Mr. Latus
email: mlatus@rivervalleyschools.org
Phone: 756-9541 ext. 1108
Classroom Procedures with Mr. Latus
Goals:
- Methods and results of math and science,
- Thinking and learning skills,
- Citizenship,
- Self reliance, and
- Self respect and respect for others.
Behavior:
Participation:
- Come prepared to participate and learn. Bring paper, pencil/pen, notes, text, homework and glasses (if needed) to class.
- Contribute to class discussions and group work.
- Try the practice problems when they are assigned—math skills increase with practice. Think carefully about the problems—confusion changes to understanding with persistence.
- Take careful notes. Organize and study them—memory improves with review.
- Do not sleep in class. Do not waste time when there is work to be done.
Courtesy:
- Be attentive, patient, and respectful in class discussions.
- Show patience for others and the teacher while waiting for your turn. Raise your hand for comments or questions.
- Avoid criticizing others. Do not engage in mockery, ridicule, or put-downs.
- Remain seated during instruction. Listen. Don’t interrupt or socialize.
Cooperation:
- Be ready to work when the bell rings.
- Follow directions the first time they are given
- Discuss warnings or corrections without becoming defiant or argumentative.
- Do not expect individual attention if you do not pay attention.
- Avoid indifference, whining or complaining, and sarcasm.
Grading
Tests: 100 points each. Announced in advance. Short answer and essay.
Quizzes: 10 points each. Open notes. No advance warning.
Notes: 20 points each. Complete, organized, accurate and neat.
Homework: Daily practice required for credit.
Labs: 20 points each. Complete data and results. Theory and conclusion statement.
Special projects: Teachers permission only. Must be arranged by the 5th week and completed by the 7th week of the marking period.
Final grade is computed as a percent of the available points. Some allowance for missing homework is made for illness or school activities.
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Geometry
Text: Geometry by Usiskin and others. Scott Foresman/Addison Wesley. 1998.
Supplies: TI92 calculator provided in class. Notebooks for class notes and handouts. Ruler, protractor, compass.
This is a college preparatory class for students needing math in technical, scientific or business fields. The course studies shapes and their properties in two and three dimensions. It includes Parallel and perpendicular lines; congruence and similarity; areas, perimeters, and volumes; direct, indirect, and coordinate proofs; basic trigonometry. Prerequisite course is algebra 1. Subsequent course is Advanced Algebra.
Marking Period Topics
Sept-Oct Points, lines, undefined terms, logic and parallels.
Nov-Jan Reflections, congruence, and symmetry.
Feb-Mar Areas, perimeters, three dimensions.
Mar-Jun Volumes, indirect proofs, similarity.
Grading
Tests 100 points each. Announced in advance. Short Answer and essay questions.
Quizzes 20 points each. Advance Notice.
Participation Required for class credit.
Late Work Each student is allowed a minor amount of work to be submitted late without penalty. Late work beyond the quota is penalized.
Help:
Students who want extra help should make arrangements with the teacher. Teachers are available for help after school.
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Geometry Assignments / Homework
Check here for class assignments
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FST: Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry
Text: Functions, Statistics, and Tigonometry by Senk et. al. Scott Foresman/Addison Wesley. 1998.
This course introduces advanced graphing concepts and trigonometry in a modern applied setting. The text is part the University of Chicago Secondary Mathematics project. Coursework will involve developing modern understandings with the use of calculators.
Marking Period Topics
Sept-Oct Statistics and Functions
Nov-Jan Transformations of Data and Functions.
Jan-Mar Circular and Trigonometric Functions
Mar-April Power, Log, and Polynomial Functions
Grading
Review Assignments and notes 20 points
Tests 100 points
Quizzes 20 points
Grades are based on the accumulated points turned into a percent.
Help:
Students needing extra help should make arrangements with the teacher for after school help or for help during seminar.
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Pre-Calculus and Discrete Math
Text: Pre-Calculus and Discrete Math by Peressini and others. Scott Foresman/Addison Wesley. 1998.
