HTHNC 12th Grade Mathematics: Math 4 Semester Two
Tentative Syllabus and Course Details
2015-2016 School Year
The only way to learn mathematics is to do mathematics. ~ Paul Halmos
Teacher:
Carlee Hollenbeck
Digital Portfolio: carleehollenbeck.weebly.com
Email: chollenbeck@hightechhigh.org
Room: 109
Phone: (760) 759-2700 x56226
Office Hours: W 3:30-5pm, T at lunch, and by scheduled appointments
Course Description: This course is designed to increase mathematical understanding and practice. Students will explore
topics and build deeper understanding by connecting these topics to some real-world applications. The semester will consist
of technology introductions and uses in the math class, critical thinking, and rigorous content work. The class will drive into
some deep investigations of where mathematics is useful outside of the school setting and engage in a handful of projects that
display these explorations. Overall, students will gain mathematical knowledge, explain real-world problems mathematically,
and bond over the beauty of math!!
Our Class Vision: This class is not a competition; students will create a learning environment where mistakes are
celebrated because it is the best way to learn. Together, the class will explore new mathematics and exercise each students
brain in a new way!
Essential Questions:
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What is the true nature of mathematics and why do we learn it?
What ways can we represent, describe, and display mathematics? How do we utilize these methods to
explain our surroundings?
How can we utilize higher-level mathematics in a meaningful way?
How does an individual create/explore their mathematical/numerical identity?
How do we prepare for mathematics beyond high school?
Suggested Daily Materials:
A folder or binder to keep mathematical
worksheets organized
Brainbow-Book graph paper notebook
(3-holes to be put into binder)
Pencil with an eraser, Black or Blue pen
Optional: TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator*
*There will be a class-set, but this is my recommendation for college use
which means if you have the finances to purchase, I would encourage it.
The Constitution of the State of California requires that we provide a public education to you free of charge. Subject to certain exceptions,
your right to a free public education means that we cannot require you or your family to purchase materials, supplies, equipment or
uniforms for any school activity.
Many families have been asking what supplies their child may need during this school year. Below, I have a recommended list of supplies
that your child may bring to school. Please note that if your child does not bring the recommended supplies, the school will provide the
supplies for him/her. If you have any questions/comments about this, please contact me, or Isaac Jones, the school director. Thanks.
*Additionally: The calculators on cell phones will not be allowed within this class, since cell phones are not to be used in school.*
Scoreless Grading System
Grading System: Grading for this class will be based on the philosophy of the school that emphasizes not just the product,
but the process involved and the content learned. Students will have assignments that fall under one of these three categories.
Additionally, research shows that students learn better and are more productive in math courses, when standard grading
systems are altered to allow them to focus on their growth, as opposed to a score, to shape their mathematical identity.
PROCESS
Timeliness/Presence (both in groups and
individually)
Coursework (regular homework
assignments)
Brainbow-Book Feedback, Organization
and progress
Technology Work
Group Work
CONTENT
Quizzes (regular assessments to gauge
progress)
Exams (evaluations of connecting material,
likely 2 a semester)
These quizzes and tests will occasionally be group or partner to focus on the work being collaborative and
the importance of working together before college.
PRODUCT
Calculicious Closing Time Project
(Free Think Friday Work)
This is a semester-long project to explore additional math content and to reach each students
individual mathematical needs.
Score-less Assessment:
After spending a great deal of time in research and conversation with experts in math education, this year
I will be removing numerical grades from the grade-book. Instead, students will receive dialogic
feedback and progress scores. For every assignment, task, or assessment, students will be given my
specific expectations and set their own; they will then receive the following feedback within
PowerSchool.
EE: Exceeds expectations
NY: Have not yet met expectations
ME Meets expectations
I: Missing or very incomplete assignment
Final Grade*:
At the end of the semester, students will still receive a final grade, so that colleges will be able to know of
their level of work in the class. Students will also be provided some feedback at SLCs about where their
grade currently falls, to know how to proceed. The scores will given with the following stipulations:
A range: All ME, with a significant number** of EEs C range: Only a small number** of NY
B range: All MEs
D: A significant number of NY or I
*Please note that at all High Tech High schools a grade of 69% or lower is considered failing and will require the student to
repeat the course in summer school. *
**This number will depend upon the overall number of assignments throughout the semester!**
Mathemattitude:
Mathemattitude (origins from the Michiganian dialect) n: the core of your mathematical/numerical identity
Guidelines:
Respect: Treat others the way you want others to treat you. Be respectful toward everyone and
everything in the classroom. This includes you, your peers, the teacher, and the materials provided for
learning. Give everything your best effort and be ready to learn.
