10^th Grade Geometry

Instructors: Thomas Rodney / Vanessa Letourneau

Course Overview

Students will study and learn the critical elements of geometry which include ideas of congruence, similarity, proof, constructions and trigonometry. Additional ideas include extending to three-dimensions, connecting algebra to geometry through coordinates, circles with and without coordinates, and applications of probability.

These topics were chosen to help prepare students for the Geometry Common Core Exam in June. Even though this specific exam is not required for graduation, achieving a 65 or greater on at least one math exam is required to graduate from Hudson High School of Learning Technologies. Student eligibility for this exam will be determined by the instructor (based on Mastery discussed below).

In addition to content, students will also be encouraged to develop and consistently apply sound mathematical practices. The eight Standards of Mathematical Practices include making sense of problems and persevering in solving them, to reason abstractly and quantitatively, construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others, model with mathematics, use appropriate tools strategically, attend to precision, look for and make use of structure, look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

Materials & Supplies

Supplies you need for this class include a 1-inch 3 ring Binder (requires space for numerous handouts), OR a section in a larger (2- or 3-inch) binder, pencils & assorted color pens (blue & black preferred), assorted highlighters (at least three different colors), 6-inch clear 180 degree protractor with a ruler base, compass for constructions & circles, one pack (or book) of 3 hole punched graph paper, and one Casio FX-9750GII graphing calculator.

Additionally, your laptop will be required for entry to every class (Hudson is a technology school).

Examples of some materials are linked below, however, if cheaper items of equivalent application are found, please feel free to use the cheaper option. (For the graphing calculator, do not purchase a different model, it may not be allowed for use on the state exams; TI-84 calculators are acceptable but way more expensive)

Mastery Requirements

Each quarter between 2 and 4 units will be covered. Each unit will contain four to eight topics and each topic will cover approximately 2-5 learning targets. Students are expected to learn and master at least 65% of the topics throughout each quarter. In order to demonstrate mastery students can earn MASTERY POINTS on quizzes, tests, exams and projects. Mastery points are the most important part of this Geometry class, and it is necessary that every child and guardian be aware of a student’s mastery points in order to be successful and pass the course. Instructors will keep track of all of the mastery points in a spreadsheet that can be found on the mastery page of the class website. It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of their mastery!

If a student does not earn a mastery point they have the opportunity to make it up by retaking the assessment:

~If a student misses a mastery point on a mini quiz they should review the skill on their own, or come to office hours to review with an instructor. When they are ready they should schedule an appointment to re-take the mini quiz.

~If a student misses a mastery point on a test they first should look through their test and read any comments that the instructor made while grading it. Students should then complete the Test Corrections Assignment on the class website. After they turn in their corrections and/or discuss questions they still have, they can schedule an appointment to retake the appropriate sections of the test.

Because students can retake assessments until they truly master the material, there is no reason for any student to have less than 65% of the mastery points per quarter!

Grading

The Hudson Grading Policy can be found in the handbook, available on the school website, hudsonhs.com.

Your quarterly Geometry grade will consist of the following criteria:

40% Mastery

Mastery points: 30

Quizzes & Unit Tests: 5

Exams: 5

35% Productivity

Homework: 10

IXL: 25

25% Professionalism

Behavior/Participation: 20

Student Skills: 5

It is the responsibility of the student and family to check Pupilpath at least once a week.

Each student’s grade is comprised of the following components:

Quizzes and Unit Tests: There will be at least one quiz per unit and a unit test that covers the topics for each unit. Students will be given 15 minutes for a quiz and 55 minutes for a test. If a student gets extended time, they should talk to the instructor to set up an instance to receive the extra time (most likely before or after school).

Exams: At the end of each quarter there will be a cumulative exam. The exam consists of two parts; part 1 is a teacher made test covering all of the material from the semester, part 2 is a Regents Exam. The exam is used to assess students’ retention of knowledge and serve as a progress tracker towards passing the Regents Exam in June.

Homework Assignments:

~Homework will be assigned daily and will be comprised of computational problems as well as critical thinking problems covering the current topic and possibly older material. Each assignment is worth 10 points.

~Late homework assignments can be turned in up to one week late for half credit. All late homework must be emailed to me.

~Homework is to be completed independently. Copied homework is considered cheating. Any student suspected of cheating will not receive credit for the work and the incident will be logged in Pupilpath.

Online Assignments: Approximately 3 times a week students will be assigned a video to watch with their homework. The video will cover material related to what’s being covered in the classroom. Students will be responsible for taking notes during the video and completing the homework for that night.

Student Skills: You will be working both independently and in groups. Your ability to work professionally is a life skill necessary for the classroom environment as well as your future in any career path you follow. As such, there exists a portion of your grade that reflects this skill.

Expectations

Classroom Rules

~Follow directions first time given

~Use appropriate language, no teasing

~Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself

~Complete (or attempt to complete) all classwork on time

~Raise hand to speak. One mic.

Consequences

1st warning - Name goes on the board

2nd - drop 1 letter grade for class participation for the day

3rd - detention/ reboot

4th - call parents

5th - dean referral

Severe Clause – Immediate Class Removal

Hudson is a place for a safe, open environment from which students can communicate and disagree without fear of persecution. This course includes lots of critical thinking as well as the ability to defend ideas and opinions as others may disagree. All ideas and opinions are equally accepted as long as they are not offensive and can be defended and explained to others. A high level of respect is expected from everyone: students, teachers, administrators, and parents-alike.

Everyone is not good at everything and no one is good at nothing. This is expected, we are humans, we have limitations, we make mistakes, being wrong is okay. “Struggling in mathematics is no more the enemy than sweating is the enemy in basketball; it is part of the process, and a clear sign of being in the game.”