| Carol Fisher's Homepage Basic Algebra/Geometry Homepage |
| INSTRUCTOR: | Dr. Carol J.V. Fisher |
| EMAIL: | (removed) |
| CLASS MEETING TIME: | C block, MTWThF |
| CLASS MEETING PLACE: | Room 51 |
| INSTRUCTOR'S SCHEDULE: | Click here |
Basic Algebra/Geometry is a 5-credit course. It will cover many of the topics of Algebra I but in less depth. Geometry topics, probability and statistics will also be studied; emphasis is given to MCAS objectives. This course is appropriate for students who still have some difficulties with Pre-Algebra techniques.
Course materials are on the web at: http://www.onemathematicalcat.org
Click on Table of Contents, then Basic Algebra/Geometry at Lenox Memorial High School.
The following text will be used for supplementary reading and problems:
MathMatters, An Integrated Approach,
by Chicha Lynch and Eugene Olmstead, South-Western Publishing Co.
TI-83 GRAPHING CALCULATOR
LMMHS will issue each student a graphing calculator for the year.
A Calculator Contract must be signed by both student and parents; the calculator
is borrowed from and must be returned to the library.
3-RING BINDER and DIVIDER SHEETS
A 3-ring binder (at least 1.5" ring size) is strongly recommended
to organize all class materials. Please make tabs for SYLLABUS, GRADE SHEET, and INDEX CARDS.
INDEX CARDS
Index cards (4" × 6", both sides un-ruled) are used
to summarize important material. You may want to purchase a 3-hole punched plastic zippered pouch in which
to keep your index cards.
All the important ideas in the course are summarized on index cards, which become a primary study source for exams and quizzes. Here's how the "index card method" works:
At the beginning of each class there is a Quick Quiz, which usually consists of a basic question from the previous day's index card(s). The Quick Quizzes are graded with a 1 (one point) or an N (Not completely correct). Points accumulated on the Quick Quizzes are added into your point total as BONUS POINTS. Consequently, they can't hurt your grade, but can certainly help! There are no make-ups on Quick Quizzes, and I discard them immediately after grading. I keep track of your Quick Quiz points and give you the total at the end of each quarter to add into your grade sheet.
There will be a short quiz almost every day. The quiz will be at the end of class; if you
finish early, then you can move to the computers and study for the next day's quiz.
Most quizzes will be randomly-generated from the online materials, so you'll have infinite practice available—just click! click! click!
until you're comfortable with all the different problem types.
These quizzes will comprise a significant part of your course grade. Take them very seriously!
The best way to learn mathematics is a little bit every day.
There will be two major exams each quarter: a cumulative midterm, and a cumulative final.
There is a cumulative final exam at the end of the school year that will count as 20% of your
final course grade.
Excerpts from the Student Handbook:
Excused Absence: An absence is considered excused when the parent/legal guardian contacts
the school and provides a legitimate excuse for the absence. Students whose absences are excused
have the right to make up tests and as much classroom work missed as each teacher deems essential.
It is the student's responsibility to schedule makeup arrangements with each of his/her teachers.
Work missed due to one or two absences should be made up within two school days.
Work missed due to longer absences should be made up within five days.
Unexcused Absence: An unexcused absence is considered a major infraction of school rules
and will result in one or more days of either in-school or out-of-school suspension. Students
missing tests and other classroom work due to unexcused absence(s) may lose their right to make up work missed as
a result of such absence(s).
Classroom Tardiness: Students should arrive to class on time. Students who fail to reach their next
period class during the allotted four-minute passing period without a pass are tardy and subject to either
teacher-assigned or office-assigned detention. Students will be given 24-hour notice of such detention.
An unexcused late or unexcused absence causes you to lose a Quick Quiz point.
(I record -1 on the Quick Quiz sheet.)
On the first day of class, a form will be passed around where
you will select your number for the year.
This number will be written on all passed-in material. Also, your personal folder is identified with
this number. If you miss class, check your folder for papers that may have been distributed
while you were absent.
MY NUMBER IS:
You will accumulate points throughout each quarter. Here's an example: if there are 996 possible points, and you accumulate 770 points, then your numerical term grade will be determined by computing 770/996 and using normal rounding, yielding 77%. Each student is provided with a grade sheet which is used to keep track of your grade throughout each quarter.
| A+: [97,infinity) | A: [93,97) | A-: [90,93) |
| B+: [87,90) | B: [83,87) | B-: [80,83) |
| C+: [77,80) | C: [73,77) | C-: [70,73) |
| D+: [67,70) | D: [63,67) | D-: [60,63) |
| F: <60 | ||
| First Quarter Midterm: First Quarter Exam: | week of September 29–30, October 1–3 week of October 27–31 |
| Second Quarter Midterm: Second Quarter Exam: | week of December 8–12 week of January 20–23 |
| Third Quarter Midterm: Third Quarter Exam: | week of March 2–6 week of March 30–31, April 1–3 |
| Fourth Quarter Midterm: Fourth Quarter Exam: | to be determined to be determined |
| CUMULATIVE FINAL EXAM: | to be determined |
Each Quarter Grade counts as 20% of your final course grade.
The cumulative Final Exam counts as the remaining 20% of your final course grade.