GEOMETRY

RANCHO HIGH SCHOOL

Course Syllabus
Ms. D'Ercole
Room 1221
Course Scope/Outline
A. Course Description: This two-semester course provides students with a rigorous study of
Euclidean geometry including advanced topics. It incorporates problem solving, reasoning,
modeling, and effective communication in the study of transformational geometry, trigonometry,
measurement, and probability. Instructional practices incorporate integration of diversity
awareness including appreciation of all cultures and their important contributions to society. The
use of mathematical tools and technology, including calculators and computer software, is an
integral part of this course. This course fulfills one of the mathematics credits required for high
school graduation.
B. Performance Goals:
1)
2)

3)

4)
5)
6)

7)
8)

9)

To develop the Standards for Mathematical Practice. [CCSS]

To experiment with transformations in the plane, understand congruence in terms of
rigid motions; prove geometric theorems, and make geometric constructions. [CCSS:
G.CO]
To understand similarity in terms of similarity transformations, prove theorems
involving similarity, define trigonometric ratios and solve problems involving right
triangles, and apply trigonometry to general triangles. [CCSS: G.SRT]
To understand and apply theorems about circles; and find arc lengths and areas of
sectors of circles. [CCSS: G.C]
To translate between the geometric description and the equation for a conic section;
and use coordinates to prove simple geometric theorems algebraically. [CCSS: G.GPE]
To explain volume formulas and use them to solve problems; and visualize
relationships between two-dimensional and three-dimensional objects. [CCSS:
G.GMD]
To apply geometric concepts in modeling situations. [CCSS: G.MG]
To understand independence and conditional probability and use them to interpret data;
and use the rules of probability to compute probabilities of compound events in a uniform
probability model. [CCSS: S.CP]
To use probability to evaluate outcomes of decisions. [CCSS: S.MD]

C. Textbook: The text used for this course is McDougal-Littel, Geometry. Each student will be
assigned a textbook. Students are responsible for the care of this textbook. If the book is not
returned or is damaged fines will be levied.
D. Prerequisite: A grade of D or better in Algebra I
E. Hours of Availability: I am available for extra help after school until 3pm in rm. 1221.

Please let me know when you will be coming by for extra help so that I am definitely in the
classroom at that time. Ms. Potts (rm. 1219), Mrs. Carbajal (rm. 1217), Mr. Goldstein (rm.
1215), and Ms. Breach (rm. 1213) are also excellent resources. I may be e-mailed at
ejdercole@interact.ccsd.net anytime. The school phone is 799-7000. My extension is 2221.
Copies of this document, the assignments and the notebook directions are available online at
www.edmodo.com. Check the whiteboard for our group code.
F. Grading Policy:
Criteria for Arriving at Grades

Explanation of Student Grades

Quarter grade:

Tests
Quizzes
Practice Work
Notebook

70%
10%
10%
10%

Semester grade:

Quarter 1 or 3
Quarter 2 or 4
Semester Exam

40%
40%
20%

A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 60-69%
F 0-59%
IN incomplete
NG no grade

G. Materials: The following materials will be needed in class each day. You need materials by
Tuesday, August 27, 2013. If you enter class later in the year, please have
materials by your second day in class.
1) Spiral Notebook for note-taking (2 one-subject notebooks or 1 three-subject notebook for
the year)
2) 1 inch or greater, 3 ring hard notebook with paper and 4-6 dividers; see separate sheet
for required set-up specifications.
3) Pencils
4) Compass
5) Notebook pencil pouch (optional)
6) Protractor with ruler edge
7) Calculator (any scientific calculator will do at this level but a graphing calculator will be
needed in Algebra 2 so plan accordingly). You are responsible for knowing how to
operate your scientific calculator. TI- 89 or TI- Inspire are preferred for PreCalcH and
above.

H. Specific Behavorial Expectations:

1) Students are expected to treat all teachers, substitutes, and fellow classmates with respect.
Respect includes paying attention, listening to directions, refraining from obscene or
inappropriate language, not disturbing the class, staying in your seat, speaking in a
respectful tone at all times, not touching anyones elses person or property, and not
interfering in any way with someones right to learn.
2) The schools attendance, tardy and cell phone policies will be enforced without
exception; these may be found on the CCSD website.
3) Come to class prepared with all the materials you will need.
4) When you are given time to work on assignments during class use this time wisely. Get
your work done or get the help you need.
5) No food or drink of any kind is allowed in the classroom.
6) All school rules apply in this classroom.
7) Hall passes are a privilege, not a right, and are issued at the teachers sole discretion.
8) When the school rules are not followed Progressive discipline is implemented. The
consequences, in order, are as follows: student/teacher conference, parent/teacher
conference, detention, referral to dean. Note: some infractions such as: insubordination,
fighting, vandalism, etc. are automatic dean or school police referrals.
Rancho High School Math Class Guidelines
Grading:
10% Notebook: Notebook quizzes will be given frequently.
10% Practice Work: Due next class day. You must have all unit practice work turned in turned
in before re-taking a unit test.
If absence is excused then missed Practice work is due the next class day.
If absence is a school activity then assigned Practice work is due the day before the missed class
day.
10% Quizzes: Taken in class.
If absence is excused then missed Quizzes are to be taken within three days after returning.
If absence is a school activity then Quizzes are to be taken the day before the missed class day.
70% Tests: Taken in class. Calculator may be used on some tests.
If absence is excused the test is taken the next class day before or after school.
If absence is a school activity then the test is taken ahead of time either in class or during the day
before the missed class day. Not during your scheduled class, as we will be reviewing.
Failure to make-up a test within the time constraints noted above will result in a 0% score. If a
student has a prearranged school activity the teacher must be notified by the student ahead of

time. The student must make arrangements for getting missed notes, assignments, or making up
tests.

