Consumer Math- Course Syllabus & Expectations - 2011 - 2012
TEXT: Consumer Mathematics by Judy Howe copyright 1998 by Abeka
STUDENT NEEDS: Each student is required to have a calculator. Students should keep homework
for a quarter and quizzes for a semester to be used for study and review.
The instructor will provide:
(a) a textbook
(b) a consumer math notebook with paper for class notes and homework
(c) a Course Syllabus & Expectations
(d) clear and precise assignments, oral, written on the board, and available on line, on a daily basis
(e) __________________________________________________________
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES: The student must recognize the classroom as a place of learning. Key to this is the respect of other students, the materials used, and the teacher. Cooperation is essential. Though there are a minimum number of rules for the classroom, it is expected that the student come to the classroom with a proper attitude, a willingness to work, and the "tools" necessary to do the work of a student. BRINGING A TEXTBOOK TO CLASS IS ESSENTIAL. STUDENTS MUST BRING A PENCIL. IN MATH CLASS, PEN IS UNACCEPTABLE As noted in another section, homework is to be done!!! FOOD OR DRINK WILL BE DISCOURAGED FROM BEING IN THE CLASSROOM

OVERALL COURSE OBJECTIVE: After completion of this course, the student should be able to use math
in a variety of ways, both as a consumer and an employee.

SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of reading assignments, written homework
assignments, and other assigned materials, demonstrated either orally or on a written test or quiz,
the student will be able to:
Demonstrate increased proficiency in solving problems and reasoning mathematically.
Solve problems using fractions, decimals, percents, and integers.
Apply, with increasing confidence, problem-solving strategies to investigate and solve problems from within and
outside mathematics.
Increase their use of the language of mathematics.
Demonstrate critical thinking and creative thinking.
Explore career opportunities using mathematics.
Complete real-world and/or simulated application of consumer math.
Make connections among mathematics and other disciplines and/or the real world.
Demonstrate increased understanding of and use estimation.
Demonstrate an increased understanding and use of real numbers, and perform operations on real numbers.
Demonstrate increased understanding and use of measurement.
Collect data to make interpretations.
Demonstrate an increased understanding and use of probability and statistics.
Make with greater accuracy inferences from charts, tables, and graphs that summarize data.

SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES are subject to review and change and/or modification based upon
the time constraints of the course and specific learning requirements of the students.

METHOD OF EVALUATION: Recognizing differences in learning styles, students will be evaluated in
several different ways. Each component of a student's grade will be "weighed" differently, as
determined by the instructor, and shared with the student approximately one week before the end of a
grade reporting period. However, no single component of a student's average will count more than 40%.
A student's grade will be based upon:
(a) classroom participation and appropriate classroom behavior
(b) skill quizzes - given as required to insure knowledge of certain basic facts or concepts - an example
of this type of quiz would be a quiz on determining the least common denominator
(c) "pop" quizzes - are unannounced, usually covering material from the previous day or covered earlier in
the class session - this type of quiz usually will have a point value no greater than 10 points
(d) regular quizzes - usually given weekly, covering the material learned during the week
and reviewing previously learned material - approximately 15 to 20 minutes in length
with the point value of a particular quiz ranging from 20 to 40 points
(e) classwork - problems are often solved as a class or in small groups in the classroom - students can be
graded on this work, either collected at the end of the class session or as an attachment to the home
work assignment collected the next day
(f) collected homework - HOMEWORK IS EXPECTED TO BE DONE - when collected, homework is graded based
as much upon a good faith effort on the part of the student to do the homework rather than the absolute
accuracy of the work - graded homework usually has a point value between 5 and 15 points - late work
will receive a penalty - homework more than five days late will earn a grade of zero (consideration is
given for approved class absences)
(g) BONUS POINTS - bonus points are given at the discretion of the instructor for superlative classroom
performances, either individually or collectively, OR for other specific activities - 1 BONUS POINT is
equal to 0.25 points added to the term average - no student may acquire more than 12 BONUS POINTS
during a grade reporting period

MAKEUP: Make-up for missing classes, quizzes, or tests will be at some time mutually agreeable between
the student and the instructor. It is expected that the student make up all work according to the
established standard. The instructor will check his email at 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM for academic
questions. The address is: burtjh @ wbcvt.org

(click for a printable copy of the syllabus handed out in class )