Syllabus for Geometry
L. Merwin
mrsmerwin@gmail.com

website: mrsmerwin.com

Text: Geometry (Michigan Edition)
Published by McDougal Littell

Topics:

first trimester

  • Ch 1—Essentials of Geometry
  • Ch 2—Reasoning and Proof
  • Ch 3—Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
  • Ch 4—Congruent Triangles

    second trimester

  • Ch 5—Relationships within Triangles
  • Ch 6—Similarity
  • Ch 7—Right Triangles and Trigonometry
  • Ch 8—Quadrilaterals

    third trimester

  • Ch 9—Properties of Transformations
  • Ch 10—Properties of Circles
  • Ch 11-Measuring Length and Area
  • Ch 12-Surface Area and Volume of Solids

    Grading:

  • 20%--Assignments
  • 20%--Projects—weekly
  • 40%--Tests—end of each chapter
  • 10%--Notes and note taking guide--checked at the end of the chapter
  • 10%--Bell work—daily warm-ups

    Students will be expected to demonstrate:

  • Knowledge of vocabulary—use words correctly in context as well as understand when others use the words
  • Visual understanding of geometry—draw and interpret drawings, including constructions
  • Use of logical reasoning—write and understand the logic used in proofs of theories
  • Applications of geometry in life

    Assignments:

    Assignments are typically from the book or will be distributed on a sheet of paper. The assignments allow students to practice new skills or become familiar with new ideas. It is important that the assignments be done when they are assigned. New material will be based on the old material. If the student has not become comfortable with the old material first, the new material may be more difficult to learn. Normally assignments are due the day after they are assigned.
  • I try to update the calendar on my website daily with the assignment(s) for that day. This will allow students who were absent to catch up quickly.

    Projects:

    Projects are intended to give the students a chance to use what they have learned from their text books. Many of the projects are different from typical school math work. The projects are intended to help the students to understand where geometry fits into the rest of their lives. Some of the projects are just plain fun--do them. A new project will be assigned each Monday.
  • I try to post the directions for the week's project on the calendar on my website for the benefit of absent students or students who need a fresh copy of the directions. If I am ever slow to post them, send me a reminder. If you are stuck at home and do not understand the directions, e-mail me and I will help you that way.

    Tests:

    A test will follow each chapter as we complete the work in that chapter. Tests are written in such a way as to allow the student to demonstrate their current level of understanding of the material. The students are expected to try their best on each test but there may be factors that hinder a student from doing well on a test. For this reason, students will be permitted to re-take tests at a time determined by the student and the teacher. The test will be different but cover the same material.

    Take-Home Tests:

    Each chapter test will have a take-home portion to it. This part may have problems that take extra time to work out, problems that students need to look for additional information, or problems where the students may want to compare their methods to another student's. This portion of the chapter test is due within a day or two of the in-class portion and is worth fewer points. Students are encouraged to take their time on the take-home portion of a test and refer to their textbook or their notes where necessary.

    Notes and the Note Taking Guide:

    I put together a note taking guide that is intended to help students locate and remember the important parts of each lesson. There are places in the guide for the student to fill in things from class or from the text book. There are problems that the student is expected to work out--some of these will be done together with the class. The note taking guide is intended to help the students organize what they are learning in class.
  • This should be brought to class each day so that we can fill in the blanks together.
  • This should also be helpful for studying for chapter tests and the final exam--students are encouraged to keep this packet for future reference.
  • Blank paper can be added to the packet for any further notes that the students wants to take.

    Bell Work:

    Each day as class begins, there will be work on the overhead projector for students to work on immediately. This work is sometimes used to introduce the current day's work; sometimes it is a review of past work; sometimes it is just intended to make the students think. Bell work will only last for 5 minutes and therefore students need to be in class on time.

    Make-up Policy

    If a student is absent for any reason, it is their responsibility to complete all assignments and take missed tests or quizzes. It is also their responsibility to get notes and examples missed from another student for their math notebook. All assignments should be made up within a week of being missed. Any assignments not made up will result in a 0.

    Final Exam

    The final exam is mandatory. The final exam counts as either 1/3 of the grade averaged equally with each card marking (if the student does well on the exam) or it will count 10% (if the student does poorly on the exam).

    Grading Scale:

  • A+   97 or above

  • A    93-96

  • 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-   59-62

  • E    below 59



    • This syllabus was revised 8/09
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