Juan Diego Academy
Pre-Calculus
Course Syllabus
2015-2016
Instructor:
Ms. Marcela Garza
Room D201
Phone Number Classroom ext.
magarza@cdobcs.org
Conference period: 4th (2:00-4:00) on A day or by appointment only
Texts:
Pre-Calculus Graphical, Numerical, Algebraic Ninth Edition by Pearson (online)
Supplemental Texts:
Purple math website: www.purplemath.com
Course Description
This course provides students with a firm foundation in the theory and use of functions and their
graphs. Polynomial, rational, piece-wise, exponential, and logarithmic functions are explored. A
comprehensive treatment of trigonometry which deals with the trigonometric functions, their
graphs, and solutions of right and oblique triangles is included. An introduction to Calculus is
included. This includes limits, derivatives (numerical) and integrals (numerical)
Philosophy
In accordance with school philosophy, this course will form the student in faith by means of
participation in an interactive Christian learning community where both student and instructor
become deeply engaged in learning. Students will exchange ideas and understandings with their
peers, learn the critical skills of evaluating and synthesizing information from their learnings to
produce a fresh perspective, and incorporate these skills in written and oral presentations. Risk
taking and questioning are encouraged.
Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to do the following:
 Represent relationships among quantities using concrete models, tables, graphs,
diagrams, verbal descriptions, equations, and inequalities.
 Identify mathematical domains and ranges and determine reasonable domain and range
values for given situations, both continuous and discrete.
 Connect equation notation with function notation, such as y = x + 1 and f(x) = x + 1.
 Interpret and determine the reasonableness of solutions to linear equations and
inequalities.
 Analyze graphs of quadratic functions and draw conclusions

Make connections among the solutions (roots) of quadratic equations, the zeros of their
related functions and the horizontal intercepts (x-intercepts) of the graph of the function
Course Requirements
Attendance and participation
Students are expected to come to class on time, prepared to participate in discussion and
activities related to reading and writing assignments. Per JDA policy, students missing 6 class
meetings in a semester may not be eligible to receive credit for work done. See the JDA Student
Handbook for additional information.
Assignments
Assignments will be assigned on a daily basis and expected to be completed by the next class
meeting.
Assignments are expected to be turn in on a college rule paper, clean and legible. Any illegible
assignment may be subject to 2 points deduction from the assignment.
All assignments must show work. If any assignment has no work, then it will receive a 0 for
grade.
If you are absent on the day an assignment is due, you must submit the assignment to the teacher
by email or have someone bring the work to school for you.
Per the policy of the JDA Pre- AP classes, late work of any kind is accepted but it will have a 10
point deduction each day for the first three days after the due date of the assignment then the
grade will be 60.
Grading
Numerical grades are earned per JDA policy found in the JDA Student Handbook. Grading
rubrics will be provided for essay and research-based assignments. The grade for each nine
weeks of the school year is broken down as follows:
40%
30%
20%
10%
Tests
projects
Journals and quizzes
Homework and daily work
Class Supplies
Students will be expected to bring a graphic calculator (TI-81 or higher) and all appropriate
materials to class each day. In addition, students will keep a journal (single-subject, wide-spiral
notebook), and a binder large enough to contain everything completed or received as part of this
course: assignments, class notes, handouts, quizzes and test. Students should always bring
plenty of loose-leaf graphic paper, pencils, pens, and highlighters.
Conduct
In general, students are expected to follow the five classroom “Be Attitudes”:
1.
Be Punctual
2.
Be Respectful
3.
4.
5.
Be Aware of Procedures
Be Responsible
Be Engaged in Learning
Students are expected to adhere to all posted and verbal procedures and classroom rules.
Typically, students will be 1) Reminded, then 2) Warned, and finally, 3) Served
Detention/Referred to the Office for making the choice not to cooperate in the learning
environment of the classroom.
The JDA Student Handbook is the final authority in determining all other academic and
disciplinary procedures.
Course Outline
First Quarter
Topic
Functions and graphs
Polynomial, Power, and rational functions
Exponential, logistic, logarithmic functions
Homework: Everyday with few exceptions
Journal: Every week
Tests (2): Every 3-4 weeks
Quizzes (2): every 2-3 weeks
In class project (2): These Projects will be completed in class
Second Quarter
Topic
Trigonometric Functions
Analytic trigonometry
Applications of trigonometry
Homework: Everyday with few exceptions
Journal: Every week
Tests (2): Every 3-4 weeks
Quizzes (2): every 2-3 weeks
In class project (1): These Projects will be completed in class
Third Quarter
Topic
Systems and matrices
Analytic Geometry
Homework: Everyday with few exceptions
Journal: Every week
Tests (2): Every 3-4 weeks
Quizzes (2): every 2-3 weeks
In class project (1): These Projects will be completed in class
Fourth Quarter
Topic
Discrete mathematics
Statistics
Introduction to calculus, limits, derivate and integrals
Homework: Everyday with few exceptions
Journal: Every week
Tests (2): Every 3-4 weeks
Quizzes (2): every 2-3 weeks
In class project (1): These Projects will be completed in class
ADDITIONAL POLICIES
Students that want to make up an assignment can do it during tutorial or some other time
at teacher discretion.
Tests can be made up at teacher discretion
Use of laptops, iPads, surface tablets or anything that can be used as a laptop is prohibited
during lecture and discussion time. The teacher will grant permission to use these as
needed.
HAVE A GREAT YEAR !!!!
As educator for this course, I promise to be mindful of your rights as students and respectful of
your opinions and beliefs. I will endeavor to evaluate you with the objectivity, consistency and
fairness of a professional in the field of education. Finally, I pledge that I will do everything I
can to empower you, the student, to be successful in this course.
Ms. Marcela Garza
I have read and understand this document. I agree to abide by its stated guidelines and
procedures.
Student’s Signature______________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature_________________________________________