Welcome to HONORS

TEACHER: Mr. Jim Vanosdall

EMAIL ADDRESS:

TWIITER: @JVanosdall

WEBSITE:

ROOM: A-216

COURSE DESCRIPTION

  • Honors Pre-Calculus provides students an honors-level study of trigonometry, advanced functions, analytic geometry, and data analysis in preparation for calculus. Applications and modeling will be included throughout the course of study. Appropriate technology, from manipulatives to calculators and application software, will be used regularly for instruction and assessment. Prerequisites include:
  • Describe phenomena as functions graphically, algebraically and verbally; identify independent and dependent quantities, domain, and range, input/output, mapping.
  • Translate among graphic, algebraic, numeric, tabular, and verbal representations of relations.
  • Define and use linear, quadratic, cubic, exponential, rational, absolute value and radical functions to model and solve problems.
  • Use systems of two or more equations or inequalities to solve problems.
  • Use the trigonometric ratios to model and solve problems.
  • Use logic and deductive reasoning to draw conclusions and solve problems.

GRADING

Weight / Number per quarter
Formal Assessments / 70% / 3-6
Informal Assessments / 30% / Many

Formal Assessments: Tests, presentations, writings, etc. Informal Assessments: Quizzes, homework, etc.

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR CLASS

  1. Hard cover 3-ring binder, 1 inch (REQUIRED)
  2. Loose-leaf paper / Loose-leaf graph paper
  3. Writing utensil, preferably pencils
  4. Graphing calculator (TI-83 or TI-84 calculator).

CLASS EXPECTATIONS

1.Be Respectful

  • Stay alert- no head on desk.

2.Be Prepared

  • Bring pencil, paper, homework, binder, and textbook to class every day!

3.Be Prompt

4.Be Positive 

5.Be Responsible

6.Be Honest

7.Follow all school rules, particularly

  • Dress appropriately, including no hats.
  • No food or drinks in the classroom.
  • No cell phones or i-pods, etc should be out during school hours.

What you can expect from me…

  1. I will treat you with the utmost respect.
  2. I will come to class each day prepared to teach.
  3. I will start class promptly when the bell rings.
  4. I will be positive and will believe in you.
  5. You can expect me to enforce all rules.
  6. I will return your quizzes and tests within 2 days, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
  7. I will give you a chance to retest on any test that you do not pass…dates will be set and retests must be taken within 2 weeks of original test date.

MAKE-UP WORK:

For excused absences, students have 5 days to make up work missed.

Upon returning to school after an absence, students should…

  1. Review any missed assignments from your assignment sheet and check website.
  2. Check the make-up bin to receive any handouts you missed during your absence.
  3. If you missed a test/quiz, you must make it up before or after school within the five days otherwise you will receive a zero.

If you are absent due to a school function, you are expected to come to class with all assignments complete and should be prepared to take any previously scheduled tests/quizzes.

**If you miss ONLY a review day, you will be required to take the test with the rest of the class.

LATE WORK/EXTRA CREDIT: Late work will NOT be accepted. Bonus pointswill be available for the whole class and for attending tutoring. Do NOT ask for individual extra credit points.

CHEATING: Receiving or giving any unauthorized assistance on any part of an assignment will result in academic and disciplinary consequences, up to out of school suspension. At a minimum, zero credit on the assignment and official documentation of the unethical behavior will result.

EXTRA HELP/RECOVERY?

If you should find yourself in need of extra help, I will be available at the following times and by appointment. Do not hesitate to let me know if you are struggling. Also, study groups can work Monday’s and Thursday’s in my room. You are only allowed to miss 10 days of school. If you miss more than 10 days, you may recover your time with me on these days as well.

Day / Time / Room #
Monday / 2:20 – 3 p.m. / A-216
Thursday / 2:20 – 3 p.m. / A-216

DISCIPLINE POLICY

The majority of discipline issues have the following sequence of consequences:

1st offense / Warning/student-teacher meeting
2nd offense / Warning and parent contact/possible ASD
3rd offense / Office referral

MONITORING GRADES

Grades will be updated regularly and progress reports will be distributed according to the CMS academic calendar. Parents are encouraged to check online for grades, using PowerSchool.

NEED TO REACH ME?

It is best to reach me through email at . You may also call the school at (980) 344-0409to leave a message. I will return calls and emails within 24 business hours. Email from some sites, such as yahoo and hotmail, may not be accepted by our email system. If you have sent me an email with no response, please leave a message at school to verify.

Please detach this page and return to Mr. Vanosdall. Keep the previous page for your reference.

I have read and understand Mr. Vanosdall’s rules and policies.

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Student Name (print) Student Signature Date

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Parent/Guardian Signature Date

Parent/Guardian, please fill out the following information to contact regarding your child’s progress. I look forward to being in touch.

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Mother’s (or guardian) Information

Name (please print):______Relationship:______

Day Phone:______Evening Phone:______

Parent/Guardian Email Address:______

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Father’s (or guardian) Information

Name (please print):______Relationship:______

Day Phone:______Evening Phone:______

Parent/Guardian Email Address:______
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*Please note that parent emails are sent regularly. Please check the email listed above as often as possible

Call Log / Email Log

Date Reason Contacted/Left Message/Email