Teacher: Fred Kral, Ph.D.
Email me: fkral
Call classroom: 415-339-9336 x111
Get info: http://teach.kralsite.com
Course Description
Geometry is a college preparatory course that is normally taken after Algebra 1 and before Algebra 2. Topics include points, lines, planes, angles, triangles, polygons, parallelism, congruency, similarity, triangle inequalities, trigonometry, circles, solids, areas, and volumes, coordinate geometry, symmetry, and transformations. Theorems and other results are derived using formal reasoning. Mathematical ideas are communicated using graphical (drawings, graphs, sketches, geometric constructions), numerical (tables, patterns, calculations), algebraic (formulas, symbolic reasoning, solutions), and verbal approaches (conjectures, proofs, explanations, self-reflection). Applications and hands-on activities are integral parts of the course.
Required text and supplemental materials
- Larson, Ron, Laurie Boswell, and Lee Stiff, Geometry: Applying, Reasoning, Measuring, Evanston, IL: McDougal Littel, 2001. ISBN: 0395-93777-9. Required.
- Jurgensen, Ray, Richard Brown, and John Jurgensen, Geometry, Boston, MA: McDougal Littel, 2000 (and later impressions). ISBN: 0-395-97727-4. Supplementary.
- Web searching, wikipedia.org and reputable websites such as Ask Dr. Math (http://mathforum.org/dr.math/). Strongly recommended.
- 3 ring binder. Required.
- Pockets to organize paper that is not hole punched (in the binder or separately). Strongly recommended.
- Transparent ruler. Required.
- Transparent protractor: 4 inches in diameter. Required.
- High-quality compass. Must have metal legs and be equivalent to a Hearlihy 6" Bow Compass, http://bit.ly/tmscompass. Required.
- Basic scientific calculator (solar powered suggested). Don't bring a graphing calculator ($150) to Geometry class. Required.
- Laptop computer. From time to time students who have access to a laptop computer may be asked to bring it to class. Strongly recommended.
- Pencils (mechanical recommended).
Assessment
| Homework: timely completion of homework assignments. Assessed formally and informally. | 5 points per homework |
| Quizzes and Tests: written and graphical solutions. | 50 points per quiz, 150 points per test |
| End-Semester Examinations: written and graphical solutions of problems from the whole semester (comprehensive). | 15% of course grade |
In-Class work and Projects: positive energy and interest level during in-class work including discussion, working on investigations and projects, practice during class, and using notes. Assessed informally. |
20 points per week, up to 100 points per project |
| Note-taking: documenting work (including graphical, numerical, algebraic, and verbal work), putting notes to good use for learning, making the note-taking process your own, and showing the ups and downs of the learning process. Assessed informally. | included in in-class work |
| Commitment to learning: Taking on what is challenging to you, getting help, communicating with the teacher, engaging with the material, and taking personally meaningful notes. Assessed informally. | 100 points per semester |
Late work policy and tardy policy
The teacher enters grades once per week on a weekday communicated to the students. Students get credit for late work up to that weekly deadline. Students who are late to class or leave the classroom for an extended time during class receive a maximum of 60% of the day's in-class work credit.
I encourage study groups. You may work with others (not just students) unless instructed otherwise as long as all of you contribute. It is wise to put the name of each contributing student on an assignment to avoid issues with plagiarism.
Come visit or email! – Fred