Geometry   2000 - 2001 Mr. Dillow's Class Policies

Welcome to Geometry! We've got a full year of learning and exploration ahead of us!

Congratulations! You have arrived in this class after having completed either CPM 1, Algebra 1, Algebra 1B, or another Geometry class. Geometry is the melting pot of BHS math courses which brings together students with varying abilities, backgrounds, and interests in math. Feeling comfortable with the material we cover during the first month of class is crucial to your success and enjoyment of the rest of the course.  If  you feel that you are overwhelmed or "lost", please see me for extra help.  I'm generally in my room on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at lunchtime and Tuesdays and Thursdays after school for "drop-in" help.  If I know you're coming, I'll be there for sure.

HOMEWORK:  These assignments are your chance to practice, make mistakes, correct mistakes, and exercise your reflective intelligence. You can pretty well count on having homework every night.  Use your student agenda planner to keep track of assignments. I'll normally have a list of assignments for the chapter available so you can plan ahead.  Consider these problem sets a minimum. If you're having trouble with a certain type of problem, do a few more. The answers to most homework problems are in the back of the book.  A solution key is in the classroom for your use, also. Check each problem you do.  If the problem won't work out, we can discuss it in class, but it's important that you've tried to find a solution.  If your solution doesn't match the answer key, you may have found a viable alternate solution. If you aren't able to complete a daily assignment, keep working on it  (get help from me, friends, or a tutor) until you master the material.  Each assignment builds on the previous one, so it's important to do every assignment.  This is your chance to practice, build confidence and compile reference material that may be used on some tests. Homework assignments will usually be collected on the day we have a test over the material.  Homework may not be accepted for full credit after you've taken a test over that material.

PARTICIPATION:  Your future employers will expect that you arrive to work on time ready to process goods, services, or information productively and cooperatively. You will earn participation points in this class for 1) Arriving to class on time, 2) Having required materials, 3) Maintaining a positive learning attitude, and 4) Fostering active learning.

EVENTS (tests): The events are your chance to prove to me and yourself that you have mastered the required course work. If you do poorly on a test (and have completed the required homework), you have the option of re-taking it.  I'll discuss the conditions and schedule for retakes after each test.  Your responsibility to me is to work your hardest.  I promise to work with you until you achieve success.

GRADES:  Homework and Classwork count for 23%, Participation for 5%, and Events for 72% of your grade.  By practicing the problems in the homework assignments, you'll be able to document with confidence your mastery of the concepts on the Events.  Consider me your "learning coach", and the homework assignments your daily exercise plan.  By participating diligently in my Geometry Training Program, and paying close attention to how you best learn,  you are sure to succeed. Grades assignment: A > 90%, B > 80%, C > 70%.

ACTIVE LEARNING: A large part of learning is a result of making mistakes and correcting errors. When you find yourself puzzled by an assignment, concept, or method, we’ll work out a strategy for success. People learn best when they understand which of their multiple intelligences are most active. The goal of this class is to learn and we’ll use Geometry as the tool to facilitate that learning. This will strengthen and increase your reflective intelligence, the ability to tackle novel problems with patterns of action that will allow you to handle problem solving, decision making, and other intellectually demanding activities better. Your Student agenda will help you stay organized and focused

BOOKS:  Your Geometry book is on loan to you and costs $52. Please cover and protect yours at all times. You pay for any and all damage (minimum end of year fine is $10).

ATTENDANCE:  I really want to see you in class every day, ready and eager to work.  If you are ill, you can check your assignment sheet to see what we'll be covering.  Phone a classmate to get the latest information, so you don't fall behind.  If you are absent on a test or assignment-due day, be prepared to take the test on your return the next day. Students, especially athletes,  who anticipate missing class should plan ahead.

TARDINESS:  If you're chronically late for work, you get fired.  At school, continual lateness to class is disruptive and affects your performance.  Tardiness affects your participation grade.  You must see me at the end of class to assure that a tardy instead of a cut is recorded.

STANDARD BHS CLASSROOM RULES: To provide consistency in all classes, we have adopted the following rules:

• Food or drink is not allowed in class at any time.
• Electronic devices (pagers, cell phones, entertainment modules) are not permitted on campus.
• Hats (headgear) are not to be worn in class. (I have a hat rack for your use).

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:

• Students are expected to maintain a positive learning attitude. Be an Active Learner!
• Students are expected to be prepared at all times.
• Students are expected to attend class each school day and be on time.
• Students are expected to demonstrate respect and tolerance towards others in class.
• Students are expected to respect the property of others.

YOUR PARENTS. It is important for your parents to feel involved in your education and progress. Share with them your classroom successes and/or frustrations. Let them know what’s going on. If your parents would like to contact me to discuss your progress or any school concern, they may phone the school at 747-8325, or email me.  Have them leave a return number and the best time to call. I will return the call within 48 hours. We can also schedule conference meetings. Let’s work together.
QUESTIONS? ASK! Ask in class or  Click here to mail me

LEARNING STYLES:  Not everybody learns in the same way. Everyone seems to favor one or more of the multiple intelligences identified by Howard Gardner. Anna Kealoha has expanded on this with her “Rainbow Mind” Theory.
 

Theory of Multiple intelligences	Rainbow Mind Theory
Visual/Spatial	Art
Musical/Rhythmic	Music
Verbal/Linguistic	Letters (Language)
Logical/Mathematical	Numbers (Math)
Naturalist	Nature (Science)
Body/Kinesthetic	Body World (Self)
Interpersonal	Outer World (Others & History)
Intrapersonal	Inner World (Personal Beliefs)

 

EXPECTED STUDENT LEARNING RESULTS:  Our goal for you (and us!) is to continually progress toward becoming ever better Collaborative Learners, Quality Producers, Self-Directed Learners, Effective Communicators, Healthy Individuals, Complex Thinkers, and Responsible Citizens. (See page 3 in your Student Agenda for detailed descriptions).