SAT MATH PREP: 2015-2016 NOTE: The College Board has redesigned the SAT Test. This new test will start in March of 2016. Also, the PSAT test given in October of 2015 will have the new format. Therefore the SAT Math Prep course, semester 1, will be organized as follows: Quarter 1- Preparation for the current SAT along with an overview of the redesigned PSAT. Quarter 2- Preparation for the redesigned SAT. Course Syllabus and Classroom Policies and Procedures Course Content The fundamental purpose of this course is to prepare the high school student to take the SAT Math Test. Students will be reviewing all topics covered on the test and develop strategies for successfully taking the test. This is only a one semester course. This course is also taught as would a true college course. The demands of the course are equivalent to that of a college course. A numerical grade is given for this class. SAT DVD s are watched throughout the course. Web Sites: College Board and Khan Academy Core Idea Students will be expected to develop skills in the following: First Quarter Units Mathematical Practices and Standards Quarter 1 Unit 1 Introduction to the SAT Math Test Unit 2 General Test Taking Strategy Unit 3 Number and Operations Unit 4 Algebra and Functions Unit 5 Geometry and Measurements Unit 6 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Reason abstractly and quantitatively Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Model with mathematics. Use appropriate tools strategically. Attend to precision. Look for and make use of structure. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. Understand the 2 different question types on the SAT Math Test and how the questions are arranged in order of difficulty. Understand how the SAT Math Test is scored. Understand the different problem solving strategies. Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability Unit 7 Practice SAT/PSAT Math Tests 1
Quarter 1 Work: Unit 1 Introduction to the SAT Math Test 1. What is the SAT really about 2. The structure of the test. Unit 2 General Test-Taking Strategies 3. Scoring the math section. 4. Order of question difficulty 5. Multiple Choice/Grid-In Questions 6. Calculators 7. Plugging In vs Choosing Numbers Unit 3 Number and Operations 8. Number Theory, Digits/Remainders, Absolute Value 9. Percents, Ratio, Proportions 10. Exponents 11. Sets, Sequences Unit 4 Algebra and Functions 12. Solving Equations 13. Roots and Radical Equations 14. Direct and Inverse Variations 15. Word Problems, Functions Unit 5 Geometry and Measurement 16. Reference information 17. Volumes and Surface Area 18. Angles, Parallel and Perpendicular Lines 19. Triangles 20. Perimeter, Circumference and Area 21. Coordinate Geometry Unit 6 Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability 16. Mean, Median and Mode 17. Probability, Combinations 18. Graphs and Charts Unit 7 Practice SAT Math Tests 19. 2 or more SAT tests done throughout the quarter and 1 redesigned PSAT test First Quarter Cumulative Assessment covering ALL Units 2
Second Quarter Units Mathematical Practices and Standards Quarter 2 Unit 1 Introduction to the SAT Math Test Unit 2 General Test Taking Strategy Unit 3 Heart of Algebra Unit 4 Problem Solving and Data Analysis Unit 5 Passport to Advanced Math Unit 6 Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. Reason abstractly and quantitatively Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. Model with mathematics. Use appropriate tools strategically. Attend to precision. Look for and make use of structure. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. Understand the 2 different question types on the SAT Math Test and how the questions are arranged in order of difficulty. Understand how the SAT Math Test is scored. Understand the different problem solving strategies. Additional Topics Unit 7 Practice SAT Math Tests Quarter 2 Work: Unit 1 Introduction to the SAT Math Test 1. What is the SAT really about 2. The structure of the test Unit 2 General Test-Taking Strategies 3. Scoring the math section 4. Order of question difficulty 5. Multiple Choice/Grid-In Questions 6. Calculators Unit 3 Heart of Algebra 7. Analyzing and fluently solving linear equations and systems of linear equations 8. Creating linear equations to represent relationships between quantities and to solve problems 9. Understanding and using the relationships between linear equations and inequalities and their graphs to solve problems Unit 4 Problem Solving and Data Analysis 10. Creating and analyzing relationships using ratios, proportional relationships, percentages and units 11. Representing and analyzing quantitative data 12. Finding and applying probabilities in context 3
Unit 5 Passport to Advanced Math 13. Identifying and creating equivalent algebraic expressions 14. Creating, analyzing and fluently solving quadratic and other nonlinear equations 15. Creating, using and graphing exponential, quadratic and other nonlinear functions Unit 6 Additional Topics in Math 16. Solving problems related to area and volumes 17. Applying definitions and theorems related to lines, angles, triangles and circles 18. Working with right triangles, the unit circle and trigonometric functions Second Quarter Cumulative Assessment covering ALL Units Note: Most quizzes will be unannounced and can occur at any time throughout the semester. Math Starters could count as a quiz grade on some days. Additional mini/major-projects may be added based on the interest of the students and/or the teacher. Text: The SAT & PSAT Course Book Mathematics, by the Summit Educational Group, 2011 All work for the