This is a college preparatory class for students needing math in technical, scientific or business fields. The course material advances the study of elementary functions and introduces limits, derivatives, and integrals. As well, it introduces the ideas of discrete math, needed by those working with computers. Subsequent courses would be college calculus or college discrete math.
Marking Period Topics
Sept-Oct Functions and Mathematical Reasoning
Nov-Jan Integers, Polynomials, and Rational Functions
Feb-Mar Recursion, Complex numbers, and Derivatives
Mar-Jun Combinatorics, Graphs, and Integrals
Grading
Tests 100 points each. Announced in advance. Short Answer and essay questions.
Quizzes 10 points each. Open notes. No advance Notice.
Participation Required for class credit.
Late Work Each student is allowed a minor amount of work to be submitted late without penalty. Late work beyond the quota is penalized.
Help:
Students who want extra help should make arrangements with me for after school help or help during seminar.
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Physics
Text: Physics by Zitzewitz and Neff. Merrill, 1995.
Physics is the study of matter and energy. The course will build basic concepts through lab experiences. This course will teach math skills in modeling and analyzing data.
Marking Period |
Topics |
September - October |
Lab skills, Motion & Forces, Two-dimensional motion, Universal gravitation |
November - January |
Momentum, Work & Energy, Waves & Energy transfer |
January - March |
Electrostatics, Electricity and Magnetism |
March - April |
Sound, Light, and Optics |
Grading:
Review Assignments and notes: 20 points
Tests: 100 points
Quizzes: 20 points
Grades are based on the accumulated points turned into a percent.
Help:
Students needing extra help should make arrangements with the teacher for after school help or for help during seminar
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Physics Class Assignments / Homework
Check here for class assignments
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Physical Science
Text: Physical Science by Dobson, Holman, and Roberts. Holt Rinehart and Winston. 2006.
Supplies: Scientific Calculator recommended. Notebooks for class notes and handouts. Safety glasses provided by school.
This is a basic science class for students preparing for chemistry or physics. The course studies chemistry and physics at a beginning level. It involves lab work, data analysis and theory. The course is part of a year-long pair with Earth Science.
Marking Period Topics
1st 9 weeks States of matter, Atomic structure, Periodic Table, Solutions, Acids and Bases, Nuclear Reactions.
2nd 9 weeks Motion and Forces, Heat, Energy, and Temperature. Waves, Sound, Light , and Electricity
Grading:
- Lab work: 20 points each. Students will work in groups but be graded as individuals. Each lab will involve collecting and analyzing data. Each lab will finish with a quiz.
- Quizzes: 20 points each. Advance Notice.
- Participation: Required for class credit.
- Late Work: Each student is allowed a minor amount of work to be submitted late without penalty. Late work beyond the quota is penalized.
Help:
Students who want extra help should make arrangements with the teacher. Teachers are available for help after school.
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Physical Science Assignments / Homework
Check here for class assignments
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Chemistry
Text: Chemistry: Visualizing Matter by Tocci and Viehland. Holt Rinehart and Winston. 1996.
Supplies: Scientific Calculator recommended. Notebooks for class notes and handouts. Safety glasses and apron provided by school.
This is a pre-college chemistry class for students. Chemistry is now part of graduation requirements in the state of Michigan. The course studies chemistry at a beginning level. It includes lab work as well as development of basic theory.
Marking Period Topics
Sept-Oct States of matter, Atomic structure, Periodic Table.
Nov-Jan Ionic and Covalent Compounds, Chemical Equations and Stoichiometry
Jan-Mar Spontaneity, Gas laws, Solutions, and Equilibrium
Mar-June Acids and Bases, Electrochemistry, Nuclear Chemistry, and Reaction Rates.
Grading:
- Lab work: 20 points each. Students will work in groups but be graded as individuals. Each lab will involve collecting and analyzing data. Each lab will include a quiz.
- Quizzes: 20 points each. Advance Notice.
- Participation: Required for class credit.
- Late Work: Each student is allowed a minor amount of work to be submitted late without penalty. Late work beyond the quota is penalized.
Help:
Students who want extra help should make arrangements with the teacher. Teachers are available for help after school.
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Chemistry Assignments / Homework
Check here for class assignments
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