Download - Dodson School District

Geometry – Course Syllabus
Instructor Martin Keller
Dodson Public Schools
School
Phone
E-mail
(406) 383 - 4361
[email protected]
Course Description: This is a one-year course designed to familiarize students with the
concepts of Euclidean Geometry and deductive reasoning. The difference between
inductive and deductive reasoning will be emphasized, as will the concept of
mathematical proof. Familiarity with basic algebra will be needed, but the geometry
ideas will largely stand on their own. Difficulty in algebra need not mean difficulty in
geometry.
Course Objectives: After successfully completing Geometry, the student will:
1. Be familiar with the concept of mathematical definitions, with an understanding of
the need for rigor and specificity.
2. Have a working knowledge of the various axioms and postulates that provide the
foundation for deductive reasoning.
3. Be able to complete a proof, whether in a formal two-column format, a more
informal paragraph format, or an indirect proof.
4. Understand the type of information that can be gained from diagrams, whether or not
they are drawn to scale.
5. Understand many of the relationships in polygons involving angles, edges,
diagonals, etc.
6. Understand many of the relationships in circles involving angles, chords, secants,
etc.
7. Understand the concepts of area, surface area, volume, and perimeter.
8. Understand the concepts of congruency and similarity.
9. Understand the relationships between parallel and perpendicular segments.
10.Be able to use coordinate geometry.
11.Gain skill with ruler and compass, and come to appreciate the beauty and logic of
classical constructions.
12.Given time and interest, explore some of the many topics that an understanding of
basic geometry allows, such as Non-Euclidean Geometries, Fractals, the concept of
Dimension, etc.
Instructional Activities and Procedures: Each day will begin with a 5 to 10 minute warmup activity designed to reinforce previously learned skill, introduce new material, prepare for
an upcoming exam, or expand the students’ view of what mathematics is about. As much
time as is necessary will be spent correcting and answering questions about the previous
assignments. Students must take responsibility for asking all the questions they need to ask
in order to understand the material. The new material will be introduced, with examples and
discussion as appropriate, followed by supervised practice. Assignments may include
reading and writing.
NOTEBOOK:
As we move through the text, the students are required to maintain a three-ring binder
notebook, dedicated to this class only, which will be divided into three sections as follows:
1. Definitions: As we work through the text, the vocabulary highlighted in yellow will be
entered into the notebook in dictionary format. Precise definitions should be used, but
paraphrasing can follow if needed.
2. Axioms and Postulates: We will throw out certain simple ideas to be accepted as true
without proof (Example: Through any two points you can draw exactly one line). These
will form the basis of proof of less obvious ideas.
3. Theorems: Once a fact has been proven, it becomes a theorem, and can be used to prove
even more complex ideas.
The notebook can be used on exams, and cannot include anything not listed above. No
homework, worked out examples, class notes, handouts, etc.
This notebook will be collected and graded at least once each grading period.
Student Requirements: Each student is required to:
1. Bring a three-ring binder with a supply of paper, pencils, and textbook each day the
class meets.
2. Complete all assignments on time and in a well-organized and legible manner.
3. Successfully complete all tests and quizzes, and final exams.
4. Assume responsibility for learning. They must ask questions as necessary.
5. Contribute to a class atmosphere of curiosity and cooperation. Aggressive or rude
behavior, tardiness, or arriving unprepared for class violates this requirement.
6. Students must maintain a notebook, as described above.
Evaluation: Grades will be based on a combination of exams, homework, class
participation, and semester final exams. Homework will be 25% of the grade, chapter exams
40%, class participation 10%, notebook 10%, and semester final exams 15%.
Homework: Homework assignments will be made on most days, with time allowed in class
to begin and to make sure the students understand the material sufficiently well to finish on
their own. It is the student’s responsibility to ask about any assignments missed due to an
excused absence, and to make them up in a reasonable amount of time, for full credit. Late
assignments will be given only 60% credit. Assignments or exams missed due to truancy
will receive a score of zero with no makeup possible. Truancy routinely leads to failure in
the course.
Required Text:
 Geometry textbook
 Geometry additional practice workbook
Required Student Materials:
 Folder
 Several three-hole notebooks
 8 x 11 grid paper
 Pencil pouch
 Several pencils
 Colored pens
 Highlighter
 Loose-leaf 8 x 11 notebook paper
 TI 84 Graphing Calculator
Grading Policy:
Dodson grading scale will be used.
***For students who fall below a ‘”C” will be required to spend a ½ hour a day after
school for tutoring in compliance with the Dodson School policy.
Grading Distribution
Students are evaluated according to a variety of criteria. Student grades are based
on class participation, daily homework assignments, Problems of the Week, and unit
assessments, including midterm and final exams.
First QuarterGrade
45%
Second Quarter Grade
45%
Semester Final
10 %
*** Quarter Grades are based on the following
a) Homework
b) Problem of the Week (POW)/Extended Responses
c) Attendance/Participation
d) Exams/Quizzes
**** The grades are based on a total point system for each quarter.
Unit Assessment/Quizzes/Exams:
There will be in-class assessments and/or take-home assessment at the end of each
unit, and quizzes may be given at any time. In addition, a quarterly exam will be given at
the end of the 1st and 3rd quarters; a semester exam will be given at the end of each
semester. Assessments will consist of a few problems that require the use of a
combination of strategies and techniques explored throughout the unit. As always,
emphasis will be on the explanation of the process, not just on the solutions.
Homework/Classwork:
Expect homework on a daily basis. For the most part, homework is due the day
after it is assigned, and must be completed prior to the start of class. Some assignments
will be scored in class based on effort and completion, while others will be collected and
scored based on accuracy. You will not be told ahead of time which assignments will
be collected. All problems should be adequately attempted and evidence for your efforts
must be shown on paper. Students may receive partial credit for incomplete homework.
Problems of the Week:
Problems of the week are long-term problem-solving, usually open-ended
assignments. Despite the name, on occasion, you may have more than one week to work
on a problem of the week.
Attendance/Participation:
You are expected to be prepared, participate in group discussions, work together
on activities, answer questions posed by the teacher, present solutions to homework
problems to the class, take notes on all activities, and follow general directions.
It is very important that you attend class daily. You will need to be up-to-date
with the material at all times since most of the topics build upon each other. If you
are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed.
Supplementary Resources:
 http://www.math.com
 http://mathforum.org/dr.math
 http://www.freemathhelp.com
 http://www.purplemath.com
Assistance
Students can receive extra assistance from me:
a) From 7:30am till school starts in the morning.
b) After school by appointment only.
c) PLEASE, get help before falling behind!