SAT Math problems must be done in a binder notebook. Other Pertinent materials: Acceptable calculators, as allowed on the SAT (and PSAT), may be used. Classroom Expectations When to arrive to class: Students must arrive within five minutes of the bell ending the class previous. This means seated in a seat with materials out and ready to begin. Math Starters will be worked on as students enter the class- if no book or late then no credit that day. What to bring to class: Wear ID every day and bring problem packets in binder, pencil and calculator. How to participate in class: Each student starts with a test grade of 100. The following items will lower your grade: unexcused (no note) absence -5, unexcused tardy (more than 5 minutes) -5, no materials brought to class -5, no participation (or improper behavior) -5, cut class -25 (and no credit for any other grades that day). Students will also be graded by their peers using a rubric for each time they present a solution to a homework problem on the board. These grades will all be part of the classwork grade. What to do if you re absent: Students are responsible to get any missed notes and assignments. Student will have one week to make up any missed assignments; after that time a grade of zero will be assessed. 4
Homework: Homework is crucial to improving your skills in mathematics, reading, writing and thinking critically. Homework takes many forms: long-term assignments, writing, studying or working on long-term projects. Homework is assigned every night. All homework will be accounted for through checking, collection, class discussion, quizzes or peer work. A homework assignment may count as a surprise quiz grade. All work must be done in a binder. In most cases, written homework is graded using the rubric below: Grade Equivalent Criteria v+ 100 Work is complete, thorough and on time. Work demonstrates earnest effort and original thinking. Work demonstrates exemplary neatness and attention to mathematical procedures and/or writing conventions. v 75 Work is complete and on time. Work demonstrates satisfactory effort and some original thinking. Work demonstrates general neatness and attention to mathematical procedures and/or writing conventions. v- 50 Work is incomplete or 1day late (at teacher s discretion). Work demonstrates some effort but lacks original thinking. Work is sloppy and shows disregard for mathematical procedures and/or writing conventions. 0 0 Work is substantially incomplete or not attempted. Work is copied from another student. Text or binder is not brought to class. Binder Checks: Binders will be checked periodically during each quarter. Binders should contain any necessary work for problems, when required, as assigned by the teacher. Late work: All work is due on the assigned date except with prior arrangements with the teacher. Long term project rubrics have penalties built in for late work (maximum of two days). Extra-Help: Extra help is provided by the school in the library before and after school. Prior arrangements may be made with the teacher at their discretion and is available most mornings before school. Extra-Credit: Students are expected to do all their work so extra credit is not provided. Students in college are not given the opportunity for extra credit. 5
Assessments: Each student EARNS his or her own grade. Expectations will always be clearly outlined and discussed in advance of an assignment s due date. The following is a breakdown of how you will be graded: 6 Category Grade Value Description Homework: 15% Homework will be assigned every night. You should plan to spend approximately thirty minutes per night. Homework is usually written or a review of prior content to assist in mastery. Classwork: 30% Classwork grade will consist of a combination of any of the following items: math starters, group activities, computer lab work, modeling problems on the board with grading by their peers using a rubric, binder checks, and miscellaneous items. Quizzes: 15% Quizzes maybe announced or unannounced (no make-up), formal/informal and may occur at any time throughout the semester. A homework assignment or computer lab assignment may also count as a quiz grade. Tests/projects/writing: 20% Test schedule may change at the discretion of the teacher aimed at benefiting students success. Quarterly Assessment: 20% The quarterly assessments will be cumulative assessing all material covered during the semester. Final Note: The rules and regulations outlined in the Lowell High School Handbook are taken very seriously in this classroom. In particular, the following should be noted: Your ID badge must be visible at all times- do not enter the room without it prominently displayed. Do not take it off once the class has begun. Hats, headbands, bandannas are not allowed in class and must not be visible. Cell phones, i-phones, i-pods and other electronic devices should be out of sight and turned off. The school rule on attendance, as outlined in the handbook, will be strictly adhered to. 9 or more unexcused absences will result in a grade of U. I am looking forward to working with you this school year. It is my hope that you will learn a lot from the work that we do. I also hope to learn a great deal from you. I will do my part to help you as you must also do your part while doing all the work. I welcome communications from parents/guardians as well as feedback from students. Please email me any time. Contact information for Mr. Bolianites is as follows: Lowell High School main office number: 1-978-937-8900 C-house office number: 1-978-937-8907 Email: cbolianites @lowell.k12.ma.us