Teacher: Fred Kral, Ph.D.
Email me: fkral
Call or text me: 415-857-KRAL (5725)
Call classroom: 415-339-9336 x111
Edmodo: http://www.edmodo.com/fredkral
Get info on homework and more: http://teach.kralsite.com or bitly kraltms [http://bit.ly/kraltms]
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, areas and volumes, coordinate geometry, symmetry, and transformations. Theorems and other results are derived using formal reasoning with precise and accurate language using logic, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, and indirect 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). Puzzles, applications, and projects are integral parts of the course.
Required text and supplemental materials
- Jurgensen, Ray, Richard Brown, and John Jurgensen, Geometry, Boston, MA: McDougal Littel, 2000 (and later impressions). ISBN: 0-395-97727-4. Ordered by school. Required.
- Web searching, wikipedia.org and reputable websites such as Ask Dr. Math (http://mathforum.org/dr.math/). Strongly recommended.
- 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. A small number of school laptops can be checked out, if available for that class. Strongly recommended.
- Compass (should hold settings steady, but does not need to be fancy), Straightedge (ruler with cm and in, transparent), protractor (transparent, small diameter). Required.
- Standard TMS Math Department Notebook. Ordered by school. Required.
- Personal stapler; pencils (mechanical suggested); cover for textbook.
Assessment
| Homework: timely completion of homework assignments. Assessed formally and informally. | 5 points per homework |
| Review homework: timely completion of representative problems in preparation for tests and exams. | 20 points per review |
| Quizzes: written and graphical solutions of problems similar to homework problems. | 50 points per quiz |
| Mid-Semester Tests: written and graphical solutions of problems from recent material. | 200 points per test |
| End-Semester Examinations: written and graphical solutions of problems from the whole semester (comprehensive). | 15% of course grade |
| In-Class work: positive energy and interest level during in-class work including discussion, working on investigations, and practice during class. Assessed informally. | 20 points per week |
| Notebook use: documenting work, contributing to all sections, putting it to good use for learning, making it your own, showing the ups and downs of the learning process. Assessed formally and informally. | 50 points per month |
| Committment to learning: Taking on what is challenging to you, getting help, communicating with the teacher, and engaging with the material. Assessed informally. | 50 points per month |
| Projects: quality and correctness of written and graphical results. | 100 points per project |
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, text, or email as often as you like! – Fred
Please see the web site for other information including assignments.