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Cammisa
Phone: 803-470-5821
Office Hours: 8:00-4:00 Monday-Friday
Course Description:
Pre-Calculus weaves together previous study of algebra, geometry, and mathematical functions into a preparatory
course for calculus. The course focuses on mastery of critical skills and exposure to new skills necessary for success
in subsequent math courses. Throughout the course, Common Core standards are taught and reinforced as the
student learns how to apply the concepts in real life situations. Topics include fundamental concepts of Algebra,
functions and graphs, polynomials and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric
functions, analytic trigonometry, topics in trigonometry, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices and
determinants, conic sections and analytic geometry, sequences, induction, probability, and an introduction to
Calculus. Instruction will be delivered through Pearson, weekly LiveLessons, student collaborative assignments
and individual and group study/help sessions.
Textbook:
Advanced Mathematical Concepts: Precalculus with Applications, Student Edition (Advanced Math Concepts) 1st
Edition
ISBN-13: 978-0078682278
ISBN-10: 0078682274
Graphing Calculator:
If you want to purchase a calculator for this course I recommend the TI-NSpire calculator. Some features are more
useful for students that the TI-83, 84, or 89 may not have. It is not mandatory you purchase a graphing calculator
for this course. You may use the online desmos graphing calculator for all calculation and graphing purposes in
this class.
Grading Procedures:
Graded work will include, but is not limited to, Quick Checks, Sample Work, Quizzes, Tests, and Portfolios.
Each unit will consist of at least one quiz and test (with the exception of unit 1).
Quizzes (10%):
● Quizzes are made up of multiple choice questions, free response, and workpad questions that are
randomized for each assessment.
● Quizzes will not be reset under any circumstances and no quiz grades will be dropped.
Corrections for quizzes are not accepted
Portfolios (15%):
● There are 3 portfolio assignments per semester that bring together several of the key concepts from the
unit in which they are assigned.
● It is recommended that you download the portfolio instructions at the beginning of the unit in which it
is assigned so you will know which key concepts are needed to complete the assessment. This will help
you stay on track with the portfolio assessments so you don’t get behind at the end of the unit.
● Portfolio assessments cannot be skipped, and must be submitted prior to taking the unit test for that
unit.
● You may correct and resubmit portfolio assessments as many times as you would like until you
receive a grade you are satisfied with and feel you have a sufficient understanding of the content. For
this reason, it is possible for every student to have a portfolio average of 100%.
● Corrected portfolios must be submitted by the following dates:
○ Friday, January 10th (Precalculus A)
○ Monday, June 1st (Precalculus B)
Participation (5%):
● Your participation grade is earned by signing and submitting the Precalculus Syllabus
Acknowledgement Form for Students and Learning Coaches by the 2nd week of the semester (or
within 2 weeks of the start date for late-enrolling students)
○ Precalculus A - Due by Friday, August 30th, or 2 weeks after start date
○ Precalculus B - Due by Friday, January 24th, or 2 weeks after start date
● Acknowledgement forms not received by the due date will be given a grade of zero.
Sample Work (10%):
● A Sample Work assessment is due at the end of each unit prior to submitting the unit test and are meant
to serve as an added review of the material to determine your readiness for the unit test.
● Sample Work assignments can be found on the message board under “Unit Resources.”
● Since sample work assessments are intended to help you prepare for your unit test, Sample Work
cannot be skipped and will not be accepted after you have submitted the unit test for that unit.
Any Sample Work assignment not submitted prior to the unit test will be given a grade of zero.
● Sample Work must be submitted through the Drop Box link and will not be accepted via WebMail.
● Sample Work is graded with a combination of completion and structure points. You must show work
and/or a detailed thought process to earn the structure points.
How to Be Successful:
Precalculus is a very difficult course at SCCA and the pacing is very fast. You should only take Precalculus if you are
planning to take Calculus in the future (either an AP course in high school or a college Calculus course – this will
depend on the school you attend and the area of study you plan to major in). If you do not plan to take Calculus in the
future, then you should probably take Statistics as your 4thmath credit.
If you’re struggling with the course content, here are a few suggestions & guidelines to follow. I can guarantee
that if you follow each of these, you will be successful in the course.
