Guntersville High School

Geometry Syllabus

2008-2009

Teacher:  Mrs. Kate White

E-mail:  katewhite@gcboe.net

School Phone Number:  256-582-2046

Course Website:  http://teachers.guntersvilleboe.com/katewhite/

I.          TEXT 

Larson, Boswell, and Dtiff, (2004).  Geometry:  Reasoning, measuring, and applying.  McDougal Little:  Evanston, IL.  (Provided)

A textbook will be assigned to students to keep at home for homework.  A classroom textbook will be available at school each day.

II.        COURSE DESCRIPTION

Geometry is a mathematics class dealing with shapes, area, volume, angle measure, and reasoning skills.  Geometry is a class used to cultivate the logical thinking skills of the students.  This course will consist of lectures, classwork, homework, and projects that comprehensively discuss topics related to geometry.  The text course objectives seek to comply with the standards presented on the Alabama High School Graduation Exam.

III.       MATERIALS REQUIRED

      1” 3-ring binder with paper

      Pencil

      Calculator (4-function with square root button)

IV.       GRADING SYSTEM

Grades are determined on a cumulative point system.  At the end of the nine weeks, the total number of points is divided by the total points possible.  The resulting percentage is the students’ grade for that grading period.  Grades include:  (1) mid-chapter and chapter tests, (2) pop quizzes, (3) projects, (4) homework, and (5) classwork.  Pop quizzes may be announced or unannounced.  If unannounced, the quiz will cover the homework material from the previous day or two.

V.        MAKE-UP WORK

All make-up work can be found on the course website under “Geometry HW” or “Basic Geo HW.”  The student has the responsibility to get their make-up work from the website, complete it, and turn it in.  Students should get notes missed from a classmate.

An absence on the day prior to a test shall not excuse students from tests or quizzes.  No makeup tests are given for unexcused absences, nor will any other assignments be accepted.  Only work missed for excused absences can be made up. 

 The teacher will not give any make-up work to a student who has not provided a blue slip indicating an excused absence.  Within two days of a student’s return to class, he/she should show a blue slip.  Following the handbook guidelines, all make-up work except tests must be completed within five days of the student’s return to class.

 Participation in a school activity that necessitates missing class is NOT considered a school absence; therefore, there is no five day period allowed for making up work.  Students are expected to be prepared immediately upon returning to class.  Thus, it is crucial that prior to absence for participation in school activities, a student should see the teacher to make arrangements for work missed.

 VI.       MAKE-UP TEST GRADES

 It is the responsibility of students to find out about missed tests because the teacher will NOT remind students of missed work.  A grade of zero is assigned for a test or quiz not taken in class until the test is made up.  Students may expect make-up tests to be different from the original test.

 If a student misses a test and several days prior to the test:  During break or the last ten minutes of class, the student must schedule a time with the teacher to make up a test.  Tests cannot be made up during class time. 

VII.     MAKE-UP POP QUIZZES

A pop quiz or daily grade is not made up for anyone, regardless of absence excuse.  The student will be assigned a zero for pop quizzes during absences; if the absence is excused, the zero may be dropped at the discretion of the teacher.

VIII.    CLASSROOM RULES

1.  Be in your seat and begin “Bell Work” as soon as the bell rings to begin class.

2.  Be prepared and on time.

3.  Raise your hand before speaking.

4.  Stay in your assigned seat at all times unless given permission to get up.

5.  Respect yourself and others at all times.