Mathematics can be a difficult subject and requires more attention than I can truly give in our class in order to have all students gain mastery of it. Thus, I provide an opportunity for every student, every night, to direct their learning towards what is most relevant in our current discussions in class; this is another name for homework.
Homework is the foundation of this class. There will be homework virtually every night, a great deal of class time will be spent making sure the homework problems are clear, and, furthermore, my quiz and test questions will look remarkably similar to the homework that I assign. Thus, it stands to reason, that a student that makes time to do the homework properly will be successful in my class.
Why is this important ? Informal Geometry, as well as being a bit different from the other high school math classes, are building blocks that sets up certain schemas for success in future math classes and on the HSGQE. It provides an opportunity for increased overall academic accomplishment and improved self-esteem. Furthermore, we will explore mathematics' relevance in our world.
With this great emphasis in my class on homework, the next logical step is to figure out how exactly is it to be done.
Everyday, you will check your homework for completeness and accuracy. Problems will be put up on the blackboards in class. You may then ask questions, take notes on your own homework papers, or, if no problems or questions exist, you may read the next section while other students get the material clear.
Please be aware that you do not turn in your homework to me but rather keep the corrected versions. I will, however, check your homework every day. When the chapter test rolls around you will have a corrected packet of your homework assignments complete with notes. This is in an attempt to create the most useful review packet which you may then use to prepare for the chapter tests. Remember: my test and quiz questions deeply resemble the homework problems.
It is important to note that if you do not understand a homework problem when you attempt it on your own you have a few options. First, our textbook is actually a very readable math textbook. Between the text and your notes, you may be able to find clues towards a solution. Secondly, you have student "Math-Buddies" that you can call. Finally, if you are unable to solve a problem through those methods, after writing the problem out, you need to mark it on your paper with a star or a question mark and leave plenty of space below the problem so you may fill in the answer in class. This is a signal to me you attempted the problem and a signal to you to ask about it in class.
The night after you have your problem answered in class, you need to return to the marked problems (which are now properly solved), cover up the solution with a clean sheet of paper, and attempt to answer the problem on your own, using your classwork as a guide if necessary. In this manner, you will then have solved every homework problem on your own at some point in the process and, when a quiz or test rolls around, there will be few surprises.
You will get an initial grade for the assignment on the day it is originally due. You may make corrections on problems you missed and received an updated grade on the day after the assignment was due - you simply need to let me know you have made corrections to the previous assignment when I com around a check homework. In a sense, as long as you attempt all homework problems and mark the ones you do not understand, you will have two nights to complete an assignment.
Completing the Homework Assignment:
In order for a homework problem to be considered complete you need to show me three things (FOR EVERY PROBLEM):
1) Write down the problem (in Geometry this often means drawing a diagram)
2) Show all your work (arithmetic can be done on a scratch sheet of paper)
3) Box or circle your final answer (and make sure you answered the original question)
Homework points:
3 points: All problems complete and correct (if problems need to be corrected, the corrections are shown to me the following day)
2 points: Most problems complete but all problems attempted
1 point: Some problems complete but all problems attempted
0 points None of the problems complete
You will LOSE 1 POINT if you do not attempt all the homework problems the first night an assignment is given - they do not all have to be correct just attempted with a mark (a star or question mark) next to the one(s) you did not fully understand.
Remember: as long as you attempt all homework problems and mark the ones you do not understand, you will have two nights to complete an assignment. Also realize that if you choose to not do an assignment your grade for that assignment will be a -1 (negative one).
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