Author: Primary User

Galena High School 2018-2019

Math Bears

July 12, 2018
Volume 1, Issue 1

New School Year Strides In
Let’s welcome in the 2018-20189 school year. Many exciting math activities and concepts await our effort and energy.
AP Calculus
In Calculus students will study how aspects of our world change in response to forces over time. We will use many learning strategies including work in small groups, demonstration software, graphing calculators, online systems (Edmodo) and a brand new WORKBOOK . We will make every effort to do problems in class, but doing homework is essential. In the first semester, topics include the new operations of differentiation and integration applied to motion and other real world scenarios leading to the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Calculus adventures in the second semester include the elegant topic of sequences and series to model difficult functions. Then we will conclude our studies with the calculus of polar coordinates and vectors. Students can potentially earn 4 college credits with Calculus AB and 8 college credits with Calculus BC.
AP Statistics
In AP Statistics our goal is to study the field of data analysis which is pervasive in today’s world. We will bring out the student’s ability to “think” statistically and craft well-reasoned arguments to make decisions and interpretations. It is one of the most valuable classes a student can take since it allows practice of reading, writing, mathematics, and critical thinking skills essential to all careers. We will use interesting real world examples and many fun activities including a visit from the 16th president of the United States. We will make every effort to do more problems in class. We will study data collection, graph and summarize data numerically, and apply sophisticated techniques to draw conclusions about populations from samples. Students can potentially earn 3 college credits.
Supplies Needed for Calculus and AP Statistics
Students will need a graphing calculator, the TI-84 Silver Edition is recommended. A 3.5 inch binder with tabs to organize study topics, a notebook (or binder paper) for taking notes, ruler, pencils, colored pencils, graph paper, and one package of copy paper for copying material from Edmodo or Galena Website. The AP exam is approximately $90, and an AP review book is highly recommended (Princeton or Barron’s $30).
Pre-College Math
In Pre-College Math we will work on building algebra skills in preparation for college math. We will primarily use the computer lab. Materials will be provided.

“Philosophy is written in this grand book. I mean the universe which stands continually open to our gaze, but it cannot be understood unless one first learns to comprehend the language in which it is written. It is written in the language of mathematics.”
Galileo Galilei

Inside this issue
Contact Information 1
Grading Criteria 2
Classroom Policies, Rules , and
Procedures 3
Math Biography 3
Citizenship 3
Signature and Comments 4
Contact Information
Mr. Gray
tcgray@washoeschools.net
School Phone: 851-5630
Room 123
7th Period Prep

Classroom Policies, Rules, and Procedures

Please enter classroom quietly, on-time , and help keep our environment clean and neat.
Come prepared for each and every class: book, assignment, pencil, paper, binder, calculator.
Begin class by writing down our objective for the day’s class and begin work on warm-up activity which will be on the side board next to Pyramid of Success.
Bottled water is permitted, but other food and beverage must be consumed at break or lunch outside of classroom.
Cell phones, IPods, headphones , earbuds (i.e., all electronics) must be turned off and kept in your bag/backpack. Please remember that mathematics was invented without a calculator, computer, and cell phone. Let’s have a no cell phone zone for each class. School policy on cell phones will be followed including having the Grizz Den hold them.
Please keep purses, briefcases and backpacks on floor during class.
Please ask to go to restroom. This request will be granted at teacher’s discretion when lesson material or activity time permits.
Work, help, listen, and contribute. Please use accountable talk.
All school and WCSD rules will be followed.
Look on Infinite Campus, on Edmodo, or ask fellow classmates about assignments and materials you may have missed. AP Statistics: Reading your textbook is required.
Seek help immediately. Help is available before school, after school, lunch, 7th period. Take the initiative and form study groups.

“… her bravery inspires...”

Citizenship
Citizenship will be graded separately based on how the student meets our Classroom Policies, Rules and Procedures, and this definition:
Citizens are members of our classroom. Citizens have privileges, rights, and responsibilities. A positive attitude toward citizenship includes respecting the rights of your fellow classmates and teachers, contributing with assistance whenever possible and with concern for privacy, and encouraging and promoting an atmosphere where everyone has a chance to perform at their best level.
Citizenship will be graded separately and does include participation in your groups.

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Queen of Math

Hypatia was born in the year 370 in Alexandria, Egypt. Her father, a university professor, taught her math, literature, science, and philosophy. She studied so diligently that she surpassed her father in math and was sent to Athens for advanced study. After studying in Greece, she continued her education by traveling through Europe. Hypatia was courted by princes and famous philosophers. Yet, she respectfully declined marriage proposals to accept a position as a university math professor in Egypt. Hypatia wrote many books that were found hundreds of years later in the Vatican Library. Her many achievements included the invention of distilled water, and the invention of navigational instruments. She was loved and respected by her students.
Civil War cost Hypatia her life. Political powers in the internal strife considered her too influential among rebel students and she was marked for death. Knowing that her life was in grave danger, she refused to hide from her oppressors as she traveled to the university each day. On one such day she was attacked by a mob and assassinated. Some think her death at age 45 impeded math progress for a thousand years. Yet today, her bravery inspires those who pursue knowledge in mathematics.

