Patrick Henry High School
IB Math Studies
2015-2016
Instructor Contact Information:
Teacher: Kirsten Rain
Room: 131 and 218
Cell: 612-310-0916
E-mail: Kirsten.rain@mpls.k12.mn.us
Prerequisites: Algebra 2/Trigonometry or IB Math SL Year 1
IB Test: Subsidiary Level (Math Studies)
Tutorial: Before school or during lunch by appointment in 131
Course Description:
This course is designed to get the successful student ready for college and is specifically geared
toward the International Baccalaureate Math Studies Exam. The material covered will help
prepare students to solve problems dealing with the following topics:
 statistics
 three dimensional geometry
applications
 functions
 financial mathematics
 geometry
 sequences & series
 trigonometry
 introductory differential calculus
 logic and sets
 introduction to graphic display
 probability
calculators
 accuracy and precision
Course Objectives:
After completing this course students will be expected to:
 know and use mathematical concepts and principles
 read and interpret a given problem using mathematical terms
 organize and present information/data in the form of a table, graph, and/or diagram
 know and use appropriate mathematical notation and terminology
 select and use appropriate mathematical techniques
 formulate mathematical arguments and communicate them clearly
 understand the significance and comprehend the reasonableness of results
 recognize mathematical patterns and use them to draw inductive generalizations
 use appropriate technological devices as mathematical tools
Texts and Materials:
Students will check out and be responsible for a Mathematics for the international student
Mathematical Studies SL 2nd edition. This text should be brought to class daily.
More Texts and Materials:
In addition, students should bring to class:
 3 ring binder or folder and large spiral notebook in which they will take and keep notes
 handouts and assessments
 black or blue ink pens as well as pencils with erasers
 graphic display calculator*
 due assignments
 student planner
*I will share a set of graphing calculators for classwork. Students will need a graphing calculator
at home to complete assignments. I know this is a major expense, but it will be valuable for
testing and college. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Class-work Expectations:
The successful mathematics student will attend class every day, bring all supplies, work
cooperatively with their group on class-work, participate in class discussions, listen
attentively, challenge themselves when the work is difficult, persevere when tasks are
complicated or lengthy, use appropriate resources as aids to learning, clearly explain
their work, justify their process and/or prove their conclusion, complete all assignments,
make verbal presentations to the class, take and keep notes, & study for and
satisfactorily complete all assessments.
Homework Expectations:
It is expected that students complete homework. Homework will be assigned daily.
Homework will NOT be collected. Thoughtful completion of the homework is excellent
practice for the IB exam and is one of the biggest factors of success reported by
students. Students should be spending about 30-45 minutes per night on homework.
Preparation the internal assessment (project) will require additional homework time.
Major Assessments:
Most chapters will utilize combinations of the following assessment tools:
 Quiz – mostly skill questions on topics covered
 Review – skill questions used to prepare for quiz or test
 Cooperative learning – focused review of topics covered where students work with a
partner; teacher facilitates activity
 Test – skill questions on topics covered with some analysis questions
 Project – paper that uses mathematics appropriate to the course to investigate a central
question
Grading Policy:
Formative Assessments (less than 20% of your grade)
 Cooperative Learning 20 points possible. This is a pre-quiz, pre-test activity where students
work in pairs to review mathematical concepts, to practice mathematical techniques, to
improve their mathematical communication, and to evaluate mathematical results. It is used
as a study tool.
 Reviews 10-25 points possible.
 Project Preperation and Rough Draft Approximately 100 points over multiple tasks.
Summative Assessments (80% of your grade)
 Assessments A variety of assessments will be used to measure your understanding of the IB
Math Studies learning targets. A formula sheet is allowed on tests and quizzes, otherwise
they are CLOSED NOTES.
 Project Students will complete an inquiry-based project. This project is a requirement for
the IB Math Studies Exam. Not doing the project will disqualify a student from testing and
put a student at a high risk of failing the course. This project is the IB internal assessment
(see IB Math Studies Certificate (or Diploma) requirements).
