Here is my course outline.
Mrs. Karen Power (kmpower@edu.pe.ca)
My Homework Blog can be found under Staff Web Sites on www.edu.pe.ca/sourishigh
Textbook: MathPower 11, Western Edition
Chapter 1: Systems of Linear Equations
Chapters 3/4: Quadratic Functions, Equations and Graphs
Chapter 8: Trigonometry
Matrices and Networks (a separate manual will be used here)
Chapter 9: Finance & Consumerism
Materials: You are expected to bring the following items to class each day: your textbook, a scribbler, a pen or pencil, and a good scientific calculator. Being frequently unprepared for class will deduct from your class marks (see below).
Evaluation: Your mark in this course will be based upon the following components. Approximate percentage weights are given for each section:
50% Class Tests (usually one per chapter, two for longer chapters … 6 in total)
15% Weekly Assignments and in-class assignments (more on these later)
5% Class Marks (attitude/behaviour, homework checks [15-20 in total], poptests, readiness to work, etc.)
30% Final Exam
Missed tests are required to be written before or after school the following day, unless you’ve made alternate arrangements with me ahead of time. Failure to follow this policy may result in a test mark of zero.
It is highly recommended that all assignments be handed in. If three or more assignments are outstanding at the end of the semester, I have the right to withhold credit in the course until at least some of the missing assignments are completed.
Not doing homework means throwing away this 5%. This is not a great idea because it may make a huge difference in your final mark.
Extra Help: If you’re having trouble with something, feel free to ask me any time … I will be available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after school–just check with me first. Extra help is there any time you want it … there’s no excuse for falling behind in the course.
Class rules:
Hats off when you come in the door, and they stay off until you leave class.
Cell phones, iPods, MP3s, etc. should be off and out of sight at all times. If not, they’re mine.
A water bottle is acceptable in class … no other food or drinks are allowed!
Fill your water bottle before you come into class.
Keep washroom requests to a minimum, and don’t ask for the first/last 15 min. of class.
Respect the furniture … do not mark on desks and do not leave garbage behind.
If you bring kitbags into class, be sure they’re on the back shelf, or you may be asked to leave them in your locker.
STAY IN YOUR SEATS until the bell rings…DO NOT line up at the door at the end of class.
Basically, it’s all about respect. Respect yourself and others in the classroom. That involves NOT interfering with others who are trying to learn, as well as not interfering with me as I present the material. Don’t be a distraction to me and to other students or you’ll be asked to leave.
A Few Tips for Success in Math 521A
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If something isn’t clear, stop me and ask… right away!:
Work on your math on a nightly basis. Although you get time to work on problems in class, you may need to tie up some loose ends at home and to go over the notes from that day. I ask that you spend 30 minutes each night on your math … it’s not much to ask, and speaking from experience, it’ll get you much further ahead than doing nothing until the night before a test and trying to cram. You’ll also be prepared for surprise pop-tests and frequent homework checks!
Remember that learning math is a two-way street. I’ll do everything that I can to help you learn the material, but … you must be willing to meet me halfway and work on it yourself too. Study your notes … make an honest effort to try homework … put in your half-hour each night … ask questions in class … go to extra-help. If you’re not putting any effort into the course, it will be very difficult for me to help you succeed.
You are responsible for all work missed during an absence. If you know in advance that you’re going to be missing class time, let me know and I can give you the work that you will miss. Otherwise, if you miss a class or two, call or e-mail a friend or check my homework blog on the school website to get the missed work. The excuse “I didn’t know we had to do that … I wasn’t here yesterday” will not cut it with me!
Remember that the questions that I assign from the textbook represent the minimum amount that you need to do; if you want more practice, pick and choose from other problems in the section, and check your work using the answers in the back of the book.
The weekly assignments let you figure out what topics you need more help with, and it’s critical that you do them on your own. Otherwise, you’re missing the whole point of doing the assignment in the first place. Copying someone else’s assignment is more trouble than it’s worth, both for you and for the student who provided the assignment: In my eyes, both are equally responsible, and I simply “split the mark.” If you work with others on the assignments, indicate this by writing their names on your copy before passing it in. This is acceptable.
