Geometry Syllabus
Coral Reef Senior High
Mr. Pressey
Room 409
2015 – 2016 School Year
pressey.weebly.com
“Equations are just the boring part of math. I try to see things in terms of geometry.” Stephen Hawking
Course Description: We will cover all essential, and many advanced topics in high school
Geometry. We will also reinforce any other academic skills as the need becomes apparent.
Text: Discovering Geometry: An Investigative Approach Michael Serra, Key Curriculum press,
4th Edition. You are expected to bring the textbook to class every day (I do book checks).
Attendance: All students are expected to attend school daily, be on time and be prepared to
work. Students are late (and they will receive a detention) if not in their seats when the tardy
bell rings. Students with excused absences may always make-up any tests or assignments
that they missed. However, assignments or tests for missed for unexcused absences will result
in a grade of “Z” and may not be made up. Work turned in more than one week after the
absence is considered late and may not be accepted.
Supplies: You are required to have a notebook for keeping notes and classwork. Whatever
works for you is fine, but I recommend something with graph paper. You will also need a
scientific calculator, protractor, compass, straightedge, and graph paper, but don’t spend a lot
of money on them. Just get decent ones – but the compass can’t be loose or slip after it is set.
Expectations:
 There is to be no mean-spirited or disrespectful behavior or discourse at any time from
anyone. Be respectful to the teacher, yourself and your classmates at all times.
 Every student must complete their own assignments; copied work will not be accepted.
 Be on time – be in your seat with materials ready to start when the bell rings. If you are
late to my class without a pass, you will be issued a detention.
 Generally, I do not give hall passes – do whatever you need to do before class.
 Class is dismissed by the teacher – not the bell.
 Please … no food, gum or drinks (other than water in a sealed container) in class.
 Bring an open mind and do your best - slacking is unacceptable.
 Absolutely no cell phone/iPod/iPad usage in class – if I see it, I will take it
and your parents will have to pick it up from the main office after school!
Assignments: All assignments must be completed in pencil, NOT in any color of
ink. Any assignments not completed in pencil will not be accepted unless approved by me in
advance. There will be a math assignment for almost every class; usually this should not take
more than 30 minutes to complete. All work must be shown on every assignment and
make no mistake, if there is insufficient or no work – there will be no credit
given! Also, if I cannot read or understand your work, you will not receive credit. All
homework should be completed by the beginning of the class period when it is due. Barring
extenuating circumstances, no late or makeup homework will be accepted for unexcused
absences. Remember, for excused absences, making up the assignments is YOUR job.
Page 1 of 4
Geometry Syllabus
Coral Reef Senior High
Mr. Pressey
Room 409
2015 – 2016 School Year
pressey.weebly.com
“Equations are just the boring part of math. I try to see things in terms of geometry.” Stephen Hawking
Exams: A number of exams will be given throughout the course. If you should miss one, you
will only be allowed to make it up if your absence is excused. The grade will be a “Z” if the
absence is not excused. If excused, you will have to schedule a time to take the exam (or
quiz) within one week of your return. All make-ups are taken after school – not during class;
nor or do I allow tests to be made up during lunch – there isn’t enough time. Each quarter
there will be district-mandated interim assessments, which may or may not be graded, and the
Geometry End-of-Course Exam is currently scheduled for April 18th through May 20th of 2016.
Grading Policy: A student’s grade is determined by a number of components: class
participation, tests and quizzes, homework, investigations and notebook checks. A weighted
4.0 scale (letter grades A-F) is used. Chapter tests count as 3 test grades, Mid-Chapter tests
count for 2 test grades, quizzes count as 1 test grade, homework, and investigation weights
vary, but will be announced. From these, 75% of your grade will come from the tests, 15%
from assignments, and 10% from investigations and notebook checks.
Grading will follow the policy of the Miami-Dade County Public School System (MDCPS)
A
B
C
D
F
90 –
80 –
70 –
60 –
0–
100%
89%
79%
69%
59%
Extra Help: I am available for questions and help in room 409 after school on most days, but
you should check with me before coming. I am also usually available during lunch as well. If
you are having any difficulties of any sort in my class, please don’t hesitate to speak with me
about it. I will put as much or more effort toward your success as you do.
Open door policy: Both students and parents may feel free to discuss any matter with me
at any time before or after school – but not during class times. Parents and students can and
should monitor students’ progress online via the Parent and Student Portals.
Contact Information: My preferred mode of contact is through email. I may be reached at
spressey@dadeschools.net. My webpage address is http://pressey.weebly.com/ There you
will find multiple pages with information and a link to email me. My webpage will also include
a number of helpful links and announcements as well as assignments and pages for
downloading.
Page 2 of 4
Geometry Syllabus
Coral Reef Senior High
Mr. Pressey
Room 409
2015 – 2016 School Year
pressey.weebly.com
“Equations are just the boring part of math. I try to see things in terms of geometry.” Stephen Hawking
Geometry Projected Scope and Sequence
First Quarter
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Definitions & Tools of Geometry
Transformations in the Plane & Tessellations
Basic Constructions
Triangles and Congruency
Second Quarter
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Polygons & Classifying Polygons
Similarity
The Pythagorean Theorem
Right Triangles & Special Right Triangles
Trigonometry
Quadrilaterals
Third Quarter
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Circles
Area
Solids (3D shapes) and their Properties
Volume
Fourth Quarter
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Modeling with Geometry
Review for the Geometry End-of-Course (EOC) Exam
Basic Conics (Prepare for Algebra II)
Page 3 of 4
Geometry Syllabus
Coral Reef Senior High
Mr. Pressey
Room 409
2015 – 2016 School Year
pressey.weebly.com
“Equations are just the boring part of math. I try to see things in terms of geometry.” Stephen Hawking
Please email me at spressey@dadeschools.net so that I may get your email
address added into my contact so we can coordinate our efforts to further your
child’s education. Please include your child’s name and period on subject line.
Also, if you would like, I have a “Remind” account so that I may send messages
to students and parents: Just text @pressey to 81010 or send a text to (786)
429-0186 and enter the code @pressey. You can also receive reminders and
messages through your email by sending an email to pressey@mail.remind.com.
My web address is pressey.weebly.com and it includes a link to my email and
links to other helpful sites and files for the students to download.
Student Name (Print on the line below please):
Period: ________
Student Signature:
Parent Signature:
Parents and Students: Please sign on the line above, indicating that you have
received and you understand this syllabus. Keep a copy for yourself and Please
have the student return this page only. If you have any questions – about
anything, please feel free to email me at spressey@dadeschools.net any time. I
like to keep in touch with my parents as well as my students. Thank you for
entrusting me with the opportunity to instruct your child in geometry this year.
~ Stanley P. (Pat) Pressey
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