Overview of the Class
Geometry is the study of visual patterns. The emphasis in this course will be on understanding the patterns of geometric concepts such as symmetry, shape, congruence, measurement, area, volume, and similarity. It will also be important to interpret and communicate the results of geometric investigations. In other words, you will be asked to read carefully, write well, and make careful drawings in addition to doing math. Geometry is a two semester course.
Materials and Important Information
Each student is required to bring the following materials to class each day:
- Calculator(Scientific calculator required)
- 3-Ring Notebook
- Writing Utensils
- Ruler (marked in both centimeters and inches)
- Protractor
- 3-Ring Binder
Students may purchase a ruler, protractor, and compass from the teacher for $2.00.
Textbook
Discovering Geometry (2003)
Topics(approx. number of weeks)
Building Blocks of Geometry (3)
Tools of Geometry (3)
Triangles and Other Polygons (4+)
Transformations, Symmetry, and Circles (3)
Area (3)
Pythagorean Theorem (2)
Volume (3)
Similarity (3)
Geometric Modeling (4+)
Final Project (2+)
Assignments
There will be homework in the form of reading and note taking, problems, projects, and/or the need to study for a test or quiz nearly every day. Answers should not merilly be one word or number. They should be presented in the context of the problem being solved. Tables and graphs should be labeled completely and given appropriate scales. Mathematical work should be demonstrated wherever possible - define the inputs and formulas used, show the substitutions, and give the answer and its meaning. Geometric figures should be drawn carefully so that important details are apparent. Unless you are given instructions to the contrary, all work is due at the beginning of the period on Friday.
Your Notebook
Student work will be kept in a 3 ring-binder; this binder is a record of your learning. It will include your notes on the reading and your solutions to the exercises and problems assigned, and any handouts. Part of learning any new material well is developing a detailed understanding of new vocabulary and fundamental concepts. You are expected to be able to define and discuss terms and concepts of mathematics and relate them to the rest of our work. Notes taken in class are also important entries. Binders will be checked and graded periodically. This needs to be a binder for mathematics.
Participation
Since mathematics is learned by doing and not just watching, participation in class discussions and activities will be an important part of the overall grade. On the path to understanding, enlightened, thoughtful, and probing questions is just as valuable as the ability to answer the questions - Grasshopper.
Projects
Testing is not the only wasy to demonstrate understanding. In addition to testing, projects are an important tool for measure learning. Projects will be assigned which may take one or several days to complete. Projects may sometimes be done in groups. When a project is assigned, details including due date and grading criteria will be given. Projects are an important part of the course. They often give students a chance to understand how the mathematics they are learning is connected to the real world. They also provide students with important opportunities in problem solving. In the grading system projects can be worth as much as a test.
Tests & Quizzes & CAPs
Tests are usually given at the end of each unit. There are usually 2 days of review to prepare for tests. These unit tests are designed for one class period. Quizzes will be given also. Their primary purpose to inform the teacher how well students understand the material. Quizzes are less comprehensive than tests. If a student is absent the day of a quiz, the quiz usually does not need to be made up. The lack of score on a quiz will not affect a student's overall grade. Most quizzes will be "made up" on the subsequent unit test.
Collected and Assessed Problems (CAPs) are similar to quizzes except that they may extend over more than one class period. Students are expected to work on CAPs outside of class.
Students will be allowed to submit an annotated version of a test with detailed solutions, analysis of errors, and comments about what has been learned. Annotated tests will be returned within two weeks of the original test. A similar annotations will be accepted for quizzes and CAPs.
There will be semester and year-end finals. All students are required to take the finals except for graduating seniors in the spring semester.