Math 504

RULES AND EXPECTATIONS

            This course meets  four days a week.  We have lots of math to cover.  We need every minute of class (GET HERE ON TIME!)  and you need to put in sufficient time on the daily assignments if you are to master all the material we work on.

            In class, you are expected to be prepared to work at the beginning of the period.  This generally will mean that you should have your daily assignment out, ready for me to check, and for us to go over as a class. On most days, the assignment for the next day, as well as the DO NOW problem for the day will be on the board at the beginning of class.  Please have materials and books for other classes put away. Please have all the necessary materials (notebook, folder, graphing calculator, writing implement) with you when you arrive in class. Reminder, a school rule requires that all electronic devices should be put away during class; if you need to use one for educational purposes during class, please let me know.

            We will go over daily assignments, but I will not be collecting them.  Please check your HW against the solutions that I distribute in packets and be prepared with questions at the beginning of class.  I will check that assignments are done before we go over them and walk around to collect blue cards.  If you are absent, you are responsible for finding out what the assignment is.  In general, they will be posted at my website (bookmark the assignment page).  I also post a PDF of the previous class’ notes at the website. If you’re looking for the assignment or notes, and I haven’t posted it yet, please email me to remind me.

            Last year, I developed a system for requiring all students to participate in class.  This will involve the goldenrod cards, and I will explain how the system works in class.  You will not earn a participation grade for this; the norm is that everyone participates, the same way that the norm is that everyone behaves appropriately.

            Completion of daily assignments, any projects, and other short assessments of your work will count as 25% of your quarter grade.  The remaining 75% of your grade will come from your scores on the tests and quizzes we have that quarter.  You must make up any missed tests as soon as possible after an absence.  You need to take responsibility for arranging that with me.

            Please note that 50% of my job this year is in the Springboard Program at the Ed Center.  That means that every day I am out of this building from about 10:30 AM until the end of the school day.  Please use email during that time if you need to contact me, do not spend time looking for me. I come back to North at the end of the day for X-Block, which I will hold with Mrs. Letourneau in Room 467, or meetings every day. 

            During class, I would like us all to take this idea from the Dalai Lama to heart:

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others.  And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.

            I look forward to a good class this year.  Let's work hard, have fun, and learn a lot together.