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Name ______Period ______Date ______

Pre-AP Geometry Homework -- Syllabus (Place this in your binder as your first Homework Grade.)

Mr. Fitch, Room 112 / Forest Middle School / 2013-2014 My Webpage: http://bedfordfms.sharpschool.net/our_staff/staff_listing/james_fitch/ Email: [email protected] FMS Website: http://bedfordfms.sharpschool.net/ FMS Phone: 434-525-6630

COURSE CONTENT Pre-AP Geometry is a fast-paced, advanced high school course with Geometry taught during the first 3 nine weeks and taught during the 4th nine weeks. Topics covered include tools of geometry, reasoning & proof, parallel & perpendicular lines, congruent triangles, relationships within triangles, polygons & quadrilaterals, similarity, right triangles, transformations, area, surface area, volume, circles, and trigonometry.

SUPPLY LIST:  Binder, 3-ring [Ok if this is included in a larger binder with other subjects.]  Loose-leaf paper  5-section dividers for binder (Warm-Up/Homework, Notes, Vocabulary/Construction, Classwork/Quizzes, Tests)  1 Composition Book (bound, Marble type; any color—not a spiral notebook)  Pencils / lead / erasers (All work will be done in pencil)  2 Dry-erase markers (collected and kept in the classroom; black is fine)  As needed for occasional use: Graph Paper / Colored Pencils / Highlighter  Optional: Box of Tissues, 4 AAA Batteries if using loaner

 Compass & Ruler [I highly recommend purchasing these from Forest Middle School. They will be available during the Open House and at the School Store. We have the Safe-T compass which I will use in my instruction. This is a lower cost/higher quality option compared to purchasing them elsewhere.]

CALCULATOR CONSIDERATIONS My instruction will focus on the TI-83+ . You likely used these in Algebra I. The TI- 83+ and TI-84+ are both approved for use during the Geometry SOL test. (They are also approved for the Algebra II, Earth , Biology, and SOL tests.)

This course does not actually require the full capabilities of a graphing calculator. A scientific calculator with trigonometry functions (buttons that say Sin, Cos, and Tan) is perfectly adequate. A popular model is the TI-30X IIS Solar Scientific calculator, readily available for approximately $15. No batteries required!

If you choose to not purchase a calculator, I have a supply of “loaner” TI-83+ for in-class use. The downside to this option is that they won’t be available outside of the classroom. If you choose this option, please donate 4 AAA batteries to help keep the calculators running.

TEXTBOOK For home use, the BCPS primary plan is to access our textbook online. The web address is www.pearsonsuccessnet.com. You will login with your student ID number (lunch number) for User Name and a password which I will provide during the first few weeks of school.

If you do not have internet access, you may check out a DVD copy of the textbook and supplementary materials. This requires a computer (not simply a DVD player or ) with a DVD drive (not simply a CD drive). This DVD will be returned to FMS at the close of the school year.

If none of the above is an option, you may check out an actual textbook to use at home until the close of the school year.

GRADING BCPS has transitioned to a 10-point grading scale (90 to 100% for an A, 80 to 90% for a B, and so on). There will be a lower emphasis (30% weighting) on the “formative” assignments that are used to learn the subject and a higher emphasis (70% weighting) placed on “summative” assessments at the end of a chapter or unit.

30% Formative (learning-in-progress). Examples include, but are not limited to:

Warm-Up: A timed, silent, focusing activity which will serve to review important material or to lay the groundwork for the day’s lesson. I will randomly collect these for a grade.

Homework: I assign homework almost daily, even on weekends. (Welcome to high school math.) This is truly where most of your personal learning will take place. After learning the basics in class, your own practice will lead to your “aha!” moments where you find a deeper level of understanding and confidence. Homework will be checked and graded for completion and effort. Solid homework effort produces increased success on quizzes and tests. Homework will count for 10% of your grade.

Classwork: Graded, in-class, assignments that cover the current material. You may use all resources—textbook, binder, journal—to complete these. I may occasionally allow you to finish these at home and return them the next day.

70% Summative (assess mastery of material). Examples include, but are not limited to:

Quizzes: I will give a quiz after we complete several sections in the textbook.

Mini-Quizzes: I will give periodic vocabulary quizzes and random pop quizzes. These are weighted half as much as a Quiz grade.

Tests: I will conclude each textbook chapter with a test study guide, a review, and a test. Tests are weighted twice as much as a Quiz grade.

Trigonometry Journal: We will fill in your marble composition book with trigonometry notes and assignments throughout the year. You will receive a Test grade on the journal at the end of the year.

Quarterly Assessments: At the end of 1st & 3rd Quarters. These will count as a Quiz grade.

Exams

Mid-Term & Final: Since Geometry is a high school credit class, we’ll take comprehensive exams at the end of 1st & 2nd Semester. These will count for 10% of each Semester grade. SOL (Virginia Standard of Learning): This is not included in my class grades, but is a separate part of your credit toward your high school diploma.

LATE WORK POLICY Students are expected to turn in all classwork and homework on the date the assignment is due. Students who turn work in after its due date but before the “zero day” will receive a maximum of 65%. After the “zero day,” the assignment earns a permanent grade of 0. For homework, the “zero day” is the actual due date. For classwork and similar assignments, the “zero day” will be the day of the summative assessment (quiz or test) to which the assignment is linked (or 2 days prior to the end of the nine weeks, whichever occurs first).

PARENT PORTAL To parents and guardians: The Bedford County website provides login information for Parent Portal, your online access to my gradebook.

EXTRA COACHING I reserve Thursday afternoons from 3:45 to 4:30 for you to seek additional help. You may also request to see me in the mornings (from 8:15 until HomeBase) or on other afternoons. I have posted a variety of online resources on my FMS webpage. Additionally, make full use of the SOL Support/Connections time period and visit the math teacher in your teacher rotation.

CLASSROOM RULES I am interested in teaming up with you toward your success, both as individuals and as a group. My desire is for you to be successful in Geometry class, in school, and in life. I intend for my classroom to be a safe environment for all of my students to learn, achieve, and thrive. Toward these goals, it is important that you adhere to the following classroom expectations:

 I will be seated, attentive, and prepared for class when the bell rings.  I will put forth my best effort.  I will follow directions the first time they are given.  I will show respect and courtesy for others by my speech and actions.

My FMS webpage contains a document titled “Classroom Conduct,” a detailed listing of specific rules and procedures. Please open and read this document.

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Pre-AP Geometry Homework (Cut and return this portion for a Homework Grade)

Name ______Period ______Date ______

Parent/Guardian: My student has discussed the syllabus and classroom rules with me. I understand them and will support them.

______Signature Date

Student: I have read the syllabus and classroom rules and understand them. I will honor them while in Mr. Fitch’s classroom.

______Signature Date