12th Grade Math 4 Syllabus (scroll to the bottom for a downloadable copy)
Instructor:
Kris Bunce
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (760) 759-2740
Location: HTHNC Room 109
Office Hours: By Appointment
Essential Questions:
1. Why study mathematics? What is its relevance to life?
2. How can we build learning methods that prepare us for life and tests, like college entrance exams?
3. What can economics teach us about our motivations and vice versa?
Goals of the Course:
The goals of this course are to explore the foundations of mathematics, to mimic problem solving in industry, to challenge oneself and fellow classmates, to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills, and to better prepare them for college math and science courses. My hope is that by investigating, discussing, reading, and writing about the work they do they will be able to generalize equations and be able to do the highest levels of critical thinking. Throughout the year we will also get a glimpse of such topics as statistics, probability, number theory, linear algebra, differential equations, and even basic principles of economics.
This course is all about stimulating our brains while building knowledge in a team environment.
Homework:
Homework assignments will be given every Monday and are due the following Monday (Sunday at 11:59 pm for work on Aleks) unless otherwise specified. Students should be doing a minimum of 3 hours of homework per week; honors students should expect 4-5 hours minimum. This equates to about 20 Aleks topics (25 for honors). Remember this is a minimum and students are encouraged to do as much Math as they need to feel confident with the material we are covering. I would recommend honors students to plan for 5 to 7 hours per week, especially if they know that their math skills need improvement. Students need to prepare for college classes where each class may require 10+ hours of study per week.
Late Work:
Late work for credit is not fair to the students that work hard to get it in on time and is a logistical problem for instructors, so only assignments turned in on time will be graded. Homework that is not Aleks topics will be posted on www.edmodo.com. Deadlines may be extended with a good excuse if the excuse is given at least 24 hours before the deadline. Test/quizzes are scheduled for every Monday, if a student knows they will miss a test/quiz it is the student’s responsibility to schedule to take the test/quiz at least 24 hours before the time of the test/quiz. Only excused absences automatically extend the assignment deadline or test/quiz day until the next class period; however, if you miss a class (excused absence) you must email me to request the work you missed or reschedule a test/quiz.
Additional note on tardies:
I often grade the warmup problem that is done within the first 5-10 minutes of class. If a student comes late (unexcused tardy) or misses the class (unexcused absence) he/she cannot receive credit for that work.
Grading:
30% Assessments
15% Project Work
30% Homework
25% In Class Assignments/Labs
Assessment:
Grades are earned by completing assignments in a timely manner. Letter grades are assigned according to following percentages:
100% to 97% A+, 96% to 93% A, 92% to 90% A-
89% to 87 B+, 86% to 83% B, 82% to 80% B-
79% to 77 C+, 76% to 73% C, 72% to 70% C-
69% or less F
An assessment (quiz, test, or Aleks assessment) will be given every Monday.
Quiz Corrections (for written quizzes):
Quiz corrections may be done to make up half of the lost points on a written quiz. The key for the quiz will be posted once every student has taken the quiz. Students must follow these instructions exactly to get credit. The procedure for quiz corrections is as follows:
1. Students must correct every problem that they did not receive full credit on (except extra credit problems). Honors students must also correct honors/challenge problems that they did not get full credit on.
2. On a separate sheet of paper, write (in words) why you got the problem wrong.
3. Under that explanation, write another problem that is similar to the quiz problem but not exactly the same and solve it.
4. Show all of your work and your answer for this new solution.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 for each problem that needs to be corrected.
6. Staple this new sheet to your quiz and turn it in on time.
Note: this is a points or no points thing. Either the student can make up half the missed points (if the above procedure is followed) or none (the procedure is not followed).
12th Grade Math Class Expectations:
The following rules and procedures reflect a consensus of standards that the instructor and class have collaborated on (to be filled in after brainstorming with the classes).
Classroom Norms:
Respect
Kind
Listening/Accepting new ideas
Hands to yourself
Share the air (try not to talk over each other)
Honesty
Maturity
Tolerance
Accepting people for who they are
Working together/persevere (one big team)
Respecting each other's abilities
Jokes (nonoffensive)!
Team (Community)
Peace and Love
Do your part
Help each other
Be positive
Let go (sometimes)
You're in this together
Professional
High quality work
Stay classy San Marcos
Look at how you carry yourself
Diet (capped drinks, no food)
Act like a professional
Be consistent
Professional Language
Classroom Distractions:
In order to have a distraction-free workspace, ipods, ipads, cell phones, food, and drinks (except containers with caps) will not be allowed.
Pencil sharpening is allowed (except during assessments).
Music may be played on a laptop in the classroom through earbuds.
Bathroom breaks are allowed with permission from the instructor, and only one person may go at a time.
Trips to student's cars during school hours are not allowed, so students must bring all necessary materials at the beginning of school.
Authentic Work:
To receive credit, all assignments, tests, and quizzes must:
1. Be turned in on time
2. Be composed of one’s own effort
3. Show all work necessary to complete every problem
4. Be legible
5. Have one’s name on it
Work suspected to be nonauthentic will be tested by an oral quiz given to the student. If the work is still suspect no credit will be given on the work, and further action may be taken.
Dress Code:
Unless extenuating circumstances arise, the dress code applies. See the student handbook for more information.
I am excited about this semester. It is going to be a crazy, fun, math train ride!
Note: all the above is subject to change as the semester progresses.