Honesty: If you want a safe environment to learn in, you must be honest with your peers, be honest with the
teacher, and be honest with yourself. You will not learn anything if you are not being honest. So be honest
with yourself and take advantage of this opportunity to learn.
Responsibility: Everyone is responsible for his or her own actions. This means that you need to take
ownership of your own learning. I will be a guide to show you the way and get you through sticky
situations, but ultimately to reach the destination you need to do some work. Act in a manner that will
make you proud of yourself.
MATHEMAGICS
Mathemagics (origins from the Hollenbeckism) n: the resources to support and improve your mathematical identity
Mathematical Practices and Expectations:
Developing Successful Mathematical Habits of Work
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.
Academic Honesty and Discipline: If a student is caught cheating the penalties entail receiving an automatic
incomplete score followed by an additional loss of points in your citizenship grade. Your parents will be notified
of the indiscretion. If there is a second incident, a committee will be called to assess the students place at HTHNC.
MISSING MATHEMAGICS
Late work policy: Weekly assignments are due at the beginning of the designated class in the turn in tray unless
otherwise noted. Absence from school necessitates that the student contact the teacher/lifelines to acquire
assignments missed so that they may be turned in upon the absent students return. If you miss submitting an
assignment, or homework packet, you will be given until the end of the unit to submit the assignment for meets
expectations credit. You will only be given a week after a project to submit the final product to receive the
maximum of meets expectations. You may not wait until the end of the semester and make up missing
assignments from the beginning of the year!
In the event of a planned extended absence students must complete a Contract for Independent Study by contacting Isaac
Jones.
Late Homework: Work will not be accepted after we have transitioned to a new unit of study. Recognize that
multiple missing assignments will drastically influence your final score in the course.
Make Up Work: If you happen to miss a day of school and there was something due then it is due on the day you
return. We will be using lifelines so there really is no reason why you shouldn't be able to access information and
instructions from home. If you miss an exam or quiz, it is your responsibility to make it up on the day you return.
You can schedule the make up for lunch or after school. If you do not make it up I will be forced to enter an
incomplete, and I strongly dislike doing that so do us both a favor and make it up! It is your responsibility to
schedule the appointment for the make-up time through email.
Lifelines: Please get 2 people's phone numbers in class for the days you are absent. The whole class is responsible
for catching people up, and getting caught up. YOU are the one who needs to take initiative.
MATHEMAGICS HELP
Student Support: For students who desire/require extra academic support there will be ample opportunity for
academic aid. Mathemagics Maintenance (office hours) will take place on Wednesday from 3:30PM-5:00PM and
Tuesday during lunch. If you do not show up within 15 min. of the start of office hours I may not wait around.
However, you can always schedule additional time to meet with me during lunch or afterschool. Please give me at
least a day notice. Students and parents should contact me if they ever feel that they need additional support or
challenge. So there are no excuses for falling behind, only legitimate reasons.
Parent Support: Throughout this vital year in your students high school career, I will do my best to keep you up
to date on student progress, important dates, and other important items related to success! This year students will
be balancing college applications, SAT/AP test preparation and college preparation. There is a lot of planning and
support and I hope that through working together we can help all students reach their potential. By reinforcing
good study habits at home, encouraging student accountability, providing encouragement and support, and
regularly checking PowerSchool (which I will update every two weeks).
MATHEMAGICS MATERIAL
We will balance our time between:
Math Projects: These will provide an opportunity to transform our mathematical knowledge in a
rich and contextualized way.
Open-ended problems: In these, we will pore over and work collaboratively to solve rich problems
both in and out of real world contexts.
