Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus Course Syllabus
2009-2010

• You will not pass without turning in your homework. Homework is usually assigned from the textbook, though it may be a worksheet or a test "re-do." The name "homework" may be misleading, since we will often do certain assignments in class.
• Homework is due each class, usually from a topic covered from the previous week. Grading of homework is based on the following:
  Each sheet must have:
  1. the student's name in the upper right corner of each sheet
  2. class period & date
  3. the assignment's page number and week 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 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 each week.

• One point each will be deducted for lack of any if the following:
  1. being on time
  2. Correct form (name on 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 week for homework.

  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, it could only be worth 3 out of 4, since it would then be late.

  The best way to consistantly get 4/4 is to finish the homework at the end of the week it is assigned, rather than the week that is it graded.

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

Weekly Quizzes

• Quizzes are administered every week that does not have a chapter test. In general, quizzes are based directly on homework assignments and examples done in class.

• Most of the time, notes and homework may be used while taking a quiz , but not your textbook. This is to encourage you to take careful, clear and complete notes in class and that you are up to date with your homework.

Chapter Tests

Projects

Class Preparedness

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

1. Homework=5 points (max.), (roughly worth one test each quarter)
   
2. Quizzes=10 points (max.), (lowest quiz is not counted against you--worth half of a test)
3. Homework Review Quizzes=1 point each.
4. Chapter Tests=20 points each (lowest test is not counted against you--each test worth half the final)
5. Math projects=5 or 10 points each (worth half or the same as a quiz)
   
6. Class Preparedness=1 point per day (one quarter's worth is about the same as a test)
7. Quarter Exams=40 points each. (worth two tests)
   

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Since the lowest 20 point Chapter Test and 10 point quiz each quarter is usually not counted in the overall score, the percentages are NEVER rounded up. I'm already basing your grade on your best work, so the percentage of the best work is used to see (like in the high jump) which letter grade you earned. Therefore, the avererge is converted into letter grades strictly as follows: