Honors Pre-Calculus
Brooke M. Andersen
Lexington High School
Course Guide 2002-2003
Course
Goals | Textbook/Materials | Graphing
Calculators | Honors
Student | Behavior Expectations
| Assignments | Scoring
| Grades | Absences | Help
| Contacting the Teacher
Course
goals
Honors Pre-Calculus examines various concepts and skills that are necessary
for the study of calculus, as well as other important mathematics suitable
for advanced high school students. The central concept of the course is
the function. General properties of functions are studied at the beginning
so they can be applied throughout the year to many different types of functions.
There is an emphasis on moving between different ways to represent a function:
algebraic, graphical, numerical, and verbal.
Beyond the specific topics covered, the most important overall goal
of the course is to develop students' abilities to engage in the intellectual
processes of mathematics, including exploration, reasoning, problem solving,
and communicating about math both orally and in writing. These aims will
be pursued through varied class activities including frequent work in groups.
Active participation by every student will be necessary to achieve the
best learning outcomes for individuals and the whole class.
Textbook,
coverage, and support materials
The textbook is Precalculus: Graphical, Numerical, and Algebraic by Demana,
Waits, et al. The material in Chapter P (Prerequisites) was covered in
prior courses, and students had the opportunity to review this chapter
over the summer. This course will cover nearly all of Chapters 1 through
9, as well as section 10.3, generally following the order of the textbook.
A solution manual containing detailed problem solutions will be available
on reserve in the LHS library. Students may wish to purchase their own
copy of the Student's Solution Manual directly from the publisher (ISBN
0-201-69975-3; price $28; call 1-800-282-0693). Some other free supplementary
materials are available on the web at http://www.awl.com/demana/.
Graphing
calculators
Graphing calculators will be used daily for class activities and homework.
They help students develop a strong understanding of relationships between
algebraic and graphical representations, and enable graphical solutions
to problems that may not be solvable by any other means.
The Mathematics Department strongly recommends owning a graphing calculator.
Students who do not already own a graphing calculator are encouraged to
purchase a TI-83 Plus, which may be ordered through school. Students who
do not buy a graphing calculator may borrow one from the Mathematics Department.
Order forms and loan request forms will be available in class.
Graphing calculators will be allowed during tests unless otherwise announced.
However, certain advanced calculators with symbolic algebra features (such
as the TI-89 and TI-92 series) will not be permitted, as they would provide
an unfair advantage.
Some helpful information about TI graphing calculators can be found
at http://education.ti.com/.
Performing
as an honors-level student
What does it mean to be an honors-level math student? Here is how the LHS
Program of Studies describes honors math:
"Honors courses progress at a very fast pace, covering the greatest
breadth and depth of topics. Students are expected to have mastered the
skills and thoroughly understood the concepts covered in prior courses.
They are expected to have retained this past knowledge, which will generally
not be reviewed in the course. Mathematical concepts are often introduced
at an abstract and theoretical level. New ideas are often developed through
student investigation with minimal guidance from the teacher. Students
will be expected to apply their knowledge to open-ended and non-routine
problems. Students will sometimes be expected to learn material by reading
the textbook and/or solving problems on their own. Typical classes include
minimal review of homework and previously covered material. Students are
expected to be highly self-motivated, taking the fullest responsibility
for their own learning and seeking help when needed. The course is designed
to meet the needs of a student who thrives in a more independent learning
environment."
While some of the qualities mentioned above pertain to ability, others
relate more to effort and initiative. Developing mature work habits is
critical for success in this course.
Also, it is important that every student be actively involved in class,
during both lectures and group work. It is everyone's responsibility to
make academic contributions and to help others learn.
Behavior
expectations
A productive and respectful classroom atmosphere is essential for learning.
Individual behavior can support or undermine the learning environment.
To make our classroom work well, here is what is expected of you:
* Be ready for the beginning of class when the bell rings
* Listen silently when it is someone else's turn to talk.
* Bring your textbook and homework to class every day (except when
there is a full-period test).
* Stay focused on the current learning activity.
* Follow all school rules.
