CLASS INFORMATION                 2008-09

 

Geometry Materials                                                                                            SAT-Math Materials
Good attitude                                                                                                        Thinking cap

5-subject notebook                                                                                              Loose leaf paper
Loose leaf paper                                                                                                   Pencils
Graph paper                                                                                                          Folder/Binder
Pencils (with erasers)                                                                                          Calculator
Compass                                                                                                                
Protractor  
Graphing Calculator (TI-84 or N-spire_
Textbook
Agenda Book


Homework
Assignments will be posted on the board each day.  Completed assignments will be turned in the following day.   Lesson plans, assignments, and other information may also be found on the internet by logging on to the school web site.

 

Make Up Work
Students are responsible for getting  notes and completing CW/HW assignments that are covered during absences.  Daily CW/HW assignments should be turned in the day following return to school.  Students are expected to make up all assigned tests and quizzes within 5 days (earlier if possible.) See me immediately to schedule a makeup time. (Missing a review day or going on a field trip does NOT excuse you from taking a test on time. )

E-Mail Address
dlawhon@fsd1.org

Grades – Point System

GEOMETRY                                                      SAT-Math                         Class Grade=  Points earned
Chapter Tests (200 pts.)                                 Tests (100 points)                                     Total points possible
Quizzes (50-100 pts.)                                        CW (20 points)
Projects (50-150 pts.)
CW/Misc. (10-100pts.)

HW  (10 pts. per day)


                                                                    

Averages each quarter are calculated with the class grade counting 80% and the exam counting 20%.

 

Class Rules
1.    Enter quietly.  (Take out your HW to turn in and start the Bell-Ringer problem.)
2.    Raise your hand and wait to be recognized before speaking.
3.    Respect other people and their personal property.
4.    Food & drinks should be consumed outside of the classroom.
5.    Follow District I policies.

 

Consequences:  1) Warning  2) Parents notified  3)  Office Referral

 

Classroom Procedures

1.Enter quietly & be prepared to begin class when the bell rings. Have HW ready to turn in .(Do all work in pencil and  label it properly.)  Open textbook & notebook to appropriate pages.

2.Copy the Bell-Ringer in your notebook and begin working on it ASAP.  You will have 5 minutes of classtime.

3.Teacher will return & go over questions about HW.  Make any corrections necessary to your HW.  (Corrections may be highlighted or done in colored ink.)

4.Copy all notes and examples in your notebook.  Your notebook should be organized, neat, and in chronological order. (All work must be done in pencil.)

5.Do all HW problems in your notebook.  Show all of your work and diagrams.  You are past the basic “mental math” and must show all steps. Check answers to odd problems in back of book.  Label all CW and HW with the date and page numbers and keep it in  chronological order.  Keep clean paper at the back of your binder.

6.When you need help, raise your hand and I will come to your desk.  Keep working until I get to you.

7.When you have a question during lecture time, raise your hand & I will address you.  (All students are to listen to the question & answer.)

8.If you are tardy, put your pass on my desk and quietly take a seat.

9.Wait for a break in instruction before sharpening pencils, requesting a Rest Room break, etc.

10.The teacher dismisses class, not the bell.  (I usually give the last 1-2 minutes to pack bookbags.)  Remain seated until the bell rings.

11.I am available for extra help in the mornings, afternoons, and during my planning period.  See me to set up a time.

 

 

HOW TO STUDY MATHEMATICS

The main reason students have difficulty with mathematics is that they don’t know how to study it. Studying mathematics is different from studying subjects like English or history. The key to success is regular practice.  “Studying” math is actually “practicing”  problems, not  just “reading” notes!!!

This should not be surprising. After all, can you learn to play the piano or to ski well without a lot of regular practice? The same thing is true for learning mathematics. Working problems nearly every day is the key to becoming successful. Here is a list of things that will help you succeed.

  1. Attend class regularly. Pay attention in class to what your teacher says and does, and make careful notes. In particular, note the problems the teacher works on the board and copy the complete solutions. Keep these notes separate from your homework to avoid confusion when you read them over later.
  2. Don’t hesitate to ask questions in class. It is not a sign of weakness, but of strength. There are always other students with the same question who are too shy to ask.
  3. Read your text carefully. Many students read only enough to get by, usually only the examples. Reading the complete section will help you solve the homework problems. Most exercises are keyed to specific Examples or Objectives that will explain the procedures for working them.
  4. Before you start on your homework assignment, rework the problems the teacher worked in class. This will reinforce what you have learned. Many students say, “I understand it perfectly when you do it, but I get stuck when I try to work the problem myself.”
  5. Do your homework assignment only after reading the text and reviewing your notes from class. Check your work against the answers in the back of the book. If you get a problem wrong and are unable to understand why, mark that problem and ask your teacher about it. Then practice working additional problems of the same type to reinforce what you have learned.
  6. Work as neatly as you can. Write your symbols clearly, and make sure the problems are clearly separated from each other. Working neatly will help you to think clearly and also make it easier to review the homework before a test.
  7. After you complete a homework assignment, look over the text again. Try to identify the main ideas in the lesson. Often they are clearly highlighted or boxed in the text.
  8. Use the chapter test at the end of each chapter as a practice test. Work through the problems under test conditions, without referring to the text or the answers until you are finished. You may want to time yourself to see how long it takes you. When you finish, check your answers against those in the back of the book, and study the problems you missed. Answers are keyed to the appropriate sections of the text.
  9. Keep any quizzes and tests that are returned to you, and use them when you study for future tests and the final exam. These quizzes and tests indicate what your teacher considers most important. Be sure to correct any problems on these tests that you missed, so you will have the corrected work to study.
  10. Don’t worry if you do not understand a new topic right away. As you read more about it and work through the problems, you will gain understanding. Each time you review a topic, you will understand it a little better. No one understands each topic completely right from the start.