PreAP Precalculus Mrs. Flores
Information Sheet August 2007
This sheet will provide you with a general overview of the Precalculus course. Please read it carefully and then file it in your notebook for future reference.
Precalculus is a continuation of the study of functions, sinusoids, vectors, fractals, polar coordinates, and limits. What this means is that we will learn new methods of solving problems and we will relate these methods to experiments and explorations we conduct in class. Graphing in many different ways is an integral part of our study. It is very important that you understand this course is designed to challenge your mind and prepare you to “think” through the work required to solve complex problems. Please be prepared to show, explain and defend your work.
To begin our study of Precalculus you will need the following supplies:
· A 5 quad graphing spiral notebook. (You can buy them from me for $2.)
· A 3-ring binder or folder to hold your handouts, tests, quizzes and your supplies.
· A graphing calculator (TI-83 + or TI-84+).
· Pencils, erasers, protractor, ruler, highlighters, colored pens or pencils, and note cards.
· A box of tissue
We have a classroom set of books, so it is not necessary for you to bring your book to class, but you are required to bring all necessary material to class everyday.
No work will be accepted unless it is completed in your spiral and in pencil.
I will expect you to be prepared daily for class with your homework assignment complete. I may check homework for completeness and correctness. I expect to see problems worked out, not just answers. This is important to remember when doing your assignments and when answering quiz and test questions. You will not receive full credit if you do not show all work.
We will have announced and unannounced quizzes, projects, group work, etc. There will be two to three tests each grading period and they will be scheduled in advance. It is my policy to include previous material on every test. You will need to prepare for questions covered from the first day of our class. It is very important that you understand this process. When you have a question, please get it answered at once. Do not wait until the quiz or test day…. you need time to process the information.
Your grade will be averaged in the following manner:
· 35% Daily Work (including homework, quizzes, participation, etc.)
· 65% Tests
Honesty and integrity are two very important traits. Please do not give me any reason to suspect that you are cheating on any form of work in this class. I consider copying (or allowing another student to copy your assignment) all or part of another person’s assignment to be cheating, as well as giving or receiving information about a test or a quiz. Consequences include a zero on the work, a “U” citizenship grade, a call to your parents, your counselor and your assistant principal.
Attendance
· I expect you in your desk with your spiral opened to the previous day’s completed assignment, ready to begin work when the tardy bell rings. That means READY, not unpacking. Not ready =Tardy.
· When you are not in class it is very important that you get your work made-up quickly (within two days). Check online for assignments. Borrow notes and discuss the topic at lunch with a classmate. Schedule an appointment with me to ask questions AFTER you have gathered the missing material. It is not my responsibility to remind you of missing work. For those who participate in activities that require ABX absences:
o It is your responsibility to be prepared for class the day you return, with homework, ready for a quiz or test. See page 7 in your agenda. You should find out what you will be missing BEFORE you are ABX. Assignments are listed online to help make this easier.
We each have a job to do in the classroom. Mine is to facilitate your learning about Precalculus. Yours is to pay attention and work on the projects assigned. With this is mind, you should be aware that I am impressed with hard work and not impressed with off-task behaviors. I want you to be the best math student possible, so I expect you to focus on the lessons, not on your friends. You need to use time in class to your benefit.
Remember that in a math class, if you get behind, you can quickly dig yourself into a hole that is difficult to get out of. I encourage you to ask questions if there is anything that you do not fully understand. I am available mornings from 7:30 – 8:15 and also by appointment during lunch.