SUN PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course Title: Pre-Calculus Theory
Grade: 10-12
Teacher Name: Lauren Page
Course Length: 1 year
Room Number: 3620
Email/Phone: ltpage@spasd.k12.wi.us
834-6877
Teacher Availability: before and after school, 5nd hour
Course Description and Purpose:
After completing this course, students will have a solid foundation of algebra, trigonometry and polar
skills, which will allow them to progress to the next level in their math education. This course begins to
make connections with prior knowledge and allows students to see how different areas of math are
interrelated. The ability to see students make these connections is truly inspirational. I hope that as
students see these connections, they will gain a new respect for math and all areas where it can be useful.
Primary Text: PreCalculus, Fifth Edition, Mathematics for Calculus, Thomson Learning
Supplemental Texts and/or Materials:
Students will have access to my website where syllabi and daily notes will be posted as well as quiz and
test dates.
Recommended Supplies:
In addition to pencils and notebooks (I find pocket folders with brads to be especially helpful and light
weight), a graphics calculator is required.
Course Outline:
Summative Assessment 1 – Review of the fundamentals of Algebra including simplifying rational
expressions, solving equations and inequalities and coordinate geometry
Summative Assessment 2 – Functions – graphing, evaluating, combining, transformations and inverse
Summative Assessment 3 – Polynomial and Rational Functions - graphing, dividing polynomials, finding
zeroes, complex numbers
Summative Assessment 4 – Exponential and Logarithmic Functions – graphing, solving, modeling
Summative Assessment 5 – Trigonometric Functions of Real Numbers – evaluating trig functions,
graphing
Summative Assessment 6 – Trigonometric Functions of Angles – converting from degree measure to
radian measure, law of sines and cosines
Summative Assessment 7 – Probability – counting principle, permutations and combinations
Summative Assessment 8 – Analytic Trigonometry – using and verifying trig identities, solving trig
equations
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Summative Assessment9 – Polar Coordinates and Vectors – graphing polar coordinates and equations,
converting from polar to rectangular form, polar form of complex numbers, find magnitude and direction
of vectors
Summative Assessment 10 – Systems of Equations and Inequalities – solving systems of
equations/inequalities, matrix algebra
Summative Assessment 11 – Analytic Geometry – writing equations of parabolas, ellipses and hyperbolas
and graphing them, parametric equations
Summative Assessment 12 – Sequences and Series – find the nth term of an arithmetic or geometric
sequence and find their sum, expansion of binomials
Summative Assessment 13 – Limits: A Preview of Calculus – find limits graphically, using a table or
algebraically, find slope of tangent line to a curve, find derivative, find area under a curve
Grading Procedures:
Students will be graded on daily homework (formative assessment 0%), quizzes (30%) and chapter and
quarter tests (70%). The school wide grading scale will be used.
Available Supports for Student Learning:
Students needing support outside of class time have numerous options. Students can seek help from the
instructor before or after school on most days or during prep periods. Students may also access the IMC
and resource teacher assigned to that area for their study hall period. After-school tutoring is also
available Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons where more individualized help can be
accessed. Coaches will permit students late to practice if they come with a pass from the tutoring staff.
In certain situations the Learning Center or ELL resource room may be used.
Classroom Expectations:
Students are expected to treat the classroom and all people within with respect. Daily student
participation, in the form of: note-taking, asking questions, offering answers is paramount to success.
The use of cell phones, ipods, Mp3 players during class time is not allowed unless permission is asked for
and granted by the teacher. Students should leave backpack/purses against the wall at the beginning of
class. They should only have textbook, writing utensil, calculator, and notebook at their desk.
It is expected that food is eaten in the cafeteria and beverages are in a sealable container,ie. water/juice
bottle. In the event a students has missed a meal, they may eat; however, this must not become a
distraction to others.
It is also expected that students will log on and use my website
http://www.sunprairie.k12.wi.us/faculty/ltpage/precalculustheory.cfm. There is a link to my website on
Infinite Campus.
Tardy Policy: See student handbook. If you happen to be tardy, please come into class with minimal
distraction. It is important that we keep the focus on learning. I can help you get sorted with notes, etc.
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