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Welcome to Parents' Night 2008
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Mr. AdcockFall 2008
Precalculus

• Math is the great equalizer -- Jamie Escalante

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Who Am I?

• Experience
• 16th year at CLS
• Degrees
• B.S. in math education from UIUC
• M.S. in mathematics from NIU
• Family
• Wife Lori (CLS grad)
• Daughter Grace 6 yrs.

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Who Am I?

• Philosophies of Teaching
• Must continue learning right along with students
• Find applications of mathematics to make it
  relevant to the students
• Technology and mental math are equally important

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What Are We Going To Do?

• Learn precalculus from a conceptual perspective
• Geometrically
• Analytically
• Numerically
• Verbally
• Learn how precalculus applies to real life
• Science, Engineering, Economics, Etc.
• Will be a HUGE part of this class
• Prepare for the ACT and college placement exams
• Colleges assume you know nothing! You must prove
  otherwise!

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What Materials Are Required?

• Graphing calculator (minimum TI-8X)
• Class text
• Precalculus, 3rd ed. By Sullivan and Sullivan
• Notebook
• Minimum of 150 pages

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How Is My Grade Determined?

• Homework
• Collected once or twice each chapter in a packet
• Questions answered daily
• DONT FALL BEHIND!!!!
• Marked down 10 each day late
• Seniors exempt from 2nd Semester Final if passing
  3rd 4th quarters and HW percentage is greater
  than 90

• Scale for Homework (3 pts. per section)
• 3 pts. Between 90-100 attempted, all work
  shown
• 2 pts. Between 75-89 attempted, all work shown
• 1 pt. Between 60-74 attempted, all work shown
• 0 pts. Less than 60 attempted and/or
  inadequate work shown

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How Is My Grade Determined?

• Grading Scale
• 96.5 A
• 92.5-96.4 A
• 89.5-92.4 A-
• 86.5-89.4 B
• 82.5-86.4 B
• 79.5-82.4 B-
• 76.5-79.4 C
• 72.5-76.4 C

• 69.5-72.4 C-
• 66.5-69.4 D
• 62.5-66.4 D
• 59.5-62.4 D-
• 59.4 and Below F

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What Will Exams Be Like?

• Three-Day Process
• Day 1 Pretest handed out in class
• Worth 6 points
• Day 2 Check the pretest in class, make
  corrections
• Day 3 Chapter Test
• Similar in format to pretest
• Types of Questions
• Computational (open-ended and multiple choice)
• Application
• Apply techniques/concepts to real-world problems

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When Can I Get Help?

• Free periods
• 4th period
• 9th period
• Before school
• 645-715
• After school
• Until 330

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What Should I Do If Im Absent?

• Copy class notes from peers
• Make up missed work ASAP
• One week to complete
• Ask for pass
• Ask for help
• Peers
• Mr. A

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What Do I Need To Know About Class Procedure?

• Please dont crowd the door at the end of the
  period
• Two free restroom/locker passes per quarter
• Tardies begin to accumulate thereafter
• No food, candy, or drink

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What Do I Need To Know About Class Procedure?

• iPods and CD players ok on limited basis
• May be used during HW time
• Must be put away during all other classtime
  activities (including tests quizzes)

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What Can I Get More Information About This Course?

• Check out my faculty website
• Go to the CLS webpage www.d155.org/cls
• Click on the Faculty hyperlink
• Click on my name
• Information on website
• Course syllabus
• Semester assignment guide
• Course textbook support site link

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What Does Mr. A Expect Of Me?

• Be on time
• Listen for and follow directions
• Respect others, their beliefs, and their space
• Respect the right of others to speak without
  interruption
• Respect the right of others to learn

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What Does Mr. A Expect Of Me?

• STAY FOCUSED!
• TRY TO ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST!
• REMEMBER THIS IS A TEAM EFFORT!
• FOLLOW THE CORE VALUES OF OUR SCHOOL!
• AND...

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What Does Mr. A Expect Of Me?

• HAVE FUN!!!

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What Can I Do To Help My Child If He Is Having
Difficulty?

• Ask to see homework every night.
• Difficulties usually result from inconsistent
  efforts on assignments
• Make sure that he/she is seeking help
• In class, during free periods from me or tutors
• Ask to see his/her grades
• Check grades online
• Contact guidance if you need an access code
• Feel free to contact me by e-mail
• adcock_at_d155.org
• I will respond in most cases within 24 hours

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Whats In The Future For Precalculus Students?
Precalculus This Year
AP Calculus AB or Non-AP Calculus AB or AP
Statistics Next Year (Here or At College)
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THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING TONIGHT!

• AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR
  CHILDS EDUCATION!

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL ME AT adcock_at_d155.org!