Learning target grades will be based on a 1 - 8 IB Rubric scale:
8 – Can extend knowledge to unfamiliar or complex problems (A+)
7 – Can solve routine problems consistently and correctly (A)
6 – Can solve routine problems consistently with minor errors (A-)
5 – Has material mostly mastered with minor errors (B range)
4 – Is partially proficient with simple work (C range)
3 – Has partial mastery with some significant gaps or inconsistencies (D range)
1 - 2 – Not proficient. Incorrect math. No correct processes shown (F)
Families will be contacted when students are at risk of earning a D or F.
The IB Math Studies Certificate (or for IB Diploma):
Project -- 20% of the total IB score: The project is an internal assessment that will require exact
statistics and/or mathematics to complete. It will be graded within the school by the instructor.
It is NOT a paper about mathematics, but rather a paper that utilizes mathematics to research a
topic chosen for inquiry by the student. It is worth a maximum of 20 points for IB. The project
should not exceed 2000 words. This is compulsory. No certificate will be given without a
completed project. This is due the first week in March. It may not be turned in late as it is mailed
to IB for grading. Students will have plenty of time to prepare for deadlines.
Papers 1 & 2 -- 80% of the total score: IB exams are in May. Paper 1 and Paper 2 are two
exams that comprise external assessments. They will be graded outside of our school.
Answers on these exams must show the student’s work. Answers without work may receive no
marks. These exams may not be rescheduled. Students will have lots of advanced warning to
prepare.
Paper 1
Paper 2
1.5 hours
1.5 hours
15 questions (6 points each)
5 questions (90 points total)
40% of total
40% of total
Scholastic Honesty
Academic honesty and personal integrity are fundamental components of a student’s education
and character development. Patrick Henry High School expects that students will not cheat, lie,
plagiarize, or commit other acts of academic dishonesty. The wellbeing of the entire school
community depends on the student accepting responsibility for personal conduct in both social
and academic endeavors. The IB program takes academic honesty very seriously. Academic
dishonesty will be treated as both an academic and disciplinary issue.
Communication
I prefer communicating by email. You may also contact me at my cell phone after school.
Academic Support:
I will be available before school in 131 or during lunch if students need help. If help is needed,
PLEASE ASK IMMEDIATELY, DON’T WAIT. If at any time you have a D or an F, you are
expected to attend tutorials to bring up your grade. Parents and guardians are always
welcome to visit, call, or email.
With Respect to School Rules:
School-wide behavior expectations will be enforced in this class.
 Students are expected to be in their seat ready to learn when the bells rings.
 No cell phones should be seen during class. If seen, heard, or used, the device will be
collected. Failure to turn over the device will result in a referral to the dean.
 Don’t bring food to class Water bottles are allowed.
 I do not give locker or bathroom passes.
From the Teacher: I expect us to:
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Promote safety and kindness in our classroom (trusting each other will help us learn)
Promote excellence in learning (for ourselves and others)
Be present, get involved and cooperate
Maintain high standards
Be curious and try new things!
Be here every day prepared to learn
Listen and take notes during class
Do practice problems
Ask questions
Explain things to your classmates
Stay after school for help AS SOON AS YOU ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY
Pick up handouts and ask for a classmate’s notes when you are absent.
Respectfully let others know when the above guidelines have not been met
Theory of Knowledge (TOK) connections: Is there a distinction between truth and certainty in
mathematics? Is mathematics independent of culture? Is mathematics discovered or invented?
Mathematics is founded on a set of accepted definitions and basic assumptions. It
proceeds from a system of axioms using deductive reasoning to prove theorems or
mathematical truths. These have a degree of certainty unmatched by any other area of
knowledge, making it excellent raw material for study in TOK.
Despite, or rather because of, the strict confines of mathematical logic, mathematics is an
enormously creative subject, asking of its practitioners great leaps of the imagination. Pure
mathematics requires no prior sense perception at the start of inquiry but the application of
mathematics to real-world situations requires techniques such as those used in the natural and
human sciences. Indeed, most research in the natural and human sciences is underpinned by
mathematics. There are also often close links between mathematics and the arts where formal
requirements for harmony or symmetry impose mathematical structures on a work.
I believe we each have a responsibility to monitor that which affects us.
I have read the syllabus and understand the requirements of this class.
Student's signature ______________________________
Guardians' signature
Date _______________
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