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PRE-CALCULUS SYLLABUS
Ms. Farnsworth
Room 220
Math Department
sfarnsworth@keansburg.k12.nj.us
Office Hours: Monday 2:30 – 4:30
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Pre-calculus is designed to increase and deepen your understanding of
different types of functions, rules, and procedures that you learned in
Algebra 2. You will explore diverse families of functions and how they can
be applied to solve real-world problems. You will develop the skills to
analyze these families of functions to learn about their properties. You will
also explore the topic of Trigonometry and its applications. All of these
topics will help to prepare you to take Calculus or other higher-level
mathematics. Student’s will also fosters academic excellence and
responsible citizenship in a positive, safe and respectful environment in
order to develop productive contributors to society.
PRE-CALCULUS OBJECTIVES
By the end of the course you will be able to:
 Employ current technology to investigate, create, communicate and
produce
 Apply a variety of problem-solving strategies
 Obtain, evaluate, analyze, and apply data
 Read critically and write effectively in mathematics
 Demonstrate self-control and respect for all individuals
 Exhibit responsible citizenship
MATERIALS
 A notebook
 Folder
 A pen or pencil
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CLASSROOM PROCEDURES & EXPECTATIONS
ENTERING THE CLASSROOM
Each day, as students will enter the classroom quietly and calmly. At this
time students should proceed to their assigned seat, check the board for any
reminders and begin their “bell work.”
TARDY TO CLASS
Students are expected to be in the classroom when the bell rings. Students
who arrive late to class, without a pass, will be given a warning on the first
offense. Three stamps in one marking period will warrant a 15-minute after
school detention. Students are also responsible for any work they may have
missed.
BELL WORK
Each morning there will be a “bell work” assignment on the chalkboard.
Students are expected to enter the classroom and immediately begin their
“bell work.” Completion of “bell work” every day will earn each student one
ticket at the end of the week.
QUIETING THE CLASS
The teacher will ask the class to redirect their attention when new
instructions need to be given.
HOMEWORK
Students will be given homework almost every night because math is one of
the few subjects that are impossible to master without practice. Homework
assignments will always be posted on Remind101, allowing students to
reference the assignment directly from their phone. Homework will not be
graded on correctness but rather completeness. Meaning, the student will
receive the following grades for homework:
0 = homework was not attempted
1 = less than half of the homework was attempted
2 = homework was attempted in full
E = the student has handed in a homework pass and is exempt from the
assignment
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Homework will be collected or checked at random. Students should come to
class prepared each day. More than one zero in a marking period will
warrant a 15-minute after school detention, during which time the student
will work with the teacher to complete the missed assignment.
BATHROOM BREAKS
Using the bathroom during class is up to the discretion of the student. Each
time a student chooses to take a bathroom break during class, he or she must
turn in one ticket and sign his or her name on the sign out sheet. Only one
student may use the restroom at a time.
ABSENCES
When a student is absent from class, all of his or her missed work will be
kept in the appropriate folder on the “While You Were Out...” bulletin
board. Upon returning to class it is the students responsibility to complete
the missed work. Students will have two additional days to complete the
work for every day of EXCUSED absence in order to receive full credit. If
the absence is not excused students may only receive partial credit.
SECOND CHANCE
Each student has 5 school days to take a second chance on all tests and
quizzes. It is up to the student to ask for the second chance opportunity.
DISMISSAL FROM CLASS
The bell does not dismiss the class; the teacher dismisses the class.
IN CASE OF A SUB
Classroom procedures are expected to be followed as if the teacher were
here. The substitute teacher will be notified of all procedures and
expectations. All work, whether it is completed or not, is to be submitted in
the class work folder at the end of the period. Students who choose not to
behave as expected will receive only one warning before an after school
detention is warranted. The length of the detention will be determined by the
severity of the student’s actions.
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Ticket s
How do I ear n t icket s?
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Earning a high
grade on
or quiz
For asking clever question
 Respecting your peers
Showing significant improvement in graded work
 Completing “bell work”
For responding with an insightful answer
 Showing improvement in graded work
For helping a classmate solve a problem
 Earning above an 85% on a test or quiz
Wher 
edoOutstanding
I keep my t icket
s?participation and behavior
group
 Helping a classmate solve a problem
You have been provided with an envelope in which to store your tickets. I
 Responding to a question with an insightful answer
would recommend taping the envelop inside your binder cover. Do not forget
to leave the top of the envelop open!