In general, these expectations will be upheld by consequences that
begin with verbal warnings, and progress to detentions or school-level
discipline for serious or repeated offenses.
Assignments
and tests
Homework will be assigned daily and must be completed before the next meeting.
These assignments are very important because they will usually form the
basis for the next class. Occasionally there may be homework completion
checks The frequency of these spot-checks will depend on the class's homework
habits and other factors. Since the purpose of these checks is to encourage
on-time completion of homework, late homework will not be accepted. Also,
an assignment may occasionally be collected and graded for correctness,
but only if announced in advance.
Full-period tests will generally be given every 2-3 weeks and will always
be announced in advance. There may be some shorter tests and (possibly
unannounced) short quizzes.
Scoring system
For most test problems and graded assignments, you will be asked to provide
a fully explained and justified solution. Problems of this kind will be
marked on a 0-to-5 numerical scale. Here is a brief description of each
level of the scale:
5: a correct solution that is presented
well or shows exceptional understanding
4: a solution that is correct, complete,
and adequately presented
3: a mostly satisfactory solution with
a few missing details or minor errors
2: a partial solution with at least one
major step or idea missing
1: a minimal start toward a correct solution
0: no progress toward a correct solution
Sometimes, questions that require only a short response (such as a
numerical answer) may scored solely on correctness (usually 5 or 0).
Test grades will be computed by taking a weighted average of problem
scores. Then, a letter grade will be assigned using the closest number
on this scale:
|
4.3
|
4.0
|
3.7
|
3.3
|
3.0
|
2.7
|
2.3
|
2.0
|
1.7
|
less than 1.5
|
less than 1.0
|
|
A+
|
A
|
A-
|
B+
|
B
|
B-
|
C+
|
C
|
C-
|
D
|
F
|
Report card grades
The makeup of the quarter grade will be as follows:
* Homework completion checks, if
any, will count for 1% each.
* Your active and conscientious
participation in class will count for 10%.
* The remainder of the grade (probably
over 80%) will be an average of test scores, also incorporating any quizzes
or other assignments that may have been given. The weights of assignments
will be specified individually based on their size and importance (for
example, it may be announced that a certain assignment will count with
one-third the weight of a test).
Your numerical quarter average will be converted to a letter grade for
your report card. The scale shown above will be used, but rounding of in-between
grades (for example, whether a 2.9 is a B or a B-) will be at the teacher's
discretion.
The year grade will be based on the four quarters (22% each) and a departmental
final exam (12%).
Absences and makeup tests
Whenever you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you
missed, and then I will provide reasonable support to help you catch up.
Following the usual practice at LHS, the time allowed for completing missed
work is usually one day for each day missed, with the following exceptions.
If there is a test or an assignment due on the first day of your absence,
you are responsible for it on the day you return. Also, if you miss class
because of a field trip, you must be prepared for the next class just as
if you had been in class, per school policy. All missed work may
be completed in the help room (room 830).
If an absence is unexcused or not satisfactorily documented, you will
receive a zero for any missed work, with no makeup opportunity.
Getting
help
I encourage you to seek my assistance with your math learning outside of
class time. This support can be beneficial for everyone, not just students
who are struggling. I am available nearly every day before and after school,
and sometimes during the school day. To be sure that I will be available
to help you at a particular time, please make an appointment in advance.
If you do not have an appointment, you are welcome to look for me anyway
(try our classroom 816, or the math help room 830, or my office 713),
but I might or might not be available to meet with you.
Starting this fall, the Math Department is also offering an additional
form of tutoring support. The new Math/Technology Resource Room will be
staffed by a math teacher during every class block. Drop in anytime to
get math help from the teacher on duty or to use a text book or complete
missed work. The math faculty encourages you to take full advantage of
this new service. The room is located in the math building in room 830.
I am there Mondays from 11:20 - 12:20 and Fridays from 11:45 - 12:40.
Contacting
the teacher
My e-mail address is bandersen@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us,
and I usually check my mail during school hours. It's not feasible to give
problem solving help over e-mail, but e-mail is a good way to make an appointment
or clarify an assignment. Parents should also feel free to e-mail me with
any questions or concerns.
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