Calculus Honors (5530)
Immaculate Heart Academy School Year 2010-2010
Mrs. Kearns Room 225
Daily Class Room
Procedures:
Please be on time and be prepared! Each time we meet it is expected that you will come with the following:
- Math
Textbook, pencils, colored pencils for graphing, graph paper and a TI-83
plus calculator. Your math
textbook must be covered, (book socks or a sturdy cover is acceptable
contact covers are not acceptable).
- Math
notebook: A Spiral notebook with folders or a loose-leaf type binder
to be used only for math. I do distribute many handouts. This type of binder allows you to keep
notes, handouts and homework in an organized manner. Notebooks may be checked randomly,
these occasional checks will be included as part of your class
participation grade. Daily notes
taken in class and homework assignments should be labeled and dated and in
chronological order. All notes must
be neat and legible.
- Homework: Daily Homework assignments will be
written on the board and posted on my website which can be accessed from
the IHA home page. Homework is my
gift to you. Homework is your way to verify that you have understood
and mastered each of the day’s topics. You are seniors it is your
responsibility to make sure you are putting in the amount of time and
effort needed to be successful in this high level math class; therefore, I
do not use valuable class time to check your homework on a daily
basis. **(Please note, if I
suspect poor performance maybe a result of failure to complete homework
assignments than I will randomly check homework and these checks will be
counted towards your class participation grade.) Homework should be completed as follows: write out each problem from your
textbook in its original form and show all work. If homework is completed on time and in
this manner I will give full credit regardless of the answers you
obtained! Each missed homework
assignment will result in a 2-point grade reduction in class
participation. (Example: Class participation grade is a 95% but you
missed 3 homework assignments, grade reduction of 6 points, class
participation grade is an 89%)
4. Class Participation: I take class participation very seriously, do not assume this grade is a given. Your must earn your grade by
coming to each class prepared with homework completed and ready to ask questions, they are a vital part of the learning process. I welcome, encourage, and expect active class participation. If you have questions or observations regarding the topic we are studying or the previous
class assignments please provide your input we will all benefit. The study of mathematics is not a spectator sport you need to participate and practice in order to be the best that you are capable.
(Please note:
detailed notebooks and regular attendance are part of your class participation
grade. Class participation grade takes
into account your willingness to discuss and ask questions regarding the new
topics we cover and how willing you are to help those who may be
struggling)
5. A good attitude. Please try and refrain from leaving class unless of course it is an emergency, this disturbs your classmates and interrupts the learning process. Eating is not permitted in class at any time. (Water is allowed)
Attendance
The study of mathematics is a cumulative learning process. Each topic we study is built upon previous material. Regular attendance is extremely important, particularly, in an honors course where the pacing requires us to study a new topic each class meeting. Frequent absences will affect your ability to master important concepts and learn new material. Absences also affect your class participation grade! I strongly urge you to make your best effort to come and stay in class each scheduled meeting.
Illness
Having impressed upon you the
importance of attendance I do understand that we all get sick or have the need
to miss a class due to a family emergency.
I am completely understanding and tolerant of these situations. If you do miss a class due to an excused
absence it is your responsibility to make up all missed work. Please make sure you have the phone number of
a classmate you can call to obtain missing assignments and notes. Please
remember to check my website daily. If
you are absent the day of a test/quiz you will be required to take a make-up
version the day you return, after school, not during class! Please make arrangements to stay after
school the day you return if you miss a test. In the case of an extended
absence we will work together to schedule make up work
Remember, missing notes/assignments/tests/quizzes etc. are your responsibility. It is not up to me to keep track of your assignments it is up to you to make sure all of your class requirements have been met each quarter!
Academic Integrity
Cheating on tests or examinations is both stealing and misrepresentation. It is considered a very serious matter; any student found cheating will receive a zero for the test/quiz/project/homework in which they cheated and all matters will be reported to the dean of students and parents will be called. Please note; a student who knowingly gives her own work to another student to be used as the other's own is as guilty of intellectual dishonesty as the student who plagiarizes.
Extra
Help
Extra help is usually available everyday after school from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. in room 225. If I am unavailable for extra help due to professional meetings or personal reasons I will note this each day on my board. Please try and let me know in advance that you will be coming for help although feel free to walk in most days I will be available. Extra help is given on a first come first serve basis.
**An important note, extra help is not private tutoring, I must meet the needs of all my students. Remember absences are your responsibility, if you need extra help due to a missed class you must first make the effort to obtain notes from a classmate and make your best effort at completing the missed assignment. If you still need help, by all means come and see me! I encourage students who are struggling to come for extra help regularly do not ignore your confusion, it will only make matters worse! Please do not wait for the day before a test to come in for extra help; my class room is usually full prior to a test and it is certainly not the right time to begin learning the material!
Lunch is an important
time in both your day and mine therefore I avoid extra help or makeup tests
during lunch periods. We all need to eat
and give our mind and body the chance to take a well-deserved break!
Grading Policy:
Tests 50% Quizzes 30% Class Participation/Homework: 20%
I do not drop any test or quiz grades and there are no retests!
If a test or quiz is not made up within one week upon your return to school you will lose the opportunity to make up that test
I look forward to a wonderful year of learning right along with you!