Instructor:
Kris Bunce
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (760) 759-2740
Location: HTHNC Room 109
Office Hours: By Appointment
Essential Questions:
1. Why study mathematics? What is its relevance to life?
2. How can we build learning methods that prepare us for life and tests, like college entrance exams?
3. What can economics teach us about our motivations and vice versa?
Goals of the Course:
The goals of this course are to explore the foundations of mathematics, to mimic problem solving in industry, to challenge oneself and fellow classmates, to develop problem solving and critical thinking skills, and to better prepare them for college math and science courses. My hope is that by investigating, discussing, reading, and writing about the work they do they will be able to generalize equations and be able to do the highest levels of critical thinking. Throughout the year we will also get a glimpse of such topics as statistics, probability, number theory, linear algebra, differential equations, and even basic principles of economics.
This course is all about stimulating our brains while building knowledge in a team environment.
Homework:
Homework assignments will be given every Monday and are due the following Monday (Sunday at 11:59 pm for work on Aleks) unless otherwise specified. Students should be doing a minimum of 3 hours of homework per week; honors students should expect 4-5 hours minimum. This equates to about 20 Aleks topics (25 for honors). Remember this is a minimum and students are encouraged to do as much Math as they need to feel confident with the material we are covering. I would recommend honors students to plan for 5 to 7 hours per week, especially if they know that their math skills need improvement. Students need to prepare for college classes where each class may require 10+ hours of study per week.
Late Work:
Late work for credit is not fair to the students that work hard to get it in on time and is a logistical problem for instructors, so only assignments turned in on time will be graded. Homework that is not Aleks topics will be posted on www.edmodo.com. Deadlines may be extended with a good excuse if the excuse is given at least 24 hours before the deadline. Test/quizzes are scheduled for every Monday, if a student knows they will miss a test/quiz it is the student’s responsibility to schedule to take the test/quiz at least 24 hours before the time of the test/quiz. Only excused absences automatically extend the assignment deadline or test/quiz day until the next class period; however, if you miss a class (excused absence) you must email me to request the work you missed or reschedule a test/quiz.
Additional note on tardies:
I often grade the warmup problem that is done within the first 5-10 minutes of class. If a student comes late (unexcused tardy) or misses the class (unexcused absence) he/she cannot receive credit for that work.
Grading:
30% Assessments
15% Project Work
30% Homework
25% In Class Assignments/Labs
Assessment:
Grades are earned by completing assignments in a timely manner. Letter grades are assigned according to following percentages:
100% to 97% A+, 96% to 93% A, 92% to 90% A-
89% to 87 B+, 86% to 83% B, 82% to 80% B-
79% to 77 C+, 76% to 73% C, 72% to 70% C-
69% or less F
An assessment (quiz, test, or Aleks assessment) will be given every Monday.
Quiz Corrections (for written quizzes):
Quiz corrections may be done to make up half of the lost points on a written quiz. The key for the quiz will be posted once every student has taken the quiz. Students must follow these instructions exactly to get credit. The procedure for quiz corrections is as follows:
1. Students must correct every problem that they did not receive full credit on (except extra credit problems). Honors students must also correct honors/challenge problems that they did not get full credit on.
2. On a separate sheet of paper, write (in words) why you got the problem wrong.
3. Under that explanation, write another problem that is similar to the quiz problem but not exactly the same and solve it.
4. Show all of your work and your answer for this new solution.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 for each problem that needs to be corrected.
6. Staple this new sheet to your quiz and turn it in on time.
Note: this is a points or no points thing. Either the student can make up half the missed points (if the above procedure is followed) or none (the procedure is not followed).
12th Grade Math Class Expectations:
The following rules and procedures reflect a consensus of standards that the instructor and class have collaborated on (to be filled in after brainstorming with the classes).
Classroom Norms:
Respect
Kind
Listening/Accepting new ideas
Hands to yourself
- Respect other people's stuff
- No rough housing, horseplay, etc.
Share the air (try not to talk over each other)
Honesty
Maturity
Tolerance
Accepting people for who they are
Working together/persevere (one big team)
Respecting each other's abilities
Jokes (nonoffensive)!
Team (Community)
Peace and Love
Do your part
Help each other
Be positive
Let go (sometimes)
You're in this together
Professional
High quality work
Stay classy San Marcos
Look at how you carry yourself
Diet (capped drinks, no food)
Act like a professional
Be consistent
Professional Language
Classroom Distractions:
In order to have a distraction-free workspace, ipods, ipads, cell phones, food, and drinks (except containers with caps) will not be allowed.
Pencil sharpening is allowed (except during assessments).
Music may be played on a laptop in the classroom through earbuds.
Bathroom breaks are allowed with permission from the instructor, and only one person may go at a time.
Trips to student's cars during school hours are not allowed, so students must bring all necessary materials at the beginning of school.
Authentic Work:
To receive credit, all assignments, tests, and quizzes must:
1. Be turned in on time
2. Be composed of one’s own effort
3. Show all work necessary to complete every problem
4. Be legible
5. Have one’s name on it
Work suspected to be nonauthentic will be tested by an oral quiz given to the student. If the work is still suspect no credit will be given on the work, and further action may be taken.
Dress Code:
Unless extenuating circumstances arise, the dress code applies. See the student handbook for more information.
I am excited about this semester. It is going to be a crazy, fun, math train ride!
Note: all the above is subject to change as the semester progresses.
math_syllabus_spring_2012.doc | |
File Size: | 27 kb |
File Type: | doc |
math_syllabus_signature_sheet.doc | |
File Size: | 25 kb |
File Type: | doc |