Geometry 2009-2010 Ms. Roth/P. 6
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Website: www.msroth.com
Email: sroth@piedmont.k12.ca.us Voicemail: 510.594.2626 x560

INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Geometry! We will be using Discovering Geometry (3rd Edition) by Michael Serra, a textbook that offers an innovative, hands-on approach to learning geometry. You will “learn by doing” (Serra), using the tools of geometry (compass, protractor, straightedge, and patty paper) to discover the properties of geometry. In cooperative groups, you will conduct geometry investigations, formulate conjectures (inductive reasoning), and gradually work up to proving your conjectures in formal proofs (deductive reasoning). This is a challenging and interesting course that will present you with many interesting real-life applications of geometry. I will do my best to help each and every student succeed in and enjoy this class.

For a course description, please refer to the attached PHS Geometry course outline.

SEMESTER GRADES ARE BASED ON:

Homework: 20%
Independent practice will help you master the concepts taught in class. Homework will be assigned every class and due at the beginning of the following class. It is to be done in pencil only. Homework problems will be corrected and discussed in class the day the work is due. Full credit will be given for an assignment if all problems were attempted, completed to the best of your ability, done in pencil, with all work shown, and corrected in ink in class. Late homework will receive ¾ credit, but will not be accepted after 3 days past the due date. Be careful: each missing homework assignment you have will lower your overall semester grade by about 0.5%.

Tests/Quizzes: 60%
Your understanding and mastery of the material taught in class will be assessed on written tests and quizzes. All assessments are “closed-book”. Scientific calculators are allowed, though all work must be shown.

Math Binder: 10%
Math binders will be collected at the end of each quarter. It will contain your warm ups, homework (which must have been corrected in ink), notes and investigations, definitions, handouts, a conjecture list (very important!), tests/quizzes, and binder/graph paper. The main purpose of the math binder is to help you stay organized and succeed in class.

Final Exam: 10%

Grading Scale
A+           97-100%                               C             73-76.9%
A             93-96.9%                              C-            70-72.9%
A-            90-92.9%                              D+           67-69.9%
B+           87-89.9%                              D             63-66.9%
B             83-86.9%                              D-            55-62.9%
B-            80-82.9%                              F              < 55%
C+           77-79.9%

Grading Program: Easy Grade Pro. All assignments and grades (homework, test/quiz, binder, final) will be available online using a student password that you will create. I update and upload grades on an almost daily basis. Due to space limitations, assignments are sometimes abbreviated, therefore not 100% reliable. Be sure to always write the assignment down in class. It will be posted on the board.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

Be prepared to learn. Bring your math binder (3-ring binder with 6 dividers, loose-leaf binder paper, and graph paper), supplies (pencil, eraser, pen, ruler, compass, small protractor, scientific calculator), and textbook to EVERY class. There will be checks for credit. Graphing calculators are not allowed in this class.
You will be issued 4 hall passes per quarter. If you choose not to use them all, you can apply 2 of the 4 passes to replace 1 missing homework assignment per quarter. Using 4 passes this way boosts your overall semester grade by approximately 1%.

Please be on time every day (5 tardies per quarter = U in citizenship). After the 5th tardy in a quarter, you will have to surrender one hall pass each time you are tardy.

No food or drinks (except bottled water) are allowed in class. Please eat before class.
Leave the classroom as clean as you found it. Be respectful of school property and others.
Follow all PHS school rules and adhere to PHS academic integrity policy (do your own work). Cheating will result in a ZERO grade on the assignment and parent notification. The incident will also be recorded in your school discipline file.
Raise your hand when volunteering answers or asking questions, listen attentively when others are speaking, and always ask if you don’t understand! Help others whenever you can.

ABSENCES
Avoid these at all costs! It is very hard to catch up after missing a math lesson. Please schedule appointments after school whenever possible. In the event of absence, it is your responsibility to get notes, handouts, and assignments from a homework buddy, me, and/or the website before the next class. If you miss a test or quiz, you must see me immediately upon your return to school.
If you are absent due to illness, you will be given a grace period equal to the length of absence to make up and turn in assignments. There is no grace period for pre-planned excused absences (appointments, field trips, sports, etc.). The assignment must be turned in on or before the due date.

Unexcused absences: make-up work will not be accepted and you will receive a zero on any missed tests or quizzes. 2 unexcused absences per quarter = U in citizenship. Be sure to clear absences within 3 days at the attendance office,before they turn into cuts.

EXTRA HELP

Students, please speak to me if you are struggling. I will do my best to support you! I am available for questions after school most days.
I strongly encourage you to come to Tutorial from 2:15-3:15 on G days if you need help.
If homework is a problem, I recommend using the hotmath.com website for assistance on textbook assignments (PHS password: ca35203ac). Hotmath.com offers hints and step-by-step solutions with explanations for all odd-numbered textbook problems.

Study with a classmate. Just make sure what you turn in truly represents your own work.. Please write down a couple of study buddies now:

Name _____________________ Phone __________________ Screen Name ___________________

HOW PARENTS/GUARDIANS CAN CONTACT ME
Email is my preferred method of communication. I care about my students and their success and respond quickly. If you need to meet with me personally, please schedule an appointment in advance. I am available during Classes 5 and 6.

I look forward to working with you this year!

Stephanie Roth