Advanced Math Topics Course Expectations

Ms. Pfaltzgraff

pfaltzgraffr@mdusd.k12.ca.us

http://pfaltzgraff1.tripod.com

 

Your purpose for being in school is to challenge yourself daily and to develop life-long learning skills and abilities that will benefit you on both an academic and personal level.  In order to reach your full potential it is essential to respect yourself and others both physically and verbally; to develop and nurture individual responsibility for your work, your actions, and your behaviors; and to fulfill the expectations of the class by providing positive results.

 

Course Description:

Advanced Math Topics is a course that addresses several advanced topics in preparation for Pre-Calculus and/or AP Statistics.  The first semester of this course is a study of advanced algebra topics.  These topics include logarithms, polynomials, sequences and series, matrices and determinants.  The second semester is an exploration of trigonometry and statistics.

 

Assignments and Notebook:

You will need your math book, assignment, notebook, pencil, and calculator every day.  Assignments will be given on a daily basis and you will be expected to come to class prepared.  We will go over assignments during class time and will address any questions that developed in working on the task.

Notebook:  You are required to have a 3-ring binder divided into the following sections:  Notes/Boosters, Homework, and Misc.  Each new lesson needs to be clearly marked with the date and the lesson number and should follow the pattern below.  Vocabulary and/or Boosters will be given on a daily basis.  Homework will be checked on a daily basis.

 

Date Lesson   Notes

Vocab/Booster

 

Chapter Folders:  Chapter folders will be collected at the end of each chapter on the day of the test.  The packets will be organized with assignments in order on one side and notes in order on the other side.  A chapter syllabus must be included in the folder.  Assignments and notes that are unreadable will not be graded.  The grading scale for each folder will be as follows:

Homework assignment	5 points each
Notes and Syllabus	2 points each
Folder organization	10 points

If you fail to bring your packet on the day of the test, you will lose 5 points per day it is late.

 

Attendance:

You are expected to attend each class in accordance with the attendance policy of the school.  If you are aware of a time that you will be absent, it is your responsibility to attain and complete the work for that day.  A chapter syllabus outlining the assignments, lessons, and tests will be available on the class website.  If  you are tardy to class, you will serve a lunch detention and will lose participation points. 

 

 

 

Assessments:

Each chapter will be assessed through a final chapter test and will be worth 100 points.  Quizzes will be administered throughout the chapter and will be worth 10-20 points.  In the event you miss a quiz, you will complete the quiz at study session or after school.  In the event you miss a chapter test, you will be expected to complete a cumulative test at the end of the quarter to replace the grade for the test.  Individual chapter test make-ups will not be administered.  If you know you will be absent on the day of a test, you should be prepared to take the test prior to your absence.

 

Participation Points:

Each student will be awarded 5 points on a daily basis for the following:

On time to class	1 point
On task in class	1 point
Homework completed	1 point
Use of appropriate academic language	1 point
In seat until dismissed	1 point

 

SSR and Study Session:

SSR is time for you to read for pleasure.  It is your responsibility to bring a book to class each day.  Study session is time for quiet, academic work.  It is your responsibility to bring appropriate materials to work for the entire study session period.  Student can lose participation points if SSR and study session are not used appropriately.  Students will be expected to write in response to their reading at the end of study session.  This will be part of our daily participation grade.

 

Grading Scale:

Quarter grades will be determined by an accumulation of points where homework will account for 20% of your grade and tests and quizzes will account for 80% of your grade.  The final semester grade will be calculated by using the first quarter grade (40%), second quarter grade (40%), and a final exam (20%).  If there are any questions concerning your grade, please do not hesitate to ask.

 

Progress Reports:

You will be expected to turn in a signed progress report after each chapter test.  The progress report must be signed by both parent and student.  Each progress report will be worth 5 points.  If a progress report is not turned in on time with both signatures, you will forfeit one point per day until it is turned in.

 

Extra Help:

I am available for help before school, throughout the day and after school.  Please speak with me if you are planning to come in for extra help, so that I have the opportunity to prepare!

 

Academic Honesty Policy:

The Academic Honesty Policy of the school will be strictly enforced.  Please remember to monitor your work, particularly when working with another student, as there is a difference between working together and copying.  All students involved in a dishonest situation will be accountable for their actions.