This class is very difficult. You must put forth a lot of effort and extra studying in order to succeed.
Required Materials:
TI-89 Calculator
3-ring Notebook (1 1/2 inches is best), with dividers
Loose-leaf paper
Pencils or blue/black pens
Optional Materials:
Graph paper
Colored pencils or various colored highlighters
Grading:
30% Tests
Tests will be given at the end of each chapter and will consist of 10 questions each.
20% Quizzes
Quizzes will be given approximately half-way through a chapter (chapter 4 is extra long and will have 2 quizzes). Each quiz will consist of 5 questions.
20% Homework
Homework will be given with every section covered and will vary between 5 and 10 problems in length.
20% Essays
You will be assigned one essay per quarter. These will require research on a major topic studied in the course.
10% Daily Problems
These problems will be given almost every day at the start of class and will be timed.
Grading Website:
All grades will be posted to www.mygradebook.com. You will need to enter the classword (S08precal2 or S08precal3, depending on if you are in 2nd or 3rd block) and your password. If you forget your password, see me or e-mail me.
Syllabi:
For each chapter, I will post a syllabus on my door. It will show which sections will be covered on which days and when quizzes and tests will be administered.
Notes:
I have created PowerPoint presentations for each lesson of the course. These will be provided to students on a CD. Students should print the notes for each chapter in advance of the start of that chapter. Notes should be kept in a notebook and brought to class each day. Also, students should study the notes before they are to be presented in class in order to maximize understanding. HINT FOR PRINTING: choose to print "6 slides per page" in order to conserve ink, paper, etc.
Sample Quizzes and Tests:
The CD containing the notes will also contain sample quizzes and tests. These are to be used as preparation for the real quizzes and tests to be given in class.
Answers will accompany the sample quizzes. I generally do not discuss them during class unless time permits. So, a student who has questions should see me before or after school.
The sample tests are to be done as homework (counted as a grade for completeness). Students will have the opportunity during class to ask questions on these. I go through them during class time the day before each actual test.
Pacing:
Here is an overall outline for the course:
3rd Quarter:
Chapter P (Prerequisites):
Chapter 7 (Systems of Equations)
Chapter 4 (Trigonometric Functions):
Chapter 5 (Analytic Geometry):
Chapters 6 & 11 (Additional Topics in Trigonometry; Analytic Geometry in Three Dimensions):
4th Quarter:
Chapter 1 (Functions and Their Graphs):
Chapter 2 (Polynomial and Rational Functions):
Chapter 3 (Exponential and Logarithmic Functions):
Chapter 9 (Sequences, Series, and Probability):
Chapter 10 (Topics in Analytic Geometry):
Essay: Trigonometry
Due Date:
You may work individually or with one partner.
Type your responses to the following prompts. Answer the questions in order. Separate questions need to receive separate responses.
1. Define trigonometry. Who invented trigonometry? When and why?
2. In what ways is/was trigonometry used (List at least three)? Choose one of those applications and give some detail: (1) define your application (if you say surveying, give a definition of surveying), (2) comment on usefulness/importance of application (why do people hire surveyors?), and (3) state why is trig used in this application.
3. For the application discussed in #2, give a typical problem (of moderate difficulty). For this problem, state the given information, state what needs to be computed, and then SHOW the solution. Your solution must be accompanied by an explanation. Be sure to state your final answer.
4. Provide a related illustration and explain in at least three sentences what it depicts and how it relates to the application discussed above. This illustration should NOT simply be a diagram to accompany the problem in #3 (although you may also wish to have a diagram in #3). This illustration should be more general to the career/field of study (such as a surveyor’s tool).
5. List all the sources that you consulted for this project. Make sure your list has at least three different sources. Document these sources properly* and provide annotation. "Annotation" consists of a complete sentence accompanying each source that states what information the source provided to you. *For web sites, give four pieces of information: (1) author (if known), (2) title, (3) URL (web address), and (4) date you accessed the site. For the URL, be specific: www.google.com is too general. DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA!
EXTRA CREDIT: You will receive 10 extra points if you include an appropriate and informative quote from someone in North Carolina with extensive knowledge or expertise in the application you discussed. For example, if you discussed surveying, you should talk to a surveyor. If you discussed astronomy, you should talk to an astronomer. Insert your quote in the most appropriate place in your essay (don't just stick it at the end). To bring attention to it, you may make a separate paragraph or change font. Accompanying your quote should be background information on this person. That is, mention the person's name and area of expertise. If the person's career is directly related to your discussion, give the job title and description. If the person's knowledge/expertise is simply from hobby or interest, say so. Be sure to list this person in #5 as an interview source.
Grading Rubric:
5 Definition of Trigonometry
5 Stated who Invented Trig
5 Stated when trig was invented
5 Stated why trig was invented
6 Listed three ways trig is/was used
9 Defined/described one of those applications
5 Commented on usefulness/importance of application
10 Explained thoroughly WHY trig is used in the application
10 Gave an example of trig being used in the application, showed given and unknowns
15 Solution, explanation, and answer to problem
5 Included related illustration
10 Gave three sentences explaining what the illustration depicts and how it related to application
10 Listed sources, including annotation
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