Pre-Calculus CPA
2013-2014
Ms. Foucher
Email: kaitlyn_foucher@wrsd.net
Our class website: https://sites.google.com/a/wrsd.net/kaitlyn_foucher/
Welcome to Pre-Calculus CPA!!!
COURSE DESCRIPTION
(from the WRSD program guide)
This course is very rigorous and prepares students to take Calculus in the future. It expands upon some
concepts studied in Algebra 2 such as polynomial functions, matrices, and complex numbers. It includes
an in depth study of many other types of functions including linear, composite, inverse, exponential,
rational, and trigonometric. It also introduces advanced mathematical concepts such as conics, polar
coordinates and sequences and series. Some mathematical modeling is done to relate these pre-calculus
concepts to the real world. A graphing calculator is required for this course (TI-83, TI-84, or TI-84 Plus).
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MATERIALS REQUIRED
Notebook or 3-ring binder (used exclusively for math)
Covered Advanced Mathematical Concepts textbook by Merrill
PENCIL with an eraser
Graphing calculator (TI-83, TI-84, or TI-84 Plus)
CLASSROOM PROCEDURE
I will do my best to post the agenda and learning objectives on the board each day, however the basic
format of the class period will be the same:
 It is expected that each student be in their assigned seat before the bell rings, take out their
homework and materials, and begin working on the Problem Of the Day. (This is when I will
take attendance and check homework.)
 We will review the POD and Homework
 We will begin a new lesson:
o The primary method of instruction will be lecture combined with small-group and
individual activities. I will define the terms you need to know and will provide detailed
explanations to problems to best help you succeed.
o Student questions and explanations are highly encouraged in class!
 Homework will be assigned and posted.
GRADING
Grades will be based on a point system of quizzes and tests, projects (or other special assignments),
homework and class work.
 Tests: Students will have between 2-3 tests per quarter. They will be announced in advanced and
will be worth about 100 points each.
 Quizzes: Students will have announced and unannounced quizzes. They can be expected about
once a week and each quiz will be worth 25 points.
 Homework: Homework is given in order to help reinforce the concepts we learn in class, and your
success will be VERY dependent on how well you complete your homework. It will be assigned
almost every night and will be checked every day for completeness, however it may be
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COLLECTED AT RANDOM to receive a grade. It should always include your name, full assignment
(page number and problems assigned) and the date. Remember to ALWAYS SHOW YOUR WORK.
Failure to do so will result in loss of credit. You will always be given the opportunity to ask
questions before an assignment is due, so take advantage of this! Each assignment will be worth
about 5 points. This year, I will also expect you to come to class prepared with the homework
worksheets (printed from offline) ahead of each time. I will likely make this a weekly assignment
to ensure everyone’s prepared.
Class work: I expect you to attempt all in-class assignments. The POD will count towards your
class work grade, as may any other assignments we complete during a class period. It may be
collected at any time for a grade. Each assignment graded will be worth 5 points.
Projects: : You will be assigned one or more projects for the year and each will be worth about 2550 points. The majority of work will likely be done in class but some work may need to be done at
home. More major potential long-term projects include:
o A research paper and poster on a student chosen mathematician,
o A presentation on connecting algebra to a student chosen topic,
o A book report on a work of literature with mathematical themes, or
o Thoughts and reflections on an article from a mathematical journal.
Major projects (if assigned) will be worth approximately 75 points each.
POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS
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Attendance: You must attend class regularly in order to best gain an understanding of all the
material. If you are absent it is your responsibility to obtain the notes and assignment from
another student. If you know you will be absent, I should be informed. If you “skip”, any graded
work due during that class will be given a grade of “0”.
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Make-Up Policy: If an assignment of your prior knowledge is due on your day of absence, you will
have TWO days to turn it in after you return. If a quiz or test of your prior knowledge was
assigned for the day of your absence, you will be expected to make it up the day of your return.
Remember it is YOUR JOB to get the work to me. Work that is not submitted will be entered with a
grade of “0”.
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Tardiness: According to Wachusett policy: anyone late to 1st period class will automatically be
marked “tardy” and given a detention. For all other periods, the same policy will hold.
