PreAP Precalculus
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Matt Moore
Prerequisite: Algebra II
Materials required: Pencil and paper
Graph paper
Red pen
Notebook for storing returned papers and notes
Scientific calculator
What is precalculus?
Precalculus is a course designed to provide students with the firm foundation in trigonometry and college
algebra to establish concepts necessary for success in college or AP Calculus. It begins with trigonometry,
the study of periodic functions and their application and then expands on topics studied during Algebra II,
algebraic expressions, polynomials, functions, exponents and logarithms. Besides trigonometry, new
concepts include continuity, convergence, limits and polar coordinates. We will work to build:
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Habits of Mind
Skills
Strategies
Habits of mind
Justification is important in college level math courses like PreAP Precalculus. Justifications for answers
to math problems require that you give mathematical (noncalculator) reasons and that you identify
functions, graphs, tables, or other objects you use. Show all your work. You will be graded on the
correctness and completeness of your methods as well as the accuracy of your final answers. Correct
answers without supporting work may not receive credit.
For example:
It is 856 miles to my mother’s house. If I averaged 60 mph as I traveled to her house this summer, how
many hours did my trip take?
The answer to the above question is not 14.26666667. However, if you use a calculator and work the
problem it will read 14.26666667. So, what’s the problem? First of all, answers written as decimals in
precalculus should be either rounded or truncated to 3 decimal places, 14.266 or 14.267 in this case. This is
the AP Calculus standard. Secondly, the answer must be justified. In other words you have to tell why the
answer is 14.266. Here you should have written out the equation, d=rt, written that d=856 and r=60, then
substituted and solved for t, or you could write 856=60t and solved for t. The units have to be on the answer
as well.
Finally, we should have answered in context giving reference to the question asked. Something like - The
trip to your mother’s house took approximately 14.266 hours.
Training yourself to answer problems this way without having to think about it is one of those “Habits of
Mind” we will establish.
Skills
One of the skills we will emphasize in precalculus is the use of technology. Students are required to
have a good scientific calculator. Scientific calculators are relatively inexpensive and readily available.
Since graphing calculators are required in most college math classes, students will use them in this course.
However - Students are not required to have a graphing calculator. I have a classroom set of graphing
calculators and all work on graphing calculators will be done in class. If you already own a graphing
calculator, be advised that TI-89s, and calculators with QWERTY keyboards are not allowed in this course.
If you want to purchase a graphing calculator, I would suggest the TI-84.
Strategies
Although textbook assignments are optional in PreAP Precalculus, learning the strategies for identifying
problems and correctly solving them requires practice. You should spend at least 30 focused minutes
each evening working optional assignments or the occasional required homework assignment.
Assignments will be of a length that will attempt to maximize practice and minimize redundancy. We will
have lessons for guided practice and feedback, and there may be some required homework assignments that
where students will read their texts for additional information not presented during my lesson. This allows
students to practice reading and understanding the language of mathematics, an essential skill for higherlevel math courses.
Quiz/Homework grades will be recorded once or twice a week. Quizzes cover optional homework
assignments and class lessons. They will contain both multiple choice and free response questions.
Tests in pre-calculus prepare students for the types of questions they will encounter on college math tests.
Tests may require students to go beyond simple “regurgitation” of facts and methods. Some test items will
require students to answer in complete sentences, some questions could be over old concepts that relate to
the new ones, there will be multiple choice items, perhaps and extension item - one which students have not
seen before but have been given the ability to solve.
Grading
Tests (Including the Final): 80%
Homework and quizzes: 2%
Homework
There will be suggested textbook assignments for every lesson. These assignments are not graded, but are
designed to provide practice and preparation for the weekly quiz and the unit exam. You should spend a
minimum of 30 focused minutes each evening working on the suggested assignments. That way if you
detect a lack of understanding (you get some wrong), you can ask questions during the next class
discussion or come in before or after school for extra help. There may be a few required homework
assignments, but these will not be from the textbook.
If all of the suggested textbook assignments for a unit are completed and turned in on test day, you will
earn a 30% bonus on the quiz/homework grade for the unit.
Tests will be mostly multiple-choice but will include two to four free response problems (problems where
work must be shown or solutions otherwise explained). Free response problems receive a greater weight
than multiple choice problems.
I allow one (1) unit test per semester to be dropped from the student’s average.
Behavior
Respect the teacher and the learning environment
1. Listen first
2. Wait till an appropriate time to ask a question
3. Ask appropriate questions
4. Remain seated during the lesson and until the dismissal bell
Respect one another
1. Use appropriate and respectful language at all times
2. If something isn’t yours, leave it alone
3. Don’t throw things
Take care of school property
1. Don’t write on desks
2. Don’t write in your textbook unless I tell you to do so
3. Don’t sit on the desk
4. Keep the room clean
Any other behaviors deemed inappropriate by the teacher because they are disruptive, destructive,
dishonest, or disrespectful are forbidden.
Please make sure you review the student handbook. Pay particular attention to rules involving dress code,
the use of cell phones and m3p players, and disciplinary procedures.
Last but not least...
Effective teaching requires good communication. Engaged, honest, yet respectful two way communication
is the key to your success. I cannot help you succeed if you, the student, don’t talk to me. In class, I will ask
questions of you and I expect thoughtful and honest responses, not necessarily correct ones. I will expect
you to ask me questions and each other questions. One of the most important things for a college bound
student to learn is how to take charge of their own education. It isn’t up to the instructor to pour knowledge
into your heads. It is up to you to extract it using all the tools at your disposal. Certainly, a good instructor
is important, and I will do my best to be an excellent instructor. Ultimately, however, it is your
responsibility to learn.
If you ever have a question about your grades, think you have been graded unfairly, or feel I have
misjudged or mistreated you in any way, please make arrangements to meet with me outside of class. You
may bring a friend or parent if you like. I certainly am not perfect and will acknowledge my mistakes.
That way we can get the problem resolved and get you back on the road to a successful year.
Office hours: Everyday after school in my room till 4:00 (4:30 if needed) I’m available to help you with
questions. I’ll even go over a topic from the beginning for students that paid attention in class but just
couldn’t “get it. Please let me know if you plan to come in for help.
If you have questions call me at 376-2404 or email to moorem@mustangps.org.