Course Description and Syllabus 2013-2014 Course: Prep Period: Email: Website: Geometry 5th Period (12:51 - 1:48

pm) beajames@vvuhsd.org http://msbjamesahs2013-14.weebly.com Teacher: Ms. B. James Telephone: (760) 955-3200 x39704

Course Description This is a college-prep course where students will have the opportunity to make conjectures about geometric situations and prove in a variety of ways, both formal and informal, that their conclusion follows logically from their hypothesis. This course is meant to employ an integrated approach to the study of geometric relationships. Integrating synthetic, transformational, and coordinate approaches to geometry, students will justify geometric relationships and properties of geometric figures. Congruence and similarity of triangles will be established using appropriate theorems. Transformations including rotations, reflections, translations, and glide reflections and coordinate geometry will be used to establish and verify geometric relationships. A major emphasis of this course is to allow students to investigate geometric situations. Properties of triangles, quadrilaterals, and circles will receive particular attention. It is intended that students will use the traditional tools of compass and straightedge as well as dynamic geometry software that models these tools more efficiently and accurately, to assist in these investigations. GeoGebra.org is an excellent website with a free downloadable applet to use for this dynamic software. Geometry is meant to lead students to an understanding that reasoning and proof are fundamental aspects of mathematics and something that sets it apart from the other sciences. You must pass each semester in order to get credit for one year of Geometry. You must pass each semester with a C or better to move on to the next years course, Algebra II. Materials Textbook: Geometry: California Edition by Holt 2008 3-ring 1 - 2 inch Binder (or math section in school binder) Lined Wide Ruled paper Graph paper Geometry math kit that contains a compass, protractor and ruler or straight edge Scientific calculator Colored pencils Pencils Student Expectations I believe that all students have the ability and should have the opportunity to learn and enjoy math in our classroom. Because of the importance of every student achieving to their fullest

potential, any students disrupting the classroom instructional process will not be tolerated. All students are responsible for their own behavior and learning. Students are expected to conduct themselves in an acceptable and responsible manner, and to follow all rules that apply to the Adelanto High School Discipline Policy. Every student and staff member has the right to learn and be safe, and no one has the right to interrupt learning or make others feel unsafe! Classroom Rules The following rules have been developed with your learning and safety in mind: 1. Be in your seat, ready to work when the bell starts to ring. Have all necessary materials, (i.e., books, notebooks, paper, pen, etc.) out and ready to be used. If you are not ready, you are not on time and will be marked tardy accordingly. 2. Only water is allowed to be consumed in class. Please refrain from eating in class unless permission is granted (during lunch). Gum is not allowed on campus! 3. Be respectful and courteous. Electronic devices will only be used when given permission to aid with the instructional process. 4. Be here now. Personally groom yourself and look at personal pictures outside of the classroom. Use your class time wisely. 5. Be responsible for your own actions. Do unto others as you would have them do to you. A) Positive Consequences 1. Success, a passing grade, verbal praise 2. Positive notes sent home 3. Positive phone calls home 4. Merit QR documentation 5. Homework and Test incentives B) Negative Consequences 1st offense: Name on board. Warning. 2nd offense: One check. Time after bell. 3rd offense: Second check. Time after bell and phone call home. 4th offense: Third check. Demerit QR documentation/Referral/Class suspension/Phone call home. Student will be asked to sit outside to wait for admin pick-up. Severe Disruption: Student sent immediately to office, possible expulsion from class. Names and checks will be erased each Friday afternoon if applicable. Attendance, Tardy and Hall Pass Policy Attendance and promptness to all classes are vital for success in passing this class. It is very important to be in class and ready to begin before the bell rings. Attendance to all classes is highly encouraged. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to get your make up work. Make sure you are on time and ready to work every day! DO NOT get behind! Tardies are defined by rule #1 above and will be handled with the appropriate negative consequences. The school tardy policy will be enforced. Please be familiar with the schools policy. Being a student is your job at Adelanto High School. You are paid according to the work you do, the quality of your work, and the time you spend on it. If you are absent or tardy it will affect your grade, just like getting a cut in your paycheck.

