Trigonometry/Precalculus Course Syllabus
2010-2011

• You will not pass without doing your homework in a timely fashion. Homework is usually assigned from the textbook, though it may also include a worksheet or a "WebWork" assignment. The name "homework" may be misleading, since we occasionally do certain assignments in class.
• Homework is due each class, usually from a topic covered from the previous class. Grading of homework is based on the following:
  Each sheet must have:
  1. the student's name and seat location in the upper right corner of EACH sheet
  2. class period & date
  3. the assignment's chapter and section number,
  4. each question & diagram (if appropriate)
  5. an honest attempt at an answer, showing appropriate work
  6. a legible appearance
  No credit given for pages without your name.

• Homework is graded by category, based on neatness, completeness, correctness and timeliness. Neatness means legible handwriting or printing and carefully drawn figures. Completeness means all assigned exercises have the question and relevant diagrams written out, showing all reasonable steps needed to justify the answer. Correctness means that revisions to incorrectly worked problems are shown, preferably in another color. Timeliness means you keep up to date even if you miss a class.

• One point each will be deducted for lack of any if the following:
  1. being on time
  2. Correct form (name and seat location on the top right of each page, etc., and specific problems may have specific instructions that are mentioned in class)
  3. Questions stated (symbolic representations of "word problems" are acceptable), including relevant diagrams or graphs
  4. Work shown (intermediate steps mentioned), including relevant diagrams and graphs.
  5. Neat, orderly and clear (No scratch work in the margins).
  4 points is the maximum score each homework check.

  If something is missing, I usually use this "short-hand" to explain what it was:

  • I=one or more of your answers is incorrect
  • D=one or more diagrams or graphs are missing
  • L=submitted late (though there is a grace period if you had an excused absence)
  • M=messy work
  • N=missing name on one or more pages
  • Q=one or more problems is missing its question.
  • W=one or more problems has work (or vital intermediate steps) missing

  An example: homework is turned in on time with the name only on the first sheet (-1), without work for one of the problems (-1), and one or more problems is missing the statement of the question (-1). This would be graded with "N, W, Q" and worth 1 out of 4 points. If these errors are corrected later (with the quarter), it could be worth as much as 3 out of 4 points (since it would then be late).

  The best way to consistently get 4/4 is to finish the homework with in 1 or two days.

• Homework assignments are posted on the internet at:
  http://hw.mathorama.com
• Another easy way to link there is through www.edline.net

• See also my video podcast Precalc problems Explained
  and the homework solutions, worksheets, powerpoint presentations, java applets, and old tests at www.mathorama.com

Quizzes

• Weekly Quizzes are administered every week that does not have a chapter test. In general, weekly quizzes are based based on combining ideas from the homework assignments and examples done in class. You usually have 15-30 minutes to complete the quiz. Keep in mind that all quizzes and tests may also include some question from a previous chapter. I hope that this would encourage you to spend more time going over topics that you find elusive (rather than just "writing off" a chapter and never learning a skill which you will actually need next year).

  Homework Quizzes

  Due to the importance of retaining skills from previous chapters, we have 5 to 10 minute quizzes from past and present textbook problems on days without tests or weekly quizzes.

• Most of the time, YOUR notes and YOUR homework may be used while taking a quiz, but not your textbook, nor print outs of homework solutions, old quiz keys, nor other people's work. This is to encourage you to take careful, clear and complete notes of your own in class and encourage you to keep up to date with your homework.

Chapter Tests

Projects

Classwork

An example of not being prepared is not having the previous homework, notes, pencil or textbook out at the start of the lecture, or failing to bring your book, paper, pencil and calculator to class.

If you were absent, you must bring your yellow re-admit slip to the next class, since an unexcused abscence counts fot 0% for that day.

Extra Credit

Final Exam

Classroom Discipline

1. DO NOT DISRUPT CLASS For the sake of the majority of the class, those who disrupt a class lesson by talking, disturbing someone, or throwing any object will not be tolerated. Disciplinary measures may include written assignments or cleaning of the classroom. Chronic disruptions warrant a phone call home and/or a "Saturday".

2. DO NOT ABUSE SCHOOL PROPERTY You are responsible for your work place and will be held accountable to keep your desk and its environs clean. Feet should remain on the floor, never on the desk. All four feet of the desk must also remain on the floor. Be gentle when using a school computer. If you are banned from the use of the computer, all computer based assignments are replaced with extensive written assignments.

3. DO NOT ABUSE YOUR TIME Take advantage of the group work sessions. This is the time to do your talking---so long as you get the work done. Abuse of this privilege will result in individual loss of the privilege as well as the disciplinary measures mentioned above. Talking without permission during quizzes or tests can and will be interpreted as cheating. Consult the student handbook for the consequences of cheating. As per the student handbook, students are responsible for work missed due to absence the day they return. If you are present and a quiz or test is scheduled, you must take it. It is a good idea to have the phone number of several classmates to see what material and assignments were covered during your absence. If you miss a quiz you cannot gain any points for it. Usually one test score and one quiz score will be dropped each quarter. If you know you will be absent for a test, you may schedule to take it before the actual test date if prior arrangements have been made with the instructor. In the case of an extended illness special arrangements should be made with the Academic Vice Principal, Mr. Trujillo.

4. LIVE UP TO YOUR GOOD NAME You are expected to exhibit the attributes of a St. Francis Golden Knight: courteous attention, gracious cooperation, and dedicated study. Each can readily be seen in the thoroughness and orderliness of your work, as well as how you offer, ask and accept help from others.

Grading

Are you Ready for Calculus?

You can link to the Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project web page here. Half way through the year you should be able to pass the Math Readiness (MR) test, which is what would be required to enrolled for the Precalculus Course at a four-year university. At the end of the year, you should be able to pass the Calculus readiness (CR) test, which is what would required before enrolling in Calculus at a 4-year college or university.

Before attempting them, get at least two (2) sheets of blank paper (no calculators allowed) and allow yourself one hour in a quiet place. Unlike an AP or SAT exam, try not to guess. The idea is to find out which skills you need to improve, and you don't want a lucky guess to hide an area of deficiency. At the end of the test it tells you which of six (or eight for the CR test) areas of math each question is evaluating.