Mr. Ross' Website



If you would like to use the TI-84 Plus calculator on the computer while at home, click the link:

Texas Instruments Calculator

Once here, click the "TI-84 Plus family Operating System" and you can choose to save or open the system, it's up to you.


AFM Syllabus

Hello, and welcome to AFM!  This course contains a lot of material but most of it builds on previous subjects so we will be delving into a deeper understanding of how to use math to explain the way things work.  Application is key and I encourage you to ask questions as I teach so you can be able to use it later in life.

The first question you probably have is: What will I need to get started in this course?  Lucky for you, all you need is a notebook, paper, pencil and a willingness to learn.  Calculators are provided within the classroom for students but most of the material will be taught without the use of one.  If you would like to purchase one it may be a good idea to get a TI-84 Plus in preparation for future math courses.  The reason we won’t be using calculators is so we can fully grasp the concepts that will be taught and be able to further our understanding by creating and solving our own problems.

Next you may be wondering what sort of material will be covered in the course.  Here’s a rough outline of what is to come:

· Review material seen previous to AFM in preparation, some review will be done as we go along through the semester as well

· Univariate Statistics

·    Probability

· Functions

· Exponential and Logarithmic Functions

· Trigonometric Functions of angles

· Graphs of Trig Functions

· Sequences and Series

· Bivariate Data

 

Many resources are available outside of the textbook and classroom.  Using the library to find other books, going online for extra practice and explanation, and consulting other teachers are all ways in which to get a deeper understanding of the subject material.  Some sites I’ve found to be particularly helpful are:

    www.glencoe.com

    www.quia.com

    library.thinkquest.org

  I hope you will be able to use these tools to answer any questions you may have if I’m ever not available.


Geometry Syllabus

 

Hello, and welcome to Geometry!  This course contains a lot of material but most of it builds on previous subjects, so we will be delving into a deeper understanding of how to use math to explain the way things work.

The first question you probably have is: What will I need to get started in this course?  Lucky for you, all you need is a notebook, paper, pencil and a willingness to learn.  Calculators are provided within the classroom for students but most of the material will be taught without the use of one.  If you would like to purchase one it may be a good idea to get a TI-84 Plus in preparation for future math courses.  The reason we won’t be using calculators often is so we can fully grasp the concepts that will be taught and be able to further our understanding by creating and solving our own problems.

Next you may be wondering what sort of material will be covered in the course.  Here’s a rough outline of what is to come:

· Tools of Geometry (perimeter, circumference, area, angles, etc)

· Reasoning and Proof (using theorems and postulates to solve problems)

· Parallel and perpendicular lines

· Matrices

· Triangles and other polygons

· Congruent and similar triangles

· Right triangles and their properties

· Quadrilaterals and their properties

· Circles and their properties

· 3 dimensional shapes

  Many resources are available outside of the classroom.  Using the library to find other books, going online for extra practice and explanation, and consulting other teachers are all ways in which to get a deeper understanding of the subject material.  Some sites I’ve found to be particularly helpful are:

    www.glencoe.com  

www.purplemath.com

    www.quia.com  

  www.brightstorm.com

  library.thinkquest.org 

www.khanacademy.org

  www.studyisland.com

username: First.Last-benlsmithpassword: smith123

  I hope you will be able to use these tools to answer any questions you may have if I’m ever not available.

 

Grades:

· Homework 10%

· Class work 20%

· Quizzes   30%

· Tests   40%

The first quarter is worth 40% of your overall grade, as is your second quarter.  The exam at the end of the course counts as 20% of your overall grade and must be passed in order to receive credit for the course.

Homework:  This is only used to reinforce what was learned that day and to prepare you for a quiz or test.  It is not meant to be a chore but rather a tool to increase your potential academically.  It will be posted on the board as to let you know what is due the next day.  It is assigned at the beginning of each month and attached to a calendar so that you know what is due as well as when.

Class work:  This is also used to reinforce what was learned but will also be used to teach.  Guiding questions will allow you to work out problems you might not think you originally know the answer to.  Putting effort into this will allow you to be successful on larger assessments and will make the course much easier.

Quizzes:  Any time there is a quiz it marks a point in the unit that the information up to that point is essential to know before moving on.  If you have difficulty with the material before the quiz it may be helpful to ask questions or stay after to go over the information before you take the quiz.

Tests:  The test for each unit will determine whether or not you understand the material.  Making less than 80% on a test shows that a student hasn’t mastered the concepts contained within the unit.  Any score less than 80% needs to have corrections completed and turned in (with work shown on a separate sheet of paper) so that the mastery can be gained before the end of the semester.  Corrections are due within a week of when the test is returned.  Students are welcome to stay after to ask questions or work with other teachers in order to grasp the material.  Tutorial sessions will be held every Tuesday, 5 points extra credit will be awarded toward a quiz each time a student stays after and the time will count towards time make up in case it is needed for absences.