PRECALCULUS SYLLABUS
DUTCHTOWN HIGH SCHOOL
2015-2016
Teacher: Teresa Jackson (Room 115)
School Phone: (770) 515-7510: School Fax: (770) 515-7518
Email: teresa.jackson@henry.k12.ga.us
School Web Page: www.henry.k12.ga.us
Online Resources: www.georgiastandards.org ,
Supplies:
 2 Dry Erase Markers Monthly/Dry Erase Board
 Pencils (no pens! Prefer mechanical pencils)
 (1½”) Three Ring Binders and Notebook papers with 8 notebook dividers
 Scientific or Graphing Calculator (Casio fx-115 ES plus).
 Graph paper, ruler, index cards, pack of colored pencils
 Ream of printer paper
Course Description / Content:
Pre-Calculus focuses on standards to prepare students for a more intense study of mathematics. The
critical areas organized in eight units delve deeper into content from previous courses. The study of circles
and parabolas is extended to include other conics such as ellipses and hyperbolas. Trigonometric functions
are introduced and developed to include inverses, general triangles and identities. Matrices provide an
organizational structure in which to represent and solve complex problems. Students expand the concepts
of complex numbers and the coordinate plane to represent and operate upon vectors. Probability rounds
out the course using counting methods, including their use in making and evaluating decisions. The
Mathematical Practice Standards apply throughout each course and, together with the content standards,
prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of
their ability to make sense of problem situations.
Unit 1: Students will use the unit circle to extend the domain of trigonometric functions to include
all real numbers. Students will develop understanding of the radian measure of an angle, graph
trigonometric functions, and derive and apply the Pythagorean identity.
Unit 2: Building on standards from Unit 1, students extend their study of the unit circle and
trigonometric functions. Students will create inverses of trigonometric functions and use the inverse
functions to solve trigonometric equations that arise in real-world problems.
Unit 3: Building on standards from Unit 1 and Unit 2, students will apply trigonometry to general
triangles. Students will derive the trigonometric formula for the area of a triangle and prove and use the
Laws of Sines and Cosines to solve problems.
Unit 4: Building on standards from the first three units, students will prove and use addition, subtraction,
double, and half-angle formulas to solve problems.
Unit 5: Students will perform operations on matrices, use matrices in applications, and use matrices to
represent and solve systems of equations.
Unit 6: Building on standards from previous courses, students will derive the equations of conic sections
(parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas). Students will solve systems of a linear and quadratic equation in two
variables.
Unit 7: Students will extend their understanding of complex numbers and their operations through
graphical representations. Students will perform operations on vectors and use the operations to
represent various quantities.
Unit 8: Students will extend their study of probability by computing and interpreting probabilities of
compound events. Students will calculate expected values and use them to solve problems and make
informed decisions.
Standards for Mathematical Practice
1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
4. Model with mathematics.
5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
6. Attend to precision.
7. Look for and make use of structure.
reasoning.
8. Look for and express regularity in repeated
Concepts will be presented in multiple ways such as concrete/pictorial, verbal/written, numeric/data-based,
graphical and symbolic periodically, online assignments/assessments will be given.
GSE Pre-Calculus Units
First Semester
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Unit 1: Introduction to Trigonometric Functions
Unit 2: Trigonometric Functions
Unit 3: Trigonometry of General Triangles
Unit 4: Trigonometric Identities
Unit 5: Matrices
Unit6: Conics
Unit 7: Vectors
Unit8: Probability
Grading Procedure:
All the standards carry equal points.
Grading:
Assignments will be made daily and are designed to help students understand, practice and apply the
standards prior to being formally assessed on the standards. In order to ensure mastery, successful
completion of assignments and proof that standards have been met are required for students to participate in
summative assessments.
Quizzes over one to three elements of the standards will be given at least weekly. Unit tests over
multiple elements will be given about every three weeks. Items on tests and quizzes will be graded by
standards and grades will be recorded by standard.
At the end of first semester all the students will take an exam covering units from first semester.
Students will be required to keep a neat and organized notebook that follows the guidelines directed.
The notebook will be used to obtain homework, classwork, Project and quiz grades, and Major Exams
(Unit Assessments).
Grading Scale:
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 74-79
D = 70-73
F = 0-69
Infinite Campus:
Grades are uploaded to the Infinite Campus on regular basis. Parents will be contacted by their child’s teacher
when his/her math grade falls below 75. Parents may contact the school’s counseling office to set up a parentteacher conference.
Homework:
Homework is a method of reinforcement and independent practice. It is important that students
complete it. Students are expected to turn in homework the day it is due.
Make-up Procedure: (Per student handbook)
It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements for make-up work. The number of days
allowed to complete make-up work will be one day for each day absent, unless determined otherwise by the
principal. Failure to comply with this make-up procedure will result in a zero (0) being given for work and
graded assignments missed during an excused absence. Students with excused absences may arrange with
the teacher for extra help if an extended absence is unavoidable. Students who have an absence on the day of
a test should come prepared to take that test the day they return to school. In addition, if the student was
informed prior to the absence date of a test, the student is required to take the test upon return. Tests may be
made up after regular school hours at room 115.
Tutoring:
 Students may request a study or make-up session with their teacher on a needs basis. Teachers will
not be responsible for transporting students. Tutoring for Math is provided on Mondays in Room
115 from 3:30 to 4:15. My tutoring schedule is subject to change.
Classroom Rules:
1. Be on time. Be in your seat when the bell rings. Class begins promptly, and we work from bell to
bell.
2. Be respectful towards others in your words and actions. Also respect school and personal
property. Do not touch my things without permission.
3. Be prepared for class. Bring your book, notebook, pencil, paper, and calculator to class daily.
4. Talking without permission is considered classroom disruption.
5. Be accountable for all the handbook policies and individual classroom procedures.
6. Be a good listener and follow instructions the first time they are given
7. No food or beverages are allowed in the classroom!!!
Procedure for enforcing class, school, and county rules:
(For definitions of Section I, II, and III offenses see student handbook.)
1) For any offense of classroom rules: 4-step process
First offense:
conference with student
Second offense:
parental contact/30 minute detention
Third offense:
parental contact/1 hour detention
Fourth offense:
referral to administration
2) For any offense that falls into SECTION I, II, or III:
First offense:
Referral to administration
How to pass this class: Doing the following items will help you be successful in this class:
1. Do assigned reading and practice promptly.
2. Use a planner.
3. Be present on a daily basis. If you are sick, make up work in a timely manner when you return.
If absent for more than one day, arrange for your work to be brought to you (by a classmate).
4. Keep your notebook up to date.
5. Complete your own assignments.
6. Study for tests (start reviewing for a test at least three nights before a test).
7. Ask questions when you do not understand.
Disclaimer: This syllabus is subject to change at the instructor’s request
Pre-Calculus Syllabus
“I understand the course requirements and expectations outlined in the course syllabus. I understand
that I may contact the instructor at Dutchtown High School with any questions or concerns that I
might have. I also understand that attendance in a mathematics based class is critical to success.”
Please go to http://bit.ly/1Dijgji to submit the Syllabus Acknowledgement form.