Monday, August 29, 2016

Honors Geometry -- Welcome and Syllabus SY 16-17

Hi there,

Welcome to another school year at Hanford High School!  I'm looking forward to getting off to a great start and hopefully you are too.  This blog is one of the ways that I keep you informed of what is going on in our class.  Brief descriptions of class activities, assignments, due dates, and review sheet answers are all things that you will find on this blog as we go throughout the year.  I update the blog on a daily basis, so if you ever need to miss class, be sure to check in to see what we did and what the assignment is.  Remember to ask about anything that you are unsure of.  I'm looking forward to helping you learn some geometry this year!

Mr. Landers

Included below is a copy of our class syllabus


Honors Geometry Course Syllabus

Mr. Landers                                                                         toby.landers@rsd.edu 
Room 2602                                                                           967-6500

Course Description and Overview:

Honors Geometry is a year-long middle-level math course.  Successful completion of algebra is a prerequisite for this course.  Successful completion of this course will enable a student to enroll in Algebra 2.


Over the course of the year we will cover the following topics:


ü  Points, Lines, Planes, and Angles
ü  Deductive Reasoning
ü  Parallel Lines and Planes
ü  Congruent Triangles
ü  Quadrilaterals
ü  Inequalities in Geometry
ü  Similar Polygons
ü  Right Triangles
ü  Circles
ü  Constructions
ü  Areas of Plane Figures
ü  Areas and Volumes of Solids
ü  Coordinate Geometry
ü  Transformations



Course Objective:
ü  Students will increase their logical reasoning ability and spatial visualization skills.  Having these skills and being able to communicate them will be needed in higher math classes and everyday life. 

Course Materials  (to bring to class every day)
ü  A notebook and paper, including graph paper  (3-ring binder with sectional dividers)
ü  Ruler, pencils, and erasers; 
ü  Scientific calculator, compass, textbook and protractor.

In-Class Expectations
ü  Eating and drinking is not allowed in class, unless the liquid is water.  I do allow gum in class, provided it is not seen or heard.
ü  Electronic device policy:  If I see it or hear it, I collect it and you can pick it up at the end of the day
ü  Phones are not to be used as calculators in this class.  If you need a calculator, you can borrow one, but I would suggest you obtain a scientific calculator to use for this course.  
ü  If you arrive to class tardy, be sure you have a pass from the security office or another teacher.  Be in your seat when the bell rings.
ü  Keep the language positive in your conversations with and about others.  No swearing please.
ü  The desks are clean.  Please keep them that way by not writing on them. 
ü  Respect others by listening well and responding appropriately when they are done speaking.
ü  During group or partner work, work and share the responsibility with who you are working.
ü  If you’ve got a question or comment, please raise your hand and wait to be acknowledged.
ü  Use your class time well.  Use the class-time that I give you to get started on your homework.

Absences
è If you are absent, you have that number of days plus one to make up your work.  If you are gone 1 day, you have 2 days to get the make-up work turned in.  If you are absent 5 days, you will have 6 days to get the make-up work turned in.
è It is the responsibility of the student to obtain all missing work due to absences.  Communicate well so small problems do not turn into big ones. 
è If you are absent on the review day before a test or quiz, you have not missed any new material.  You will still be required to take the test or quiz with the class.
è If you are absent on the day of the test or quiz, you will be given the option of taking the assessment on the next day you return, or within 3 days of returning. 

Be ready to work every day!  Math is a doing sport!  It is not a spectator sport!
Grade Calculation:

Tests: Tests are worth 50% of the grade.  There will be a test given at the end of each chapter and at the end of each semester.  The semester test will be worth the equivalent of two regular test scores.  Any student absent from class is expected to make-up the test upon returning.  It is the responsibility of the student to arrange a make-up time with the teacher. 

Quizzes:  Quizzes are worth 35% of the grade.  Quizzes will be given on a regular basis throughout each chapter.  Any student absent on the day of the quiz is expected to make-up the quiz upon returning.  It is the student’s responsibility to arrange a make-up time with the teacher.      

Homework: Homework is worth 15% of the grade.  You will grade your own paper in class before turning it in.  Papers turned in with no name will receive no credit for that day’s homework.  Papers with no appropriate work shown / diagrams drawn will also receive no credit. 

Late Policy:  Homework assignments turned in late will receive a 50% deduction.  Assignments turned in more than 1 week late will be given a zero.  Late is defined as after we collect them at the beginning of class.




Grading Scale

93-100  à  A              83-86   à  B                73-76   à  C                            60-66  à  D

90-92    à  A-             80-82   à  B-              70-72   à  C-                            0-59  à  F

87-89    à  B+             77-79   à  C+              67-69   à  D+                        

Extra Credit Possibilities

There are extra credit options in the form of various geometric problems and logic puzzles for each chapter we study.  These will be communicated as they come up.  The extra credit points are added on to the homework portion of your grade.

Online Communication

I post a blog on a regular basis of the ongoing assignments for this class.  It is listed under the Honors Geometry heading on the blog.  This information is also communicated in the classroom. 

Blog site address:                     LandersmathHHS.blogspot.com

Regular homework is a part of this class, so keeping up with the assignments and knowing the schedule is a key part of success in Geometry.  Use your work time in class to get a good start on your assignment each day.

Final Note:
I am looking forward to having you in class.  If you or your parent/guardian have any questions for me, please feel free to contact me using the contact information above.  I am also here at Hanford before and after school each day.



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