Northwestern Regional High School                  July 08DKS

Course Overview

DEPARTMENT: Math

COURSE TITLE: Honors Geometry

TEACHER: Mrs. Stafford

DESCRIPTION:

Honors Geometry is full year course for students who have completed Honors Algebra I.

This course is designed around both an inductive and deductive approach to geometry.  The ideas and concepts presented are challenging and sophisticated, and the format and pace of the course are geared to the needs of the college math student.  The use of technology, graphing calculators, geometers sketchpad, cooperative learning, writing, and student presentations will be emphasized.  It is anticipated that the students enrolled in class will take Honors Algebra II as their next course.

OBJECTIVES:

1. The students will develop their knowledge and understanding of inductive and deductive reasoning and apply both types of reasoning in investigating geometric concepts.  IIa – IIj
2. The students will problem-solve geometric construction using compass and straightedge and the Geometers Sketchpad and be able to explain and prove their constructions.  IIa – IIj
3. The students will investigate properties of line, angles, triangles, polygons, and circles, and apply those properties.  IIa – IIf
4. The students will use their tools of compass, ruler, and protractor to gather data, measure objects, and make conjectures.  IIa – IIj
5. The students will write deductive proofs of conjectures.  IIc – IIj
6. The students will do geometric transformations on figures using both their geometric tools and technology.  IIc, IId, IIf, IIi, IIj
7. The students will develop their knowledge and understanding of area, volume, similarity, and trigonometry and apply it to real-world situations.  IIc, IId, IIf, IIj
8. The students will work in cooperative groups to problem solve, investigate, and communicate geometric ideas.  IIf – Iij
9. The students will investigate and solve performance assessment tasks and be able to explain their solutions both verbally and in written form.  11a – 11j
10. The students will use and apply technology in investigating the geometric concepts.  This includes the computer using the program Geometer Sketchpad as well as the graphing calculator.  IIj

TEXT: Discovering Geometry.  Key Curriculum.(2003)

TOPIC OUTLINE

1. Introducing Geometry
2.  Reasoning in Geometry
3. Using Tools of Geometry
4. Discovering and Proving Triangle Properties
5. Discovering and Proving Polygon Properties
6. Circles
7. Transformations and Tessellations
8. Area
9. Pythagorean Theorem
10. Volume
11. Similarity
12. Trigonometry

 GRADING RATIONALE

GRADE

Your grade for each quarter of the academic year will be a combination of the total points you earn on tests (including quizzes and projects), homework, class participation, and notebook grades.  The relative weights of these components will be as follows:

Progress reports will not be sent home. Parents should check the on-line grade book as frequently as necessary for their student. Tests, project and quiz grades may be viewed on-line.

TESTS

You will be given three or four major tests each quarter, which will be announced ahead of time.

QUIZZES

Both announced and unannounced quizzes will be given at various times during the quarter.  They are used primarily to monitor your understanding of the material covered and to keep you focused on your math work.  To be ready for unannounced quizzes, you must not fall behind with your homework assignments.  It is also assumed that each day you will review your class notes and examples from the past few classes.  This will prepare you for quizzes and give you a chance to reflect on what we have done in class, giving you a way to assess your own understanding.  You may find that you need to ask questions the following day in class or come for extra help.  Quizzes may be given following a reading assignment to measure your ability to read and understand the text.

Math Department Test Preparation/Correction Incentive

The math department at Northwestern High School believes that consistent completion of homework, daily studying of the material covered in class, and being well prepared for tests are essential ingredients to success in all math classes.  To that end, the following incentives are being offered in all math classes to promote these qualities in students.

The requirement to be eligible for either of the incentives below is that the student must complete a minimum of  75% of all homework assigned in the unit covered by the test.

Pre-Test Incentive:  The student creates a study guide following the outline below and brings it in the day of the test fully completed.  The student will receive bonus points of ½ to 1 full letter grade on the test.   This incentive will be offered up to twice a marking period and will be either announced or unannounced. 

Post-Test Incentive:  Any student who scored lower than a 75% on a test many raise his/her grade by ½ to 1 full letter grade by coming after school and meeting with their teacher to correct the test and/or complete additional practice problems related to the test.  A student may choose to do this up to twice a marking period, but they cannot raise their grade higher than a 75% on any individual test.

Study Guide Outline

The following items need to be included in the study guide handed in the day of the test.  The study guide must be handwritten and cannot be handed in typed.

1)      List of test objectives.

2)      List of all important vocabulary and formula’s with words defined and formulas explained.

3)      Completion of at least two practice problems for each test objective.  If a specific objective covers a lot of material it would be expected that more than two practice problems would be included for that objective.  The practice problems need to cover different levels of difficulty and different types of problems under each objective.  A complete solution for each problem must be shown along with all required steps.  You must also verify your answer is correct for each problem.  Lastly, you must indicate where each problem came from. (I.e. State it came from the notes and specify where or state what page from the book it came from and which problem it was.)

HOMEWORK

It is expected that you will make a serious effort to complete each assignment given to you.  The purposes of the assignments are to give you practice on the procedures and mechanics of the course, to give you insight into the conceptual aspects of the subject, to give you the opportunity to see how various parts of the course are related , and to allow you to experience the satisfaction of sticking with a problem to its resolution.  Therefore, in an effort to motivate you to approach these ideals, your homework will be graded.  Most days your homework will be graded for effort, other days it will be collected. Homework that is checked will be recorded in the on-line grade book as soon as possible. Parents should check the grade book as necessary for their student.

Homework may be turned in one day late with most assignments for partial credit, but all work steps must be shown.

NOTEBOOKS

You will need to keep a three-ring binder solely for math.  Your notebook will be graded near the end of each quarter on the basis of completeness and organization.  Your notebook should contain the following sections:

1. A vocabulary and formula section where key terms and definitions are listed along with important formulas and book notes.
2. A homework section which contains class notes, homework assignments, and an assignment sheet.  Every homework assignment is to be present, complete, and dated.  Worksheets should also be in with the homework assignments.  Day-to-day class notes and class work should be dated and kept in chronological order.  Your assignment sheet where the daily assignments are recorded and a grade sheet where test and quiz scores are recorded should also be kept in this section.
3. A test and quiz section containing all tests, quizzes, and projects in order by date.

EXAMS

You will be given a comprehensive midterm exam covering the material presented in the first half of the year. This exam will comprise of 10% of your final grade.  You will be given a comprehensive final exam, which will also comprise of 10% of your final grade.

MAKE-UP WORK

            If absent due to illness you are responsible for getting all missed notes from a fellow student.  Missed tests, quizzes, or homework assignments must be made up within two days of your return to school.  If for some reason you need more time to make up the missed work, you must see me within the two allotted days to make alternate arrangements.  Failure to make up the work or make alternate arrangements within the allotted time will result in a zero.    

            If absent due to a field trip missed work will not be accepted late for credit.  It is your responsibility to get the assignment ahead of time or call a fellow student.  If you miss a test, it should be made up the next day.

ITEMS NEEDED FOR CLASS

1. Notebook
2. Graphing Calculator
3. Ruler and Protractor
4. Graph Paper
5. Pencils
6. Compass

Failure to bring these items to class each day may result in a grade reduction for preparation.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

It is expected that every student will work diligently at mathematics by being attentive to all of the following:

• Wants to be challenged and is willing to struggle to overcome challenges.
• Maintains a positive attitude, even in the face of challenges.
• Is a self-learner.
• Works cooperatively with others.
• Participates in class.
• Completes homework.
• Studies regularly.
• Strives for self-improvement.
• Takes responsibility for getting extra help when needed.
• Expects the best from himself/herself. 

July 08