Syllabus
Precalculus Syllabus Caroline Cochrane-Braswell
Contact Info:
E-mail: caroline@newschoolva.com
Class Overview:
This class’ purpose is to prepare you for AP Calculus. As a result we will be covering functions, trigonometry, matrices, and if there is time we will have a brief introduction to limits and derivatives. All of these are important topics that will build a foundation for AP Calculus or a college level calculus class next year. The objective of this course is to make sure you are prepared for this future math class.
Focus Skills:
The focus skill for this class is problem solving.
Textbook:
This class will be using the textbook Precalculus: Graphical, Numerical, Algebraic. You will be assigned a textbook, please write your name in the book in addition to telling me your textbook number. The class will follow the textbook, although lessons will not be taken directly from the text itself. Homework assignments will come from the text.
Grading Policy:
You will receive grades on homework, quizzes and tests throughout the year. In addition, class participation will be taken into account. If you are very close to the next highest grade I will bump you up if you have been present, prepared, and an active member of the class.
Tests: 100 points each
Quizzes: 10 points each
Homework: 5 points each
Homework:
Homework will be due every Monday and Thursday (starting Sept. 10), unless otherwise specified. Assignments will be given out on the preceding Monday or Thursday (Monday for Thursday assignments, Thursday for Monday assignments). If I feel that a particular section in the homework was troublesome, I may assign additional practice problems.
Homework will be collected at the beginning of class on the due date and graded based on whether it has been completed and every problem requiring work has work shown. It will be graded out of five points for each assignment. You may turn in an assignment late, but it will lose a point each day it is late.
Homework Assignments for Quarter 1:
The date listed for each assignment is the date it is due. You will have a chance to ask questions before you turn in the assignment.
Prerequisite Chapter:
Sept. 10: p. 12 (#12, 14, 16, 18, 30, 48, 50-52); p. 20 (# 20, 21, 25, 43, 46)
Sept. 13: p. 29 (# 17, 23, 24, 36, 44, 46, 48); p. 40 (# 4, 8, 12, 22, 24, 25, 42)
Sept. 17 : p. 50 (# 2, 8, 14, 20, 40, 42, 50); p. 57 (# 2, 4, 10, 12, 22, 26, 38, 42)
Sept. 19 : Quiz
Sept. 20: p. 64 (# 4, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 34);
Sept. 24: p. 66 (# 5, 6, 14, 18, 24, 27, 40, 46, 54, 61, 66, 75, 78, 80)
Sept. 27 : Chapter Test
Chapter 1:
Oct. 1: p. 81 (# 6, 9, 10, 11-16, 34, 36); p. 102 (# 6, 8, 29, 32, 42, 44, 48, 50, 52);
Oct. 4: p. 113 (# 1-12, 13, 20, 21, 46, 50);
Oct. 8: p. 124 (# 2, 6, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 26, 40)
Oct. 10: Quiz
Oct. 11: p. 135 (# 2, 6, 10, 12, 14, 18, 23, 24, 28)
Oct. 15: p. 147 (# 4, 6, 8, 13, 14, 22, 28, 30, 40, 48); p. 160 (# 2, 5, 18, 22, 26, 33)
Oct. 22: p. 165 (# 1-10, 20, 34, 38, 40, 42, 44, 45, 48, 49, 50, 54, 55)
Oct. 25: Chapter Test
Quizzes:
Quizzes will be short and taken directly from homework assignments. They are meant to ascertain whether you understand the homework. Quizzes will be given every other week on Wednesdays.
Tests:
Tests will have questions similar to those given for homework and quizzes. Partial credit will be given if work is shown that demonstrates some understanding of the problem.
If you are absent the day before a test (review day) you do not have to take the test on the assigned test day, provided it is an excused absence. If you are absent the day of the test, you must talk to me, so that we can make arrangements for you to make it up.
Midterm and Final:
There will be a midterm and final for this class. The Midterm will cover all material from first semester; the final will cover all material from second semester only.
Portfolio Assignments:
For the midterm in the second quarter you will be reviewing as a class. Each student will be assigned a couple of sections to present to the class. Your lesson plans can be added to your portfolio as examples of mathematics.
Absences and Late Policy:
o If you are absent from class, you will be given hand-outs you missed, however, you will be missing valuable lesson time in class that cannot be made up.
o In accordance with the New School’s absence policy, if you miss 8 days of class you will be withdrawn.
o When you arrive late to class you are creating a distraction to others in the class in addition to missing valuable information that will be on the test. Please get to class on time; your lateness times are being added up.
Spirit of the Classroom:
Please remember that the spirit of the classroom applies to our daily interactions and routine in class. The spirit of the classroom is given below.
We should:
1. Guarantee the physical and psychological safety of each person.
2. Focus each person’s attention on the subject at hand.
3. Create a sense of fairness and fair play within the classroom.
4. Invite everyone’s participation.
5. Challenge ourselves and each other to think in new and different ways.
6. Recognize that the foundation of knowledge begins with what each person already knows and believes.
7. Relate clearly and meaningfully to the objectives, goals, and standards of the class.
8. Encourage the best in each person.
9. Respect the class’s sense of organization and coherence.
10. Speak up when we perceive behaviors that undermine a positive, active educational space.
Other Important Info:
• If you need help on an assignment please let me know as soon as possible; I am happy to help you as long as you take the initiative to ask.
• You may get help from other students in class if you are having difficulty, however, homework should be your own work. If your homework is a duplicate of someone else’s you will receive disciplinary measures.
• Please use pencil on all homework assignments, quizzes, and tests.
