2nd Period, Geometry)
Second-line, Right-side Text
Section Number & Problems (should match web lesson plans)
In the instance of a worksheet, special instructions will be given by
myself on a case by case basis. In cases
where work room is provided on the worksheet, then a student should include
his/her name, period/class and the submittal date across the top of the
page. In cases where work room is not
provided or is not sufficient for the student, a complete & proper heading
should be placed on separate work paper with the worksheet attached as the last
page in the work papers for submittal.
► Quiz/Concept
Quiz/Pop Quiz/Binder Check –
20%
Quizzes & Concept Quizzes I use
these as a tool of both evaluation and reinforcement. Quizzes will be
announced in class on the day prior to their application and usually cover only
one or two chapter sections. Concept Quizzes cover more subject matter
than a simple quiz and will be announced at least two class periods ahead of
time. Both will also be listed on the web page with the daily homework
assignments just as soon as they are announced. Missing a quiz on a day
that a student has an excused absence will result in the student having to make
up the quiz outside of class time. The quiz will be left in the school
office with their name on it so, that it can be taken ASAP. All
missed quizzes MUST be “made up” within
three days of the student’s return; otherwise, a zero will be entered in the
gradebook. Any other
arrangements MUST be cleared with me ahead of time, NOT in retrospect.
►
Mid-Chapter, Chapter &/or Unit Tests
– 40%
Tests will be given at the conclusion
of each chapter (or mid-chapter) or unit of study as deemed necessary by myself
– no two classes are alike and, therefore, class evaluations as well as other
components must also be different. The
tests will cover the current material and will require the student to perform
tasks from any previously-covered material as well – all mathematics and, therefore, Geometry, is a
continuum NOT a chaotic collection of disassociated concepts!!! It is therefore mandatory that the student
stay current in the material and ask questions if there are ANY
problems. As is the case with quizzes, missing a test on a day that
a student has an excused absence will result in the student having to make up
the test outside of class time. The test will be left in the school
office with their name on it so, that it can be taken ASAP. All
missed tests MUST be “made up” within three to five days of the student’s
return; otherwise, a zero will be entered in the gradebook and the opportunity
for make-up will be lost. Any
other arrangements MUST be cleared with me ahead of time, NOT in retrospect.
► Chapter
& Special
Projects – 15%
Each chapter in
our geometry text includes a Chapter Project which, when assigned, should be
completed OUTSIDE of the classroom -- class time will RARELY be given for work
on these! The projects will be utilized as I feel they are applicable and
useful -- every chapter project will NOT be assigned and may be replaced with
another special project also relavent to the chapter’s material. The
assignment for each project will be made on the first day of each new chapter
or unit of study with the due date and expectations CLEARLY spelled-out for the
student on the project assignment sheet.
Classroom
Discipline:
The student
will need to arrive each day with ALL required materials (see "Required
Materials" section) and be ready to learn. Homework
should be turned in and the student should be seated BEFORE the second bell
rings.
Also, I expect
students to show respect to both myself and fellow classmates. Students
who cannot do so will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis; however, it should
be made clear that I have a very low tolerance for violations of this simple
requirement.
I have had very few problems with classroom
discipline in the past and have always had wonderful parental support whenever
they have occurred. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of teaching
your child this school year.