Pre-Calculus

Mrs. Kaiser-Woodward                                                        Room 209

 

Most frequently asked questions…..

     

            What is Pre-Calculus?   It is a course that prepares students for Calculus…the study and measure of limits and change.   It is all the algebra and geometry you learned in the last two years combined into a function based language using technology. 

 

            When am I ever going to use it?  It depends on what you are going to do.  Everyone going to college will be using it as proof of their ability to enter and be successful in college.   You will be tested on these concepts on the ACT, SAT or college placement exam.   As your area of study becomes more scientific or technical, its uses become more and more evident.  

 

            How do I earn my grade?   Your quarter grade is divided into the following categories with more details for each listed at the end of these questions.   These percentages are approximations; I reserve the right to adjust them as needed.

 

              5%  Daily points

            15%  Homework

            10%  In Class Writing

             30% Quizzes

             40% Tests

 

Semester grades are the sum of 40% of each quarter grade and 20% of the final exam grade.    Quarter grades start over at the beginning of each quarter.

 

Pius X High School grading scale listed in the handbook is used.

 

            Is there extra credit?  Never is extra credit given to individual students, it is given to the class as a whole on rare occasions.

 

            Do you accept late work?  Only in the instance of illness or prearranged absences (see below), you will have 2 days for every day you’ve been ill.

 

            When can I get extra help?  Before school, after school and by appointment.

 

What do I need to bring to class?  You need a spiral notebook and folder OR 3-ring binder, (which ever you prefer)  TI graphing calculator, a writing tool that is not red.

 

            What if I’m tardy?   If you are late to class you need an excuse or a demerit card.  Set it on the overhead projector shelf as you walk in and silently take your seat.   Be prepared for a detention if you have neither.

 

            What if I’ve been absent?  Check the assignment board, and then ask a friend for notes.   If you’ve been gone too much to catch up on your own, make an appointment to meet with me before or after school.  If you’ve missed any assessment, sign the calendar as to when you’ll make it up.  Remember you have two days for every one you missed.

 

            What do I need to do when I know I’ll be missing class because of college visits, family vacations, doctor appointments or school activities?

            1st  Bring the completed sign out sheet or parent note to me before or after class so that you can get the assignments.  I will not sign sheets that do not have parents or sponsors signatures, dates etc.

2nd Sign the calendar on my desk for an appointment to take a missed writing, homework check, quiz or test.   

 

Note:  If you fail to show up for this time that you choose, you will receive a zero.   Likewise if you fail to sign out and miss any of these assessments, you will receive a zero.   Missing class for any of these reasons is a privilege; you must accept the responsibility that goes along with that privilege.

 

            Do you use BlackBoard?  Yes, worksheets, solutions, helpful websites and general information are posted on BlackBoard.

 

What are Daily Points?   Daily Points give you credit for being a responsible and active participant in class.   You earn/keep them by being prepared, on time, cooperative, following Pius rules and my classroom rules.   You lose them when you aren’t prepared, on time, or cooperative, and when you don’t follow rules.   Having a cell phone in class, playing games on your calculator, working on other classes when you have pre-calculus to do, trying to sleep, not having your demerit card if its needed, not in dress code are just some ways you’ll lose points as well earn demerits.

           

            How is homework graded?  You will have a homework quiz approximately once a week that will ask you to look in your homework notebook for specific problems and copy them and the work from your notebook.

 

            What is In-Class Writing…(I thought this was math!)?  These small writing assignments are given approximately once a week.  They have you explain connections between math concepts and applications or real world situations, write definitions in your own words and share insights into concepts being taught. 

 

            What if my question isn’t listed above?   Ask me…either in class as I go over these procedures or email me margaret.woodward@piusx.net   .   Ignorance does not excuse you from your responsibilities to yourself to perform your best in this class or from consequences for misbehavior.

           

           

 

Classroom Rules

 

Be honest…with your work, your parents, your teacher and yourself.

Don’t waste time…yours, your classmates or mine.

Remember to be grateful for the ability and opportunity to learn.

Be courteous at all times- silently listen to the announcements.

Be at your seat when the bell rings, stay in your seat until the dismissal bell rings.

Be proud of yourself, respect each others differences.

Follow Pius X High School dress code, food/gum rules, phone rules.