Course Description: Pre Calculus is a college-level math course. This is the first of the offered college-level math courses. College-level is not the same as honors, so expect to be held to different standards. This course will be college preparatory in what you learn as well as how you learn it. Expect this year to be a significant transition as you learn the why’s in math, and explore functions using new approaches.
Classroom Philosophy: "Have courage and Be Kind." During class time, you are either working individually, asking for help, or offering help. Science shows we learn 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear, 70% of what we discuss, and 95% of what we teach. At first, you may find the structure of this class frustrating, but if you trust the process and work through challenges, you will succeed in this class and beyond.
Tutoring: All students benefit from tutoring regardless of level. I offer tutoring every Monday and Thursday from 2:00-3:30. With enough students we will order pizza and try to have a little fun. Most of my students find tutoring the best part of their school week. I am not available before school. After unit P, I will generally not answer Algebra II level questions. If you still have questions after the Algebra Review, please come for tutoring. We will focus class time on new material.
Attendance: If you are more than 10 minutes late to class, it is counted as an absence. Students who leave class early and/or leave without permission will be marked absent and referred to administration. If you are not in your seat by the time the bell rings then you will be marked tardy. Per school policy, after five tardies you will be referred to the office for discipline. If you are going to be gone on the day of a test, you must schedule to take it ahead of time. Tests given afterward will be a “make-up” version. If you miss a review day or team test day, expect to take the test upon return. Review days are an advantage for those who attend.
Supplies: Each student will sign up to bring in classroom supplies at the beginning of the year. The following supplies are also required.
Graphing Calculator (the TI-84+ is highly recommended and worth the extra few dollars. All work in class will be shown using this model.)
Pencils and Erasers (math is done in pencil)
Single Subject Notebook exclusively for Math
Grading:
80% EXAMS (all demonstration of knowledge: i.e. exams, quizzes, etc.)
10% GROUP Work (investments in the class: i.e. team tests, partner projects, etc.)
Homework: All assignments are due the class period after they are assigned, but will be accepted up until the day of the exam. This grace period accounts for absences less than 3-days, technology issues, sports, activities, work, and other regular life distractions. Homework and lessons are distributed on Canvas and available from home. All homework is required and needs to be complete in order to take the team test.
4- 100% complete, 90% accurate, and timely
3- 100% complete and mostly accurate
2- Incomplete and mostly accurate
1- Incomplete and inaccurate
0- No assignment turned in
Extra Credit: Any extra credit opportunities will be awarded to the entire class and not on an individual “by request” basis. If you do the assigned work, you shouldn't need extra credit.
Rules and Expectations:
Respect: Achievement time is my time to use as I see fit. Do not schedule coffee dates, rides, phone calls, time with other teachers, or work during AT. I have few pet peeves, and an urgency to leave for AT is one of them. I always attempt to be intentional about our time together, but you never know what I have planned. Restroom breaks should wait until work-time, except for emergencies. Food/drink is allowed as long as you clean up after yourself.
Responsibility: For test-day absences, you must schedule to take the exam ahead of time. For any absence, you are responsible for learning new material covered. Students who cheat will receive a zero for the assignment, a recommendation for removal from activities, a meeting with an administrator, and a call home. A zero on a test may cause a student to fail the class. It’s not worth the risk.
Behavior: Per school policy, cell phones are not allowed on campus. Therefore, headphones and/or cell phone use is prohibited during lecture time. If cell phones create a distraction during work-time, they will be confiscated. No video recording or photos allowed.
Materials: Please return all borrowed supplies. As you prepare for college, technology will be an integral part of your learning. You are responsible for knowing information distributed via Canvas announcements. Chromebooks need to be charged and brought to class daily, and are to be used for instructional purposes only.
Classroom Philosophy: "Have courage and Be Kind." During class time, you are either working individually, asking for help, or offering help. Science shows we learn 10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear, 70% of what we discuss, and 95% of what we teach. At first, you may find the structure of this class frustrating, but if you trust the process and work through challenges, you will succeed in this class and beyond.
Tutoring: All students benefit from tutoring regardless of level. I offer tutoring every Monday and Thursday from 2:00-3:30. With enough students we will order pizza and try to have a little fun. Most of my students find tutoring the best part of their school week. I am not available before school. After unit P, I will generally not answer Algebra II level questions. If you still have questions after the Algebra Review, please come for tutoring. We will focus class time on new material.
Attendance: If you are more than 10 minutes late to class, it is counted as an absence. Students who leave class early and/or leave without permission will be marked absent and referred to administration. If you are not in your seat by the time the bell rings then you will be marked tardy. Per school policy, after five tardies you will be referred to the office for discipline. If you are going to be gone on the day of a test, you must schedule to take it ahead of time. Tests given afterward will be a “make-up” version. If you miss a review day or team test day, expect to take the test upon return. Review days are an advantage for those who attend.
Supplies: Each student will sign up to bring in classroom supplies at the beginning of the year. The following supplies are also required.
Graphing Calculator (the TI-84+ is highly recommended and worth the extra few dollars. All work in class will be shown using this model.)
Pencils and Erasers (math is done in pencil)
Single Subject Notebook exclusively for Math
Grading:
80% EXAMS (all demonstration of knowledge: i.e. exams, quizzes, etc.)
- Exams are the core of your grade
- No re-takes or corrections
- The semester final counts as two test grades
10% GROUP Work (investments in the class: i.e. team tests, partner projects, etc.)
Homework: All assignments are due the class period after they are assigned, but will be accepted up until the day of the exam. This grace period accounts for absences less than 3-days, technology issues, sports, activities, work, and other regular life distractions. Homework and lessons are distributed on Canvas and available from home. All homework is required and needs to be complete in order to take the team test.
4- 100% complete, 90% accurate, and timely
3- 100% complete and mostly accurate
2- Incomplete and mostly accurate
1- Incomplete and inaccurate
0- No assignment turned in
Extra Credit: Any extra credit opportunities will be awarded to the entire class and not on an individual “by request” basis. If you do the assigned work, you shouldn't need extra credit.
Rules and Expectations:
Respect: Achievement time is my time to use as I see fit. Do not schedule coffee dates, rides, phone calls, time with other teachers, or work during AT. I have few pet peeves, and an urgency to leave for AT is one of them. I always attempt to be intentional about our time together, but you never know what I have planned. Restroom breaks should wait until work-time, except for emergencies. Food/drink is allowed as long as you clean up after yourself.
Responsibility: For test-day absences, you must schedule to take the exam ahead of time. For any absence, you are responsible for learning new material covered. Students who cheat will receive a zero for the assignment, a recommendation for removal from activities, a meeting with an administrator, and a call home. A zero on a test may cause a student to fail the class. It’s not worth the risk.
Behavior: Per school policy, cell phones are not allowed on campus. Therefore, headphones and/or cell phone use is prohibited during lecture time. If cell phones create a distraction during work-time, they will be confiscated. No video recording or photos allowed.
Materials: Please return all borrowed supplies. As you prepare for college, technology will be an integral part of your learning. You are responsible for knowing information distributed via Canvas announcements. Chromebooks need to be charged and brought to class daily, and are to be used for instructional purposes only.