Trigonometry/Precalculus Course Syllabus
2013-2014

• The name "homework" may be misleading, since we occasionally do certain assignments in class, but you can only master the material if you work problems between classes. Make use of the online video links to prepare for the upcoming class.
• Homework is due each class, usually from the topic(s) covered from the previous class. Any difficulties you have with the previous section should be addressed, since I will grade your homework the following class (For example, on class 7, you will have done the work from class 6, dealing with any difficulties you may have had during class 7, and I will grade the homework from class 5)
• Late homework will only be accepted if there was an excused absence or other extenuating circumstances.
• 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) needs to written out.
  5. an honest attempt at an answer (showing appropriate work).
  6. a legible appearance (No scratch work in the margins).
  7. 4 points is the maximum score each homework check, according to the following rubric:

     4	3	2	1	0
     Complete, accurate and neat	Name not on every page, or incorrect answer on one or more problems or necessary work (to arrive at the answer shown) is missing (for one or more problems)	Questions not written out (for one or more problems) or One or more problems not attempted	Many problems were not attempted	No work brought to class

• Homework assignments are posted on the internet at hw.mathorama.com (there is also a link from Edline), along with worksheets and links to helpful videos, and java applets. If you are absent, this is where pdf files of all handouts reside---and dont forget to read the book and watch the videos!

• See also my video podcast Precalc problems Explained
  and the textbook links on the Trig/Precalc page 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 10-25 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 15 minute quizzes from past and present textbook problems on days without tests or weekly quizzes.

• Sometimes, 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. Sometimes WebWork assignment will count as a homework quiz.

Tests

Classroom Projects

Classwork

Your classwork score may be lowered by not having the previous homework, notes, pencil or textbook out at the start of class, or failing to bring your book, paper, pencil and calculator to class. Please turn off your phone and/or wireless device(s) and put them in your book bag outside the classroom.

If you were absent, you must bring your yellow re-admit slip to the next class, (since an unexcused abscence counts as 0% for all assignments due on that day).

Quarter Exams

Extra Credit

Classroom Discipline

1. DO NOT DISRUPT CLASS Mobile communication devices must be in your backpack stored in the designated area. 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 or severe disruptions warrant a phone call home and/or a detention.

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. Consult the student handbook for the consequences of talking without permission during quizzes or tests. 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 contact information 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. 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

It reminds me of how the Presidential election works, using the electoral college instead of popular vote. If all the candidate's supporters are in the same state, it isn't as effective as having supporters in different states, since to with the election, you have to win over a lot of big states. Similarly, it would be best for a student to do well in as many categories as possible, especially the categories that are worth more.

Edline automatically does the following calculation:

(While plusses and minuses are indicated on the grade report, they are ignored and not used in computing the student's grade point average (GPA).

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.