Last modified: September 10, 2020

Sm 3 Syllabus Page

Course Description/Overview/Welcome Statement

Welcome to my class!  This course is designed for students who have successfully completed SMI and SM2, and will be worth .25 math credits each term.  This classroom can help you to be a better problem solver, think logically and develop good habits as a student. I expect you to come to class prepared each day and I hope to provide a classroom where you will feel free to ask questions.

Learning Expectations

Each unit, students will be given a learning target page which will outline our learning progression within that unit, with success criteria and performance of understanding. Students will be expected to monitor their own progress toward mastering each learning target and gauge how they are meeting success criteria through performance of understanding (homework and daily quizzes). If students are not understanding or able to master a target, they need to come in to get help after school prior to taking the unit test. But if a student does not do well on a test even after they felt prepared, they will have a chance to show mastery of any target by doing test retakes. I want all students to be able to tell me where they are in their own learning progression and explain what they know are are able to do. If they need help, they should be able to pinpoint where, get help, and get back on course to mastery. It is crucial that at this level of mathematics, students be able to monitor and adjust their own learning trajectory to ensure their own success. In the end, I want all of my students to be strong, independent, self-aware learners.

Assessment of Progress

Learning targets for each unit are distributed at the beginning of the unit. Each student will have a list of assignments (formative assessments) each time those are distributed. Success criteria will be discussed as we review each assignment so that students will be able to track their own progress toward mastery of each target. We will cover approximately three units per term. At the end of each unit, we will take one day to review, followed by one day of summative testing.  Our schedule needs to be flexible enough to allow me to do what is best for student learning throughout the year. Please check powerschool or big ideasmath.com for the latest due date schedule.

Grading Policy:

• Homework & Notes (20% of grade)
  Homework (10 pts each) Assignments will be assigned daily and is due the next class period.  Many assignments will be submitted online through bigideasmath.com Late assignments will earn up to 7 pts.
  Learning Targets (5 pts each) A learning target page is handed out at the beginning of each unit.
  Notes (5 pts each day) Notes will either be taken in student’s notebook or on a handout from Mrs. Giles.  You are expected to take notes every day in class.  Notes should be neat and in order.
  **Tips for Notes: If you get lost, lose track of a lesson, or just space out, put a star on your note pages where the confusion started.
• Classroom Work (5% of grade)
  Participation (5 pts each day) Students are expected to be attentive, be respectful,  ask and answer questions, and take classroom notes.
• Tests & Quizzes (75% of grade)

Tests (100-150 pts each) This is the most important part of class, where you have the opportunity to demonstrate what you’ve learned.  Tests are given at the end of each unit (@3 per term). Bonus questions on a test are one of the only ways to get extra credit.

If you score a 90% or below, you have the option of retaking the test for more credit, but additional work will be required before you can retake the test for partial points back.
If you are absent on the day of the test, you are expected to make up the test within one week of the original test date.  If you do not make it up within that time period, you may not be allowed to make the test up at all. If you are absent the day of the test, you will not have the option of retaking the test..
Quizzes (5-10 pts each) Daily Quizzes will be review items from targets we have previously covered in class.
If you are absent or tardy to class, you will not be allowed to make these up.  You must be present to earn the points.
I will drop the lowest two daily quiz grades to compensate for not allowing makeups.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, students needing special accommodations may contact me for alternative arrangements. 

Course Materials

Textbook:   Big Ideas, Integrated Mathematics III, By Ron Larson and Laurie Boswell

Come prepared with a calculator, textbook, pencil, paper, binder, and completed assignment (all work shown).

Calculators: A calculator is required for this course.  I recommend the TI-30X IIS. Graphing Calculator (TI-84 plus) is optional for this course, but we will refer to this calculator frequently.  Timpview’s library has a limited number of calculators that can be rented for the school year.  Calculators on phones are NOT allowed.  This is a policy, there will be no exceptions.

www.bigmathideas.com is a website where much of the homework can be completed online.

Classroom Procedures

Classroom Expectations

• Come prepared with a calculator, pencil, paper, binder, and completed assignment (all work shown).
• Respect Self, Teacher, Others and Property.
• Be Responsible and Be Honest: If you are caught cheating in any way you will be given a zero and parents and administrators will be notified, see student handbook.
• Appropriate behavior and participation in class is expected, i.e. be attentive and ready to participate, take notes, don’t write on desks.
• No electronic devices are allowed to be powered on in the classroom.  If out during discussion times, they will be confiscated.
• Eating in class is ok, if it is dry food, (gum is wet) or a drink with a lid.  If this is distracting anyone you will be asked to put it away.
• Ask for help if you need it! Mrs. Giles will give you extra help if you are trying and you ask. This class can be challenging, but as you apply yourself and put in the effort required, I know that it will be a good experience for you and will help you prepare for the future.
• Hall Passes:  Ask me!  If you ask to go during a discussion, I will say no, so be prepared.
  Attendance:  Missing class will affect your grade, as it is easy to get behind and difficult to catch up.  If you are absent, you are responsible to find out what the homework is. You can also find your assignments on Powerschool (click on the assignment for that day, and the details will come up).  You may earn an extra 2% by having no tardies and at most two excused absences per term.

Calendar of Due Dates for Major Assignments

See the latest posts on Power School to check for assignments and due dates.

Progress Reports and Report Cards

Grading Procedure:

Your grade will be assigned according to the Timpview grade scale:

A: 93-100%       A-: 90-92%

B+: 87-89%.     B: 83-86%                B-: 80-82%

C+: 77-79%       C: 73-76%                 C-: 70-72%

D+: 67-69%      D: 63-66%                D-: 60-62%

F: 0-59%

Your grade will be calculated based on three categories:

Assessments (75%)
Homework and Participation (15%)
Daily Quizzes (10%)

Connecting Home to School

I will be available after school on Mondays during Consultation from 1:35 – 2:15 and Tuesdays, Wednesdays,Thursdays, and Fridays from 2:15 – 3:00.  If arranged with me, we can extend this time.  You can look up your grades and assignments on PowerSchool anytime by going to www.timpview.provo.edu.  I can be reached by email at wendig@provo.edu, and by phone here at Timpview at 801-221-9720 ext. 3604.  I will return your phone call or email as quickly as possible.

Personal Statement and other items (optional)

Secondary Math 3 is a combination of Algebra and Trigonometry.  It is a course that I love to teach! I hope you are excited for a great year of learning new things!