Syllabus - Houston Independent School District



Course Description:

This is a prerequisite course for calculus which revisits and expands upon many of the topics introduced in Advanced Algebra and Algebra 2. Attention is given to the understanding of concepts and the application of those concepts. The course also provides an introduction to core topics in calculus.

More specifically, this course examines the number systems of elementary mathematics and the study of elementary, trigonometric, circular, and inverse functions. Basic content comprises the algebra of real numbers, polynomials, analytic geometry, exponential and logarithmic functions. Sequences, series, limits, complex numbers, the conic sections, and an introduction to Calculus will also be covered. Additional topics may be included as time permits.

Textbook: Sullivan PreCalculus Fourth Edition Texas – Enhanced with Graphing Utilities.

Materials:

1) Each student should have notebook paper along with a binder to organize all returned papers.

2) Graph paper (either 4 or 5 squares per inch) is a necessary DAILY supply. If you don’t wish to purchase graph paper, you can create and print graph paper. One online resource is at .

3) Students should always bring a pencil to class. Many students find colored pencils/pens and highlighters to be helpful in PreCalculus, but they are not required.

4) Students will be assigned a numbered TI-84 graphing calculator for use in the classroom, when appropriate. Personal graphing calculators should be left at home (unless needed for another class). Purchasing a graphing calculator for home use is optional, but encouraged to build the necessary skills for future math classes. Work assigned as homework will REQUIRE a graphing calculator sometimes.

5) Donations of facial tissue/Kleenex or hand sanitizer are greatly appreciated.

Grading Procedures:

TESTS & PROJECTS 50%

QUIZZES 40%

HOMEWORK 10%

TESTS: At least 2 per cycle. End of Cycle Tests (CAT) will be comprehensive.

QUIZZES: Approximately 3 – 4 per cycle.

HOMEWORK: Assignments are due daily. Homework is graded on effort and percent of work completed, not necessarily on correct answers. Work must be shown for each problem.

Students should use the cycle lesson/assessment plan distributed at the beginning of each grading cycle to plan their course studies. Homework assignments should be worked in advance of the due date and practice for scheduled assessments should be part of the daily routine.

School’s Grading Policy is as follows:

• If a homework assignment is not turned in on the due date, that assignment may be turned in to the teacher by the beginning of the next class meeting; the grade received will be no higher than a 70%. If the assignment is not turned in on the next meeting day, the grade remains a zero.

• No retakes are allowed for quizzes and the End of Cycle Test (CAT). If a student receives a failing grade on Test 1in a cycle, he/she may request an opportunity to re-take that test. That request must be made in writing to the teacher during the class on the day that the student receives the graded test. Cancellation of the request made must be done 24 hours in advance of the test date with the teacher. If not, the zero is given in the result of not showing up to take the Retake Test.

• The retake final assignment grade will be an average of the two scores, the original and the retake, unless the average is higher than a 70. If the average is higher than a 70, the grade defaults to a 70. The highest grade a student can receive on the final assignment or test is a 70%.

• The Retake Test or class assignment must be completed within two school days of receiving the grade.

• Retake opportunities must be scheduled outside the regular class time. Before school and after school (Mon – Thurs.) are options.

Progress Reports:

Approximately every three weeks, each student will receive a grade, either a progress report or a report card, to be signed by the parents and returned the next day. Grades will also be posted on Gradespeed.

Calculator:

TI 84 Plus will be used in class. I would like each student to buy a calculator (TI 84 Silver Edition) as it will be required for homework and for their college courses too. If a student is having any difficulty in this matter it should be brought to my notice. I will issue a calculator to such students. They will be responsible to return it to me at the end of the semester in good working condition. Students are responsible to bring the calculator for each class. This would help in saving time for distributing of calculators to students for each class and that time can be used for instructional purpose.

Returning graded assignments:

Exams and quizzes will be graded and returned to students within two class periods from the time of administration. Parents are requested to monitor the progress of their child through these graded assignments and contact me immediately if there are questions or concerns.

End of Cycle Test (CAT) and Retake Test 1 will not be released to the students. CAT will be reviewed in class, and students will have the opportunity to review it during morning tutorials, lunch time or after school with prior appointment. RT1 can be also review during after school tutorial by appointment.

Tutoring/Extra Help:

Students will have opportunities to attend tutorials outside of the school day including after school (3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.). Details will be announced in class.

Student Keys to Success:

• Paying full attention in class, taking good notes and reviewing them daily

• Daily practice of previously learned concepts and working on a regular basis to learn new concepts

• Working on homework assignments seriously and being prepared to ask specific questions when the homework is reviewed in class

• Reviewing all quizzes and homework problems before an exam and making sure that these problems can be worked successfully without assistance

Projected Scope and Sequence for PreCalculus:

The following topics will be taught in the Geometry Course. Detailed, day-to-day lesson sheets will be given to the students at the beginning of each grading cycle. The information in this scope and sequence and in the day-to-day lesson sheets is projected information and subject to change without previous notice.

Chapter 1: Graphs

Chapter 2: Functions and Their Graphs

Chapter 3: Polynomial and Rational Functions

Chapter 4: Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

Chapter 5: Trigonometric Functions

Chapter 6: Analytic Trigonometry

Chapter 7: Applications of Trigonometric Functions

Chapter 8: Polar Coordinates and Vectors

Chapter 9: Analytic Geometry

Chapter 10: Systems of Equations and Inequalities

Chapter 11: Sequences; Induction; the Binomial Theorem

Chapter 12: Counting and Probability

Please complete this form and return it to Mrs. Nguyen at the beginning of the next class meeting.

Note to Parents:

Your signature below acknowledges your receipt of the syllabus for Mrs. Nguyen’s PreCalculus class. Please sign in the appropriate space below. If you have any questions about its contents, please contact Mrs. Nguyen. One method of contact is to call the school at 713-741-2410 and leave a contact phone number for her to return your call. Every effort will be made to return your call as quickly as possible. The preferred method of contact is to send an email to gnguyen@. It is the preferred method since email is more readily available than a phone.

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