FMS Geometry Course Syllabus and Expectations

Teacher:   Kristi Rupp-Wilson                                Room 210                             

Foothills Middle School                                            School Phone:  664-8961 ext: 2210

Home Phone:  886-7432                                            email:rw.kristi@mail.wsd.wednet.edu

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of the Algebra 1 course.

Course Description:  The purpose of this course is to emphasize the use of basic geometry skills as tools in solving real-world problems.  Topics will include: lines and angles, reasoning and proof, parallel and perpendicular lines, congruent triangles, relationships in triangles, proportions and similarities, right triangles and trigonometry, quadrilaterals, transformations, circles, areas of polygons and circles, surface area and volume.

Credit: Students successfully completing this course are eligible for one high school credit.

Classroom Instruction and group work:  Students will work in collaborative groups on a regular basis and approach problems conceptually.  The only way students will master the concepts is by being actively involved in their learning.  I will be responsible for guiding, supporting and summarizing at all times. 

Daily assignments will be given to practice and master the skills we have learned in class.

Students Assessments will be given at the end of each chapter and may include multiple choice, short answer and extended response questions.

This is a balanced program where skill development is based upon problem solving and understanding.   Most of the 8^th grade performance expectations (formerly GLE’s) are embedded in the curriculum but some are not because it is a high school curriculum.  Any 8^th grade PE’s not covered by the high school geometry curriculum will be included in some other manner throughout the school year.

Parent Involvement:  Parents, the following suggestions will help students be successful and have a positive experience in Geometry.

• Encourage and support risk taking on homework and while working in groups.
• Talk on a regular basis about the concepts being taught.
• Read and discuss student toolkit and journal entries on occasion.
• Create an atmosphere at home where there is a designated study space and study time.
• Be open to math groups working together at homes in evenings and weekends.
• When students are asked to teach new concept to parents, be enthusiastic and attentive.
• Offer help with homework and suggest that students get help at school when necessary.
• Look through the geometry binder on occasion and ask about organizational strategies.

• If your student needs help, start by asking them to read the problem out loud.

Textbook: College Preparatory Mathematics (CPM) Geometry Connections.

       www.cpm.org This web site has all of the problems from the student textbook as well as solutions to the out-of-class portion of each assignment for Geometry Connections.  Any resource pages that we used in class are also accessible to the students that have been sick or have missed class.

Classroom Supplies: Students will need these materials for math by Friday of the first week of school.

• A 2-inch hard cover, “Clear view” three ring binder
• At least 5 section dividers for the binder
• Pencil pouch (two pencils, one red pen for correcting, colored pencils, eraser, compass, six-inch ruler, protractor)
• A scientific calculator (TI 30xa is the least expensive and is excellent BUT if you would like to purchase a graphing calculator to use in class I would suggest the TI-84 plus.  This is very expensive and not required and I have a classroom set.)
• A bound quad rule notebook (with holes punched in it) of graph paper.  We have asked the office supply stores to have these books available for the high school and the middle school math students.

Attendance:  Attendance is required in accordance with FMS’s Policy (see FMS  Handbook in the “Planner”).  A student will not be successful without regular attendance.

Classroom Management:   “Make Your Day” is a citizenship program that encourages students to “Do what is expected” and “Do their best” each period of the day.  Students have an opportunity to earn points, which enables them to “MYD” each school day.

Assessments and Evaluation:  Grades will be given at the end of each quarter.

Grade will be updated weekly on line at:http://fms.wsd.wednet.edu.  Please check student grades on line regularly. 

Assessments 70%

Daily Assignments and Group Presentations 20%

Performance Expectations 5%

Parent signatures and attendance at open house 5%

The only extra credit will be applied from the bathroom passes and it will not exceed 1% of total grade. 

Grading Scale:          

A               93-100                         C+             76-79

A-              90-92                           C                73-75

B+             86-89                           C-              70-72

B                83-85                           D+             66-69

B-              80-82                           D               60-65

F                0-59

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Please sign and return this section of the Geometry Syllabus to school with you student. 

Keep the syllabus at home for reference.  Thank you!

Student Signature:    ______________________________       _________________________________

                            (Please print and sign clearly.)

Parent signature: ______________________________ Home or Cell Phone # _____________________

Please print email address clearly: