Course Summary
Geometry A Part 1 is a half-speed version of Geometry A. In one semester, the course covers topics from the first half of Geometry A. Topics include The Building Blocks of Geometry, Geometric Constructions, Reasoning and Proof, Parallel and Perpendicular Lines. An introductory unit and semester exam unit are included, for a total of 6 units.
Your grade in Geometry is made up of Tests (40% of the total grade), Quizzes (20%), Portfolios (15%), Quick Check's (5%), Discussions (5%), and Sample Work (10%). Note that these add to 95%. This is because participation is not part of your grade in high school.
TestsTests are assessments given at the end of an entire unit. The content includes objectives from the entire unit. There are unit tests for Unit 2 through 7, as well as a semester exam over objectives for the entire semester.
Make sure to take your time on these. Read each question and carefully consider each answer. Every question makes a difference. Though there are not many of them, essay questions are very important, as they are worth more points than the other questions. So, as a rule, don't leave them blank. Always try to demonstrate what you know on each of them. Even after a test has been taken, much may still be done to improve your grade. Essay questions may be redone and submitted for some of the missed points back. Submit corrections by Webmail. You may book a LiveLesson with me for the purpose of recovering missed points as well. Notes submitted from these sessions can improve your test score. PortfoliosYou have only one portfolio this semester. It is the portfolio for unit 5, the Wrapping Paper portfolio. I have modified the instructions for this portfolio. A compass and straight edge are needed. Don't skip this assignment, as this one assignment is the entire 15% of your grade. You may click the Portfolios link above for more details.
Sample WorkSample Work is due at the end of each unit, just before taking the Unit Test. It is created by your instructor and is a document turned in to a drop box. Consult the Sample Work link on this page for specific instructions.
Note that the Sample Work page linked at the top of this page was designed for Geometry A. Under the heading for each assignment are special instructions for Geometry in Parts. Nearly every Sample Work assignment is a vocabulary assignment. As you go through your lessons you will see Key Words. These are your vocabulary words. For each word, in a notebook, write the word, the definition in your own words, and include a sketched example for that word. Don't forget the sketched example. This is the most common reason students don't receive full points for this assignment. Textbook ExercisesMany lessons have textbook activities in which you are asked to refer to pages in the textbook, read examples, and do problem sets. Though these are important, they do not directly impact your grade. The temptation, then, is to skip them. I don't advise this, however, as the practice and extra instruction is important. Keep a math notebook and use it to work out the problem sets, with attention paid to whether the concept makes sense to you. Remember also, the back of the online textbook contains answers to many of the problems, so you may use them to determine if you're getting them right. As an accommodation, on an individual basis, I may take these notes for some Portfolio points.
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QuizzesQuizzes are given periodically within each unit. A unit may contain two or three quizzes. These do not impact your grade as significantly as tests, but they are important and carry much more weight than Quick Checks.
Make sure to take your time on each quiz question. As with tests, you may submit essay question corrections (detailed notes) by Webmail for some of your quiz points back. Quick ChecksMost lessons will conclude with a Quick Check or a Quiz. The purpose of a Quick Check is to determine if you have understood the lesson. As a result, a low score on a quick check should not be ignored. Take the opportunity to go back through the lesson, paying particular attention to the questions you missed on the quick check.
DiscussionsDiscussion assignments are intended to be two way communication assignments. I look for the following things:
PracticePractice assessments are scored, but do not count toward your grade. You will find them in the lesson in a brown text box. They are required, as you will be unable to mark it complete with out submitting them. They are intended to determine if you are ready for the Quick Check or Quiz that follows. Take your time on these and use them to determine if you need further review before taking the Quiz. (Note, the most common reason for not being able to mark a lesson complete is failing to submit a Practice assessment.)
Skills CheckSkills Check's do not affect your grade in the course, but serve an important function. They point out skills you will need in order to complete the lesson that follows. Links are provided to additional instruction on those skills. So, please utilize those links when you believe you need them.
ReflectionReflection assessments do not affect your grade in the course. You will find these at the end of each unit, just before each unit test, and, occasionally in the middle of a unit. They are designed to help you reflect on your learning so far, and evaluate whether you need additional instruction or review before continuing.
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Tools
For this course, the following tools are required.
A compass is used to draw circles and circular arcs, and is required to do Geometric constructions. We will use these all year long, and several portfolios can not be done without one.
A protractor is used to measure and draw angles of particular size. These are not to be used in Geometric constructions, but will be used when asked to measure an angle or draw a specific angle.
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A straight edge is used to draw line segments, and is required to do Geometric constructions. A ruler can be used, but, technically, a straight edge contains no length markings. In a pinch, the edge of a book or card may be used.
A ruler is used to measure the distance between two points or the length of a line segment. Your ruler should, at minimum, measure centimeters.
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A calculator is nice to have, but is not absolutely required for this course, as an online calculator is available. Visit Desmos.com and choose Graph. Desmos is a full function graphing calculator that actually does more than most hand-held calculators. We will be demonstrating this calculator in LiveLessons and recordings. Here is a good introductory video. More can be found at learn.desmos.com.