CLASS EXPECTATIONS

The main goal of this class is to help you acquire a deep understanding of and appreciation for  discrete mathematical structures. You will learn to think about these structures in a more confident and focused manner.


A secondary goal of this class is to help you become adept at mathematical communication. Opportunities to improve your communication skills on several levels will arise throughout the class (see below for details): speaking precisely about mathematical ideas in class; writing informally about mathematical ideas on this Discrete Math Blog; and writing careful mathematical conclusions on homework assignments.


GRADING SETUP

Tests 30%
Quizzes 20% (drop the lowest)

Homework/Notes 20%
Final Exam 20% (can replace lowest test grade)
Projects/Other 10%



Homework

All homework will be submitted through Google docs for grading. You should include your name, lesson number, and the assigned problems.

Here is an example of how you should title your work (top left corner of document):
Michael: How to Title My Homework, Pg. 1 1 - 20 all 
 

Homework will be graded as follows out of 5 points:

1 did something

2 did half

3 did most

4 did all

4.5 did all and checked

5 did all, checked, and formatted correctly


Notes

For notes, you should include your name, the pages, and the lesson title.  Notes must also be submitted to Googledocs.

Here is an example of how you should title your work (top left corner of document):


Isabella: How to Title My Notes, 22.1

Notes will be graded as follows out of 5 points:

1 did something

2.5 half information is covered

4 most of material covered

4.5 All material Covered

5 Neat, Images included, organized

Attendance
You must come to class if you are at school. If you are not here when I take attendance you will be marked absent. If you arrive late I will change the mark to tardy. If you have a note your tardiness will be excused. (Note: excessive absences can prohibit you from passing the class) For every unexcused absence you will lose a whole point from your final average. For every three unexcused tardies you will lose a whole percentage point to your final average.


If you miss class you are still responsible for the homework. The best way to prepare for a trip is to get your assignment in advance.


BEHAVIOR
Disruptive or offensive behavior will not be tolerated. Offensive language is not used in my room.


NO CHEATING! Do not roam your eyes around the room. Please keep your eyes on your own paper to avoid even the appearance of looking at the answers of classmates it may be mistaken as cheating.


CELL PHONES
Cell phones must be turned off and put away at all times during class. A violation of this policy will result in the removal of the phone and it will be given to Paul Hayward.


EXTRA HELP
We all need a little extra help every now and then. While every effort will be made to answers questions during class, there may be times when you need further clarification. I will be regularly available to help students with math during:


Wednesday @ Lunch


Please contact me as soon as you become uncomfortable and we will find a time even outside of these times to get you help. I’m more than willing to work with you, but I also expect you to make the effort and show me you are invested in learning. If you are having trouble with any part of my class, let me know and I will help you. I am a big helper, that’s my job.

The Path to Success!!

You can succeed in math and in this course if you:

1. Respect everyone in the class at all times. We all work at different paces and use different methods. Please respect those differences.
2. Always be on time and prepared for class.
3. Have read the lesson and done the homework.
4. Show all your work
5. Check your work carefully so that you know what’s hard for you and mark the items on your homework that you want to discuss in class.
6. Review your class notes every night before going to bed.
7. Always get extra help from the teacher when you feel you are falling behind.
8. Find one or two people to be your study partners and form a study group.
9. Make the class work for you by making sure you get your questions answered, and listening to what other students have to say. Your classmates have great ideas, sometimes better than my ideas, so, be attentive. They may also ask questions you want to ask. Listen to your classmates.
10. Participate regularly on the class blog

Tools We Will Use In This Class

Twitter -hashtag: #pidm12

Flickr -you will need a yahoo account
Test Aftermath -required unless you score higher than a 91 on the test

Tutorials 

Blogging  -BOB, Scribing (be sure to tag your name on each entry, as well as the assignment)

Challenges -varying point totals

Web Page Answers