Geometry Course Syllabus

Instructor: Mrs. Reese School Year: 2012-2013 Period: 5th and 6th Room: 104

Course description: This course is designed to develop visual thinking and student ability to construct, reason with, interpret, and apply mathematical models of patterns in visual and physical context. The learner will develop a rich understanding of important mathematics through real-life investigations. Students will use hands-on investigations and technology to build figures to inductively discover properties and theorems, test and prove conjectures, and communicate effectively among their peers.

EQ: How do human beings interact with their natural, man-made and social environments?

Students will be required to actively participate in small groups, collaborative groups, and class discussions to continue to grow in accordance with the IBStudent Learner Profile.

Course instructional methods:Investigations through problem-base learning, hands-on, collaborative groups, whole group instruction, and other activating and instructional strategies using the TI-83/84 graphing calculators, TI-Navigation System, and other problem-solving technology tools.

Grading Scale
A 93 – 100
B 86 – 92
C 77 – 85
D 70 – 76
F 69 – 0 / Weighted Scores
Class work 30%
Homework 10%
Participation 10%
Quizzes 25%
Tests 25%

Course Materials: McDougal Littell Geometry textbook, three-ring binder with dividers (or some useful organizational notebook), pencil, and a graphing calculator TI–83 will be provided in class for school-use only. (A graphing calculator for use at home is advisable, but not mandatory.)

Homework: Homework will be given on a regular basis to preview, reflect, and expand on class assignments and mathematical concepts. Homework will be assessed on the student’s attempt to understand the subject. Students are encouraged to work together on assignments in and out of class to increase their mathematical knowledge and understanding.

Absences and late assignments: Students absent from school due to illness or family emergencies will be given ample time to complete makeup work, depending on the amount of time of the absence. Students absent due to suspension (in-school or out-of-school) will be responsible for making up work while out of class/school. Work is due upon returning to class.

Progress reports: Progress reports will be given to every student on every Wednesday detailing the areas of progress and areas that need to be improved. Students need to understand that they are accountable for their academic success.

Quarterly Overview

Quarter 1
Unit 1: Transformations / The study of transformations will give students a visual perspective of the outcome of using reflections, rotations, translations, and glide reflections. Students will make general conjectures, coordinate rules conjectures, to modeling, and reach conclusions.
Unit 2: Introduction to
Geometry / The unit of study introduces properties of geometric figures related to their measurable attributes. Students will be encouraged to use multiple ways of writing proofs, such as in narrative paragraphs, using flow diagrams, in two-column format, and using diagrams without words. Not only should students be able to justify their conjectures and arguments by a variety of methods, but they should also be able to analyze and critique arguments to determine their validity.
Unit 3: Parallel Lines / The concepts of congruency are reinforced as students prove alternate interior angles and corresponding angles are congruent. Students will begin to organize logically in the form of a proof.
Quarter 2
Unit 4: Similar Figures / This unit will use the properties of congruence and similarity to solve problem situations.
Unit 5: Triangles / The study of triangles includes students discovering and applying combinations of sides and angles that are sufficient conditions for similarity or congruence of two triangles. Using coordinate methods and proofs helps make connections between the ideas of geometry and algebra.
Quarter 3
Unit 6: Right Triangles / This unit of study establishes the relationship between similar triangles and trigonometric ratios. These methods also allow students to determine otherwise inaccessible distances and angle measurements. The unit includes application of the Pythagorean Theorem, special right triangles rules and Law of Sines and Cosines to solve applied problems.
Unit 7: Quadrilaterals / Students will describe and justify the relationships between angles and sides for quadrilaterals in this unit. Connections to properties of triangles and quadrilaterals assist in developing relationships between diagonals, perimeter, and area in polygons.
Unit 8: Circles / Circle theorems are developed by using properties of polygons, lines, and angles. Students will use discovered properties of circles to solve problems involving circles and application of circles.
Unit 9: Circles and
Parabolas / Students begin their study of two members of the family of conic sections (circles and parabolas). Students will continue their study of quadratics by connecting the geometric and algebraic definitions of the parabola.
Quarter 4
Unit 10: Modeling
with Geometry / This unit of study emphasizes the use of modeling in geometric situations with properties of geometric shapes to describe real-life objects.
Unit 11: Solids / Spatial-visualization skills are needed to visualize a cross section for a three dimensional figure. Using physical models, drawings, and software will help students improve visualization and spatial reasoning and assist them in finding lines and planes of symmetry and cross sections of three-dimensional figures.
Unit 12: Applications of
Probability / This unit of study introduces foundational properties and rules of probabilities, starting with events as subsets of sample space and introducing independence and conditional probability.