Course Syllabus for Senior Math

Teacher: Will Haase
Room #16
Teacher Contact Info:
Email: whaase@hightechhigh.org
Phone #: (619) 459-8282

Course Objectives:
The focus of the senior math class is the continued development of the student’s ability to think critically about challenging and complex Math problems using projects and discovery learning techniques as well as more traditional teaching methodologies. During the year students will develop their understanding of numbers and all types of numerical relationships. I expect students to deepen their grasp of fundamental mathematical concepts so that they can derive formulas and generalize equations. Students will also be expected to strengthen their problem solving skills by working with real world math problems and by thinking and writing about their problem solving process. In addition, students will explore the fascinating world of statistics or calculus. Students either will learn about statistical terminology, statistical analysis, and will be able to work with and interpret statistical data.  Or students will spend time investigating the fascinating and complicated world of Calculus.  In addition, this course will also help prepare students for the rigors of college by holding them to high academic and professional standards throughout the year.

Classroom Procedures and Expectations:
Classroom Respect: This classroom needs to be a place where all students feel they can express their thoughts and ideas in a supportive and open-minded environment. When others are working through problems or talking to the class everyone is expected to give them their full attention without disruption or interruption. In addition, when giving criticism to others should make sure it is kind, helpful, and specific. Any students not conducting themselves in a respectful manner towards others may be asked to leave the classroom, will lose class participation points, and may have their parents and advisor notified depending on the severity of the offense.

Homework: Homework assignments will be given at the beginning of the week and will be due on the next Monday. Student should be doing a minimum of 30 minutes of Math homework per night or about 2 hours, honors students should expect 3 hours minimum. Remember this is a minimum and students are encouraged to do as much Math as they need to feel confident with the material we are covering.

Late Work: As seniors in high school on the brink of college, late work is only acceptable under extreme circumstances.  Students must learn to manage their time to get assignments in on time.  Students will loose 50% for turning in assignments late.

Make-up tests/quizzes: Students need to be in attendance for all examinations.  Students who do not show up for exams will be given a zero unless prior arrangements have been made. 

Preparation: It is the student’s responsibility to be prepared for class both mentally and physically. The Senior Math curriculum is very challenging and students need to be well rested and ready to focus as well as bringing the necessary class materials to school, i.e. paper, pens, pencils, and binder. *Students are expected to have two sharpened pencils or mechanical pencils ready at the beginning of class. Students will NOT be allowed to sharpen pencils during class time.

Note taking: Students are expected to take neat and detailed notes during class so that they can use these to study from for tests and quizzes. *This is an essential aspect of the college preparation that this class promotes and notes will be checked regularly for clarity and organization.

Tardiness: Arriving late to class is disrespectful to both the teacher and other students.  Seniors are expected to be able to manage their time at this point in their academic careers so that they are not late to class. Late students will loose class participation points for being late which accounts for 25% of their final grade.

Eating: Students are only permitted to enjoy bottled water in class; no other drinks are allowed inside of the school. Students are not permitted to eat food in the class as the classroom becomes unclean and we have had problems in the past with ants and other pests.

Bathroom: Students should come to class prepared and part of this means using the restroom during break time and not class time. Students may ask to use the restroom, but it is will reflect negatively on their class participation grade.

Computer Checkout: The computers may not leave the classroom unless the teacher has given permission. All computers must be put away and plugged into chargers at the end of each class. Students are responsible to computers checked out to them and will be help responsible for any damage occurring while it is under their care.

Student Support: Students are encouraged to come at lunch for help with myself or Nicole on most days.  Also I will be staying afterschool on Wednesdays and will be available for help.  Students are encouraged to be proactive and seek help at the first signs of difficulty.  This year will  be difficult for sure, but with diligent effort and proper support every students can succeed.

Grading System
Students will earn points in several categories described below:
Tests and Quizzes - 50%
Homework - 25
Participation and projects- 25%
Letter grades will be earned on the following scale:
A=90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F=below 60%.At HTHI, a D or an F is not considered passing.

Honors Option

For students wanting a greater challenge and honors credit for this course they may opt to take the class for honors credit by signing up with the teacher within the first two weeks of school.  Students taking the honors option will be required to complete extra more challenging homework assignments, will be assigned tutoring duties, and will have some extra test questions to complete.

Overview of course content week by week

Week 1
Introduction to the senior year.  MDTP pre-assessment test and SAT pre-assessment test.  Overview of the material we will cover during the year and the course syllabus.

Week 2
Math fundamentals – fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, rates, averages, and word problems.

Week 3
Math fundamentals – fractions, decimals, percents, ratios, rates, averages, and word problems.

Week 4
Algebra, functions, factoring polynomials, rational functions, and other algebraic manipulation.

Week 5
Algebra, functions, factoring polynomials, rational functions, and other algebraic manipulation.

Week 6
Graphical analysis of linear, quadratic, exponential, and rational functions

Week 7
Graphical analysis of linear, quadratic, exponential, and rational functions

Week 8
Geometry review

Week 9
Continued geometry review and final preparations for Nov. 1^st SAT

Week 10
Financial Analysis project overview

Week 11
Understanding Taxes, debt, investments, compounding interest and learning how to  plan for a successful financial future

Week 12
Creation of students own financial future plan.

Week 13

Introduction to Calculus and Statistics

Week 14
Statistics – Understanding different types of centers
Calculus – Understanding the concept of a limit

Week 15
Statistics – Understanding variance of data and the concept of standard deviation
Calculus – The slope dilemma.  How to find an instantaneous rate of change

Week 16
Statistics - POLS
Calculus -POLS

END OF FIRST SEMESTER