Geometry

 

 

It is the glory of geometry that from so few principles, fetched from without, it is able to accomplish so much.

                                                                        --Sir Isaac Newton

 

That’s the way things become clear.  All of a sudden.  And then you realize how obvious they’ve been all along.

                                                                        --Madeleine L’Engle

 

 

 

Textbook:       College Preparatory Mathematics 2 (Geometry) 2nd Edition. 2002. 

 

Instructor:      Judson Swets  

                        676-6481 x5220

                        jswets@bham.wednet.edu

 

Course Overview:

Geometry is the study of the shape, size, and position of objects.  Planar geometry focuses on 2D objects such as points, lines, triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons, and circles.  Solid geometry includes the study of 3D objects such as prisms, pyramids, polyhedrons, cylinders, spheres and cones. 

 

The name geometry comes from two Greek words meaning earth and to measure. The earliest uses of geometry included measuring lengths and areas of land. Most scholars believe that the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians were the first people to use geometry extensively.

 

Artists, engineers, cartographers, and designers use geometry in their work.  You will use geometry anytime you decide to design or build something.  You cannot build a box, a fence, a fighter jet or a paper crane without using geometry.  Geometry is used to design and build things. 

 

 

Course Goals:

·        Experience learning in a hands-on problem-solving manner.

·        Appreciate and apply geometry in their everyday lives.

·        Develop skills to construct two and three-dimensional models.

·        Meet or surpass the Washington State Essential Learnings.

·        Become confident in their ability to solve problems.

 

Behavior and Attendance:

This class is a place to learn and grow.  Behavior that impedes the learning of your classmates is not acceptable.  If a problem develops, your teacher, vice principal and parent will make interventions on your behalf. 

 

No work will be accepted if your absence is unexcused. 

 

 

Evaluation:

Grades will be weighted according to the following four categories:

 

The grading scale will be as follows:

            A    100 - 92.5%          A-    92.4 -  89.5% 

            B+   89.4 -  87.5%       B     87.4 -  82.5%       B-    82.4 -  79.5% 

            C+   79.4 -  77.5%      C     77.4 -  72.5%       C-    72.4 -  69.5% 

D+   69.4 -  67.5%      D     67.4 – 63                         F      Below 63%

 

 

Materials: 

In addition to ruled paper, pens, and pencils, each student will need the following: 

·        1 protractor

·        1 compass

·        1 scientific calculator  (a graphing calculator is unnecessary) 

·        1 three-ring binder

 

 

I look forward to learning with you. 

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Judson Swets