Health Careers Academy Course Syllabus

10^th Grade Geometry

Academic Year 2009-2010

Mr. Samuel Thomas Grosso

e-mail: sgrosso2@boston.k12.ma.us

class website: www.http://sites.google.com/site/geometrygrosso/

phone: 617-373-8576

Internet Resources:

Book Website: http://glencoe.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0078738181/student_view0/

Extra examples online: http://glencoe.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0078738181/sitemap.html?resource=extraexamples

Self-check quizzes: http://glencoe.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0078738181/sitemap.html?resource=chapterreadinessquiz

Chapter tests online: http://glencoe.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0078738181/sitemap.html?resource=chaptertest

Dear 10^th Grade Students and Families:

Welcome back to the Health Careers Academy. My name is Mr. Grosso. I teach Geometry, Precalculus and MCAS preparation at H.C.A. I look forward to working with you in the classroom this year. We will prepare for the May MCAS tests by improving our test taking skills, developing the necessary skills in algebra, geometry and logic while building our confidence for examination time.

I came to the Academy in 2006 teaching mathematics and science. I hold a bachelors degree in Political Science from the University of Connecticut and have graduate credits in mathematics, architecture and secondary education as well as a license to teach Special Education in Massachusets. Prior to joining H.C.A., I taught at the Snowden International School at Copley Place and at El Centro Del Cardenal alternative high school in the South End. I am certified to teach both History and Mathematics at the 9-12^th grade levels and have also taught English as a Second Language and Medical Vocabulary for Home Health Aides at Roxbury Community College. Mr. Grosso coached and was assistant coach for Snowden’s track and baseball teams, respectively and would love to start a soccer club at HCA in 2009. Finally, I will be your art advisor this year.

Parents and guardians, you can count on me to do whatever I can to help students learn in my class. I treat my students with the respect that everyone deserves and expect to be treated with the same level of respect. Expect to hear from me about unproductive or disruptive behavior. Check to see that your student has completed the homework that I will assign 3 – 5 nights per week. Feel free to contact me with questions about your student’s progress. You can leave a message for me at (617-373-8576.

Best,

Samuel T. Grosso

Textbooks: Glencoe Geometry & CARATS MCAS Preparation Guide.

HCA provides students with a copy of each book used in class. It is the responsibility of the student to return them when the class has finished using them. Students are expected to return their textbooks in good condition. If the student damages or loses the book, they are expected to pay for the damaged/lost book before a replacement will be issued. Students are responsible for assignments, even if a book is lost.

Student Supplies: Textbook, graph paper notebook, calculator, ruler, writing instruments and homework.

Course Description:

Students will understand the concepts of lines, rays and angles and be able to measure and solve algebraic equations to find for missing measurements. Students will understand the concepts of perimeter and area, and be able to find either for a number of shapes, using algebra skills. Students will understand the concept of volume, and be able to find volume using the correct algebraic formulas. Students will be versed in sample MCAS test problems, subjected to timed skill drills, tutored one on one as necessary, practice “popular” geometry and algebra question formats, undergo mock testing situations, develop their own versions of MCAS test questions, learn about the MCAS test; what constitutes a passing score, the concepts that are being tested and the overall “big picture” of the exam as well as take multiple practice tests in order to achieve a comfort level with the major benchmark of their high school mathematics career.

Students will become better at:

• Analytical and abstract thinking skills.
• Using algebra to solve geometric problems.
• Using high level math operations (square roots, imaginary numbers, exponents).
• Working with measurements and angles.

The teaching strategies to be used include:

• Direct Instruction
• Sample testing
• One-on-one Direct instruction
• Team building activities
• Concrete “real life” problem solving
• Constructive learning activities
  
  

Instructional Objectives:

Topics and concepts students will understand by the end of the year:

• Lines and Angles (Points, Lines, Planes, Angles, Reasoning, Proofs, Parallel and Perpendicular Lines).
• Triangles (Congruent Triangles, Relationships in triangles, Proportions and Similarity, Right Triangles and trigonometry).
• Quadrilaterals and Circles (Quadrilaterals, Transformations, Circles).
• Unit Area and Volume (Areas of Polygons and Circles, Surface area, Volume).

Major Skills:

By the end of the year students will have exposure to and experience with:

The basics of number theory, fractions, word problems, arithmetic operations, ratios and proportion, the language of Geometry, Pythagorean proofs, finding the area and volume of myriad geometric shapes. Substantial emphasis is placed on the word problem solution process utilizing algebraic and geometric techniques.

Assessment Strategies and Grading Policy:

Each quarter students’ grades will be determined based on the following criteria:

Tests 25% - Tests will be given at the end of each chapter. City wide exams will occur regularly, as checkpoints in our yearly progress. Written open ended responses will be given each term as appropriate.

Quizzes 20% - Quizzes will be given most weeks.

Notebook/Portfolio 15% - Contains class and homework, notes on activities and reading assignments, questions and vocabulary from the textbook.

Daily assignments/Homework 15% - Assignments will be quickly checked at the first 5 minutes of class, and later examined thoroughly during notebook checks.

Class participation 10% - Students are expected to behave in a mature manner, answer questions and participate during whole class discussions.

Group projects & Presentations 15% - You will do a project and or group presentation each term. All members of group must participate.

The term grade will be averaged from the above scores. The final grade for the course will be an average of the four quarterly grades. Extra credit and demerits will be factored after this average.

Mid-Year and Year-End Assessments:

At the conclusion of the first semester and at the end of the school year there will be final assessments developed and scored by the Boston Public Schools.

Late Work Policy:

I will accept late work up until the last week of the term. If a student misses class they should not wait longer than one day for every day they missed to complete assignments. It is the student’s responsibility to see me about making up their work within 2 days of absence.

Extra Credit/Demerit Policy:

Occasionally students will have the opportunity to complete additional work for extra credit. Extra credit is NOT a substitute for regular assignments and all expectations apply for these assignments including due dates, formats and most especially quality of work. Students can earn up to 10 points to their total grade for the term. Demerits for misconduct will subtract 1 point per penalty.

Expectations:

Students are expected to come to class prepared and ready to learn. It is the student’s responsibility to see the teacher regarding missed assignments and exams. This must be done within two (2) days of returning to school.

Classroom Rules

I enforce all rules of Health Careers Academy, as outlined in the Student Handbook, as well as those rules of the Boston Public Schools. This includes a strict enforcement of the no cell phone policy. Electronic devices such as IPODS will be CONFISCATED if used in class. No Food or drink. Students should have good attendance. Please note, it is essential students are routinely in class and on time. According to Boston Public School policy, three unexcused tardies are equal to one absence and three unexcused absences will result in a lower grade. It is my hope students will be responsible, be respectful and above all, BE SUCCESSFUL!

Plagiarism Policy

Cheating/copying is not tolerated. This applies to homework as well as tests, quizzes and presentations. The consequences for this will result in an individual conference with the teacher, a lower grade and potentially no credit. I was born at night, but not last night!

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