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Cheating and Plagiarism: Copying off of another’s test or quiz will result in a grade of “0”.
Copying another’s work without giving credit is also called plagiarism and is a very serious
offense. In college, students who plagiarize may be automatically expelled and for this reason,
according to Wachusett’s academic policy, anyone caught plagiarizing will be given an automatic
“0” and an explanation of your failure will be recorded in Powerschool. Your guidance counselor
and parent/guardian will also be immediately informed of your offense.
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Classroom Behavior: I will expect everyone to act as an adult in my classroom. You are each
responsible for your own personal behavior, which may affect everyone else, so I mainly require
you to be courteous and respectful of yourself, your peers, your teacher and the learning
environment and class time.
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Extra Help: I will be available for extra help on Mondays and Thursdays after school until 3:00 but
other appointments may be made if you come talk to me. My office is in E213, so feel free to stop
by if you ever have any questions!
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Other Info: No iPods, cell phones or other electronic devices will be allowed in the classroom. All
purses, bags, and backpacks must remain on the floor and the aisles must be kept clear. There will
also be no food or drink (except clear water) in the classroom. You will be permitted to eat a snack
during the nutrition break at the beginning of period 3.
ONE FINAL NOTE: Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns throughout the
following year. I am really looking forward to a great year of Pre-Calculus with you! :)
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dear students and parents/guardians,
Please sign this form to acknowledge that you have read and reviewed the attached course outline and
are familiar with requirements of this course.
_______________________________________________________
Student’s Name
______________________________________________________
Student’s Signature
_______________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Name
______________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Signature
Class Period: _________________________________________
Many thanks,
Ms. Kaitlyn Foucher
Date: _______________________________________________
Teacher’s note on homework:
I firmly believe that the effort you put into completing homework and class work will only benefit you in terms of
understanding the material and being more successful in the course. For this reason, I will check and grade the assignments
daily for completeness and effort and will also be collecting them occasionally for a more formal grade on correctness. You will
be given ample time to ask questions and we will go over all assignments together.
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I expect that you will complete all homework problems to the best of your ability. You must show all work and circle your
answers. If a problem includes a picture or graph, then you must include it within your homework.
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If you cannot solve a problem, put a question mark next to the number and leave a space to put the answer in at a later
date (ask about this problem the next day during class).
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Try to skip a line between problems or “box off” each problem.
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Make sure to include the heading (name, class and date), along with the assignment, on top of each homework paper.
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Always start a new piece of notebook paper for each assignment.
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It is imperative that students read the book and work through the examples as part of their homework. If a worksheet is
assigned, students should rely on their class notes as a guide. Any questions students have on the homework will be
answered during the following class. If no homework is assigned, it will be expected that students spend at least one half
hour reviewing their notes or working with the review exercises.
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You must correct your homework. Use a pen and mark the problems with a “C” for correct or “X” for wrong answers. You
should spend time investigating any problems wrongly answered. The book does not provide answers to all the problems.
So at the start of class you are only expected to have these problems corrected - all other answers will be provided at the
beginning of class. After the necessary corrections, you will be given time to ask questions which pertain to problems you
had difficulty with. (These problems could also serve well as selections for journal entries)
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Try to make all corrections in a contrasting color. For example if you did your homework in pencil, then correct your
homework in pen. This will make your corrections stand out.
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If you can’t answer a problem or you run short of time, please don’t copy down answers from the back of the book. This is
a form of cheating and could result in a grade of “0” for that assignment. Remember your grade is dependent on your
effort on homework.
The following rubric indicates how individual assignments (homework/class work) are graded.
5
It is clear that the student put a great deal of effort into solving all the problems. Unsolved problems, due to difficulty,
showed significant effort, or were adequately marked to show help was needed. All homework polices were followed.
4-3
Represented satisfactory work. The student may have lost points due to insufficient effort or by not following the
homework procedures.
2-1
Represents less than satisfactory work. The student either did not attempted many of the
problems or made little attempt to follow the homework procedures.
0
Missing - The student has not handed in or completed the assignment.
I do award bonus points on graded homework assignments that exceed my expectations!