Course: Precalculus (2011 - 2012)
Instructor: Ms. Claudia O’Keefe
Text: Precalculus with Trigonometry (from Key Curriculum Press)
Materials Needed: Pencil, Eraser, Three-ring Binder (divided into four sections), Loose-leaf Paper, Ruler, TI-83 or TI-84+ Graphing Calculator, colored pens or pencils
Description: This course will further the study of functions begun in Algebra II as well as explore trigonometry in depth. We will also touch on analytic geometry (conic sections and polar coordinates), and sequences and series, as well as have an introduction to limits, derivatives and intervals. Precalculus sets the stage for the study of calculus as well as other higher level math courses and gives students the facility with relating algebraic manipulation with graphical representation.
Expectations: I expect you to work hard every day.
I expect you to turn in your homework every day, whether you were in
class or not.
I expect you to seek out extra help and clarifications – with me or another
source (such as Math Lab).
I expect you to check my website daily for missed notes, diagrams,
homework assignments and other important information.
I expect you to be curious and adventurous in your approach to algebra.
I expect you to use diagrams and show your work on all assignments.
I expect you to struggle at times, have easy success at others, and to
accept both as normal.
I expect you to support your classmates each day.
I expect you to participate in class discussion and be engaged in
the material each day.
I expect you to ask questions and provide answers to your classmate’s
questions in class.
Evaluation for the course will be based on the following:
Class Participation: Students should be on time, ready for class, actively involved and maintain a positive attitude towards class and each other.
Homework: Students learn mathematics by doing, not watching or observing. It is by attempting exercises that students clarify for themselves the presentations in the text and in class. Homework is assigned daily. A strong attempt at the completion of the assignment is expected. This means all diagrams are copied into the homework, all odd-numbered textbook questions are answered and the solutions checked with the solution guide in the back of the textbook. If you can’t arrive at the solution, look back at the examples in the text, look up the answer and see if you can work backwards. All homework must show clear and thorough work for credit. Simply writing a numerical answer is never enough. If you find you are having difficulty with an assignment you must see me outside of class for additional help. Homework must be turned in to my classroom before 8:30 am the day of your next class. Failure to complete the homework will result in an academic penalty.
Quizzes and Tests: Periodic quizzes and tests will be given throughout the year. Short quizzes may be scheduled or unscheduled, but chapter test dates will be known well in advance and ample review material will be available. There will be a test associated with each unit. If you know that you will not be in class, you must arrange a time to take the test prior to the missing class. If your absence is unexcused, you will be subject to the 80% rule if you do not choose to arrange a make-up date before you are absent. If you are ill, or have an unexpected absence, you will be expected to make up the assessment the day you return. You will have the opportunity to make corrections on any quizzes, and
have the chance to earn some of the points you missed back to your score. Quiz corrections must be handed back in the next class after you received your corrected test. It is your responsibility to turn these corrections in.
Exams: There will be a cumulative exam in January and at the end of the year. These grades will be factored into your second and third trimester grades respectively. They will be worth no more than 20% of your trimester grade.
The actual percentage of the grade for each of these categories depends on the number of occurrences of each during the trimester (roughly 40% for tests, 20% for quizzes, 30% for homework and participation, and 10% for projects). This will then be factored in with the trimester exam grade.
Availability: I am free most A, B and G blocks (except Day 5 & 7 for Block G), before school (7:15 – 8:00) and after school (3:15 – 4:15, except during Field Hockey season when it’s until 3:40). If other arrangements are necessary, please talk to me so we can figure something out.
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