Geometry Syllabus

2013-2104

Tasos Peppas: Room 115

Sanders Valley High School

www.susd.k12.az.us

Email: Tasos.Peppas@sandersusd.net Work Phone: (928) 688-4229

Non-Coordinate (Euclidean) Geometry, and Coordinate Geometry, with proofs and exercises.
In particular: The conceptual difference between postulates or axioms and theorems. Definition/properties of geometric elements, such as point, line segment, ray, line, triangle, polygon, circle, coordinate frame. Names/conditions/theorems for angles made by parallels and transversal. Transformations. Congruent triangles. Similar triangles. Right triangles. Circle. Geometric constructions, some of them with while some others without proof. In general, theorems, constructions, problems and proofs regarding line segments, parallel and perpendicular lines, triangles, right triangles, circles, polygons, parallelograms. Trigonometry. Benefits: Prepare for Algebra 2 and college or technical courses, learn how to express your thoughts using math and find answers concerning real-life situations, understand logic of proofs, develop your deductivereasoning skills, be able to recognize patterns, discover geometry, discover math, and in general discover your smart side. My Expectations -Respect the teacher, your classmates, and your school (use common sense and youll know what that means). -Listen to what I say, and do exactly as I say, without talking back. I will discuss your possible objections in private with you, but during class there will be no discussion or interruption. -Be prepared (have studied and have your hw done), and be willing to learn (absorbing every word I say, working with your group, and asking questions when you dont understand). -Misbehavior by a student, or a group, affects the entire class, so it wont be tolerated. If you get punished dont take it personally, just dont misbehave again. Required Materials School notebook. Home notebook. Pencil/Eraser Compass/Ruler/Protractor.

Grading Quiz Midterm/Final Participation/Homework/Home Notebook/Ascend Math (based on the star system) Project Home Notebook Class Policies

40% 20% 30% 5% 5%

When the bell rings: Get your notebook and pen/pencil on your desk immediately. Teacher questions: I will ask you questions in various formats. There will be hand and no-hand questions, group and individual questions, questions that require just thinking, questions that require just knowledge, questions that require thinking and knowledge. Star system: Your Participation/Homework/Home-Notebook/Ascend-Math performance is based on the total number of stars earned. The student, with the greatest number of stars, will get the full 30%. The rest of the students will get a percentage determined by proportion. You tape your stars on your personal page on the wall, and you tape your group-stars on your groups page. Earnings: 1 star = when you have worked honestly on your homework even if you dont get the right answer. 1 star = when you ask a clever question, or correct teachers typos, or correct a classmate who is presenting. 1 star = when you answer to a challenging question. 1 group-star = 2 stars for each group member = when your group answers to a group question. For that to work, the group-members need to work together so that they agree on an answer, which they all understand. I will pick a random group-member, and if he/she answers correctly, I will give a group-star to the group. On the other hand if he/she doesnt answer correctly or cant answer, then I give no groupstar, even if there are other members who can answer correctly. Working as a group, means that if you know the answer, compare your answers with other members and conclude as a group. If you dont know the answer, ask your group for help. If you know the answer, but one or more students in your group doesnt, then teach them the answer. If no group can answer as a group, I will turn a group question into an individual question. 1 star = when there is an exceptional in-class or even out-of-class behavior. 1 star = for each ascend math objective you pass. You can work on your ascend math at school, when time permits, at home, or during my Sunday office hours at the library of Valley High. 1 star = for each ascend math objective that you pass, you can submit a summary with the main definitions, methods, and examples. That will earn you an additional star for this objective.

Losses: 1 star = when there have been made no efforts toward homework. 1 star + lunch detention = when you dont take notes. 1 group star = when your group misbehaves, even if you individually behave. You have to try to maintain or bring back order to your group. Teacher questions: I will ask questions in various formats. There will be hand and no-hand questions, group and individual questions, questions that require thinking, questions that require knowledge, questions that require thinking and knowledge. Office hours: Sunday 1-4 at the library of Valley High. You will be able to get help, work with your group, or work on your ascend-math, in case you dont have internet at home. Make Up Quiz: You can make up any quiz, any time you are ready. You can do so during lunch or during my Sunday office hours. Good Notebook: It needs to include all of the class notes, written neatly. It also needs to include your own input, like your summaries or your comments or your thoughts and questions. Class Behavior: There may be occasions that all or the majority of the class misbehaves. For example when almost nobody get their notebook out of their backpacks, after the bell rings. The idea is that we are a team, so we need to help each other and therefore try to remind each other about the rules, like reminding our classmates to get their notebook ready. Since we are a team, sometimes we will be rewarded as a team and other times we will get punished as a team. The typical consequence is a class lunch detention, and I will join you there too depending on my obligations. Repeated violation increases the number of days of class lunch detention. On the other hand, good class-behavior will allow us to finish the weekly material earlier, and therefore we will have time left for entertaining activities like watching a funny video. Class fun and humor: Class fun/humor is allowed, encouraged, and appreciated, especially on openclass discussions, and in particular after you have shown me hard work on your assignments and on class-participation. So earn it, and use common sense to avoid misunderstandings. Parents: You are encouraged to contact me. I may contact you, as part of a routine update to you, or in case I need your help on particular issues. School Rules: All school rules are in effect. Teacher repeating himself: I shouldnt have to excessively repeat myself in class. I dont enjoy verbally repeating instructions or reminders in class, and you are better than this. After a little while, I will expect from you to know how to behave and what to do, without me reminding you. Academic Honesty: Cheating will not be tolerated. The first offense results in a zero on that particular test/assignment. A second offense will result in a zero in the class.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Please sign and return this page to me, within one week. I have carefully read and discussed with my parent/guardian the expectations and procedures for Mr. Peppass Geometry Class. I will work hard to follow the rules and procedures, in order to be successful and create a positive learning environment for my classmates and myself. I will do my best and seek help toward mastering all the material presented in the class.

____________________________________ Student Name

______________________________ _______________________ Signature Date

I have carefully read and discussed with my child the expectations and procedures for Mr. Peppass class. I support the structure he has put in place in order to help my child and all other children succeed. I will reinforce those rules to ensure that my child is successful in Geometry.

____________________________________ Parent/Guardian Name

______________________________ _______________________ Signature Date