Instructor Information:
Teacher: Mr. Jeff Fisher
Phone Extension: x2382
Email: fisherj@mhs-pa.org
Location: E115
Website: http://fishymath.wikispaces.com
Course Overview:
While many of you are taking Prob/Stats as an “elective” course to fulfill your graduation requirements and/or to avoid Pre-Calculus or Calculus
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, please understand that Statistics is the fastest growing field of study on Earth! We will begin by focusing on looking at how data is collected and ways in which studies are conducted. We will then move into summary statistics and simple probability in the world before moaving into how we will use summary statistics to help us make decisions about situations within all kinds of areas of life!
This is a very useful and current course. Mr. Frew and I will attempt to keep it as interesting and fresh for you, but you will only get from this course what you put into this course.
This class will be reading intensive . Between textbooks, articles, or online journal articles and/or information, be ready to read! This is an application course, NOT a math course.
You will be expected and need to keep a notebook to ensure your best chance of success . It is highly recommended that you utilize a three-ring binder as well as taking notes in your composition book provided.
Organization is a key component to success both IN the classroom and OUTSIDE of the classroom. If you don’t believe that, we can find some data and research online I AM SURE to back up my claim! ;-)
Grading Policy/General Course Information:
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Marking Period Grades: weighted into the following categories counting as the following percentages of each of your marking period grades
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Unit Exams, Quizzes, Projects, Labs ~ 90%
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Homework Assignments ~ 10%
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Tests/Quizzes: You will be given at least a week’s notice prior to a test. Quizzes however, may be announced a day or two ahead of time, or daily short lesson quizzes based on the previous day’s material may be used more as a check of understanding as we progress through the units based on the assignments. You must use pencil in completion of your test/quiz . Laptops will be needed . Calculators may be used as well. There may be also simple notebook quiz checks to be sure you are organized and doing what you should be doing as a student in class on a daily basis.
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Homework Policy: o Homework is expected to be completed. It is very important that assignments are completed in order to learn the material thoroughly. o I reserve the right to check homework and incorporate it into the academic grade as I see fit. o Homework will not be reviewed in its entirety, but active engagement is a must! o Late assignments are NOT accepted. With the exception of a stay in the health center, I expect you to hand in work the day it is due or complete the classwork/assignment as instructed. College visits, medical/dental/psych appointments are a part of life here at MHS and it is an important life/work skill to budget your time wisely. Any work not handed in with the rest of the class, will result in a zero with the exception of labs (please see the MHS policy on assignments).

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Projects/Labs: We will complete many individual and small-group projects and labs that may or may not be completed in class in order to relate it to real-world experiences. Labs are considered “quiz grades.”
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Mid-Term Exam: Worth 10% of your overall grade.
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Final Exam: Cumulative exam worth 10% of overall grade.
Student Responsibilities & Expectations:
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Be ready and willing to learn. This means coming to class with necessary materials (pencils, calculator, notebook, homework, and laptop) and mentally prepared to participate in class. Statistics is not a “spectator sport”. There will be absolutely no electronic devices (aside from your calculator & laptop) allowed in class at all! Offenders will have it confiscated and given to Home Life.
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Be here! Lateness will not be tolerated nor will restroom privilege abuse. Please use the restroom at the end of class or at the end of your previous class; exception for 1 st period: Use the bathroom prior to class starting!
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If you miss class, it is your responsibility to make-up the work immediately. This is non-negotiable.
Communication via email is simple and is a must !!!
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Your laptop is a learning tool. It should be respected and treated as such. There will be zero tolerance to nonacademic computer usage. This includes, but is not limited to, email, general internet surfing, music listening, or watching videos, and playing video games. You may do that on your own time.
***We will do most work using your laptops in order to utilize Microsoft Excel & Microsoft Mathematics, as well as many online articles, websites, & applications, such as Google Docs. It is important that you not only learn the course content, but also the procedure to create necessary documents such as spreadsheets, reports, etc. Your laptop is your
“work station” in this class, and it is required and needed by you EVERY DAY. You cannot afford to lose it or damage it!!!
Effort & Conduct Grades:
Effort ~ Lapses of effort will be defined as (but not limited to) not completing classwork & homework assignments, not participating in classroom discussions, sleeping in class, not scheduling tutoring appointments, not attending scheduled tutoring appointments, and not bringing necessary materials to class.
Conduct ~ Poor conduct will be defined as (but not limited to) not paying attention, sleeping in class, refusal to participate in class, talking during instruction, off-task discussions during working sessions, inappropriate use of technology (checking email, facebook, twitter, etc), the use of non-school related items (cell phones, ipods or walkmans, magazines, books, etc), in addition to any acts that are in violation of the school’s discipline policy within the classroom.
TUTORING:
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It is your responsibility to get help when needed. Please schedule to come in to get the help you need to ensure success in class.
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Mr. Fisher will do his best to make himself available a few days per week especially with upcoming exam(s).