Mr. Elliott - Precalculus I and II and Precalculus Honors
Summer Assignment: Write a three page double spaced essay on the life of the Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler . It must include some specific examples of Complex Numbers and THE Exponential Function. Due Friday August 14 for 25 extra credit. Good Luck!
CALCULUS ADVANCED PLACEMENT
CREDIT: 1 (6.A grading) GRADE 12
PREREQUISITE: Pre-Calculus Honors, C or higher; SHG Teacher Recommendation
This course covers essentially the first two semesters of college calculus. It follows the Advanced Placement BC syllabus, and is intended for students who have a thorough knowledge of analytic geometry and elementary functions in addition to college preparatory algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. The standard topics in limit theory, differential calculus, and integral calculus are included, along with introductory materials in vector calculus, series, and differential equations. This is a very demanding course and should be taken only by students of excellent mathematical ability who wish to prepare for college work in mathematics, chemistry, physics, or medicine. Students are required to take the AP exam in the spring.
COURSE FEE: AP Exam
PRE-CALCULUS HONORS - 303652
CREDIT: 1 (5.A grading) GRADE 11-12
PREREQUISITE: Algebra II-Honors, C or higher; SHG Teacher Recommendation
This course is designed to be an immediate preparation for Calculus. The content includes extensive coverage of trigonometry, analytical geometry, and several topics in advanced algebra. A deeper understanding of the concept of a function is stressed and applied to many different topics.
CLASS EXPECTATIONS
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Textbook, spiral notebook,calculator, writing implement, and a warm body featuring at the least a semi-conscious brain.
HOMEWORK
Homework assignments are to be kept in a spiral bound notebook used exclusively for this course. Homework will be assigned on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I will collect each students’ notebook at the end of each quarter. If ALL assignments are accounted for, I will award 150 points. If assignments are missing I will award 0 points.
REVIEW
Each Thursday we will Review the material from Monday – Wednesday. To facilitate this review I will provide you with an assignment in which we will all work on during class. This Review assignment will be worth 10 points, and will be due on Friday.
TESTS
Each Friday you will take a test over the material presented in class that week. Each test is worth 150 points and usually takes the entire period. Weekly tests taken on Friday will be graded on a curve.
MAKE UP TESTS
Unless pre-arranged with me weekly make-up tests will usually be offered Tuesdays before school. Occasionally there are exceptions! I will notify you ahead of time.
OFFICE HOURS
I will be available for questions and extra help between 7:00am – 8:00am Monday thru Friday. However do not come in at 7:50am and expect to get four days of mathematics in ten minutes. Additionally I will be available after school by appointment until 4:30pm.
GRADING POLICY
I grade strictly by percentages and not grade points. (However, I do accept VISA and MC, but no personal checks)
CLASS PARTICIPATION
Each student will be expected to participate in the class sessions. This means asking and answering questions, and occasionally working homework problems on the chalkboard. If you choose not to participate in the class sessions you will not be penalized with points. However, if you do participate and let’s say your grade is “borderline” when grades are assessed, I will round your grade up one percentage point. For example, you’ve earned a 92.2% (B+) then your grade would be raised to a 93% (A-).
FOOD AND DRINK
No food or drinks will be allowed in my classroom. Gum and cud chewing is allowed.
WANDERING
No trips to the trash can or pencil sharpener while I’m at the chalkboard or podium. If you must get your 15 minutes of fame this year, perhaps we could see about getting your mug on the Channel 20 news or your picture on the front page of the Sangamon County Gazette.
BATHROOM TRIPS
No trips to the porcelain oasis to see a man about a camel. Please do not ask! If you experience a personal emergency….that is different. In that case RUN!!
EXTRA CREDIT
At least twice each quarter I will offer an extra credit assignment. This is designed to further challenge you regarding a particular concept we are currently studying. Additionally, it helps you recover missed points from a test , or accumulate extra points for a rainy day.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
(for survival in Mr. Elliott’s math class)
I. THOU SHALT NOT liken thyself unto the children of Israel. Do not wander aimlessly,
stay in your assigned seat. I may be your voice in the wilderness,
but you’re no Moses.
II. THOU SHALT NOT talk out of turn. This is simple; if you have something to say, raise
your hand.
III. THOU SHALT NOT verbally offend thy classmates. Let’s all speak kindly regarding
one another; this includes profane and vulgar language and
off-color innuendoes.
IV. THOU SHALT NOT primp thyself during class time. Unless you are preparing for
your evening performance with “Ringling Bros., Barnum, and
Bailey”, as a circus clown, keep the make-up case in the purse.
V. THOU SHALT NOT liken thyself unto a brook. Do not “babble’ on to your neighbor
in private conversation during lectures.
VI. THOU SHALT NOT issue secret decrees. Do not pass notes; if you feel the urge to ask
Edna to the ice cream social after church on Sunday, or comment
that Billy Bob is a hunk, please do so after class.
VII. THOU SHALT NOT become comatose during class. Do not sleep during class, pay
attention --- the information you will miss will surely haunt you on
the day of accountability.
VIII. THOU SHALT NOT solicit my windows or their coverings (blinds) Keepa your hands
offa my windows. If there is too much light, just wait for the
upcoming ice age. If you are too cold, don’t worry, at the first sign
of hypothermia I will contact the paramedics.
IX. THOU SHALT be in thy assigned seat when the bell rings. No exceptions; if you
are late, get a pass or get a detention.
X. THOU SHALT be respectful to thine instructor. If you feel like blowing off steam,
in the form of profanity, think twice. I will most probably take
offense and you most certainly will regret it. I will always show
you respect and I expect you to reciprocate.
These commandments I give unto you to keep. If you choose to keep them, you will find favor in my eyes. It you do not choose to keep these commandments, I will visit you with detentions and send my wrath unto you and your forefathers and foremothers.
"I may be you're voice in the wilderness, but you're no Moses !"
