Informal Geometry Syllabus

Contact Information:

Instructor:  Mrs. Emily Carroll, Room 132

Phone:  582-3211 (BVHS Office)

E-mail:  emily.carroll@k12.sd.us

Website:  http://ep040.k12.sd.us

Hours:  I will be available to help students before and after school (7:30 – 3:45).

Required Materials:

Textbook:  Geometry-Concepts and Skills by Larson, Boswell, and Stiff, 2005

Scientific Calculator

Folder/Binder, Notebook, and Pencils

Course of Study:

The purpose of this course is to help students develop a common core of knowledge by logical reasoning, observation, description, and measurement.  Students will learn to apply concepts relating to but not limited to: points, lines, and planes to calculate lengths, areas, and volumes of geometrics figures.

Informal Geometry is useful and challenging.

Informal Geometry will offer you a practical setting in which to use your arithmetic and algebra.

Grading:

Grades will be taken on tests, quizzes, homework assignments, and class participation.  Tests and quizzes will account for approximately 65% of your grade and homework and class participation will account for approximately 35% of your grade.  Hour exams will count 50 – 100 points and will be announced in advance.  Quizzes will vary from 10 – 50 points and may not be announced in advance.  Grades will be calculated on the district grading scale which can be found in your academic planner.

Semester grades will be calculated as follows:

                Exempt from semester test – average 1^st quarter and 2^nd quarter.

                Not exempt from semester test – 1^st quarter and 2^nd quarter will each account for 40% of semester grade and the semester test will account for 20% of the semester grade.

                Students who are exempt from semesters may take the semester test at no risk; it can only better their grade.

Homework:

Learning mathematics is like learning to play the piano or playing basketball.  You cannot become skilled by just watching someone else do it.  You must do the math yourself.  Homework will be collected periodically and graded.  It will be due at the beginning of class the next day.  Your homework assignments must be neat and show all work.  Late homework will be accepted up to test day with a 50% reduction. 

                Academic Dishonesty:  Cheating is not tolerated.  If a student is caught cheating on homework, a quiz, or a test, no credit will be given and will be dealt with according to district policy.

Recovery Points:

     Students will be given an opportunity to come in on their own time to make corrections on any quiz to earn up to half credit.  They will have up to a week after the quiz is taken or before the chapter test given (whichever comes first) to come in and make corrections.  All corrections on quizzes must be done before the chapter test is given.  Corrections are allowed on quizzes only, not tests.

Website:

     Students can access my website through the Brandon Valley High School homepage (http://brandonvalley.k12.sd.us) or my direct website address is http://ep040.k12.sd.us.  Located on my website are the lesson plans, homework assignments and notes.  I put the notes online each day we take them, that way if you are absent you can copy the notes online and get the assignment.  Also a great tool for reviewing for quizzes & tests!

Absences:

Students who are absent are responsible for any make-up work, including quizzes and tests.  Make-up work is due the day after you return (one day allowed for each day absent).  It is your responsibility to get missing work turned in.

If you know you are going to be absent, it is your responsibility to get work done before you leave.  This includes school-sponsored activities. 

Expectations:

                Be respectful of your teacher, classmates, class time, and classroom.

                Be positive, believe in yourself.

                Be on time and be prepared. (You will be counted tardy if you need to leave the room to get homework, textbook, or other materials.)

                No sugar drink or food in the classroom unless permission is granted.

                All district rules will be followed (provided in your academic planner).

Discipline:

Each student is responsible for his/her own behavior both inside and outside of the classroom.  My policy is as follows:

                1^st Offense:                        Warning. Written referral to the office.

                2^nd Offense:                       Referral with trip to the office.  Saturday School points.

                3^rd Offense:                        Conference with parents and principal.

Consequences and rewards you receive will mirror the type of behavior you choose to exhibit.  Your choices guarantee success or failure.