Welcome all Mathematicians!
For the 2016-2017 school year, I am teaching Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus.
Rules and Advice for Math Students
*It is my hope that we will all learn from each other throughout the year. The most important part is for you to remember to treat everyone with respect; this includes yourself, your classmates, and your teacher.
*It is my hope that we will all learn from each other throughout the year. The most important part is for you to remember to treat everyone with respect; this includes yourself, your classmates, and your teacher.
Notes and Homework
Quizzes and Tests
Behavior/Attitude in Class
Calculators: We do have a classroom set of calculators to use in class on most days. You will be assigned a number for a calculator and you must always use that number. If you take someone else’s calculator, you will lose the privilege of using a calculator for the rest of the year. Abuse of the calculator will result in the loss of the privilege of use. You may check out a calculator for the night as long as it is signed out and approved by me. Return your calculator before school starts in the morning.
Final Notes:
- Bring your covered textbook, notebooks/binders, and pencil(s) to class every day. If you forget something in your locker, your option is to take a tardy and get it, or try to work without it. If you do not cover your textbook, you lose behavior points each day.
- You are required to keep a math notebook. Most days, at least 1 new page will be devoted to notes and example problems. Note-taking is not graded or checked; however, I highly recommend that you take good notes. They are vital to the understanding and review of the material covered.
- All assignments must be dated and labeled.
- Homework assignments to be handed in will be due the next day unless you are told otherwise. If you hand in your homework late, 25% of the points will be deducted per day; late homework will not be accepted 3 or more days after the original due date.
- ALL ASSIGNMENTS MUST BE DONE IN PENCIL; notes can be written in pen if desired.
- If you are absent on the day the homework is assigned, it is your responsibility to find out what the assignment was. Homework assignments will be posted on this webpage and also on the whiteboard in the classroom.
- I encourage working on homework with classmates. Often, discussion with your friends can really help you learn the topics better. However, straight copying of homework will not be tolerated and will result in loss of credit.
Quizzes and Tests
- You may occasionally have a “homework quiz”. A homework quiz consists of opening your notebook and writing down a specified homework problem. These will be counted as a quiz grade. They can give you very easy points as long as you have done your homework.
- Occasionally, there may be a pop quiz; if you are absent the day of a pop quiz, you will take it in class on the day you return.
- Tests and quizzes will be given with advance notice and at least one review day before hand. Use review time wisely!
- Students may use notes on quizzes and make make their own 4" x 6" cheat card to use on tests.
Behavior/Attitude in Class
- If you are not in your seat when the bell rings, you will be marked tardy. This includes running through the door at the bell. If you leave the room and come back after the bell, you are still tardy. If you are more than 5 minutes late, you will be marked as “unexcused absent”.
- Cheating on homework, tests, or quizzes will not be tolerated and will result in a zero and a disciplinary referral.
- Feel free to ask questions anytime, but use your judgment and be appropriate.
- Water is acceptable in class as long as it is in a bottle with a cover. Food, candy, gum, or other beverages are not acceptable at any time.
- Grading Scale: I will follow the standardized Forest Park grading scale
- The semester grade is based 40% 1st quarter, 40% 2nd quarter, & 20% semester exam
Calculators: We do have a classroom set of calculators to use in class on most days. You will be assigned a number for a calculator and you must always use that number. If you take someone else’s calculator, you will lose the privilege of using a calculator for the rest of the year. Abuse of the calculator will result in the loss of the privilege of use. You may check out a calculator for the night as long as it is signed out and approved by me. Return your calculator before school starts in the morning.
Final Notes:
- The State of Michigan has set up very rigorous math. requirements. To get credit, we must cover the state objectives (and you must pass them). This will require us to work at a steady pace to try to get through them all. DO NOT let yourself get behind. Come and see me or your classmates for extra assistance as needed. I am usually available for 20 minutes before and after school and during lunch; I can sometimes stay later than that if given advance notice. Let me know if you want some one-on-one time and I will do my best to accommodate you. Sometimes 10 minutes of one-on-one time can be worth more than 45 minutes of in-class time.
- Your attitude can make the time we have in class bearable and fun, or your attitude can be destructive and make things less enjoyable for everyone. Make every effort to come to class with a positive attitude because it makes it easier on all of us.
- Officially there is no extra credit. You are expected to complete the required assignments on time; however, I may occasionally provide extra credit opportunities. There may also be bonus questions on quizzes and tests for extra credit.