Textbook Work Format

1. Write your name and class period clearly at the right hand top of each page, along with the
assignment number (chapter and section), and the page number/problem numbers. Put your name on
all pages.
Practice Work should be labeled in upper right hand corner.
EX:
Name
John Doe
Period
3
Chapter-Section
3-5
Page and problem numbers
pg 345 #1-19 odds, 23, 25, 31-45odd
2. Use 3 hole punched standard-sized paper or graph paper with no fringe running down the side as a
result of the papers having been torn out of a spiral notebook.
3. Attach your pages with a staple in the upper left corner.
4. Clearly indicate the number of the problem you are doing. If you accidentally do a problem out of
order include a note to the teacher, referring to the location of the missing work.
5. Do all of your work in PENCIL, with mistakes cleanly erased, not crossed or scratched out. Write
legibly, suitably large and suitably dark. If the teacher cannot read both your work and your answer, it is
wrong.
6. Write neatly, with each succeeding step immediately below the previous step. Begin the next problem
below the preceding one, not off to the right. Do not work in more than two columns down the page, like
a newspaper.
7. Keep all work within the margins. If you run out of room at the bottom of the page, continue the
problem at the top of either the next column or the next page, whichever is appropriate. Do not try to
squeeze lines together at the bottom of the page.
8. Leave one blank line between one problem and the next.
9. Show all of your steps as demonstrated by the teacher in class, but any work that is scribbled in the
margins belongs on scratch paper, not on your work. Do scratch work, but do it on scratch paper.
10. BOX in final answer.

Geometry Math Class Specifics

10% Notebook Checked by way of frequent notebook quizzes. All papers should be neat and
in their proper dividers. Different criteria are checked each time. Notebooks may be brought in
a day or two before the test, on your own time, and checked to make sure everything is correct.
This should be an easy 100%.
10% Practice Work - All work must be shown to receive credit. All accompanying diagrams
must be neatly drawn and labeled to receive credit. Failure to draw diagrams will result in
a 0 score. Failure to follow the math class practice work guideline directions will result in a
0 score.
10% Quizzes- Quizzes will be given periodically throughout the course to ensure learning.
70% Tests All test grades are recorded in this category. All work and substitution steps should
be shown on your tests.
***There is NO Extra Credit work***

Test Re-Takes: You may re-take a test granted you are not missing any assignments for that unit
and you complete a set of test review problems. The re-take score replaces the original score in
the grade-book.

Grade Reports: Grades will be available on ParentLink. Grades are updated at least weekly.
Please contact your counselor for your ParentLink password. It is the same as your middle school
password. https://parentlink.ccsd.net

Citizenship: Grades are given quarterly and are subjective. The grade is based on my evaluation
of you as a cooperative, contributing member of this class. Things considered are attitude,
attentiveness, punctuality, courtesy, behavior, participation, and preparation.

Academic Integrity: The teacher assumes honesty on the part of all students. Scholastic
dishonesty, which includes, but is not limited to cheating on tests and/or assignments, plagiarism,
and collusion will not be tolerated. Students will receive a "F" for any assignment or test where
the student has violated this policy.

This page must be signed and returned to class

Dear Parent/Guardian

Hello, my name is Ms. D'Ercole, and I will be your childs Geometry teacher this year. Please take a
moment to read these expectations, especially the grading section and sign the acknowledgement sheet.
The strongest ally I have in the classroom is you. The combined efforts of parents and teachers produce
the most positive results in your childs education. Thank you in advance for your support and feel free to
call me at school or e-mail me if you have any concerns or comments. My e-mail address is:
ejdercole@interact.ccsd.net
Please note that PRACTICE WORK is given every night. If your child is not doing math practice work
every night he/she is probably failing the course. Please check on them periodically as it is very easy to
fall behind in a math class.
Your students Geometry grade is posted on ParentLink and is updated weekly. This may be accessed at
http://paretlink.ccsd.net or by phone at 799-4433. There is also a free ParentLink app for both android
and iOS phones so you may easily check your childs grades.

I have read and understand the course expectations for Ms. D'Ercole's class. I accept responsibility for
the information outlined in them.
___________________________

___________________________

Students printed name

Students signature

_____________________________

____________________________

Parent/Guardian's printed name

Parent/Guardian's signature

Parent/Guardians:
Best phone number to reach you: ______________________________________________
If you would like to be on my email notification list please list your email address. Expect no more than
5 emails per school quarter.
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