Geometry Syllabus

Regina Guerra: Instructor

Text:         Geometry, by Larson, Boswell, Stiff, published by McDougal Littell

Welcome to Geometry! The roots of the word geometry mean “to measure the earth,” but this course will be more than just measuring things. It will emphasize abstract concepts and logical thinking through inductive and deductive reasoning. Through the course of the year, we will explore how lines, planes, polygons, circles, as well as spheres and other three-dimensional figures can be used to represent and solve a variety of abstract and real-world problems. The skills you learned in Algebra I will be revisited, reinforced, and applied throughout the year. Our work in this course will help you understand how all fields of mathematics are intertwined and how they depend on each other. I am committed to working with you to help you understand geometry and discover its beauty.

Tentative Schedule:

First Quarter                                              Second Quarter

Chapter 1: Basics of Geometry                                 Chapter 4: Congruent Triangles

Chapter 2: Reasoning and Proof                              Chapter 5: Properties of Triangles

Chapter 3: Perpendicular/Parallel Lines                

Third Quarter                                             Fourth Quarter

Chapter 6: Quadrilaterals                                         Chapter 10: Circles   

Chapter 8: Similarity                                                 Chapter 11: Areas of Polygons/Circles

Chapter 9: Right Triangles/Trig                               (Chapter 12: Surface Area/Volume)

University School’s Geometry course is aligned to the Tennessee State Standards for Mathematics.

For more information on the state mathematics standards, visit

http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/cimathhighschool/cimath912list.htm

Materials:   3-ring binder dedicated to Geometry

                       Scientific calculator

                       Pencil/Pen

                       Loose-leaf paper

Problem of the Day: Many days there will be a problem on the board to solve when you enter class. These problems, along with your solutions, should be kept in a separate section of your notebook.

Grading:  Tests, quizzes, and projects will be assigned a point value. Grades will be calculated by finding the percentage of points earned out of the total possible points.

 Students are responsible for any work missed due to absence. This includes homework, quizzes, and tests.When you return from an absence, you will be responsible for the following:

• Turning in any homework that was due the day(s) of your absence.
• Reading the textbook section or other material that was used as a resource during your absence.
• Getting the homework or classwork you missed from the teacher.
• Turning in your make-up work and/or scheduling a time to make-up assessments.

** Please Note** While I will strive to return make-up work back to you as quickly as possible, please be aware that if you miss a quiz or test it may take me additional time to grade your assessment.

Semester 1 Grade: (Q1+Q1+Q2+Q2+ Semester Exam) / 5

Semester 2 Grade: (Q3+Q3+Q4+Q4+ Final Exam) / 5

Year Grade: (S1+S2) / 2

Homework:  Homework will be assigned almost every school day (including over weekends) to allow you to explore and practice what you are learning. Unless otherwise specified, homework will be due at the beginning of the period the following school day.

                        - Show all calculations and work, even if you do it in your head or on a

                           calculator.

                        - When you get stuck on a problem, solve it as far as you can. I am not looking

                            for perfection on your homework, I am looking for effort. JUST TRY!!

                        - Review the textbook discussion of new topics and your class notes prior to

                            beginning your homework assignment.

                        - Be proactive about creating study groups, using outside resources such as

                            dictionaries and Web sites, and discussing problems with each other (not

                            copying answers, but discussing solution methods) and with me. Any and all

                            of these strategies can help you understand more thoroughly the concepts we

                            will be studying.

                          -Homework Check Policy:

·         Students should check all odd homework questions in the back of the book before coming to class.

·         Homework will be checked at the beginning of class. To receive credit for an assignment ALL PROBLEMS must be attempted with the process shown.

·         In class we will review all problems from the homework.  Students should ask for clarification on any problems they got wrong or did not understand.

·         During the homework review students should correct any wrong answers. Periodically, students will be given a “Homework Quiz.” The quiz will have a problem from each assignment. Students must write down the correct answer and show the process.  Each correct answer is worth 5 points.

                           -Late homework will not be accepted. If you are absent it is your

                            responsibility to show me any missing work for credit.

  -Students will be given a weekly homework assignment sheet. A    

        copy of the assignment sheets will be posted on the class

        webpage.

   -Students completing ALL assignments for a quarter will earn 2%

        on their quarter grade.

   -Students missing FOUR or more assignments in one quarter will

        have their quarter grade lowered 4%. The quarter grade will be lowered  

        an additional .25% for each assignment missed thereafter.

NOTE: Missing Homework assignments will not show up on mygradebook.com. The increase or decrease of a student’s grade based on homework completion will not show up on her/his average until the end of the quarter.

Personal Effort

It is very important that you review your notes and homework frequently! This is especially true when homework has a purpose. Most homework has one or more of the following aims:

• Practice reinforces the learning of material already presented in class and helps you master specific skills.
• Preparation provides information –history, skills, definitions—for forthcoming information; it is intended to allow you to benefit when the new material is covered in class.
• Extension  or elaboration involves the transfer of previously learned skills to new situations.
• Integration asks you to apply skills and concepts to produce a single product

I will make every effort to communicate the purpose of homework assignments to you. If you are having difficulties with any of the topics covered in this course, see me as soon as possible. Times when I am available are included below. In addition, keep the following thoughts in mind:

• When I worry “I can’t do it,” I will tell myself, “I can do it, and I just need to figure it out.”
• I can always ask for help.
• Every week I will set goals and recognize my accomplishments.
• I will bring a positive attitude and a smile to class.

Journaling

Every other week we will take class time to reflect on our week’s work. Journals give students practice presenting their thoughts in writing and reflecting on their own learning. Responses should be substantiative and address the prompts in a serious way.

Extra Assistance:   Students are encouraged to stay after school and get additional help. After school Math Help will be held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2:45-3:30 in Room 306. Help sessions are not set aside for homework completion. Students are expected to arrive promptly and be prepared to ask questions.

Problem-Solving Fridays

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (2000) states that students should be able to:

• Organize and consolidate their mathematical thinking though communication.
• Communicate mathematical thinking coherently and clearly to others.
• Analyze and evaluate the mathematical thinking and strategies of others.
• Use the language of mathematics to express mathematical ideas precisely.

Every other Friday we will spend class time working on group problem-solving activities. These problems may not necessarily relate to the material we learn in class that week. These problems are meant to be solved using a variety of methods and thinking. There is no one “correct” way to answer these problems. The purpose of these activities is to get you to think creatively about problem solving and use all the skills you have learned so far, from this course and from courses in the past. The focus is on the process, not the correct answer. The correct answer is only a portion of the points. Most of the points earned are for communication of your thinking and the presentation of your answer.

Mrs. Guerra’s Pet Peeves:

• Copying someone else’s work
• Not trying
• Coming to class without your materials
• Forgetting to make up your work when you are absent
• Copying someone else’s work
• Asking to leave class to go to the bathroom
• Wasting class time
• Copying someone else’s work
• Making fun of other students or teachers
• Complaining during Physical Activity time
• Copying someone else’s work