KERN HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL 2010 – 2011
Mathematics Department
Applied Geometry Syllabus for Mrs. Abercrombie
WELCOME TO GEOMETRY! In this class you will learn the art of deductive reasoning: how to prove
your point so that there is no doubt that you are right! Also, you will see real-world applications of the
mathematics and algebra that you have learned in previous years. You will learn a lot, provided you
take an interest, come to class ready to learn and stay on task during the entire class period!
Materials Needed:
3-ring notebook with paper Geometry textbook, covered
a pencil and a pen ½ pad of graph paper
ruler scientific calculator
Assignments: Assignments are given every day, Monday through Friday. You must
show all work to justify your answers! If you used a calculator, you must write down
what was entered!
It is okay to make mistakes -- your assignments will be graded on EFFORT and COMPLETENESS
(copy down all problems and show all work). Your name, the assignment, and date must be
in the upper right corner of every assignment!
Assignments are checked daily, but recorded weekly the first day of the following week. Don’t lose
it!
MAKE-UP/LATE Assignments: MAKE-UP assignments will be accepted for full credit if your
absence is excused. Zero credit if you ‘cut’ class. LATE assignments may be turned in on the first
day of the next week, with a 1-point penalty (see GRADING below). After the first day of the week,
the work may not be turned in late. If you cut class, any work, including tests or quizzes will be a
zero!
Daily Work/Activities will be turned in and graded on quality of work, completeness, and
correctness.
GRADES: A 5 point rubric will be used to grade your daily work: 5 = A+ (perfect, or some small
errors, but great understanding of concepts), 4 = B- (more than a few errors, but good, and/or writes
incomplete answers or sentences), 3.5 = C (errors with a fair understanding), 3 = D- (several errors
with less than average understanding), 0 = F (no attempt or writes something down that has nothing to
do with the assignment).
Your letter grade is based on a weighted system. The SEMESTER GRADE is weighted
42.5% - 1st Quarter, 42.5% - 2nd Quarter, and 15% - Final Exam. Here is a breakdown of
the two weighted categories for each Quarter:
Tests and Quizzes 50% This part of your grade will be determined by how well you do
individually on tests and quizzes. These are the times where I will closely evaluate your progress.
DAILY WORK/ASSIGNMENTS (DW) 50% Each day you are graded on work/participation
in class. We will be doing activities and assignments to help you understand geometry. You are
required to be on task the entire period. If you do not complete an assignment in class, you must take
it home and complete it before the next class meeting. You must copy down the problem, show all
work, and/or state what you entered in a calculator in order to earn credit. Assignments will be
checked daily and collected every Monday for the previous week’s work.
Applied Geometry: Guidelines for Success
Letter Grades: At the end of each quarter, you will receive a letter grade based on the percentage of
points you have earned from the total points possible. The scale below will be used:
10 points per day: A 90 - 100 %
0–5 On Time
90 - 100 % to Class B 80 - 89 %
Points On Task with Materials C 70 - 79 %
0–5 Complete and Turn in D 60 - 69 %
Points Assignments on Time F below 60%
Prerequisite Class – Applied Algebra: This class assumes solid Applied Algebra skills. You should
have previously earned at least a C in Applied Algebra; if you have not, please let me know
immediately so we can make sure that you are in the correct math class. We will “spiral” Algebra
review and problems throughout the school year.
Absences: If you are absent you have the number of consecutive days excused absent to make up
the assignment or activity. You may make up a quiz or test within 1 week of your excused absence.
No credit will be awarded for any assignment, test or quiz, if your
absence is a ‘cut’.
Tardies: If you are late to class without a pass, your attendance record will show
unexcused tardy. If you have a pass, quietly hand the pass to Mrs. Abercrombie
upon entering. If you are coming from another teacher’s class, it is your
responsibility to get a pass. If you forget to get a pass from that person, the tardy
will remain recorded as unexcused until you get a written excuse from that
teacher/office on your own time.
Student Portfolios: In this mathematics course, we will keep a portfolio in class containing all of your
major work, such as tests, projects, etc. This folder will showcase your growth over the year in this
class and is available for your or your parents’ review at any time. You may checkout your portfolio
overnight so it can be brought home and shared with your parents.
Tutoring: Additional help is available to those who are doing class work and attempting to do their
assignments. Tutoring dates and times will be announced on a math department schedule. Students
must bring their warm-ups, notes, and attempted assignments in order to get help.
Classroom Behavior: It is important that you stay on task during the entire class period. Students
who behave inappropriately and/or disruptive in class will be told to step outside during the lesson, and
their parent/guardian will be contacted. Severe inappropriate behavior or continued disturbances will
result in counselor contacts, and/or referrals to the Dean.
If you need to reach me for any reason, please email me at
jill abercrombie@khsd.k12.ca.us or call Liberty High School at (661) 587-0925.
You can get assignments and class information by logging onto
http://liberty.kernhigh.org/staff/teachers/abercrombie