evaluation_breakdown

Three-ring binder

Lined Paper

Graph Paper

Graphing Calculator (TI-83 recommended )

Pencil, pen, colored pencils

Geometry Set (includes ruler, protractor, compass, etc.)

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EVALUATION

In each semester of this mathematics course you will experience five areas of evaluation. Each area will be assigned a specific weight.

CATEGORY	Assigned Weight (%)
Unit Tests	30
Quizzes and Assignments	30
Math Portfolio	20
Participation	10
Semester Assessment	10
TOTAL	100

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UNIT TESTS

You will be given a Unit Test upon completion of each unit of study. Units Tests will be based only on concepts studied in the unit. As a guideline, you can expect to have approximately one Unit Test per month. In order to ensure that each Unit Test carries the same weight, Unit Tests will be recorded as percentages.

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QUIZZES AND ASSIGNMENTS

Quizzes:
You will be given a quiz on the last class day of each week, unless otherwise specified. You will not have a quiz during a week in which you have taken a Unit Test. Quizzes will be based only on the material covered during that week.
Assignments:
You will be required to hand in assignments on a regular basis. Whenever an assignment is given, a due date will be announced (sometimes the next class). An assignment is due at the beginning of your math class on the due date. Otherwise, it is considered late. If your assignment is late, 10% of the assignment value will be deducted per day. After 3 days, the teacher has the option of not accepting it (illness excepted).

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MATH PORTFOLIO

As part of your evaluation, you will be required to keep a Math Portfolio. A Math Portfolio is a representation of your growth in learning mathematics. A complete Math Portfolio must consist of the following items:

Math Portfolio Checklist/ Parent Signature Page (handout)

All Unit Tests and Quizzes

Critical Thinking Problem Sets (CTPS)

Journal Entries (JE)

Fourth Quarter Project (FQP)

You will be required to organize your portfolio entries in a duotang (provided by teacher) which will be stored in the classroom. Entries should be organized according to the date in which it was completed. Please note that daily assignments are to be kept in your binders, not your portfolios. To receive a grade for your portfolio, a parent signature will be required in your portfolio at the end of each quarter.

The basis for your Math Portfolio grade will come from the following areas:
Critical Thinking Problem Sets:
In Quarters 1-3 you will be given a project with six "critical thinking problems." Your task will be to provide detailed solutions to these problems. In addition, all work must be shown, including explanations outlining your strategies and difficulties encountered.
Journal Entries:
On the last Friday of every month you will be given a Journal Entry form. This form will require you to reflect on your learning, experiences, feelings, progress, and accomplishments for the past month in mathematics.
Fourth Quarter Project:
The Fourth Quarter Project will be given during the fourth quarter. It will replace the CTPS for this quarter. This project gives you the freedom to apply creativity in order to express any math concept (s) that you have learned in this course. You will be given a variety of options from which to choose for type of presentation.

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PARTICIPATION

Course participation will be evaluated based on the following critertia.

Effective use of class time:
Come to class on time and ready to learn. Bring with you your materials (textbook, notebook, homework, pencil/pen, caluculator, ruler, etc.). Be sure to have your pencil sharpened before class begins. Don't waste class time talking about non-math related topics.
Cooperation:
Be a team player in the class. Share your ideas and listen to others as they express their ideas.
Homework checks:
Homework will be checked regularly! Homework checks will be evaluated for completion only. By doing this, I will know that you at least tried all of the problems. Homework collection and small assignments will usually not be accepted if late.
Attendance:
The only way to learn mathematics is by doing mathematics! In order to keep up with the pace of work, regular attendance is essential. If class work is missed for any reason, it is the student's responsibility for getting the notes and assignments that were missed. Missing a class is no excuse for not handing in an assignment. Also, please inform the teacher in advance for planned absences (i.e. field trips) and get the work ahead of time.
Notebooks:
Since I believe that good record-keeping is an important part of being a good student, you will be required to keep a notebook for this course. Your notebook will serve to help you reflect on what you have learned in mathematics during the course of the school year. It will also be a useful tool when preparing for tests. The following tips will help you keep yourself organized:

Keep all of your class notes, daily assignments, and photocopied handouts in a THREE-RING BINDER. Keep them in order.

