Mrs.

Wilcox Lapeer West High School 2012-13

Geometry

Contact Information
Email: kwilcox@lapeerschools.org Website: www.lapeerschools.org Phone: 810-667-2423 ext. 3294 Conference period for the entire year: 6th hour, 1:10pm-2:10pm

Course Description
Geometry A will cover topics in chapters 1-11 of our textbook, Geometry. (authors Burger, Chard. Holt publishing)

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS
In mathematics, new material often relies on your knowledge of earlier material, so attendance is very important. If you are absent it is your responsibility to find out what you missed and make it up. You are expected to come to class prepared. At a minimum, you need your book, a pencil, and paper. You are expected to follow the simple rule of showing respect to all others in the room.

CLASSROOM

PROCEDURES

A classroom set of TI 84 graphing calculators is available. You will be assigned a number, and you are responsible for that calculator! Classroom calculators must be used during a test, you cannot use your own calculator. No gum, candy or food is allowed. Bottled water is fine. Gum is not allowed because in the past it has ruined books and calculators. With a 55 minute class, there will be homework time periodically throughout the class. It is expected this time is quiet time, unless you are asking a math question. Cell phone use during class will result in the device being turned into the office. When you are absent, you need to check your neighbors folder for the assignment. Look for the record sheet towards the front of the folder.

GRADING POLICY

Your grade is a combination of quizzes, tests, and your homework folder.

Homework/folder evaluations will makeup 20% of your grade. Quizzes (20%), and tests (60%) will makeup 80% of your grade. Attitude and behavior can and will affect your grade.

GRADING SCALE
SCORE 100 - 93 92 - 90 89 - 87 86 - 83 82 - 80 79 - 77 SCORE 76 - 73 72 - 70 69 - 67 66 - 63 62 - 60 59 and below

HOMEWORK

Trimester Grades will be calculated as follows: 80% Trimester Grade 20% Exam Grade/Common Assessment
Homework

is to be completed everyday, however, it may not be collected every day. Homework may be graded several ways. It may be checked to determine whether all the assignment was ATTEMPTED. Do not just write down answers. Show how you arrived at the answer. If it involved using a calculator, tell what you did in words, pictures (graphs) and algebraic symbols. Feel free to work with other students on homework, but do not copy homework from another student or the back of the book. The penalty is zero for both the copier and the supplier. Homework is completed when you have: - reviewed it and completed problems you had not done. - corrected problems that were incorrect. Homework should be labeled, both with the page and problem numbers and with the date. (Easy to do as you begin the assignment; difficult to do at the end of the marking period.) The use of MP3 devices will be allowed during work time. This privilege can be taken away if abused Late work Late work is negative on your education and grades, however, extenuiating circumstances do arise. Because of that, you will be allowed 3 late homework assignments per trimester, to be turned in one day late. Any later than a day will not be accepted.

MATH FOLDER
You

need to purchase a 3-ring binder large enough to organize your work for the trimester. Another 3-ring binder will be needed for the 2nd and 3rd trimester. You need 6 dividers labeled: Warm ups, Explorations, Notes, Homework, Quizzes, and Calculus Journal. You will be given a record sheet, which needs to be the first item in your folder; this syllabus should come 2nd. Folders will be collected weekly as follows: Monday: 1st hour Tuesday: 2nd hour Wednesday: 3rd hour Thursday: 4th hour Friday: 5th hour

TEST

AND

QUIZZES

Chapter tests will be announced several days ahead of time. It is vitally important to be prepared on time. Tests are announced far enough in advance that missing a day prior to the test is not grounds for being excused from taking the test on the scheduled day during normal class time. If you are absent on test day, the test must be made-up outside of class time. Quizzes will be announced a day or two ahead of time. Notes taken in class can be used as an aide. Quizzes and tests must be finished by the end bell. You cannot stay after class or come after school to finish. Retakes Quizzes cannot be retaken because of my notes policy. Tests however, will be allowed for retake based on the following policy. You will be allowed 1 test retake per trimester. You must have scored less than a 70% to retake that particular test. You can retake for a maximum score of 70%, although the better of the two grades will be the final recorded grade in Powerschool. You may retake the one test of your choosing at anytime during the trimester, but before exam review begins, which is typically the last 3 days before exam days begin.

ATTENDANCE
Regular and punctual attendance is important to your success. Attendance will be handled in accordance with the Lapeer Community School District Attendance Policy. If you are absent it will be your responsibility to find out what you missed and complete the makeup work. Makeup work must be completed within the number of days absent. This includes TESTS. If you know ahead of time that you will be absent you should get your assignments before your absence so you will not be behind when you return.

EXTRA HELP
When you do not understand a topic, please ask. As much as we would like, mathematics does not just "clear up" by itself. Ask, ask, ask! Homework should be your own. When you have questions or difficulties I expect you to get assistance. The help may come from me, a classmate, relative or another teacher. However, the homework should be your work, not a duplication of another's work. If you need extra help please see me. I am available before and after school. There will be a weekly schedule of when Im available on the back whiteboard. I also check my email every night. Emails sent before 7pm will be answered if Im available.