Olympian High School
“Where Champions are Made”
2014-2015
Course Syllabus
Finite Math 1, 2
Revised April, 2014
Olympian High School
Course Syllabus
Finite Math 1, 2
Instructor
Phone
Room
E-mail
(619) 656-2400
Course Description:
Finite Math is designed to address the needs of students who have completed their UC a-g sequence of math courses by the
end of grade 11, but have demonstrated (through test scores and/or marginal grades) weakness in mathematics. The course
will address those weaknesses while introducing students to additional advanced topics in mathematics, such as logic, set
theory, and probability and statistics, as well as reinforcing college entrance skills, such as those tested on the CSU Entry Level
Math Exam (ELM).
Recommended Pre-requisites:
Successful completion (C or better) of Intermediate Algebra 2(Integrated Math III) or HIgher.
District-wide Expected Student Learning Results:
This course offers students frequent, high-quality opportunities to learn to be Self-Directed Learners who use skills and knowledge
to work towards achievement of personal, educational, and career goals, and act responsibly, honestly and ethically. Students
will develop into Effective Communicators , who listen, speak, read and write appropriately, use symbols and relationships to
express mathematical concepts, and use technology to access, manipulate and produce information. Students will become
more Productive Individuals who use critical thinking to solve problems and make decisions; identify, plan and use resources
effectively to produce quality work, and participate independently as well as in a group to complete tasks.
Texts and Materials:
The text for this course is “Finite Math, an Applied Approach,” by Mizrahi and Sullivan. Materials needed for this course are a
notebook, pencils with erasers, a Scientific Calculator, and a non-scientific very basic calculator which may be used on exams.
At this course level, students are encouraged (though not required) to purchase a graphing calculator for use in homework
assignments and projects. The calculators that we use in class are the TI-84 Plus. These are widely available in local stores such
as Target, Office Depot, etc.
Habits of Mind (for college Preparation)
Build Intellectual Perseverance (the persistent pursuit of knowledge)

Promote the value of a strong work ethic

Cultivate sustained effort through repeated practice
Develop Metacognition

Encourage thinking about the quality of one’s own and others’ thought processes

Practice intellectual humility

Become comfortable with the discomfort of ambiguity
Create Intellectual Curiosity and Rigorous Engagement

Foster a desire to know

Require inquiry and investigation
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Olympian High School
Course Syllabus
College Readiness Skills

Knowledge – describe using discipline-specific academic language

Comprehension – summarize by distinguishing the main idea from supporting detail

Application – relate/apply the appropriate tools/processes to new situations

Analysis – compare and contrast in order to support inferences and draw conclusions

Synthesis – combine ideas in order to develop new insights

Evaluation – justify according to a set of standards or criteria
Purposeful Reading Strategies for Mathematics
Pre-reading:
Previewing
Skimming
Predicting
First Reading Strategies: Identifying text structure
Identifying unknown words and phrases,
Identifying key terms and concepts
Posing questions to clarify
Re-reading Strategies:
Confirming key concepts and main ideas
Finding answers to posed questions
Summarizing the learning
NOTE: Electronic devices are not allowed in the classroom at any time and will be confiscated.
Citizenship Expectations:
Students are expected to be active participants and make a positive contribution to the atmosphere and work of the
classroom. They are also expected to maintain a note book for math, complete their assignments on time, arrive on
time prepared to learn, and follow all classroom rules. The school tardy/truancy policy will be enforced. It is the
responsibility of the student to monitor their tardies and unexcused absencies.
Homework Policy:
Homework will be given daily. Homework and practice are valued as a necessary component to the learning process.
The primary purpose of homework is to build understanding in order to increase student achievement as demonstrated
on a summative assessment. Homework will be scored based upon completion.
Assessments:
Short quizzes and mid-unit assessments will serve as “informative” assessments throughout each unit. Quiz corrections
may be done before the summative assessment for that unit for half credit back. Summative assessments (Unit Exams)
will include constructed response, multiple-choice and on-demand writing questions. One Unit summative assessment
per semester may be retaken to improve letter grade. The End Of Course exam will be multiple-choice questions.
Standard letter grades (A to F) will be assigned to indicate student progress towards mastery of learning objectives and
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Olympian High School
Course Syllabus
district/state standards. Please refer to the individual teachers syllabus for further information about assessment
information.
Grading Policy:
Students’ grades will be calculated from their scores on work in the following areas:
80% Summative Assessment:

End-of-Course Exam -15 %

Unit tests -55%

Mid-unit tests -10%
20% Formative Assessments:

Homework -15%

Classwork -5%
MASTERY MODEL
Olympian High School’s Mastery Model grading principle is based on the following beliefs:
1. All Students can achieve at high levels
2. Not all students learn at the same rate
3. All learning targets are clear and transparent
4. All assessments meet district standards
5. Deep understanding or higher levels of proficiency are achieved only as a result of trial,
practice and adjustments based on feedback and more practice.
6. Students learn more when their school/teacher offers timely, directive and systematic
interventions that guarantee them additional time and support when they experience difficulty.
7. Re-teaching and re-assessment opportunities provide student access to mastery (and teach
perseverance).
District Course Content Standards:
:
1
Demonstrate an understanding of pre-collegiate algebraic and geometric concepts.
2.
Write, graph and analyze linear functions and systems in two variables.
3.
Understand and apply matrix methods in solving systems of linear equations.
4.
Solve and apply systems of linear inequalities.
5.
Solve problems in the fields of set theory and logic.
6.
Use and apply basic concepts of probability theory and develop techniques to describe and analyze data.
Accessing Grades:
Students and parents in all mathematics classes will be able to access grade reports and scores at any time by logging on to
www.jupitergrades.com. Additional log-in information will be provided.
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Olympian High School
Course Syllabus
Course Schedule:
Academic
Literacy Skills
Finite Math 1
Week
Topic
Related Text Sections
1
Opening Unit (Reading Strategies, Habits of Mind)
Handouts
2-5
Unit 1:
Linear Equations
1.1-1.3
Unit 2:
Parent Functions
8-12
Unit 3:
Systems of Linear Equations; Matrices
13-16
Unit 4:
Logic
17-18
Review for Semester 1 EOC Exam
Description
6 -7
District Supplemental Material
Sections 2.1-2.6
Summary
Sec. 11.1-11.4
EOC Study Guide(s)
Academic
Literacy Skills
Finite Math 2
Week
1-3
Topic
Relate/Apply
Related Text Sections
Unit 5: Linear Programming: Geometric
Sec. 3.1-3.3
Approach
4 -7
Unit 6: Set; Counting Techniques
Sec. 6.1-6.7
8-11
Unit 7: Probability
Sec. 7.1-7.6
11 - 13
Unit 8: Additional Probability Topics
Analysis
Sec. 8.1-8.5
Synthesis
14 - 17
18
Unit 9: Statistics
Sec. 9.1 -9.5
Review for EOC Final Exam
EOC Study Guide
Evaluation
THROUGHOUT the course problems will be assigned from the ELM problem Book in preparation
for the ELM at SDSU. Potential dates for the ELM for 20014/2015 have not been announced yet,
but it is usually offered in December, January, April, and May.
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