Geometry, Trig, Algebra 3

Nature is written in that great book which ever lies before our eyes — I mean the universe — but we cannot understand it if we do not first learn the language and grasp the symbols in which it is written. The book is written in the mathematical language, and the symbols are triangles, circles, and other geometrical figures, without whose help it is impossible to comprehend a single world of it; without which one wanders in vain through a dark labyrinth.

— Galileo

Welcome to GT.

Homework assignments can be found here. Electronic copies of many assignments or answer sheets are on the same page..

This class uses a book, the Cliff Notes Geometry book, which can be purchased from the bookstore for a reasonable cost. The book contains information only so the daily lessons will come from the book. I use an Active board; all class lessons will be online the evening after they are delivered.

You will begin using your calculator on the first day. The calculator we use is the Texas Instruments 83, 84, or 83Plus. One of the first topics of the course will be how to program your calculator. These will come from the calculator tutorial written by Paideia students and edited by me.

I have 10 computers in my classroom and during the term you will make heavy use of them. We will use the program Geometer's Sketchpad.

About effort and mistakes. Effort and mistakes are both important in my class. You make mistakes on homework so that you will not make them on tests. If you are learning and trying to learn, you will make mistakes. My job is to challange you enough that you will do some things wrong. But if you try hard, you are most ready to learn at the moment of making mistakes. Do not fear mistakes. I will congratulate you for good ones.

The value of perception. Geometry (and much of mathematics) is not so much a set of tasks to be done in a certain order as a set of images to see. Most of my assignments in the beginning, and others periodically, will have the goal of teaching you to see a mathematical situation properly.

Grades will come in equal parts from homework, quizzes, projects, and tests.

Tests will happen every two weeks, plus or minus.

Quizzes will happen twice a week and will cover questions done on the homework.

Homework will come in several parts: day to day homework, which will be taken up and graded randomly. Absence is usually not an excuse for not having homework. Assignments and most handouts are on-line. Both the students and the teacher know the assignments and can be contacted by phone.

Projects are extended two or three day assignments which are written up carefully. Often formal pages will come from them.

Math test days rotate on the new schedule, which is posted around school and next to the door in my room. I will give tests on those days.

I hope this course proves useful to you.