Mrs.

Cammisa
Phone: ​803-470-5821
Office Hours: 8:00-4:00 Monday-Friday
You Can Book Me: ​https://mcammisa.youcanbook.me/

PreCalculus CP and Honors Syllabus

Course Description:
Pre-Calculus weaves together previous study of algebra, geometry, and mathematical functions into a preparatory
course for calculus. The course focuses on mastery of critical skills and exposure to new skills necessary for success
in subsequent math courses. Throughout the course, Common Core standards are taught and reinforced as the
student learns how to apply the concepts in real life situations. Topics include fundamental concepts of Algebra,
functions and graphs, polynomials and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric
functions, analytic trigonometry, topics in trigonometry, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices and
determinants, conic sections and analytic geometry, sequences, induction, probability, and an introduction to
Calculus. Instruction will be delivered through Pearson, weekly LiveLessons, student collaborative assignments
and individual and group study/help sessions.

Textbook:
Advanced Mathematical Concepts: Precalculus with Applications, Student Edition (Advanced Math Concepts) 1st
Edition
ISBN-13: 978-0078682278
​ISBN-10: 0078682274

Graphing Calculator:
If you want to purchase a calculator for this course I recommend the TI-NSpire CX calculator. Some features are
more useful for students that the TI-83, 84, or 89 may not have. It is not mandatory you purchase a graphing
calculator for this course. You may use the online ​desmos graphing calculator​ for all calculation and graphing
purposes in this class.

Grading Procedures​:
Graded work will include, but is not limited to, Quick Checks, Sample Work, Quizzes, Tests, and Portfolios.

Grading Scale: A 100 – 90

B 89 – 80
C 79 – 70
D 69 – 60
F 59 and below

Most units consist of at least one quiz and test.

Unit Tests (45%):

● There are 6 unit tests plus a semester exam each semester.
● Tests have a combination of multiple-choice and WorkPad problems that are randomized for each test.
Once you open a unit test, you must complete and submit the assessment.​ If the test is closed and
reopened later, the test questions will be different.
○ Note: You may still print your assessment and complete with pencil/paper, but the assessment
must remain open while you complete it. You cannot open, print, close, and reopen an assessment
since the test questions will be different. You will be responsible for the questions on the
assessment that is actually submitted in Connexus.
● WorkPad Questions must be worked out step by step,​ showing all of your mathematical work. If
you do not want to use the WorkPad palette in Connexus, you may complete your work by hand and
upload a scan or clear photo and send it to me through webmail or text. Make sure your subject on
your webmail/text states the assessment the work belongs to.
○ WorkPad answers submitted with insufficient supporting work will be awarded “0” points
● Tests will not be reset under any circumstances ​and test grades will not be dropped. Students have
many opportunities to improve their test grades. ​Please see Grade Improvement Policy below.
● Exam exemption: ​ At the end of each semester you may exempt the semester exam if you meet the
minimum grade requirement and do not have an Honor Code violation.

Quizzes (10%):
● Quizzes are made up of multiple choice questions, free response, and workpad questions that are
randomized for each assessment.
● Quizzes will not be reset under any circumstances​ and no quiz grades will be dropped.
Corrections for quizzes are not accepted for grade improvement purposes.

Portfolios (15%):
● There are 2 portfolios each semester for both regular and honors precalculus. These portfolios bring
together several of the key concepts from the unit in which they are assigned.
● In addition to the two portfolios, honors precalculus has an honors project each semester. The honors
project is broken down into 4 submissions throughout the semester.
● It is recommended that you download the portfolio instructions at the beginning of the unit in which it
is assigned so you will know which key concepts are needed to complete the assessment. This will help
you stay on track with the portfolio assessments so you don’t get behind at the end of the unit.
● Portfolio assessments cannot be skipped, and must be submitted prior to taking the unit test for that
unit.
● You may correct and resubmit portfolio assessments as many times as you would like ​until you
receive a grade you are satisfied with and feel you have a sufficient understanding of the content. For
this reason, it is possible for every student to have a portfolio average of 100%.
● Corrected portfolios must be submitted by the following dates:
○ Monday, January 11th (Precalculus A)
○ Tuesday, June 1st (Precalculus B)

Quick Checks (5%):

● Every lesson that does not have a test, quiz, or portfolio due will have a Quick Check assessment at the
end.
● Quick check assessments should only be taken after you have completed all of the lesson activities and
have mastered the key concepts of the lesson.
● Results for Quick Check assessments should be used to determine what concepts you should review
before moving to the next lesson.
● Quick checks will not be reset under any circumstances​ and no quick checks will be dropped.
● Corrections for Quick Check assessments are not accepted for grade improvement purposes.

