ROOM: 106
EMAIL: cmarchant@palisadessd.org
PreCalculus – Course Syllabus – Ms. Marchant
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to review and expand upon the fundamentals of Algebra and Trigonometry.
Additionally, the course will teach the pre-requisite concepts for Calculus. Topics in Analytic Geometry needed for
college placement tests, as well as calculus, are studied. Essential topics for understanding calculus (including but
not limited to: sequences and series, limits, and the concept of a derivative) are covered and will give students a
solid background for Calculus.
COURSE CONTENT:
Review Chapter 4
¤ Properties of Functions
¤ Graphs and Inverses
Review Chapter 7
¤ Angles, Arcs, and Sectors
¤ Trigonometric Functions
Chapter 10
¤ Trig Addition Formulas
¤ cos(±), sin(±), tan(±)
Chapter 5
¤ Exponents
¤ Growth & Decay Functions
¤ Logarithmic Functions
¤ Exponential Equations
Review Chapter 8
¤ Equations of Waves
¤ Identities and Equations
Chapter 13
¤ Finite Sequences and Series
¤ Infinite Sequences and Series
Review Chapter 9
¤ Triangle Trigonometry
Chapter 19
¤ Limits
¤ Series
¤ Area under curve
Chapter 6
¤ Analytic Geometry
¤ Circles & Ellipses
¤ Hyperbolas & Parabolas
Chapter 20
¤ Slope of a Curve
¤ Derivatives
MATERIALS:
Prerequisites: Students should be proficient in the Geometry, Algebra 2, and AA-Trig course curriculums.
Text:
Advanced Mathematics. McDougal Littell, Richard G. Brown, 2003.
Supplies:
A notebook with lined paper, pencil (no pens), eraser, and a graphing calculator.
* A pencil is required for ALL tests and quizzes!
Calculator:
It is suggested to have a graphing calculator. I recommend TI-83+ Silver, TI-84, or TI84+ Silver.
*This course will have limited to no calculator use to enhance the development of fundamental math skills.
EVALUATION:
Quarter Grade:
Test, Quizzes, and Performance Tasks: 80%
Homework/Classwork/Warm-ups: 20%
Course Grade:
First Quarter: 40%
Second Quarter: 40%
Exams (Midterm and Cumulative Final): 20%
You should keep track of your own grade throughout the semester and share this information with your parents on a
regular basis. Periodically, grades will be posted in the back of the room, by ID number. Questions regarding grades
will be addressed on Mondays only. Any other concerns may be sent to me via email or addressed after school.
CLASSROOM POLICIES:
~ You are expected to be courteous and respectful to both your fellow classmates and teacher. Disrespect and rude
behaviors will not be tolerated. Phone calls and teacher detentions will be taken as a first course of action. Referrals
to the school administration will follow if poor behavior continues.
~ Absences, lateness, and plagiarism will be dealt with according to school policy. See your student handbook for
details. Plagiarism/Cheating is the stealing or claiming someone else’s ideas or words as your own without crediting
the source and/or aiding in this act. This includes copying – submitting the same homework, projects, etc… as
another student or sharing your work with another student unless group work is specified in writing by the
instructor.
~ Be sure to get the class notes you missed while you are absent from a classmate. Copies of the class notes will not
be available from the teacher. When you return to class the next day, be sure to turn in the homework from the day
you were last in school or you will not receive credit for it. This is your responsibility, I will not remind you.
~ Attendance is expected and rewarded. For attending all classes preceding a test, your earned score will have an
additional point value of .03 total test points. This will occur for every end of unit test. For having perfect attendance
on every announced quiz and test day, you will earn a 1.03 factor on your midterm and/or final exam. This incentive
program is offered for students who are physically present in class – field trips, lateness, and going to the nurse, are
not excused absences. Also, be sure that you submit absentee reasons to the office within 3 days of your absence or
you will not receive a zero on the assignments/tests that were done on that day.
~ You are expected to make up any quizzes or tests missed from when you are absent, on the day you return to
school during class time. If you have a study hall or want to stay after school to make up the quiz/test that day, that
is acceptable. Longer periods of absence will be dealt with on an individual level.
~ Active participation in your math education is required to succeed in this course. Parental contact will be made
when your grade slips below a 70% or behavior issues occur.
~ It is each student’s responsibility to keep up with the course material. This is a rigorous course and moves at a fast
pace. If you are falling behind, ask for assistance immediately; don’t wait until it’s too late! Tutoring is available most
days after school.
~ There are no test retakes in PreCalculus. It is imperative that you prepare for each test.
~ Being able to apply your math knowledge to new situations is important. Don’t be surprised if there are questions
on the test that you have never seen before. You will be required to “synthesize” in this class.
HOMEWORK POLICY:
~ Homework will be assigned nightly and is due the following day. Late homework will receive no credit. You must
show work for each problem, answers only is not acceptable. Grades for homework will be determined as follows:
Full credit: All problems are completed.
Half credit: Partially done, with at least half completed.
No credit: Less than half has been attempted.
PORTFOLIO ENTRIES:
~ There will be projects offered this semester. They are usually assigned one or two weeks before they are due. Try
not to procrastinate because you may need to ask for guidance along the way. Projects have major impact on your
grade. Therefore, it is important to complete them on time.
Projects and selected performance assessments all make great portfolio entries.
**Course content may vary from this outline to meet the needs of this particular group.**