IB+Math+Studies

** Phone: 755-4256 ** ** Email: brandon.cook@lansingschools.net **
 * IB Math Studies **
 * 2012-2013**
 * Mr. Cook’s Room: 313**

Description of the Course Mathematics is a tool we use to understand and interpret our world. It is the language used to describe patterns and solve quantitative problems in fields ranging from art and graphic design to science and engineering. It also develops creativity and higher order thinking skills. Because the level of mathematical thinking and problem solving needed in the workplace and in the world continues to increase, those who understand mathematics will have opportunities others do not. Mathematical competence opens doors to productive futures, and the IB Math Studies program is one of the courses where students gain such competence. The IB Diploma Programme mathematical Studies, available as a standard level (SL) subject only, caters to students with varied backgrounds and abilities. Students embarking on this course need to be equipped with fundamental skills and a rudimentary knowledge of basic processes. The nature of mathematical studies is such that it concentrates on mathematics which can be applied to contexts related as far as possible to other curriculum subjects, to common general world occurrences and to topics that relate to home, work and leisure situations. The Internal Assessment project provides an opportunity for the student to undertake an investigation of a mathematical nature in the context of another subject in the curriculum, a hobby or interest of his/her choice using skills learned before and during the mathematical studies course.

The course consists of the study of eight topics.
 * __Mathematical Studies SL (Total 150 hours) __**

All topics are compulsory. Students must study all the sub-topics in each of the topics in the syllabus as listed in this guide. Students are also required to be familiar with the topics listed as presumed knowledge (PK).

Topic 1—Introduction to the graphic display calculator (3 hours) Topic 2—Number and algebra (14 hours) Topic 3—Sets, logic and probability (20 hours) Topic 4—Functions (24 hours) Topic 5—Geometry and trigonometry (20 hours) Topic 6—Statistics (24 hours) Topic 7—Introductory differential calculus (15 hours) Topic 8—Financial mathematics (10 hours)
 * __Syllabus content (130 hours) __**

<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRoman','serif';">The project is an individual piece of work involving the collection of information or the generation of measurements, and the analysis and evaluation of the information or measurements. Rubric for the Project will be handed out early December.
 * __<span style="font-family: 'TimesNewRoman,Bold','serif'; font-size: 18.6667px;">Project (20 hours) __**

** Expectations **


 * Appropriate Classroom Behavior:** As high school students I expect that you know how to behave appropriately. In this class, that includes following the **__classroom rules__** and **__dress code__** that are explained in the student handbook. Food is only allowed in the cafeteria, which **does not include this classroom!** If you have any questions about what I think is appropriate please ask. __Consequences, for each day, can be found on the rubric for aggressive and non-aggressive behavior.__

Students should also have their note packets available to them every day, as well as their book. If a student forgets at the beginning of class and is late, they will be marked tardy. Students forgetting in the middle of class cannot leave my room to get their note packet. Note packets must be brought to class everyday! Cell phones, I-pods and other electronic devices not related to this course are not to be out in class and in use. If seen, they will be removed and the student cannot have it back until the end of the school day. Consequences for using electronics can be found on the rubric for non-aggressive behavior.
 * Entering Class:** Students are to enter class and immediately begin working on the warm-up and have homework from the previous day out and available for me to check. Warm-ups will take about 5 minutes and so students must begin working on them as soon as possible. Paper and pencils will be available in my class, although all pencils must be returned before the end of class.
 * Late Work:** You will be given one late assignment pass to use on any homework/classwork assignment not turned in on time. You will be allowed one late pass each quarter that can be used for this purpose. Otherwise, late assignments will not be accepted after the following chapter or unit test. Please pay attention. If you are absent on the due date you are responsible for turning in the assignment when you return to class and you are responsible for asking myself or a classmate about what was assigned. Homework missing from previous weeks can be found by checking Edline.

Do not write on the calculators, type messages to others, play games or use them for purposes other than learning mathematics, even if it is your own. Graphing calculators will also be used on a daily basis to assist in understanding and exploring the concepts of the class, while I will have a classroom set of calculators available for students to use in class.
 * Use Calculators Wisely:** Geometry students are encouraged to use a graphics display calculator with the curriculum. It is encouraged that students purchase their own graphics display calculator (TI-83 plus, TI-84 the TI-Inspire) for home and/or classroom use or access an online graphing calculator for homework help (eg. rentcalculators.org) since I havenoticed that students who have them available at home have an easier time completing and understanding assignments.
 * Keep All Materials:** You will need a folder or some way of keeping the materials together for this class. Students who keep all their materials together, complete and in order will have the necessary materials for tasks. Students will receive note packets that will serve as our reference and study material.


 * Hall Passes:** Hall passes will be provided in your planner. These are to be used for going to the restroom, not your locker. Please ask permission **//__at an appropriate time__//** and have the teacher sign you a pass. You will have exactly five minutes to take care of your business. Unused passes are worth two extra credit points. Failure to come back in five minutes will result in a tardy. If you use all of your passes and still need to leave class you will also receive a tardy for that day.


 * Get Help:** If you are feeling lost, have questions, or want to learn more about what we are doing in class please find time to talk to me. Please read the “Get Help” sign in class. I stay after school most days until 3:30.

= ** Evaluation and Grading ** =

Student’s understanding of the concepts addressed in class will be assessed in several different ways; classwork/homework, quizzes, employability points, tests, and semester exams. Students’ grades for this class will be determined by the amount of points you earn on each assignment and their weight each marking period. Students can keep track of their grade by recording the total points assigned and the points they earn. Each card marking grade is worth 40% of the semester grade. The semester exam will be worth 20% of the total semester grade. Below is how I typically weigh each type of assessment and the grading scale.

Weight per card marking:

//*Employability Points//: 10% Classwork/homework: 15% Quizzes/Projects: 25% Tests: 50%

*//Employability points// – you earn points every day for: 1- showing up, 2- being on time, and 3- doing your job/task for the hour. Any time you fail to follow through you lose the points you were given. I won't fire you, just dock your pay. See @http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Career&Employ_Standards_12_01_13760_7.pdf. See the Personal Management Benchmarks start on Page 12 of the Document.

Grading Scale:

A 93-100 A- 90-92 B+ 87-89 B 83-86 B- 80-82 C+ 77-79 C 73-76 C- 70-72 D+ 67-69 D 63-66 D- 60-62 E 0-59