Pre-Calculus Syllabus
Class Policies and Procedures
Mr. Shaw
2014 – 2015
Purpose:
This course is designed to provide a sound foundation for seniors or juniors who are planning to enter a four-year college after graduation. Students in this class will deepen their algebraic skills as this course will emphasize mathematical thinking, the use of mathematical models and the understanding of mathematical functions and graphs. Beginning concepts of Calculus will be introduced.
A local Regents level Pre-Calculus exam will be given in June during exam week.
Course Web Page:
My BigCampus:Search: Pre-Calculus w/ Mr. Shaw, group code: x73otoem
Remind Link: To receive messages via text, text @01a5c to (716) 312-1801
Remind will be used for important classroom reminders ONLY.
Required Materials:
Please bring the following to class every day… pencil or pen, 3-ring binder (with dividers), 2 Pocket Folder, 1 subject spiral notebook and a Texas Instruments graphing calculator (TI-83, 83+, 84, 84+). Supplies are due Wednesday, September 10th.
Calculators are available for in-classroom use only.
Grading:
In order to facilitate feedback, please utilize Student (Parent) Portal. Each student’s grade will be based on the following:
- Tests– Announced several days in advance, covering an entire chapter.
- Quizzes – Announced in advanced and usually only cover part of a chapter.
- Homework – Homework is checked daily and will sometimes be collected and graded.
Textbook:
You will not be assigned a textbook for this course. Therefore it is very important that you remain organized as you will receive a note packet for each chapter.
Cell Phone Use:
Cell phone use is NOT permitted. This includes time given to work on the warm-up or to begin your homework. Students who do not follow this policy will have their phone confiscated and turned into the office.
Extra Help:(AVAILABLE AND STRONGLY ENCOURAGED)
Whenever you get confused – get help immediately! Often a question can be answered in just a couple of minutes before, after, or during class.
Extra help will be available most mornings and after school in room 204. Please refer to the availability board for exact dates and time.
Extra help is also available in the Learning Center (Room 225), usually during 9th period and after school.
Classroom Expectations:
There is one main classroom rule: Please remember to be RESPECTFUL to me as well as your peers. All school policies and rules as stated in your planner will be strictly enforced in class, this includes, but is not restricted to, headgear and cheating.
Class is in session until you are dismissed. You will be expected to remain in your seat until I dismiss you (not the bell.)
You must have your calculator with you at all times. You will not be allowed to borrow one if you are unprepared (including for quizzes and tests.)
All bags and purses must be placed under your desk or chair during the entire class period.
Failure to comply with these expectations will result in detentions, parent phone calls and school referrals.
Homework:
You will be given homework on a daily basis in order to reinforce what we have gone over in class. The time to do homework is on the day that it is given… preferably at home in the evening.
Current homework packets will be posted on my Pre Calc web page in case you lose or forgot to take your assignment home.
Answers to review sheets will usually be posted on my Pre Calc web page the night (or weekend) before a test.
Assignments will be checked and recorded daily for effort and completeness. To receive complete credit all problems must be attempted (You will receive either a + [complete], – [incomplete], or 0). Periodically it will be collected for a grade.
Any Homework assignments missed are to be made up and shown to me. If you are absent it is your responsibility to find out what the assignment was and get it to me THE NEXT DAY. Missing homework assignments can be turned in until the mid-quarter mark.
Field Trips:
If you are going on a field trip it is YOUR RESONSIBILITY to submit a Field Trip Form; which can be found on my web page. This form must be filled out regardless of field trip designation code. If you are unable to access this form online, please request one from me directly. Failure to do this may result in the inability to make up missed work and/or assessments.
Attendance:
It is very important that you be present in class each day. I take careful attendance each day and will follow up with the attendance office. School policy with regards to class absences will be strictly followed (Please refer to planner).
Tardiness will not be tolerated! You will be given detention each time you are illegally late to class, no excuses. Please do not make a scene if you do walk in late.
If you are ill and absent from class YOU should make arrangements to make up a test/quiz during a free period the next day! It is also your responsibility to get any missed notes. You WILL receive a zero if you do not make up your test within a reasonable amount of time.
Being in guidance or the nurse’s office without my prior permission is treated as an illegal absence.
Prior approval is necessary for a band lesson or voice lab. You will be allowed one lesson/ lab per month as long as you are in good standing with me.
For the student:
Please reread this syllabus. When you have completed this, please go to my Pre Calc web page and complete the STUDENT INFO & SYLLABUS AGREEMENT. If you do not have access to the Internet please see me for a hard copy. This is due by, Friday, September 5th.
Once you have got your calculator, please go to my Pre Calc web page and complete the CALCULATOR INFO form. This is due by, Wednesday, September 10th.
Please have your parent(s) or guardian(s) read this syllabus and complete their online form by Friday, September 5th.
A note to all parents:
Please read this syllabus. When you have completed this, please go to my Pre Calc web page and complete the PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION form. If you do not have access to the Internet please have your child request a hard copy from me.
All graded items will be posted to Parent Portal. Please check periodically, to gauge your child’s progress.
Please take a few minutes with your child to go through the goal-setting sheet. They were given this as a first school night assignment.
Please do not hesitate to contact me. Contact information can also be found on my web page.
Course Web Page: