To: Parents of Pre-Calculus students
From: Denise Brown, teacher

                        I am Denise Brown, your childs' Pre-Calculus teacher for this semester. I would like to thank you for the opportunity to teach you child \. I am looking forward to working with both of you. In order to make this a successful an enjoyable semester, please allow me to offer a few suggestions.

            College credit may be earned in this class through the University of Tennessee at Martin. The student must be enroll with the University and pay the required fees (TN Lottery scholarship money may be available). More information on this is available through the guidance department or at the UTM Selmer campus. I encourage each student to seriously consider this dual credit. It is an excellent opportunity to earn college credit.

            I will be sending progress reports home after the third and sixth week during each quarter (usually on Wednesdays) and would encourage you to ask your child for this. Please sign the bottom portion, with any comments you wish to make, and have your child return to me the next day.

            Pre-Calculus can be a difficult class for students, and it requires daily practice. You can help your child by making sure he/she is doing homework and/or reviewing each night, requiring him/her to keep up with grades in their agenda or notebook, and by encouraging him/her to come to me for help if needed. I am at school most mornings at 7:30. In addition  to this, your child might consider finding someone in this class to be a study buddy with. Study groups that meet before or after school can be very beneficial. Please keep in mind that the ultimate decision to study and try to learn this material is in your child's hand. This is a course for mathematically mature juniors and seniors and will be treated as such.

            It is important that your child attend class every day. If he/she has to be absent, the make-up work must be completed and turned in!

Please read this packet, sign the bottom of this page and return it to me by your child. I may be contacted at school (645-3226) form 11:45 until12:45 if you have any questions or concerns during this terms.

I am looking forward to a good semester with your child. Thank you for your trust and support.

Sincerely,

 

Denise A. Brown
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I have read this packet, including the tardy policy, absentee/make-work policy, classroom expectations, and calculator information.

Parent Signature___________________________ Date_____________

Student Name________________________Signature______________________

 

NOTE:                                     This course requires the use of a graphing calculator.                                                         Computer algebra system are prohibited.

 

CATALOG                             

Algebraic properties of real numbers. Solutions of equations and inequalities. Logarithmic and DESCRIPTION exponential functions. Matrices and determinants. Survey of the conics. Trigonometric functions their identities, graphs and equations. Applications of trigonometric functions.

GOAL:

To prepare students for success in college courses, especially the sciences, by introducing algebra and triangle trigonometry. To motivate and illustrate these topics by relevant  applications.

OBJECTIVES: The student will:
            1. Work with the basic concepts of graphs and functions.
            2. Determine the graphs and zeros of polynomial and rational functions
            3. Understand and apply logarithmic and exponential functions and equations.
            4. Define, use and graph the trigonometric functions and the inverse trigonometric functions.
            5. Use trigonometric identities and solve trigonometric equations.
            6. Apply trigonometric functions in the solving of triangles and in other situations.
            7.Work with the basic equations and graphs and rotation of the conics.
            8. Solve systems of equations by several methods and solve systems of inequalities.
            9. Understand the basic definitions and operations of matrices and determinants and their applications.

TEXT: Precalculus Mathematics for Calculus, Stewart/Redlin/Watson, Fourth Edition, Brooks/Cole Publishing. 2002, ISBN: 0-534-385419

CALCULATOR  REQUIREMENTS:        A graphing calculator is required for this course. The use of the calculator will not be taught in the course itself. The department recommends one of The following: TI-83 or TI-83+SE. You should check with your major advisor to what calculator you might need in your major before deciding which one to use.

OUTLINE:

CHAPTER              Topic
2                              Functions                                                         1-9       
3                              Polynomials and Rational Functions                  1-6                                       4                              Exponential and Logarithmic Functions             1-5
5                              Trigonometric Functions of Real Numbers        1-4          
6                              Trigonometric Functions of Angles                     1-5                        
7                              Analytic Trigonometry                                        1-8                
8                              Systems of Equations and Inequalities                 1-9            
9                              Topics in Analytic Geometry                             1-5                  

1. Follow the rules - school board, school, and classroom
2. LISTEN: ASK HELP IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND
3. Come prepared.
   A. Bring PENCIL, 3-RING BINDER, PAPER, BOOK, AND CALCULATOR to class EVERY DAY!! NO WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED IN INK!!
   B. Do not bring ANY FOOD, CANDY, or DRINKS to class.
   C. Keep your hands and feet to yourself - no horseplay.
   D. NO SLEEPING - Keep your head up. If you are sick, tell me.
   E. Classroom discussion is encouraged, but no whispering or note Passing.
4. Take notes - write down board / overhead examples in notebook. These will be kept in a 3-ring binder along with quizzes and handouts.

CHEATING IN ANY FORM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! A ZERO WILL BE GIVEN ON THE ASSIGNMENT OR TEST AND IT WILL NOT BE MADE UP.

Severe Clause - The student may be removed immediately if the behavior disrupts the educational process in this u in this classroom.

DISCIPLINE PLAN:
A student who chooses not to follow the expectations will be subject to:
1st Offense: Warning
2nd Offense: Teacher Conference / Warning
3rd Offense: Notify parents and a three page report on a math topic( with 2 references) due the next day
4th Offense: Referred to Office

TARDY POLICY:
A student is tardy when he / she is not IN THE SEAT when the tone sounds.
1st Offense: Warning
2nd Offense: Warning
3rd Offense: Warning
4th Offense: Warning

GRADING POLICY
Tests-50%
Quizzes (ANNOUNCED AND UNANNOUNCED)-25%
Homework / Class work (Notebooks may be checked unannounced)-25%

All students are required to take the midterm test which will count 25% of the 9 weeks average. ALL DUAL CREDIT STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE FINAL.

ALL MAKE UP TESTS MUST BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THE NEXT CHAPTER! FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN A ZERO FOR THE TEST.

21SUGGESTIONS FOR SUCCESS
by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

1. Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery.
2. Work at something you enjoy and that's worthy of your time and talent.
3. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
4. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
5. Be forgiving of yourself and others.
6. Be generous.
7. Have a grateful heart.
8. Persistence, persistence, persistence.
9. Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary.
10. Treat everyone you meet like you want ot be treated.
11. Commit yourself to constant improvement.
12. Commit yourself to quality.
13. Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.
14. Be loyal.
15. Be honest.
16. Be a self-starter.
17. Be decisive even even if it means you'll sometimes be wrong.
18. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.
19. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you'll regret the thing you didn't do more than the ones you did.
20. Take good care of those you love.
21. Don't do anything that wouldn't make your mom proud.

McNAIRY CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Denise Brown