Cognition, Instructional Strategies, and Planning

Sample Course Syllabus and Parent's Newsletter
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Course Syllabus for Secondary Math I

Sunnyville High School

Room 123

Instructors: Heidi Clawson, Elise Bollwinkel, Arielle Meredith

Required Text: Core Connections Int 1

Course Description: This course is designed for students to engage in learning new mathematics material and build upon previous concepts they have learned. General concepts that will be covered are: Number and Quantity, Algebra, Functions, Modeling, Geometry, Statistics and Probability. Students will learn how to solve problems involving these concepts and engage in critical evaluation of how these concepts work.

Course Units and Goals

1. Relationships Between Quantities
1. Reason quantitatively and use units to solve problems
2. Interpret the Structure of Expressions
3. Create Equations That Describe Numbers or Relationships

2. Unit 2 Linear and Exponential Relationships

1. Represent and Solve Equations and Inequalities Graphically
2. Understand the Concept of a Function and Use Function Notation
3. Interpret Functions that Arise in Applications in Terms of a Context
4. Analyze Functions Using Different Representations
5. Build a Function that Models a Relationship Between Two Quantities
6. Build New Functions From Existing Functions
7. Construct and Compare Linear, Quadratic, and Exponential Models and Solve Problems
8. Interpret Expressions for Functions in Terms of the Situations They Model

3. Unit 3 Reasoning with Equations

1. Understand Solving Equations as a Process of Reasoning and Explain the Reasoning
2. Solve Equations and Inequalities in One Variable
3. Solve Systems of Equations

4. Unit 4 Descriptive Statistics

1. Summarize, Represent, and Interpret Data on a Single Count or Measurement Variable
2. Summarize, Represent, and Interpret Data on Two Categorical and Quantitative Variables
3. Interpret Linear Models

5. Unit 5 Congruence, Proof, and Constructions

1. Experiment with Transformations in The Plane
2. Understand Congruence in Terms of Rigid Motions
3. Understand Congruence in Terms of Rigid Motions (Honors)
4. Make Geometric Constructions

6. Unit 6 Connecting Algebra and Geometry Through Coordinates

1. Use Coordinates to Prove Simple Geometric Theorems Algebraically

Assignments and Grade Determination

Assignments: You will be assigned one assignment per day that will be due the next day in class. Assignments will only be checked for completion.  Before turning in your assignment, be sure to check for these things:

-Name, period, and HW #___ in the top right hand corner

-You have ripped out your notebook page on the perforated line

-Your problems are listed in order and adequate space is given between

each question.

-Final solutions are circled or highlighted.

Bell Quizzes: Every day at the very start of class you will do a bell quiz that consists of one of your homework problems (so you’ll want to finish all of your homework problems.)

Exams: You will take a Unit exam after we have completed each unit. These exams will consist of questions similar to your homework questions, but not exactly the same.

Semester Comprehensive Tests: At the end of each semester you will take a comprehensive test as to prepare you for the standardized test at the end of the year.

Cheating and Discipline Policy

Plagiarism and cheating are not tolerated at our school.

Parents’ Newsletter for Secondary Math I

The Instructors

Heidi Clawson: “I completed the Mathematics and Statistics Composite Education program at Utah State University. During my time at Utah State University, I had the opportunity to get experience teaching and tutoring for lower-level college mathematics courses.Teaching has always been a passion for me, and although Mathematics weren’t always my passion, I have learned to love mathematics and statistics through my deeper learning and understanding of it.  I am excited to teach your children math and statistics and I hope to instill a love for learning and mathematics in them.”

Contact Information for this Instructor: heidiclawson17@gmail.com

Elise Bollwinkel: “I attended Utah State University where I completed my Mathematics and Statistics Education degree. Throughout my education, I had experiences teaching and tutoring students of various ages in mathematics. I have found great satisfaction from seeing students grow in their understanding of mathematics, engage in critical questioning, and increase their own love for learning. I hope that when you or your child have questions concerning this class that you may feel comfortable approaching me. It is my hope that your child will have a rewarding experience this year in Secondary Math I.”

Contact Information for this Instructor: a.e.russell@aggiemail.usu.edu

Arielle Meredith: “I graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Physical Education and Mathematics Education. I have tutored many students in mathematics in the athletic department. Math has always been a passion of mine, solving problems and gaining success is something I loved. I love teaching and seeing students find that same success in mathematics.  I hope to teach your children through my love of mathematics and watch them succeed throughout the year.”

Contact Information for this Instructor: acmeredith@aggiemail.usu.edu

Resources: We encourage our students, if at all possible to use the given resources for deeper learning and understanding of the material. They can also be used for additional examples and practice problems. These resources are also helpful if you’d like to understand more about what your child is learning during class.

• Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/  This site has helpful explanation videos and practice problems
• Just Math Tutorials: patrickjmt.com, More helpful explanation videos
• Desmos Graphing Calculator: https://www.desmos.com/ An online graphing calculator that also has examples and explanations of the different types of graphs.
• WolframAlpha http://www.wolframalpha.com/
• After school tutoring programs
• After school help from the instructors

Course Expectations

• In Class: We expect our students to behave with respect to their instructors and their peers. Every day in class, students need to come prepared with a pencil, eraser, and notebook. Students will be marked tardy if they are not sitting in their desk prepared for class and working on the Bell Quiz when the bell rings. Students who disobey classroom standards and policies will be written up and disciplined by our Principal, Dr. SoandSo.
• Home: Any homework assignments that students don’t finish during class-time will need to be finished at home or after school. As stated above, students have many resources to which they may turn to for help if they are having a difficult time. We expect them to finish and hand in assignments at the beginning of the following class.

This Week

During this first week of the Term, we will be discussing the Course Syllabus, and explaining to the students how the classroom will be managed.  We as instructors look forward to getting to know each student. We expect to gain an understanding of their current mathematical knowledge so that we can teach in the most effective way possible and build upon the concepts that they have already learned. By the end of the week we will begin our first unit of Mathematics Curricula.