2014 - 2015

Instructor: Mr. Cook (305) 257-4500 cook24@dadeschools.net

Advanced Math Topics in Mathematics Course Syllabus

Purpose of the Course  Advanced Math Topics is a course for students who want to expand their knowledge of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, probability/statistics, logical reasoning and discrete mathematics. In order to ensure your success in the classroom, I have outlined certain behavioral and academic rules that must be followed:

 

• Arrive to class on time.• Be seated in your assigned seat (no sitting elsewhere

without permission).• Students must be in uniform.

• Be prepared to learn. Have materials and textbook ready.

• Desks need to be clear from book bags and clothing.• Be focused. Heads are up (no sleeping in class).• There will be no off-task talking.• You must have a pass to exit the classroom.• Raise your hand and wait to be called on.• Be respectful of others in the class.• Abstain from profanity in the classroom.• Keep your cell phone off and in your purse or book

bag (out of sight, out of mind).• No use of IPads and laptops without permission from

the instructor.

• This is a math class, not a beautician class.• Ask for help when you need it.• Engage and participate in classroom discussions,

activities, and projects when appropriate.• Work at your fullest potential.• In the case of absence, the student is responsible for

getting his/her notes.• An excused absence is the only ticket for making

up a test or quiz.• No food, which includes gum, is allowed in the

classroom.• Only bottled water is permissible in the classroom.

The academic requirements are as follows: I. Classroom Supplies • Pencils• Ruled notebook paper• Graphing paper• Straight-edge or ruler (6” or 12” is preferred)• A TI – 83 or 84 series graphing calculator. We have TI –

84 graphing calculators for classroom use only. A student ID must be submitted in exchange for borrowing a class calculator.

All students are required to have a graphing calculator with statistical capabilities. Those who do not have a calculator may borrow one provided by the school for class work use.

I. Homework: Homework is the “practice” which prepares us for the “big game” (test).  

• All homework is due at the start of the next class session.

• A deadline will be posted for the gizmos.• Completing all homework assignments with an “A” grade,

as well as completing all gizmos, will qualify the student to have his/her lowest quiz grade exempted at the completion of the grading period.

• In order to receive full credit for a homework assignment, the student must: 

a) Have all written work neat and legible. All work must have a proper heading which includes the assignment pages and problem numbers, your full name, date due, and period, in the upper right-hand corner.

b) Copy the problems completely as they appear in the text.c) Show all work next to or beneath the problem. Each step

must be shown in a neat and orderly fashion written in pencil only. The answer must be squared in.

d) Complete the entire assignment. Any missing problems will be counted against the homework grade for that assignment.

a) Failure to do an assignment or make-up missing assignments will result in a “Z”.

b) There is no make-up for uncompleted or missing homework.

Participation • Have materials and textbook ready.• Desks need to be clear from book bags and clothing.• Be focused. Heads are up (no sleeping in class).• No off-task talking.• Engage and participate in classroom discussions, activities,

and projects when appropriate. This includes note-taking.

Quizzes • Quizzes will be given often. Expect a daily quiz.• All cell phones and book bags will be placed at a

designated location of the classroom prior to the quiz. • There will be no make-up quizzes for unexcused tardies.

Tests  • There will be many exams in this class. • All cell phones and book bags will be placed at a

designated location of the classroom prior to the test. • A random seating arrangement will be designated

with each test. • There will not be a review day prior to the exam.

Every day is review day.• You may not use notes.• All work must be shown step by step.• If you don’t finish the exam, the problems finished

will be graded or you will start a different exam if you are called to leave school.

• There will be no make-up tests for unexcused tardies.

Tests (continued) • There will be an open notebook accumulative final

every quarter.• The key to success in math: Practice, Practice,

Practice!

% GPA % GPA % GPA100 4.5   84 2.9   69 1.4

99 4.4   83 2.8   68 1.4

98 4.4   82 2.7   67 1.3

97 4.4   81 2.6   66 1.3

96 4.3   80 2.5   65 1.3

95 4.3   79 2.4   64 1.2

94 4.2   78 2.3   63 1.2

93 4.2   77 2.2   62 1.2

92 4.1   76 2.1   61 1.1

91 4.1   75 2   60 1.0

90 4   74 1.9   59 0.9

89 3.4   73 1.8   58 0.8

88 3.3   72 1.7   57 0.7

87 3.2   71 1.6   56 0.6

86 3.1   70 1.5   55 0.5

85 3            

Test Conversion from Percentage to GPA

Bonus Points: Students will have opportunities to bank bonus points to add to their test scores. • Bonus points will be immediately used to bump the student to

no more than one grade higher from the true score on any test or quiz;

• Bonus points will not be used for any test or quiz already completed when the student did not have the points needed to change the score.

• Bonus points will roll over to the next grading period.• Any student who completes the quarter with zero unexcused

tardies will be rewarded with 5 bonus points to carry into the next grading period.

