Mr.

Kellys Pre-Calculus Course: 2015-2016

The Chicago High School for the Arts
1st Semester Course Syllabus

Instructor: Mr. Padraic Kelly

Room: 211
Phone: 773.534.9710
pkelly@chiarts.org
Availability: during study hall, before or after school by appointment

Email:

Websites former students have used and found helpful: Super Nerdy & Super Excellent (if you have
more, tell me!)
http://pkellzprecalc2016.weebly.com khanacademy.org
purplemath.com
desmos.com
youtube.com/user/profrobbob
Course Description: In order to prepare students for calculus and other higher-level math, this course is
designed to have students develop a deeper understanding of such topics as exponential, logarithmic, and
trigonometric functions. We will focus on these functions properties and graphs and apply them to realworld situations. Students will apply many of the learned skills from previous courses and will find their
algebra and graphing skills very useful. To do well, problems in this course must be approached both
logically and creatively. At the completion of this course, students with interest should have the necessary
skill set to pursue a specific branch of mathematics, whether Calculus, Statistics, Theory, Physics,
Engineering, etc.
Course Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Apply mathematics as a language to simplify and analyze the world around us
Problem solve using critical thinking skills
Effectively communicate their mathematical understandings
Resources: Worksheets created by Mr. Kelly (a lot of these). The internet. Graphing Calculator.
Im working on a google-site, but right now Weebly is the place to go for my classroom assignments and
help.
Materials and Supplies: As Scar says, Be prepared. These materials and supplies are needed daily:
a means of organization (ex. one three ring binder with dividers or a pocket folder)
graphing calculator (Ti-83 or Ti-84 recommended not a scientific calculator) no longer
provided by school
graph paper & lined paper
pencils and (nice) erasers
If I see you without any of these things, you will lose your PPA grade for the day.
Grading: The following is a breakdown of school wide grading categories and weighting:
Classwork (DoNows, PPA (Participation, Preparedness, Activities) &
10%
ExitTickets)
Homework (Problem Sets)

5%

Quizzes

30%

Unit Tests/GRASPS

40%

Semester Final Exam

15%

School wide grading scale:

A+100B+ 8997
87
A 96B 8694
84
A- 93B- 8390
80

C+ 7977
C 7674
C- 7370

D+ 6967
D 6664
D- 6360

F <59

DoNows are good practice & good for your brain! DoNows completed on the provided paper can be used
on quizzes. How do you get the paper provided? Get to class on time. If you miss the paper provided,

Mr. Kellys Pre-Calculus Course: 2015-2016

you still have to do the DoNow for credit, but you have to use your own paper and you cant use it on your
quizzes. Students find my DoNows very useful.
Homework will be given most nights. To earn full credit a student must:
1. Write only in pencil. (Effort)
3. Box all answers. (Correctness)
2. Show all work. (Effort & Correctness) 4. Turn it in on time. (Effort)
Any homework work turned in after the check-in will earn a maximum of 60% credit. Students have until
the end of the unit to turn in late work for that unit. Once a unit is completed, students may no longer turn
in missing work for that unit. In the case of any absence, please read on.
Absences: The deadlines for missed work are described
If your
and you
absence is
missed.
Classwork &
ExitTickets
Homework
Excused
Quizzes, Tests, and
GRASPS
Any assignment

in the table below.

then the max time for
make up is:
Does not need to be made up
(cuz Excused)
The day of return (if I dont
have you in class that day,
drop off in Blue Box)
1 week from the day of return

Cannot be made up (Zero)

Unexcused
Contact Mr. Kelly to schedule a time to retake any tests or quizzes. But it is your responsibility to check
TeacherEase, Weebly, & the Purple Folder before contacting Mr. Kelly about missed assignments.
Assessments: Quizzes and Tests will be administered with plenty of notice. DoNows on the paper
provided are allowed to be used on quizzes. Most GRASPS will be completed in class. Late GRASPS will
receive a 10% deduction penalty each day (50% maximum) and thus must be submitted within one week
(5 school days, not 5 class days) of the due date.
A Note About Late Work (adj.): any assignment that a student attempts to turn in after I have
finished collecting the assignment is late work. Example sentence: Im sorry, that assignment on
TIs TI-83 Plus is late because I already finished collecting it from your classmates. If they had to be on
time, so do you. Like, even if it is 1 second after I say Im finished collecting whatever assignment it is I
am collecting, it is late. Im very consistent, ask last years seniors.
Retake Policy: All students may opt to complete test corrections within one week of test return date
and receive no more than 50% additional credit. Corrections may be completed and turned in for every
test, but only the correction that improves your score the most will be counted towards your final grade (1
per semester). Students must complete a reflection form prior to resubmitting corrections. There will be
no retaking/correction of quizzes.
Semester One Scope and Sequence:
The semester will be divided into 4 units. The themes are as follows:
Unit Name
Focus/Topics/EQs
Linear Review

Major
Assessments
Unit 1 Test

Families of
Functions

What is important from years past that I will need this year?
What does it mean for a function to be linear?
What are the different ways we can represent a linear function?
What are functions?
How can we find math in every day life?

Exponential
Functions

What is an example of a relationship that is not linear or quadratic?

How are quadratic functions and exponential function different?
How are they the same?

Unit 3 Exam
Unit 2 GRASPS
Portfolio
Reflection

Logarithmic

What is an example of a relationship that is not linear or quadratic?

What is an inverse?

Unit 3 Exam
Unit 3 GRASPS

Unit 2 GRASPS

Mr. Kellys Pre-Calculus Course: 2015-2016

Functions

Portfolio
Reflection

School wide Expectations and Standards:

Placesbe on time to school and to class; come prepared with all materials, supplies, appropriate dress
and attitude. Harmonyrespect each other and work together. Collageseek and receive wisdom; all
voices complete the picture. Directionbe willing to lead and follow. Arrangementconsider the
shared space. Leave things better than you found them.
** No food or drink (except bottled water) will be allowed in class at any time. ** No gum chewing **
All electronic devices (cell phones, mp3 players, video game systems, cameras) must not be seen or heard
in school at anytime. All electronic devices must be stored in your lockers. ** Personal laptop use only
permitted in the classroom while under the supervision of a teacher.
See 2015-2016 Parent-Student Handbook for other school policies and more info.
You and your parent/guardian must fill in and sign below to show you have read and will
adhere to the syllabus. Please complete the rest of the form, write neatly, detach and return
by Friday, 8/21. Hold onto the first page of this syllabus for your reference.
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Mr. Kellys Fabulous Students|

2015-2016|
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Mr. Kellys Pre-Calculus Course: 2015-2016

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******there is a place for notes on the back*******

What would you like me to know about your child? Thank You, were going to have a
great year!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.