Welcome to your Geometry class!  This course is the second of a three-course sequence of college preparatory mathematics.  The course curriculum is aligned with the California State Content Standards.

You should know that I plan to:

•   extend and use your previous mathematical knowledge;

•   develop your problem solving abilities;

•   connect algebra and geometry, discrete mathematics, and statistics to each other and science;

I want you to learn to think mathematically by learning how to:

•   make conjectures;

•   construct convincing arguments;

•   recognize when and where to apply ideas from algebra and geometry and represent problems mathematically;

•   communicate effectively with your peers and teacher.

Football is not learned by silently watching others play.  Likewise, the only way you can become good at math is by doing problems and talking about them.  If you do both, you will learn math.  Hence, you must have the willingness and maturity to do homework every night.  Furthermore, you will find that math is not only useful; it is fun.

Because you will be working in study teams, you are expected to:

•   develop your ability to contribute to and benefit from working together in teams

•   bring your textbook, calculator and well-organized notebook to class EVERY DAY;

•   ask questions of others in your team when you do not understand;  and

•   be responsible for understanding all the work all year.

PARTICIPATION

We at Culver City High School expect all our students to attend school regularly and arrive to all classes on time, ready to participate, learn and achieve.  Participation consists of, but is not limited to, arriving to class on time with all appropriate materials, ready to be a positive and productive member of the class.  Class participation will contribute to 15% of the student’s total grade.  Each day you are in class, you will earn 1 point for participation.  If you arrive late, leave early or for part of the period, do not bring all your materials or are reminded to improve your behavior, you will lose that participation point.  Each unit you will receive a grade for participation.  If the unit lasted for 13 days, your participation grade is determined by taking the number of points you earned divided by 13 (the number of points possible).  This percent will become your grade.  e.g. 10/13 = .77 or a “C” grade.

Assignments

Assignments are given everyday and are due the following day.   Daily assignments should take 1 hour to complete.  Normally, some time will be given in class to start the assignments.  Assignments may not be turned in late.  NO EXCEPTIONS!!  This no late rule doesn’t apply just to daily assignments, but to everything with a due date even if you are excused for sports or an appointment.  The only exceptions are made for absences cleared through the Attendance Office for an unplanned absence (illness).  A portion of every assignment must be completed in class, while the remaining portion is done at home.  All the unit’s assignments are collectively weighted as 10 grades each unit.  A single assignment is worth 4 points.  On the following day, it is checked and the points recorded on the Assignment Sheet.  The Assignment Sheet is kept by the student and turned in at the end of the unit.  At this point a grade is assigned that is weighted 10 grades.  (e.g. If you had 27 out of 32 on the assignment sheet, this is 27/32 = 84% or a “B”.)  If you lose your Assignment Sheet, a new one will be issued.  However, you have lost all the points previously earned.  So, don’t lose your Assignment Sheet.  Especially at the end of a unit!  If you are absent, the assignment due on your absent day is due the day you return.  For assignments given during your absence you have an extension equal to the number of days absent (if the absence was not pre-planned).

Assessments

Tests & Quizzes

Quizzes are weighted 1 grade and tests are weighted 15 grades.  They are individually taken, so if you talk during a quiz or test – you will receive an “F!”  If you are absent for a Quiz or Test, you will be given a date to make up the quiz or test after school.  This is your only opportunity to make up the quiz or test and you must arrive with a re-admit from the Attendance Office showing the absence was excused.  Without this re-admit, your quiz or test will be an “F.”  You may not use your textbook for a quiz or test.  However, you may use your ONE SHEET Tool Kit.

Projects & Labs

Periodically a project or lab will be assigned.  The instructions and weight towards your grade will vary for each project.

Presentations

Everyone will be expected to do presentations.  Sometimes presentations are with your group or as an individual.  They will be oral or written.

Honors Classes

Honors students will be expected to complete additional assignments and projects.  And there will be NO additional assignments for extra credit.

Notebook

It is important that you keep a neat, organized notebook following the Notebook Assignment given.  Have this by the due date.  It is weighted as 1 assignment.  Periodically there will be additional checks on having your notebook organized and materials in class.  Your notebook should be a 2” hard cover, 3-ring binder devoted solely to this class.  The divisions should be Assignment Sheets, Assignments, Notes, and Tool Kit.

The Assignment Sheets section is for you to keep all your Assignment Sheets.  You should keep your current one on top for quick access for receiving your grade.

The Assignments section is where you keep all of your assignments in order.  You are required to do and keep your assignments in a spiral notebook.

The Notes section is for recording important information from your text and your teacher.  Keep this syllabus here.

The Tool Kit section is like the yellow pages of a phone book.  This is where you will store concise information for quick retrieval.  When you need to find a plumber quickly, you use the yellow pages rather than driving around town searching through the storefronts for a plumber.  Well, when you’re working on a test, you don’t want to be searching through your notes.  Your Tool Kit will be where you write brief information for quick reference.  Your Tool Kit must be on yellow paper.  You are responsible for providing this yellow paper.  On a test, you may use ONE SHEET from your tool kit.

Materials

You will be expected to bring all of the materials listed in the Notebook Assignment with you each day.  It would be best if you purchased 3-hole punched 1/4” graph paper or have your spiral notebook be a graph paper one.  Algebra II students must purchase a graphing calculator (such as a TI-82/83), while Algebra I and Geometry students may purchase this or a scientific calculator (such as a TI-34, TI-36x or Casio fx-115).  If you should forget your calculator, one can be checked out to you for the period in exchange for your ID Card (if available).

Extra Credit

Extra credit projects may be made available throughout the year for extra credit to all classes except Honors.  Each unit, one student will be selected to be the Teacher’s Assistant.  The Teacher’s Assistant will earn extra credit points dependent upon how well they perform their job.

BEHAVIOUR EXPECTATIONS

1.     Respect your teachers, classmates and school.  Any and all forms of disrespect (including foul language) will not be tolerated.

2.     Remain in your seat at all times, unless directed to move by a teacher.

3.     Focus your attention on the topic directly related to class lectures/discussions.

4.     Be punctual and prepared for class each day (textbooks, notebook, paper, pens/pencils, etc.).

5.     Be ready to work when the bell rings and to follow all directions at all times.

Discipline Policy

Students must adhere to school rules of conduct appropriate to the activity.  If a student behaves inappropriately, they will be given a gentle reminder.  Upon the second offense, they will need to serve a 30 minute Teacher Detention during which they will conference with the teacher and complete some odd job around the classroom.  If they fail to serve this detention, or the offensive behavior continues, a School Detention will be assigned.  The School Detention is 45 minutes long and must be served within 3 days.  If this is not served, or the behavior continues; a parent conference will be held and/or the student will be removed from class until a parent conference occurs or the disciplinary action will be turned over to the School Administration.  This process is for minor offenses.  More severe offenses may result in immediate removal from class, parent conference and disciplinary action by the School Administration.  At any step, I may elect to contact your parent with a letter or phone call.

Upon the 3rd tardy in any semester, the student will be assigned a Teacher Detention as described previously.  These Teacher Detentions continue for each subsequent tardy (4th, 5th, ...).  If the Teacher Detention is not served, it will become a School Detention and the process described previously is in effect.  There are TWO passes OR free tardies, if you must ask to leave for any reason OR arrive late (first two times), it will count as one of your first two free passes/tardies. (A free pass/tardy means you will not be assigned a detention, but it still counts as a pass/tardy.)