“Forward always forward to the net.”
John McEnroe

Special Points of Interest
Reno to Sacramento trip to highlight Calculus introduction.
Did you know that every day you have a trigonometric night!
You know addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, but did you know that there are two more arithmetic operations?
Baby elephants, rock concerts, snow on the driveway all have a commonality.
Tables and graphs are big portions of the Statistics and Calculus exams.
Rocky Mountain hikers to illustrated statistics early on.
How many Tootsie Pops can you grab?
Let’s travel the Coastal Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles.
Gettysburg Address has immense importance to Statistics.
Do you perform tasks better to rock or classical music?
The number “4” and the stock market.
Are butterflies superstars?
Let’s play chess.
British Admiral Lord Nelson changes naval history.

“Freedom , oh freedom, freedom.”
Richie Havens

Caption describing picture or graphic

Grading Criteria for Goal Setting

The following percentages are approximate and are based on total points:
60-70% Quests: Tests, Quizzes, Special Projects. These will be periodic through the year based primarily on units. All Quests can be made up by appointment within one week of absence, and it is preferred that Quests be taken prior to a pre-arranged absence. Quests have more emphasis on correctness in addition to showing work. Tests and quizzes are mostly comprehensive with respect to material covered to date. Special projects will occur throughout the year with extensive work time available. (60% for Pre-College Math)
15-20% Semester Final Exam. A comprehensive assessment that will simulate the AP Exam, or in Pre-College Math, the work we have done.
20-25% Assignments. This section includes class work (including participation in group work) and homework. Most assignments are worth 5-10 points graded on a 0-10 scale based on effort and showing work. Absences will allow for an extended due date within the number of days absent, after that time has expired, homework may not be accepted. Some assignments may require online access, please join the required sites as provided. See Homework Policies and Procedures on page 5.
Extra Credit. Be on the alert as extra credit opportunities will abound, they can include board work, class contributions, consistent exemplary work, and great projects including over Breaks. Take advantage of extra credit, but extra credit cannot be requested as a substitute for regular work.
Academic Grading Scale:
A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 60-69%
Below 60% let’s not go there!

“I will get ready and then perhaps my chance will come.”
Abraham Lincoln

2

“Leave No Doubt”
(Who said this, or perhaps did this will be revealed during the school year, stay tuned!)

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Signature

Name of student (as you would like to be called during class). Please print
First
____________________________
Last
_____________________________
Student Signature. Please sign
_____________________________
Date: _________________________

Parent’s Signature

__________________________________
___________________________________
Date: ______________________________

Comments

Homework Policies and Procedures for AP Classes

To know math, you must do math. Homework is important practice on concepts involving new and complex material. Doing homework on a consistent basis will also help you piece together components that you have worked with in previous assignments and then use those components to handle unfamiliar situations. Piecing together components is an extremely important skill that you will encounter on the AP Exam, and basically what you need to do in any career. Thus, homework will be an opportunity provided every class meeting. Please keep in mind that by doing homework you are always getting the maximum reward possible in terms of your grade, and you are setting the stage for a positive outcome on the AP Exam. As you read the policies and procedures note the diverse ways of handling homework and the many opportunities available to enhance your grade. Homework is included in the Assignments section of your grade.
The following are the policies and procedures that we will use regarding homework.
Overall Policy: Homework is due on the class meeting following the class meeting on which it was assigned. It is graded on effort and work, not correctness of answers.
Neatness and Work: Please be neat and show all work. Please use ample spacing when doing your homework. Please use pencil.
Late Homework: You have the number of class meetings absent to turn in the assigned homework for full credit. For example, let’s say you were absent from class on Monday. The homework would normally be due on Wednesday, but you may turn it in on the next class meeting which would be Friday. You must complete a late assignment form (see example below), staple it to your homework and place it in the basket. Fill out a form for each assignment turned in after the due date. After the grace period for late homework has expired there is no credit available.
Homework Quizzes: There will be many homework quizzes which may be either redoing a homework problem that you have already done, taking a quiz on an even problem similar to an odd problem that was assigned (or vice versa), or doing a problem very similar to a homework problem. These will substitute for the assigned homework. If you are not in class for a homework quiz, follow the late homework procedure for the original assignment.
Grade Your Own: We will go over your homework and you will grade your own homework for immediate feedback. You will also do many homework problems on the board.
Extra Credit: Some homework assignments will be extra credit when announced at the beginning of class. This will be for a small amount of extra credit so your grade will not be impacted if you are not in class. If you are not in class, follow the late homework procedure for regular credit on the original assignment. Another extra credit opportunity will result from doing a consistently outstanding job on homework in terms of neatness and showing work; this will be rewarded with a surprise extra credit at various times.
If you miss an in-class assignment, use the late assignment form for the alternative assignment that you will be given.

Late Assignment Form
Name: __________________________________Today’s Date:______________
Date(s) of Absence: ________________________
Assignment Number:___________
Page Number and Problems Assigned:___________________________________
(or description of assignment)
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

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