Procedural Fluency: Mathematicians that went before us developed a lot of beautiful formulas and
theorems. Though procedural practice with their formulas will not be our focus, it will be a part of
our daily and weekly activities. (i.e. it will not be uncommon to see a set of math problems to
practice with)
MISCELLEANOUS MATHEMAGICS
Honors Credit Option/Challenge Options:
Every student, whom contacted over the break for the additional winter assignment, will have the opportunity to
take this course for Honors credit. The Honors Credit Option will be significantly more challenging, however you
will receive a weighted GPA as a reward for your hard work and dedication. There will be an Honors information
meeting the first week of school where you will receive a separate Honors Agreement and Honors Syllabus. Please
be sure to communicate with me if you wish to seek more challenges any time during the course.
Cookie Policy: HTHNC has a no cell phone policy. Cell phones may not be used as calculators. If your phone is
not shut off and makes a noise in class, alerts in another way, or if you are found being distracted by your phone,
there will be a few repercussions:
Your phone will be put in Phone Prison (a small container in my room, for the class period) and will serve
a sentence each day until one of the following occurs:
a. Bring cookies for the whole class.
b. Come in before school, at lunch, or after school to contribute something to the classroom. This has
to be completed by the Friday of that week. This can include cleaning up, or something else we
discuss.
Calculators: This year we will be working frequently with graphing calculators to prepare for rigorous college
courses. I will be providing calculators for classroom use, but would encourage any students considering STEM
fields to consider investing in their own for home use. My recommendation is the TI-84 Plus calculators, but I
would be happy to discuss other options.
Rich Resources
Khan Academy: We will utilize this resource as a supplement when necessary. In addition, I encourage
students to refer to this site for help when they seek additional practice or support, outside of my classroom and
office hours. All of you will have the opportunity to practice and master a number of topics that are individualized
to your needs.
Suggested Readings for parents (or students?): I love talking with parents about math teaching and
learning. Some readings that have informed my thinking are below. Let me know if youre reading them and I
would love to chat!
Mindset by Carol Dweck
A Mathematician's Lament by Paul Lockhart
Letters to a Young Mathematician by Ian Stewart
Strength in Numbers by Ilana Horn (NCTM)
Relevant Research by Jo Boaler
MATHEMAGICS WRAP-UP
Im very excited about this upcoming year and for sharing my passion of mathematics with High Tech
High North County. The students are the future and I am an advocate for the significance of the
educational process offered at High Tech High. Throughout this year, I hope by immersing students in
innovative studies of mathematics with an enthusiastic attitude they will learn to appreciate math a little
more than when they entered my classroom. I appreciate your support at home and your agreement
with the above parameters. Lets make this a great year of exploring the power of mathematics!
- Carlee Hollenbeck
"The essence of mathematics is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated
things simple. Stan Gudder
Brief Course Outline:1
1 1
Due to the nature of project based learning, the outline for this course is subject to change and will likely vary.
Go down deep enough into anything and you will find mathematics.
Dean Schlicter
Week
Semester Two
1:
1/12-1/15
Team building/Topic review
iCLASSaMEdron Project
Mindset Math
2:
1/18-1/22
iCLASSaMEdron Project
Algebra Refresher
3:
1/25-1/29
Introduction to Piecewise Functions
4-6:
2/1-2/19
Peace-wise Posters Project
7:
2/22-2/26
Introduction to Sky is the Limit Unit
8-9:
2/29-3/11
Sky is the Limit Unit
10:
3/14-3/18
Intercession
11-12:
3/21-4/1
SPRING BREAK
13:
4/4-4/8
Introduction to Derivatives
14-16:
4/11-4/29
Derival of the Fittest Project
Problem Based Learning
17:
5/2-5/6
Introduction to Integrals
18:
5/9-5/13
Integral Knowledge Work
19-20:
5/16-5/27
Independent Study Project and Exhibition
21:
5/30-6/3
Final Exam and Closing the Loop
22:
6/6-6/10
SENIOR WEEK ACTIVITIES
Important School Date
1/18: No School (MLK Jr. Day)
1/29: Winter Formal
2/12: No School (Presidents Day)
2/15: No School (Presidents Day)
2/26: Advisory Olympics
3/9-3/11: SLC Half Days
4/4: No School (Staff Day)
5/6: No School (Snow Day)
5/9: No School (Staff Day)
5/30: No School (Memorial Day)
6/2: Grad Night
6/11: GRADUATION
2nd Semester will allow for the opportunity to take the other exciting courses on the other team!
Early Release Wednesdays: Every 1st and 3rd of the month