1. Understand and accept that learning math takes time and practice for 99.9% of the population.
It’s like learning an instrument or playing a sport. You can’t expect to play Led Zeppelin solos on a guitar
the first month you play or throw a 95 mph fastball the first time you pitch a baseball. Practice and get
help!
2. If you haven’t already, go to Unit 1, Lesson 1, page 2 and watch the videos “Grow Your Brain” and
“Growth Mindset”. Attitude plays a big role in all learning
3. Consider completing your math lesson first, at the beginning of the day when your brain is fresh
and not too tired. Don’t procrastinate and leave it until last when you are tired.
4. Make sure you have a good graphing calculator and are familiar with its functions.
5. Keep a Precalculus notebook
6. Use Your Resources!
a. Watch the videos and recordings corresponding with each lesson. These can be found on the
message board under “Unit Resources.”
b. Before beginning a lesson, read through the first page carefully. The problem that is posed at the
beginning of the lesson will give you an idea of where you’re headed with the lesson. By the end of the
lesson, this problem should make sense to you.
c. Record the lesson Objectives and any Key Words. These are the things you are expected to
know/do/understand at the end of the lesson when you take the lesson assessment.
d. In the first lesson of every unit, you have a pretest. Even though this grade doesn’t count, take the test
seriously as it will show you weaknesses that may cause you to struggle with the content in the unit.
You may need to look for some outside resources, such as Khan Academy, to review these concepts
before you move forward.
e. Read each page of the lesson entirely. In your notebook, define the key words as you see them (they
appear in bold type) and include examples if possible. RE-READ if needed. Sometimes it takes a couple
of read-throughs to completely understand.
f. Record the Key Concepts that appear in the lesson. These are the “big ideas” in the lesson that are
most important for you to know.
g. Play through all Teachlet® tutorials, animation videos, and Explore and Practice activities and
take notes in your notebook. Use the interactive tools in the Teachlet® tutorials and Explore and
Practice activities to get feedback and help you assess your learning.
h. Read through each example carefully, noting the comments for each one.
i. In your notebook, work through problems under “Now you try” as well as the assigned lesson
activities. Use the “Answers” link to check your work and your answers. If you get an answer wrong,
make sure you can identify where you made your error(s). You may need to go back through that
section and review.
j. Take the Online Practice assessment. This is how you can truly assess your understanding of the
topic. For every question on the practice assessment that you get wrong or do not fully understand,
copy it down in your notebook. Go back through the lesson and find where that topic is discussed.
Look through the examples to see if you can pinpoint your errors. If you cannot figure out your error
in thinking, this is what you need help with!
7. GET HELP
a. Bring your questions to the Precalculus LiveLesson sessions, 10:30am Tuesday-Thursday. Schedule
varies, see newsletter for current schedule.
b. Send me a WebMail with your questions
c. Book an appointment with me to meet in my LiveLesson room. I love helping/tutoring students!
8. Once you are sure you understand the Objectives, Key Words, & Key Concepts, take the Quick Check
assessment.
9. Prepare for a Quiz by reviewing the Online Practice assessments from the lessons the quiz
covers.
10. Prepare for a Test by taking the Online Practice assessment in your review lesson and
completing the Sample Work. Also, review all of the Lesson Objectives, Key Words & Key Concepts
from the unit.
Does this sound like a lot of work?? IT IS! Does it sound like it will take a lot of time? IT WILL! It’s not easy – it
shouldn’t be easy. The biggest barrier to your success in Precalculus might just be an unrealistic expectation :)
~Mrs. Cammisa
I have read and acknowledge the Precalculus Syllabus including, but not limited to:
● Expectations for completing and submitting assessments once they are opened
● Requirements for WorkPad questions on unit tests
● Test Correction Policy
● Resetting assessments
● Portfolio corrections
● Location of Sample Work assignments
● Due dates for tests & portfolio corrections, discussion posts, and sample work
● Extra Credit
_____________________________________________ ___________________________________
Student Signature Date
_____________________________________________ ___________________________________
Learning Coach Signature Date
**This form must be signed and dated by BOTH student and learning coach and submitted by the
semester due date (See Grading Policies) in order to earn your semester participation grade**