Participation (5%):
● Your first semester participation grade is earned by signing and submitting the ​Precalculus Syllabus
Acknowledgement Form for Students and Learning Coaches​ by the 2nd week of the semester (or
within 2 weeks of the start date for late-enrolling students)
 ○ Precalculus A - ​Due by Tuesday, September 1st, or 2 weeks after start date. ​Acknowledgement
forms not received by the due date will be given a​ grade of zero.
● Your second semester participation grade is earned by completing the ​Second Semester Thoughts
and Goals Reflection Form ​by the 2nd week of the semester (or within 2 weeks of the start date for
late-enrolling students)
○ Precalculus B - ​Due by Friday, January 29th, or 2 weeks after start date. ​Reflection forms not
received by the due date will be given a​ grade of zero.

Discussion (10%):
● Each semester you will complete a semester check in with me.
● Check-ins are recommended to be done within the first month of the semester.
● This is a time for me to get to know you and to also make sure you know the best ways to be successful
in precalculus.
● Check-ins will be done over the phone or through individual live lesson. Calls do not need to be
scheduled, but if you would prefer an individual live lesson, please webmail or text me to set up a time.
● It’s all about getting to know the fantastic person you are #buildingrelationships

Sample Work (10%):

● A Sample Work assessment is due at the end of each unit prior to submitting the unit test and are meant
to serve as an added review of the material to determine your readiness for the unit test. Sample work
can also be used to show you have taken adequate notes throughout the unit.
● Sample Work assignments can be found on the message board under “Unit Resources.”
● Since sample work assessments are intended to help you prepare for your unit test, ​Sample Work
cannot be skipped and should be completed before you take the unit test​ for that unit.
● Sample Work may be submitted through the Drop Box link, via WebMail or text.
● Sample Work is graded with a combination of completion and structure points. You must show work
and/or a detailed thought process to earn the structure points.

Test Correction Policy:

It is not beneficial to anyone, to take a test, get a grade, and move onto the next unit. This is a learning experience
and I would not expect anyone to do everything perfect the first time. Mastery takes practice. If you perform below
mastery on any test you have the option to earn the points back you missed on the test. To earn these points back
please follow the “Grade Improvement” directions on the message board. The deadline for these masteries is the
end of the semester deadline each semester at 11:59pm.

Extra Credit Policy:

There is ​no extra credit​ given in Precalculus. To improve your overall grade you may submit test corrections (See
the Test Correction Policy) and correct and resubmit portfolio assessments.

How to Be Successful:
Precalculus is a very difficult course at SCCA​ and the pacing is very fast. You should only take Precalculus if you are
planning on attending a 4 year college or university or you plan to take Calculus in the future (either an AP course in
high school or a college Calculus course – this will depend on the school you attend and the area of study you plan to
​
​ math
major in). If you do not fall into either of these categories, then you should probably take Statistics as your 4th
credit.​

If you’re struggling with the course content, ​here are a few suggestions & guidelines​ to follow. I can guarantee
that if you follow each of these, you will be successful in the course.
1.​ ​Understand and accept that learning math takes time and practice for 99.9% of the population.
It’s like learning an instrument or playing a sport. You can’t expect to play Led Zeppelin solos on a guitar
the first month you play or throw a 95 mph fastball the first time you pitch a baseball. Practice and get
help!
2. If you haven’t already, go to Unit 1, Lesson 1, page 2 and watch the videos “Grow Your Brain” and
“Growth Mindset”.​ Attitude plays a big role in all learning
3. Consider completing your math lesson first, at the beginning of the day when your brain is fresh
and not too tired. ​Don’t procrastinate and leave it until last when you are tired.
4. Make sure you have a good graphing calculator and are familiar with its functions.
5. Keep a Precalculus notebook
6. Use Your Resources!