• Each unused classroom break will each carry 1 bonus points into the next grading period.

• Each classroom break beyond 6 will result in a loss of one bonus point.

Wall of Fame: Any student who correctly answers all the problems on a test will be inducted into the “Wall of Fame”. • The recipient is awarded a certificate and his/her

name will be placed on the bulletin board for all to see throughout the school year.

• A student may earn more than one certificate.• Tests must be taken in my classroom in order to

qualify for Wall of Fame eligibility.

Absenteeism and Make-up Assessments  • It is the student’s responsibility to get all missed

assignments when absent. • Students going on a field trip or attending in-house

activities are responsible for any missing assignments.

• The students are expected to have the homework completed and turned in by the start of class.

• In the event of an unexcused absence, the student will not be given the opportunity to make up work and will receive a zero for all missed assignments, quizzes, and tests. You are required to bring me an admit slip.

Absenteeism and Make-up Assessments  • Work missed due to an excused absence must be

made up within 2 class days of your return to school. You are encouraged to make these up immediately. (Long term absence or special circumstances will be determined on an individual case basis.)

• All make-up exams will be taken in my classroom.

Scoring • Grades are posted in the student portal as soon as possible in

order to keep the student and parents updated with the current GPA. 

Homework, Classwork & Gizmos 15% of final gradeProjects 10% of final gradeQuizzes 25% of final gradeTests 50% of final grade 

• Grades are regularly posted on the MDCPS electronic grade book, and may be viewed via the Student or Parent Portal. Interim progress reports will be sent home in the middle of each 9 weeks, and parents are encouraged to e-mail the teacher with any questions or concerns.

Scoring • I will also be sending progress reports within 2 weeks of the

end of each grading period for students with a “D” or “F” average. These reports are to be signed by the parent and student and returned to me.

• Each quarter ends with your GPA as it is. We will be using the Standard District Grading Scale:

 A 90% - 100% 3.50 – 4.00OutstandingB 80% - 89% 2.50 – 3.49 GoodC 70% - 79% 1.50 – 2.49SatisfactoryD 60% - 69% 1.00 – 1.49 MinimalF 0% - 59% 0.00 – 0.99Unsatisfactory

 • Be aware of your grades in this class. Check your portal,

especially for errors. Because of my generous grading system, the final grade is what it is. Baseball doesn’t give a player an extra hit to get him to a .300 batting average.

• The difference between winning and losing are the important details. Missing or incomplete homework, an unnecessary classroom break, lack of attention to details, are just a few ways that a student can miss the mark.

• There is no extra credit. You can earn bonus points.• You either pass the course or you don’t. This course is a journey

with four stops along the way.

• Students will begin each grading period with a conduct grade of an “A”. The following infractions are taken into consideration for a drop in the conduct grade: a) Sleeping in class b) Use of the cell phone, Ipad, and laptop without

permission First offense: warning and loss of all accumulated bonus points. Second offense and thereafter: phone will be confiscated, a referral written, and phone will be handed over to administration. A one-drop conduct grade for each offense will result. All accumulated bonus points will be removed.

c) Sitting in the incorrect seatd) Use of profanitye) Any action as determined by the instructor as misconduct

that warrants an “F” conduct grade

• Unexcused tardies will not be tolerated. The conduct grade will drop by one letter grade for every four unexcused tardies.

• Cheating, disrespect towards the teacher or another student, and destruction of property will automatically drop the final conduct grade along with a referral.

• Any infraction which involves security, our principals, or another teacher will result in a conduct grade drop, a referral, and a phone call to your parent or guardian. You will make the phone call in my presence.

• An effort grade reflects potential, study habits, and attitude and is scored as follows: 

1 = Outstanding (“A” and “B” final grade)2 = Satisfactory (“C” final grade)3 = Insufficient (“D” and “F” final grade)

Hall Passes and Bathroom Breaks • Each student will be given 6 classroom breaks per

quarter and may not use more than one per week.• You have 5 minutes between classes, which is plenty of

time to take care of your bathroom needs before arriving to class.

• Bathroom breaks may not exceed 5 minutes (however, there are exceptions).

• Students leaving the classroom must sign out and sign in.

• Only one student may be out at any given time.• Remember that security is watching out for your safety

and for any school violations.

Computer Usage • The computers in this room are to be used for

academic purposes only.• Playing computer games is prohibited.• Downloading or loading software is strictly prohibited.• Do not make any changes to the desktop or to installed

software.• Report computer problems to the teacher. Do not

troubleshoot.• Food and drinks are forbidden at the computer tables.• Logoff your program or website when you are finished.

Please take time to review these requirements prior to signing this form.  Student’s Signature ____________________(print) ___________________(sign) Email address ______________________________________________________  Parent’s Signature _____________________(print) ___________________(sign) Email address ______________________________________________________