Hall passes will only be available to periods 1, 2, 3(after warm body counts during the first month of school) and 6. You have lunch between 3rd and 5th period, so be sure to go to the restroom during your lunch, not your 4th period class time. You are limited to 3 passes per quarter. Please use them wisely!!! Grading Scale as Determined by Victor Valley Unified High School District A = 90% to 100% B = 80 % to 89% C = 70% to 79% D = 60% to 69% F = Below 60% Percent Breakdown and Categories as Determined by AHS Math Department Tests 45% Quizzes 15% Homework 10% Class Work 15% Final/Interims 15% Geometry is a college-prep course. This is why your test grades are weighed so heavily. Class work assignments are to be turned in on a daily basis. It is important for you to complete your assignments when they are assigned. Homework will be due at the end of the week (Friday). Fridays homework will be due by the following Wednesday for grade checks on Thursday. To be successful in this class you will have to keep up. Doing homework on a daily basis is highly encouraged. You may turn in your assignments on a daily basis instead of weekly if you prefer. Make up work will be available for students who miss class and are excused for their absence. Please get your attendance cleared so that I can clear you for the class work assignments. This will benefit your grade. Copied work or cheating of any kind will result in a zero!! Do not let anyone copy your hard work. Do not cheat yourself or sell yourself short. Math is the gate keeper to college, but writing gets you through it. We will be doing a lot of writing and using a lot of paper! We will be using the Cornell Style of Note taking (see attached). All work will be graded by point totals and student growth. Grades will be based on completion of class work, homework, notes, quizzes, tests, journal assignments, learning logs, projects, and student participation. The above weighted scale will be used to determine your overall grade. After phone calls home, disciplinary referrals will be given to students who decide to sit and do nothing on a weekly basis. This is considered defiance. Do not let time pass you by. If you do not do the work now, you will be doing it at a later time in order to get your high school diploma. Ask yourself how old do you want to be when you graduate. Assistance Always ask questions if you do not understand something. The dumbest question is the one that was never asked. Most likely, there is another student with the same question that is afraid to ask it. Be brave and take control of your learning. Whether it is a question about policy or math, I will do my best to always be here for you. If you need to speak to me privately, I am available as you need me. Parent meetings can be arranged through the counseling office. I will do my best to keep parents posted on student performance in class, but please do not hesitate to call or email me with your concerns. Posting comments/questions on my website will be sent directly to my cell phone. I look forward to a successful semester with you!
The following pages are formats for class work and homework as well as how to take Cornell Notes. Please ask for assistance if you have any questions on the following pages. Both your homework/class work and notes should look like the following pages.

Name Date Period/Class Homework Format (Pg. # and assignment goes here) 1. Divide your paper in half vertically. Number each problem using pencil only. 2. Copy down the original problem. If it is a word problem, then just write down the math problem you will have to solve to get the correct answer. 3. Skip a line between each problem. 6. Once you have used all of the space on the left side of your paper, begin on the right side. 7. Please do not use pen while working out your math. If you use pen you will only get partial credit. 8. You may re-do any assignment that does not receive full credit.

4. Show all of the steps you 9. Attach the corrections to the took to solve the problem, going original assignment or do the down your paper. corrections on the back.

5. Highlight or box your final answer.

10. When in doubt, always ask for clarity.

Format for Cornell Notes

Name:________________ Date:________________ Period:________________ Class:________________ (Topic for the notes is written here) *Questions that pertain *Notes, Explanations, Problems, Diagrams are located on the to the information right. written on the right side of the margin /Main Points *Written during lectures, textbook reading discussions, completing a handout, labs and films. You may also take notes on sections from your textbook when you are absent. *Written during review, within 24 hours of notes being taken, for best recall. *The information needed to formulate an answer to that question would be found *Focuses on content of here in your notes. right-hand side of margin. *Highlight key words to help you find the answers to the questions you wrote on the left side of the margin quicker. *Notes in this format are used as study tool. Example How do I take Cornell Style Notes? *If you take your notes and review them Cornell Style, you will find yourself retaining more information about the topic presented.

A reflection about what you learned today or a summary of what todays notes is about (1 paragraph long) is located here or on the back page of your notes.

------------------------------------------(PLEASE RETURN THIS SHEET)-----------------------------------------I, , am looking forward to a productive school year. This management plan

was designed to allow students to experience math in a realistic and relevant manner. I have read and understand the policies and expectations outlined in the Course Description and Syllabus for Geometry. Students Signature Period # Student Email Address Parent/Guardians Signature Parent/Guardians Printed Name Parent Email Address

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