a. ​Watch the videos and recordings corresponding with each lesson. ​ These can be found on the
message board under “Unit Resources.”
b. Before beginning a lesson, read through the ​first page​ carefully. The problem that is posed at the
beginning of the lesson will give you an idea of where you’re headed with the lesson. By the end of the
lesson, this problem should make sense to you.
c. Record the lesson ​Objectives and any Key Words​. These are the things you are expected to
know/do/understand at the end of the lesson when you take the lesson assessment.
d. In the first lesson of every unit, you have a ​pretest​. Even though this grade doesn’t count, take the test
seriously as it will show you weaknesses that may cause you to struggle with the content in the unit.
You may need to look for some outside resources, such as ​Khan Academy​, to review these concepts
before you move forward.
e. ​Read each page of the lesson entirely​. In your notebook, define the key words as you see them (they
appear in bold type) and include examples if possible. RE-READ if needed. Sometimes it takes a couple
of read-throughs to completely understand.
f. Record the ​Key Concepts​ that appear in the lesson. These are the “big ideas” in the lesson that are
most important for you to know.
g. Play through all ​Teachlet​® tutorials, ​animation videos​, and ​Explore and Practice​ activities and
take notes in your notebook. Use the interactive tools in the Teachlet® tutorials and Explore and
Practice activities to get feedback and help you assess your learning.
h. Read through each ​example ​carefully, noting the comments for each one.
i. In your notebook, ​work through problems under “Now you try”​ as well as the assigned lesson
activities. Use the ​“Answers”​ link to check your work and your answers. If you get an answer wrong,
make sure you can identify where you made your error(s). You may need to go back through that
section and review.
j. Take the ​Online Practice​ assessment. This is how you can truly assess your understanding of the
topic. For every question on the practice assessment that you get wrong or do not fully understand,
copy it down in your notebook. Go back through the lesson and find where that topic is discussed.
Look through the examples to see if you can pinpoint your errors. If you cannot figure out your error
in thinking, this is what you need help with! Go to the “unit resources” section of the message board
 and find the video that corresponds with the topic you are struggling with. Watch the video, rework
your problems and see where you stand. If you still need help, reach out to ME!

7. GET HELP

a. Bring your questions to the Precalculus LiveLesson sessions, ​10:30am Tuesday or Thursday.
Schedule varies, see newsletter for current schedule.
b. Send me a WebMail with your questions
c. Book an ​appointment ​with me to meet in my LiveLesson room. I love helping/tutoring students!
8.​ Once you are sure you understand the Objectives, Key Words, & Key Concepts, take the ​Quick Check
assessment.

9. Prepare for a Quiz by reviewing the Online Practice assessments from the lessons the quiz
covers.

10. Prepare for a Test by taking the Online Practice assessment in your review lesson and
completing the Sample Work. Also, review all of the Lesson Objectives, Key Words & Key Concepts
from the unit.

Does this sound like a lot of work??​ IT IS! Does it sound like it will take a lot of time? IT WILL! It’s not easy – it
shouldn’t be easy. The biggest barrier to your success in Precalculus might just be an unrealistic expectation :)

I’m here to help!!!!!!

~Mrs. Cammisa
 Precalculus Grading Policy Acknowledgement Form for
Students and Learning Coaches

I have read and acknowledge the Precalculus Syllabus including, but not limited to:
● Expectations for completing and submitting assessments once they are opened
● Requirements for WorkPad questions on unit tests
● Test Correction Policy
● Resetting assessments
● Portfolio corrections
● Location of Sample Work assignments
● Due dates for tests & portfolio corrections, discussion posts, and sample work
● Extra Credit

_____________________________________________ ___________________________________
Student Signature Date

_____________________________________________ ___________________________________
Learning Coach Signature Date

**This form must be signed and dated by BOTH student and learning coach and submitted by the
semester due date (See Grading Policies) in order to earn your semester participation grade**