Geometry - Course Syllabus & Expectations - 2011 - 2012
TEXT: Geometry by Ron Taglrapietra copyright 2000 by Bob Jones University Press

STUDENT NEEDS: Each student is required to have an TI-83+ calculator. The 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 geometry notebook with paper for class notes and homework
(c) a geometry kit with the tools necessary for geometric constructions
(d) a Course Syllabus & Expectations
(e) clear and precise assignments 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 have mastered a variety of skills in analyzing figures and shapes and then use informal deduction to establish the interrelationships of properties of figures.

SPECIFIC LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of reading assignments, written homework assignments, and other assigned materials, demonstrated either orally or on a written quiz, the student will be able to:
Understand & give examples of undefined terms, axioms, theorems, & inductive and deductive reasoning.
Prove that triangles are congruent or similar and use the concept of corresponding parts of congruent triangles Solve problems for triangles using properties and theorems involving similarity, congruency, angles, and ratios.
Prove & use theorems involving properties of parallel lines cut by a transversal, properties of quadrilaterals & circles.
Solve problems involving perimeter, circumference, area, volume, lateral area, & surface area of common geometric figures.
Compute volumes & surface areas of prisms, pyramids, cylinders, cones, & spheres and memorize relevant formulae.
Compute areas of polygons including rectangles, scalene & equilateral triangles, rhombi, parallelograms, & trapezoids.
Find & use measures of sides & of interior & exterior angles of triangles and polygons to classify figures and solve problems.
Prove relationships between angles in polygons by suing properties of supplementary, complementary, vertical & exterior angles.
Use the Pythagorean theorem to determine distance & find missing lengths of sides of right triangles
Perform basic constructions with a straightedge & compass.
Know definitions of and employ trigonometric functions defined by the angles of a right triangle.
Know & use angle & side relationships in problems with special right triangles.
Prove & solve problems regarding relationships among chords, secants, tangents, inscribed angles & circumscribed polygons.

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. 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) homework - HOMEWORK IS EXPECTED TO BE DONE - it will either be “spot” checked or collected daily, all 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 of 5 or 10 points - late work will receive a reduced grade - homework more than two 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 in a time frame equal to the number of days absent. (For example, if one day is missed, the student has one day to make up missing work). Special arrangements can always be made for EXTRAORDINARY circumstances. The  instructor is usually in the building by 6:30 AM. The instructor will usually check his email at 5:00 PM  and 7:30 PM for academic questions. The address is:
        wbcs-burt @ charterinternet.com (do not include spaces when entering this address

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