Course Syllabus – Geometry 2014-15
Mr. Castanza, Room 7
jcastanza@montgomerycatholic.org, jcastanza.wordpress.com
Course Description: Geometry teaches the fundamental theorems and relationships of traditional Euclidean
geometry. Students study parallel and perpendicular lines, congruence or similarity of geometric shapes,
properties of segments related to circles, perimeter and area formulas of common two-dimensional shapes,
surface area and volume of common three-dimensional solids, and classic constructions with straight-edge
and compass. Students also explore symmetries of translation, reflection, and rotations. Although proofs are
introduced, Geometry is primarily an applied course where students apply theorems to establish numerical
relationships.
Text: “Geometry," Pearson, 2011 edition, Prentice Hall, 978-0-1335-0041-7
Materials Needed:
Text – Students will be required to have their textbook in class each day.
Notebook – Three-ring binder or folder with clasps for student notes. No spiral bound notebooks.
Calculator – TI-30XS or better
Geometric Construction Tools – Ruler (inches and millimeters), Protractor, and Compass
Grading
Quarter Grades
Major Assessments
Graded Individual Work
Effort Homework
Projects
Notebook
45%
25%
5%
20%
5%
Semester Grades
1st Quarter Grade
40%
2nd Quarter Grade
40%
*Final Exam
20%
*All students will take cumulative final exam
Major Assessments – There will be summative chapter tests every few weeks. This is a large portion of the
overall quarter grade and must not be taken lightly. Students will have at least 1 week notice for all tests.
Preparation should be continuous and best practice will be daily completion of notes in class and homework
assignments. Tests will cover all aspects of the classroom work and test application knowledge of various
skills. It is important to note that all tests must be completed during the class period. Students will not be
allowed to return after school to complete unanswered items. All tests will be graded on a 0-100 scale.
Graded Individual Work – The Graded Individual Work category will see both graded homework and in-class
quizzes and assignments. Homework assignments for a grade will not include odd-numbered questions with
answers in the back of the textbook. Students can expect 1-3 grades in this category per week. All graded
individual work will be graded on a 0-100 scale.
Effort Homework – Students will be responsible each night to complete the homework assignment that tests
skills learned in class that day. Effort homework assignments will be geared toward practice and not graded
for accuracy. Questions assigned will be odd-numbered so that students can check answers in the back of the
book. It is essential that students understand these homework assignments are designed to prepare them for
the cumulative tests and reinforce all objectives learned throughout the course. Effort grades will be given as
a Letter Grade A, B, C, D, or F.
Projects – At least two projects will be assigned per quarter. The purpose of out-of-class projects is to connect
information learned in class with application in the real world. The information explored through projects
will focus on new discovery and new application. Students will be expected to complete these projects both
on their own and in small groups without class time dedicated to preparation or work. Students need to
practice good time management in the execution of these projects so as not to be overwhelmed at the last
minute. These projects will not be designed to be completed in one sitting the night before. There will be
ample lead time for all students to complete the assignment. For projects assigned in groups, all students in
each group will receive the same grade. All projects will be graded on a 0-100 scale.
Notebook – Loose leaf paper is to be organized in a three ring binder or folder with clasps. Absolutely no
spiral notebooks allowed. Students should have a section in the notebook for class notes and a separate
section for homework. Only math class work should be kept in this notebook. Notebooks will be collected at
random for grading and must be in order at all times. Daily note pages should be dated and labeled to be
easily used in test prep and review. Keeping good notes is a skill that all students will need to develop as we
prepare for college. Notebook checks will be given as a Letter Grade A, B, C, D, or F.
Final Exam – All students are required to take the cumulative final exam at the end of the semester.
Formatting: All student work, including homework, class notes, quizzes, and tests, must include the same
header. In the top, right-hand corner of the lined paper students will write their full name followed on the
lines below with Date, Class Name and period. The top left of the page will have the assignment name. All
problems are to be numbered and to begin on the left margin of the page. All problems must appear in proper
numerical order. Assignments that require multiple pages should be stapled at top left.
Additionally, all files submitted electronically must be saved with the correct file name formatstudentlastname_firstinitial_teacherlastname_assignmentname
For example, Rachel Stewart’s Construction Project in Mr. Castanza’s class would be saved as:
Stewart_R_Castanza_Construction
Student Responsibility: Class participation is a professional responsibility of each student. Asking
questions, taking notes, and participating regularly in the discussion is an integral part of the learning process
for each student. It is unreasonable to expect that students can excel in this subject without consistent class
participation. It is also the responsibility of the student to be on time and prepared. During class, students
should be respectful and courteous, keep their desk clean and follow school policies related to behavior, cell
phones, and computers. Aisles should be kept clear of personal belongings. Class starts promptly at the bell –
students should be ready.
Veritas Addendums:
Veritas note 1: Any access to a teacher edition text or to any source providing text solutions beyond those
available in a student text is a serious Veritas violation and can result in failing any quarter in which the
material is accessed.
Veritas note 2: Undue aid in the Veritas pledge clearly refers to instances of cheating, copying, or using
inappropriate materials. It also refers to any form of well-intentioned assistance (e.g., tutors, peers, parents,
web apps) which consistently produce high grades on out-of-class work that the student cannot explain or
replicate in the classroom. This is a serious Veritas violation and can result in failing any quarter in which it
occurs. Out-of-class assistance should be in compliance with the teacher's Veritas guidelines and should result
in student understanding commensurate with the quality of work submitted. A consistent pattern of highly
correct out-of-class work that the student cannot explain or reproduce in class is considered ample evidence
that undue aid has been accessed.
Late Work: It is the student’s responsibility to complete work missed during an excused absence. Work
missed during an unexcused absence is not eligible for make-up. Each student will have two days to make up
daily grades missed during excused absences and one week to complete a missed test. Tests will be
administered after school on a day set on an individual basis between student and teacher. These make-up
tests will be shorter in nature, which means that each exercise will hold a greater value – be prepared. Work
that is received late will receive a maximum score of 75. No late work will be accepted after the last day of
each Quarter. Again, it is the responsibility of the student to gather late work and missed assignments.
Tutorials: Each afternoon from 2:45-3:15, Monday through Thursday, tutorials area available in Room 7.
Tutorials are designed to be a great place for students to complete work with assistance available.