Geometry
Course Syllabus

2007-2008

Instructor:

E-mail:

Phone: (209) 830-6363

Lab Days: _____________

Lab Time: _____________

On-line practice / self-guided work:  ALEKS (www.aleks.com)

Username:______________________________

Password:______________________________

ALEKS is a self-explanatory learning system and includes on-line instructions, feedback, and assessment.  ALEKS constantly challenges you and supplies extensive feedback on what you have accomplished. ALEKS will always help you select the ideal topic to work on, to ensure you learn concepts in the order that is best for you.

Course Description:
Inductive and deductive reasoning through proving properties of segments, angles, triangles, quadrilaterals, and circles using real number properties, basic geometric definitions, postulates, and theorems. Also includes computing the areas of polygons, and surface areas and volumes of solids.

Expectations:
            Students will be expected to:

  • Be on time for class with all required materials. (Notebook/math folder; pencil; scratch paper; etc.).
  • Obey all DCS rules while in Geometry lab
  • Complete all written assignments assigned by lab instructor (approximately 1 hour of work per week)

There are two types of grades for Geometry classes at DCS. The first is given by your EC and is based on the following criteria.

The 5 credit Geometry grade is based on three components:

  • Your individual work and percentage of mastery that you complete on the ALEKS system (see further description below)
  • Participation based on how well you have satisfied all of the requirements set forth in your PLP and subsequent meetings with your EC.
  • Your score on the comprehensive final examination.

Geometry has 165 total lessons that need to be mastered. Geometry “A” is the first half of Geometry, needing 82 lessons to complete. Geometry “B” is the second half of the 165 lessons. Students in either class (“A” or “B”) are able to work on all of the same lessons. ALEKS has no delineation between the “A” and “B” portions of Geometry. Therefore, when looking at your progress towards completion of the entire course, the following grading scales will be used to assign the individual work portion of your semester grade.

Grade is based on the completion of mastered lessons verified by assessment. Geometry “A” grading scale:


Grade

A

B

C

D

F

% Mastered

45-50%

40-44%

35-39%

30-34%

0-29%

# Lessons

74-82

65-73

56-64

47-55

0-46

Geometry “B” grading scale:


Grade

A

B

C

D

F

% Mastered

90-100%

80-89%

70-79%

60-69%

0-59%

# Lessons

148-165

130-147

112-129

94-111

0-93

The second type of grade available is the 3 credits given for taking the onsite Geometry lab class.  This grade is determined by your lab instructor and is based on the following criteria:

  • Attendance/Participation as determined by your attendance in lab WITH the materials required to participate in class as well as working in lab as requested (includes a minimum of 1 hour time logged on to ALEKS showing progress towards mastery of course content each week)
  • Completion of all written assignments assigned by lab instructor (approximately 1 hour of work per week)
  • Periodic assessments based on your individual learning history.

In order to be a more effective learner I suggest that you try to complete the seven pieces of your pie in the following order. It would be best to complete all the available lessons in each individual piece before progressing to the next piece. In other words, try to fill your pie one piece at a time.