Take pride in your notebook. You are the author.

Copy notes from the board into your notebook! Underline headings (always try to put a heading on each day's work). Make sure that you date each day's work.

Copy example problems from the board. They will help you understand your homework at home. (You won't have to come to class saying "I don't understand!")

Try ALL assigned problems. Label and number them in your notebook. CHECK your answers! If you have the wrong answer (Heaven Forbid) Get the correct solution!

Notebooks may be collected at any time, so be ready.

Most importantly, you will be given quizzes based on the contents of your notebook.

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DAILY WORK AND HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework assignments will usually be given each class. These assignments will be written on the board and should be copied into your notebook or agenda. Homework is assigned only after I have considered my objectives for the topic discussed, the type of questions, and the amount of time it will take to do the questions. If the daily assignment is complete, at least 30 minutes should be spent reviewing the day's lesson and problems.

Do homework problems in pencil! That way, if you make a mistake you will be able to erase it without making a mess. Assignments done in pen will not be graded! You may copy notes from the board in pen.

Answers for some of the excercises will be provided so that you can check your own work. If you have difficulties, make a record of them and call them to my attention. DO NOT FORGET ABOUT THEM! Mark the number(s) of problems about which you still have problems in a circle on the top of your paper.

One final word about homework. It is assigned to help you learn mathematics and give direction to independant study - study that is a necessary part of learning the mathematics of this course. In fact, it might well be the most important part of the course for you. Don't short change yourself by failing to put real effort into this work. Remember, math is not a spectator sport...it is a valuable tool that you can use in everyday life!

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MISSED TEST POLICY

Each Unit Test date will be announced as the class approaches the end of a unit of study. If you miss a Unit Test your mark will be recorded as a 0. If you know you will be missing a test, then inform your teacher at least one day in advance, as it is possible to arrange for an alternate date. If arrangements were not made ahead of your absense and the test has not yet been returned to the class, then it may be possible to write it upon your return. However, you must be prepared to write the test on the day of your return. For certain situations (extended illness, etc.), special arrangments can be made.

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EXTRA HELP POLICY

Extra help will be available to any student who meets the following requirements:

makes a full attempt in class

attempts all homework questions

is sincere and makes the extra effort

I am available before school, most lunches, and after school. However, because of other commitments, if you plan to come in for extra help please check with me beforehand.

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MR. FORD'S THEORY ABOUT PROBLEM SOLVING

One of the objectives of this mathematics course is to emphasize problem solving. There is nothing old-fashioned about being confronted with a challenge and giving it your best. If you want to master mathematics you will have to do many problems on your own; the more the better. By problems, I don't mean carrying out routine operations. You must try to understand concepts and apply these concepts to problems.

Seeking help from someone the moment difficulties arise will achieve little. The more you let someone else do your thinking for you, the less power you will develop to solve problems. On the other hand, little is achieved by sitting and staring at a problem for an hour with no ideas at all to try out. As long as you have something to try which sheds some light on a possible solution then keep working at it. But if you really are stuck, then get only the barest hint from someone; just enough to get rolling. If you stay stuck for too long on too many problems you won't get enough experience and confidence in solving these problems.

Show enough work to communicate that you know what you are doing! If you expect your teacher to go over your work, then it is only fair to be reasonably neat, legible, and organized. For those who are inclined to make silly arithmetic and algabraeic errors, try to make an extra effort to organize your ideas. Don't try to do too many steps in your head.

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TECHNOLOGY

As we have entered the 21st century, the need for technology has increased. In today's mathematics courses this means that a student's ability to demonstrate and interpret advanced calculator operations is essential for further study in mathematics. Therefore, you will need a graphing calculator for a significant portion of this course (preferrably a TI-83). A graphing calculator will be used as a tool to enable us to concentrate on the main ideas of the course and not on memorization.

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