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COURSE WORK & GRADING
Tests: These tests will be given periodically throughout the marking
period. They will always be announced at least three days in
advance. “Second Chance” will be offered after every test, and due
5 days later. 35% of your grade.
Quizzes: These quizzes will cover several topics and will always be
announced at least one day in advance. 25% of your grade.
Classwork: These assessments will occur throughout the semester.
Examples of alternative assessments include but are not limited to
classwork review, completing projects, and any other graded
activity, which doesn’t fit into the other categories. 15% of your
grade
Homework: You will have homework everyday. Homework is
necessary for practice and reinforcement so that you can master
the concepts covered in class. Homework will be graded on
completeness. 15% or your grade.
Attitude-Effort-Participation: You can ensure a good grade here by
having a positive attitude at all times, completing all assignments,
being attentive and respectful in class, seeking outside help when
appropriate, answering questions in class, asking relevant
questions in class, volunteering to place solutions on the board,
helping fellow classmates, rooting for the Titants, etc. Conversely,
you forfeit points by being indifferent, inattentive, disrespectful,
disruptive, excessively absent or late, unprepared, uncooperative,
working on assignments for other classes, wearing Middletown
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gear, etc. Students will grade themselves on class participation at
the end of each period. 10% of your grade.
CLASSROOM RULES & REGULATIONS
Rules
1. Listen to Instructions
2. Enter & Exit Prepared
3. Always Try Your Best
4. Respect Yourself & Others
5. No Excuses
Consequences
If you choose to break one of the four rules the following consequences
will occur:
 First time you will be given a warning.
 Second time you will lose the ability to earn tickets for that day
and your parents/guardians will be contacted.
 Third time you will be required to stay after school for detention.
 Fourth time you will be written up and sent to ISS.
PLEASE NOTE, THAT IF YOU CHOOSE TO ACT AGAINST SCHOOL OR
CLASSROOM POLICY, THE SEVERITY OF THE INCIDENT MAY
WARRANT SERIOUS PUNISHMENT UPON THE FIRST OFFENSE. These
offenses include, but are not limited to: actions and behaviors that
endanger the well being of your self or any of your peers.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I, _________________________________________________, acknowledge that I have
reviewed the class expectations, guidelines and grading policies.
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____________________________________
Students’s Name (Printed)
____________________________________
Class Period
___________________________________
Students’s Signature
__________________________________
Date
Pre-calculus Scope and Sequence
Concepts/Big ideas
Year
SEPT/OCT
I.
o
o
o
o
o
Concepts/Big ideas
Functions & Graphs
Domain and Range
Inverse Functions
Graphical Transformations
Function Composition
Asymptotes, End Behavior, & Symmetry
OCT/NOV
II.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Polynomials, Power, & Rational Functions
Recognize and Graph Functions
Calculate Polynomial Zeros
Polynomial Division
Remainder Theorem
Factor Theorem
Rational Zero Theorem
Calculate Polynomial Bounds
DEC/JAN
III.
o
o
o
o
o
o
Exponential, Logistic, & Logarithmic Functions
Evaluate & Graph Exponential Function
Exponential Growth & Decay
Convert Exponential & Logarithmic
Evaluate Logarithms
Properties of Logarithms
Financial Applications
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FEB/MACH
IV.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Trigonometric Functions
Convert Radians & Degrees
Calculate Arc Length
Trigonometric Graphs
Trigonometric Identities
Inverse vs. Trigonometric
Law of Cosines
Law of Sines
Special Triangles
MARCH/APRIL
V.
o
o
o
o
VI.
o
o
o
o
o
VII.
o
o
o
Vectors
Draw Vectors
Calculate Magnitude & Direction
Unit Vectors
Dot Product, Angles, & Projections
Systems and Matrices
Solve Systems of Equations
Matrix Algebra
Determinants
Identity & Inverse Matrix
Multivariate Linear Systems
Introduction to Calculus
Definition of Limits
Evaluating Limits
Definition of Derivatives
APRIL/MAY
MAY/JUNE