Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus and Guidelines :  Syllabus Link 

Scroll Below for Full  Syllabus

Textbook:   Precalculus with Limits   A Graphing Approach   Larson & Hostetler   3rd edition

Other Resources:     We will be incorporating online resources from Khan Academy, DeltaMath,  and Albert as the year unfolds.  Instructions for logging in to each of these is on your class Canvas page in the How To page.  

Calculators:  An app for a free TI 84 calculator is available on the chrome webstore:  TI-84 Plus CE App 

If you plan to take AP Calculus next year, you may wish to consider getting a graphing calculator now.  TI-84, or  TI – 89 Calculator are recommended.

Need Help ?  I am usually available to help most mornings before school  (8:00 - 8:20) and after school (3:30 - 3:50).   Please ask if you cannot come early and I will be happy to work something out for after school

Pre-Calculus  Course Guidelines & Syllabus

Parkwood High School 

2020 - 2021

 

  Class Policies  

  •  Attendance is critical in a class of this level.  If for some reason you miss a class and it is an excused absence, see me as soon as possible to discuss any work you missed.  School policy allows you only two days after each excused absence to turn in missed work.  Late work may be turned in the day after it is assigned for a maximum of 75% of its value.
  •  Academic dishonesty carries severe consequences, and has resulted in students failing this class in the past. Progress reports will be sent out in the middle of each six weeks to be signed and returned.
  •  All work MUST be shown!   Answers only will NOT be accepted.
  • Class preparation is essential and expected. Extra help is available most mornings between 7:50 - 8:10.  Please check with me in advance and I will adjust my schedule as much as possible to assist you.

  Grading Policy  

Assignments   30 %               Quizzes  30 %             Tests  40 %                                     

  • GRADING SCALES are APPROXIMATE.  They have been changed from the typical percentages (in which tests were 60%)  because of the challenges associated with remote learning.   The weighting of grades might change in the future.  Every effort is being made to keep this fair to students and to reward effort and learning.                           
  •  You will find that most of your work for this class will be in the form of homework.  I will assign daily homework and expect you to do your best on each assignment.
  • Projects will be graded as tests unless otherwise noted.
  • Projects may be assigned each six weeks.  These will count as test grades.
  • Work turned in the day after the deadline will receive a MAXIMUM of 75% of the earned grade.

 

  Remote Learning  

Learning from home has it’s advantages and disadvantages.  There are some things you can do to help yourself make the most of this experience.

  • Check school email daily (at a minimum).
  • Check into your class Canvas course daily.
  • Join your classes remotely during class hours (unless there are extenuating circumstances)
  • Most of your assignments are not all set up to be submitted through canvas, so just clicking on the assignment tab won’t tell you what you need to do.   Please check the Assignment Central button/page for the day’s lesson.  
  • Stay current with your assignments.   Your brain absorbs and retains smaller chunks of material learned over several days better than it does one massive chunk all at once. 
  • Keep to traditional school hours as much as possible.   Routine is good for your mental health!  Also, your teacher cannot always help you at 11 pm when you decide to look at the day’s assignments and discover that you are confused.  
  • Get to sleep on time.  Your brain needs sleep to be able to move new information into working memory.  A lack of sleep impedes memory and your ability to learn new skills.  Also, you make more mistakes when you try to work late at night.  
  • Communication will be key to getting through this successfully.  Let me know about any problems you may have with assignments, technology, internet connectivity, etc.

 

  Course Materials  

  • Text: Precalculus with Limits   A Graphing Approach   Larson & Hostetler
  • Calculators:  Students are assigned a graphing calculator for class use (TI 84).  It would be helpful to have a scientific calculator at home to help with homework (TI 30 series are inexpensive and work for most all things.)  If you plan to take AP Calculus next year, you may wish to consider getting a graphing calculator now.        TI-84, or  TI – 89 Calculator are recommended.
  • We will be incorporating online resources from the Khan Academy, DeltaMath and Albert as the year unfolds.  Instructions for logging in to each of these is on your class Canvas page in the How To page. 

  Course Philosophy  

Pre-Calculus provides students an honors-level study of trigonometry, advanced functions, analytic geometry, and data analysis in preparation for Calculus. Applications and modeling should be included throughout the course of study. Appropriate technology, from manipulatives to calculators and application software, should be used regularly for instruction and assessment. 

Honors Mathematics courses are intended to be more challenging than standard courses and provide multiple opportunities for students to take greater responsibility for their learning. Honors Mathematics courses should be distinguished by a difference in the quality of the work expected rather than merely by the quantity of the work required.  Honors Mathematics courses are designed for students who have demonstrated an advanced level of interest and achievement in mathematics. The rationale for honors courses is not to provide a means to attract students to enroll in classes for additional credit, but rather to offer challenging, higher level courses for students who aspire to an advanced level of learning. Furthermore, students and parents should be informed that Honors Mathematics courses are more demanding and have requirements beyond those of standard Mathematics courses.

 

  Course Objectives  

PreCalculus  is an Honors level course meant to prepare you for College level Calculus.  Additionally, topics included on the ACT and SAT are covered throughout the course.

Unit 1: ACT Prep

Unit 2: Review of Parent Functions & Key Features (from Math 1 -3)

Unit 3: Extending Polynomial & Rational Functions

Unit 4: Composition & Inverse Functions

Unit 5: Exponential & Logarithmic Functions

Unit 6: Trigonometry

Unit 7: Parametric Equations

 

  Course Exam  

There is no state exam for PreCalculus this year.   Students will take a teacher made exam at the end.

 

  How to Contact Me  

email:   cheryl.brightsen@ucps.k12.nc.us

phone:  (704)764. 2900

Course Summary:

Date Details Due