Geometry
Course Syllabus
2009-2010
 
Student Name _______________________________          Class Period ________________________
 
Teacher:         David Cooper                       
Office:             Room 2301
Office Hours:  7:45 – 8:00 and 3:30 – 4:00 (other times available upon request)
Please do not call me at home.   My home number is not listed, so please do not try to call
Geometry
Course Purpose:  Students will use the properties of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes and will also calculate perimeter, circumference, area, surface area and volume.  They will use reasoning and methods of proof to verify geometric properties.
 
Course Materials:
            Notebook with dividers that are labeled:  Notes, course work and handouts, tests and quizzes
                Book:   Geometry     McDougal Littell    (Must have a cover on it)
                Paper                       Pencil                      Ruler                       Protractor                               Compass
                Calculator (not required but recommend so that students can use them on their own)
 
Course Objectives:
·         Students will use the basic properties and definitions of geometry.
·         Students will use reasoning and proof to verify algebraic and geometric properties. 
·         Students will analyze parallel and perpendicular lines.
·         Students will classify and analyze triangles.
·         Students will classify and analyze quadrilaterals.
·         Students will transform an object in the coordinate plane.
·         Students will use properties of similarity to find measurements of a polygon. 
·         Students will analyze circles and special segments associated with them.
·         Students will calculate circumference/perimeter and area of two-dimensional shapes. 
·         Students will calculate surface area and volume of three-dimensional shapes.
 
Classroom Rules
            Be on time       
From time to time you will be late and I understand.   In this classroom if you are late you owe me time after school.   I keep track of them and the punishment is 10 minutes after school.   Those detentions need to be made up by Friday of the week that they happened or a referral sheet will be turned in.
            Show respect
                        Show respect to the students in your class and myself.  
            Be prepared
Please come to class prepared to learn.     To do this you will need your book, notebook, paper, pencil and calculator.   I have limited supply of “extra” material.  
            No Put Downs
Please remember that everyone is here to learn.   I ask that no one use put downs in my classroom.   Colorful language will not be tolerated and school policy will be enforced.  
            No out side distractions
This is a simple rule.    Cell phones, PDA’s and pagers need to be turned off and not in use at the school.   If there is a problem with this it will be turned over to the appropriate administration and a referral sheet will be turned in.    TEXTing and cellphone use is not acceptable and a referral will be issued.  
No FOOD or DRINK in the classroom.    Make is simple NO FOOD!!!!!!!!   If you have water it must
be in a clear container and be clear!!!!!!   NO colored drinks, sodas, juice in the classroom.   NO sunflower seeds.
            Restroom or Drink Breaks
To avoid distractions and continual learning please take care of these breaks on your own time.  I do understand that you may need to take a break but I ask that you do not do that is during the first 10 minutes or lecture and the last 10 minutes of lecture.  
 
Course Requirements
Test and Quizzes
            Tests and quizzes will be given on a weekly basses.  You have two make up days to retake a test.  The make-up test will be a little more difficult then the test given.  If you are going to be absent on the day of a test or quiz please make arrangements to take the test before you leave.   Quizzes and tests will be based on homework, notes and handouts.    Make sure you keep an organized notebook so that you can use it on tests and quizzes.  
 
Homework
            Homework will be graded almost everyday.   Once an assignment has been graded you can not receive full credit on that homework.    I will utilize an exponential decay for make up or to complete missing work.    At the end of each chapter all missing work must be completed or a missing grade will become permanent and you can not complete the grade.   Please try to not do other homework form other subjects while in my class. 
 
Notebooks and Text books
            A notebook check will be completed once a quarter.   Sectional or chapter headings or dividers increase the usefulness of the notebook for you.  The notebook is graded on organization and content.  Organization should be by sections.  Contents:  Notes, course work and handouts, tests and quizzes.   The syllabus needs to be included in the front of the notebook with the student’s name.    The notebook may be used from time to time on tests at the teacher’s discretion.   Please keep it neat and organized.    Text books need to be covered at all times.   If a book becomes damaged because of your neglect you will be asset a fine. 
 
Extra Credit
            Extra Credit will be given at times during the semester.   Do not expect extra credit.    Also extra credit will NOT be available at the end of each quarter.   Do not ask for it either.  
 
Tests and Quizzes
            We will have several quizzes through out a chapter.   Those quizzes will reflect question from the homework and study guides.   Tests are direct reflections of the study guides.   Study guides will be picked up and assessed for part of the overall chapter grade.   A vocabulary test will accompany most chapters, please take the time to study for that test.    I will be giving an ELT test grade, so students will be required to attend ELT to receive that test grade.       
 
Calculators
            Calculators will be allowed on most tests.  At this time NO GRAPHING calculators will be used.   I recommend that you purchase a TI-30X IIS calculator.   This calculator is not very expensive and could be used for other classes.   I have limited number of calculators that you can use, so do not rely on that I will always have a calculator for your use.   
 
Grading Scale
100-93                         A
92-86               B
85-78               C
77-70               D
Below 70         F
 
Quizzes and Homework
Tests, Projects, Journals, Communication and Notebook
 
Attendance is extra credit.   Earn it while you can.   
 
I do not round up for grading purposes.   Do not ask to be “bumped” up to the next grade.
Disclaimer
This syllabus is not a contract and the instructor retains the right to make changes in the course's schedule, policies, and requirements as necessary so long as those changes are consistent with the policies of North Platte Public Schools and do not affect transferability.