McGregor High School Course Syllabus and Information for preCalculus Honors Instructor: Darlene Arp School Phone: 254-840-2853 RESOURCES:

Conference Times: 9:43-10:28 a.m. / 1:14-1:59 p.m. E-mail Address: [email protected]

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www.calcchat.com

"All children are gifted; some just open their packages sooner than others." ~ author unknown Instructor’s Background: *Bachelor of Science in Education Curriculum and Instruction from Texas A&M University (1977) *Certifications in mathematics in grades 6 to 12, dance in grades 6 to 12, and earth science in grades 6 to 12 *41 years of teaching experience in central Texas public schools (36 years at McGregor HS, 5 years at China Spring HS) *UIL Academic Number Sense Coach *Former Dance Director at McGregor HS and China Spring HS *Completion and continued training/instruction for G/T programs (yearly updates) *Participant at Conference for the Advancement of Math Teaching (CAMT), including 2002, 2004-2006 *Completion of 32 contact hours of training/instruction for teaching HS Mathematics: Pre-AP (2000) *Completion of 32 contact hours of training and instruction for teaching HS Mathematics: AP (1994) *Completion of TEA Module in Computer-Assisted Instruction of Algebra (1991) *Completion of 18 contact hours of training with the Great Teacher Workshop (1990) *Certification as a TEA Algebra Module Instructor (1989) *Completion of TEA Module in Geometry (1989) *Member of National Council of Teachers of Mathematics for 15+ years *Member of Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics for 8 years *Member of Central Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics for 9 years *Member of Association of Texas Professional Educators for 25+ years *Member of Texas Dance Educators Association (TDEA) and Dance/Drill Team Directors of America (DTDA)

Prerequisite for preCalculus: (1) Successful completion of Geometry Honors and Algebra 2 Honors. (suggested averages of 85+ in each class) (2) A proficient understanding and utilization of Algebra and Geometry skills to be applied throughout the course.

Course Description for preCalculus: In preCalculus, students continue to build on their foundations in Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 as they expand their understanding through other mathematical experiences. Students use symbolic reasoning and analytical methods to represent mathematical situations, to express generalizations, and to study mathematical concepts and the relationships among them. Students use functions, equations, and limits as useful tools for expressing generalizations and as means for analyzing and understanding a broad variety of mathematical relationships. Students also use functions as well as symbolic reasoning to represent and connect ideas in geometry, probability, statistics, trigonometry, and calculus and to model physical situations. Students use a variety of representations (concert, pictorial, numerical, symbolic, graphical, and verbal), tools and technology (including, but not limited to, calculators with graphing capabilities) to model functions and equations and solve real-world problems. PreCalculus includes the study of the following types of functions and their graphs: Linear, absolute value, square root, greatest integer, quadratic, cubic, higher order polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric and the inverses. Other topics included are: analytic trigonometry, inverses, sequences, series, limits and graphing.

Course Objectives for preCalculus: The objectives of PreCalculus are to combine the trigonometric, geometric, and algebraic techniques needed to prepare students for the study of Calculus and to strengthen students’ conceptual understanding of problems and mathematical reasoning in solving problems. These topics are especially important for college-bond students intending to study mathematics, physics and natural sciences, engineering, economics/business, accounting, medicine, and/or computer and information sciences.

preCalculus Honors: THE MASTER PLAN

2017-18

This is an overview for the upcoming year in preCalculus. Additional information can be found in the Google Drive folder for this class and and assignments are located in Google Classroom. Assignments and tests with their due dates will be posted. However, in the best interest of my students, unposted changes to assignments/test or correspondiing due dates may be made at any time. PreCalculus is the foundation for Calculus and will reinforce mathematical concepts for success on the SAT and/or ACT. (see Course Syllabus: Description and Objectives) First Semester: review concepts from Algebra 2; Chapters 1-4 The Semester Exam 1 will be given as scheduled during the exam week of December 14th to 16th. Second Semeseter: focus on Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 12; additional concepts as time permits The Semester Exam 2 will be given as scheduled during the week of May 30th to June 1st.

Grading Procedures The six-weeks average will be determined by the Test Average and the Daily Average as follows: 50% Test Average Chapter Tests (as least 40%) Other Formal Assessments (maximum of 10%)

50%

Daily-Assignment Average Homework Assignments Quizzes Classwork Assignments Vocab Questions/Quizzex

Since this is an Honors course, retesting is at the discretion of the teacher. All students will also be required to take each semester exam. Semester Average is determined by 6/7 from the six-weeks’ average and 1/7 from the semester exam.

Materials Each day, the student will need to bring to class: the textbook, Chromebook, loose-leaf notebook paper, graph paper, and pencils and/or pens. Students are encouraged to have a 3-ring binder as a resource for maintaining classroom notes, filing completed homework and graded quizzes, and for studying and reviewing prior to quizzes and tests. Each student in this class will be issued a school-owned TI-84 Calculator that will also need to be brought to class each day. Students may purchase their own calculator if they wish.

Conduct Each student is expected to conduct himself/herself properly. This includes following classroom procedures and directions, being prepared for class, working to help fellow students to learn, using time wisely, and presenting a good attitude toward work.

Tutorials/After-School Help Before-school help will be available from 7:45-8:00 a.m. After-school help is available on Monday through Thursday until 4:45 p.m. Students may receive help during DOG Time when prior arrangements have been made. Additional help is available upon request.

Assignments Assignments are to be completed on time, labeled properly, and neatly done, making sure to show the work necessary to illustrate proper understanding of the material. 1. Chapter Tests will be announced a minimum of two days in advance. 2. Formal Assessments, as part of group projects, may be assigned throughout the year. Grades will be obtained by meeting criteria via a rubric. 3. Quizzes may or may not be announced. So, be prepared each day. 4. Students may retake one quiz during the six-weeks for a maximum grade of 100. 5. A student will have two days to take a missed quiz. 6. When given problems that involve solving, open response, short answer, etc., each student must show all work on these problems to receive full credit. No Work = No Credit 7. All homework assignments are due the day after they are assigned unless otherwise stated. Many assignments will be for multiple days. 8. As students enter the class, homework will be checked for completion/effort. 9. A late homework assignment will not be accepted from a student once that assignment has been graded and returned to the class. 10. Homework due the day a student is absent must be turned in the day that the student returns to class. 11. Homework assignments due to non-School Related absences are to be completed in the allotted time (equal number of days as absent) unless the student has made prior arrangements with the teacher. All assignments not made up in the time will result in a grade of ‘0’. 12. Work missed as a result of School-Related Activities is due on or before the day of the activity UNLESS other arrangements have been made with the teacher. A student may be allotted additional time to complete assignments with approval PRIOR to the SR absence. No additional time will be granted when requests are made AFTER the absence. 13. It is the student’s responsibility to find out what work was assigned during an absence and to make arrangements with the teacher to complete the work.

Additional Information Each student should realize that daily assignments may require 1-2 hours outside of the classroom, based upon the comprehension of prerequisites. Each student should recognize the importance of homework since: 1. It allows you to review and practice what was covered in class. 2. It allows you to make mistakes before a quiz or a test. 3. It allows you to extend learning by applying skills to new situations. 4. It helps you get ready for the next day’s lesson. 5. It helps you to learn to use other resources. 6. It teaches you to work independently. 7. It teaches you responsibility and self-discipline. I expect you to work each today because I want you to have success in every tomorrow. We are in this together.

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