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important Links The HS of Commerce School Code for the SAT is 2 2 2 - 0 5 3. S.A.T. Prep uses various materials and methods of instruction to prepare students for the Scholastic Aptitude Test in Mathematics and English. Students will meet with their Mathematics or English instructor for two-week sessions and will then alternate to the other instructor for another two-week session, thus alternating between Mathematics and English for two-week "blocks" throughout the course.
In the mathematics portion of the course, the use of scientific and graphing calculators will be emphasized, as will various "mental math strategies." Students will take practice tests under conditions that mirror the SAT Test. Different strategies will be explored to optimize student achievement on the actual test. Further, students will practice various skills necessary for the SAT Test through various class work and homework assignments. As time permits, students will use the Internet to search for information on various college options. Finally, students will explore various hands-on models to deepen their understanding of the mathematical concepts covered in the curriculum.
GRADING POLICY:
Homework/Classwork: All assignments are to be completed on time. Practice is crucial for the student to gain mastery in the concepts you will encounter.
Test & Quizzes: Quizzes will be issued routinely (usually announced, but not limited to). Tests will always be announced several days in advance. Midyear and Final exams will be given extra weight (TBA).
Participation in class discussions/activities is expected, especially in sharing results of HW efforts. I hope you will consider your classmates (and myself) as part of one team, working together to unlock the information before us. Being unprepared to share with the class will adversely affect your grade.
The final grade for the marking term and course will be determined in conjunction with the English instructor. Due to the fact that students enter the course with various levels of preparation, much emphasis will be placed on the amount of advancement students make during the course and not solely on raw test scores. If the instructors deem extenuating circumstances warrant a final grade to be determined by some other means, such circumstances will be thoroughly discussed with the student in a private conference before the issuance of the final grade.
RESOURCES:
Students will have access to a graphing calculator in class. It is recommended that all students obtain their own calculators for use at home and to practice with the calculator that they will ultimately use on the SAT Test. Note, calculators are not required for the SAT and the student should practice various mental math strategies rather than relying solely on technology. All the math on the SAT can be completed with a very basic "scientific" calculator. If you plan to purchase a calculator solely for the SAT, I suggest finding one in the $15 range, one that does fractions and is easy for you to operate. You need not purchase a "top line" graphing calculator for just the SAT.
Mr. Whitney's Mathematics Home Page:
http://users.massed.net/~mwhitney/>>> Go directly to the College Info Page >>> Click on to go to my Links Page.
Important Links on the WWW >>> Check out the S.A.T. Question of the Day from The College Board. <<<
>>> FAFSA on the Web ... from the US Dept. of Education <<<
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance in all courses is vitally important. If you are going to be absent for any extended time, you or your parent should contact the instructors through your counselor to arrange make up work. Assignments will be posted in the classroom for you to consult after brief absences. The attendance policy of the HS of Commerce will be rigorously enforced in this course.
Due to the alternating blocks … two-weeks in English, two-weeks in Mathematics … students must make the extra effort to find out what work was missed at the end of a "two-week block." This is the student's responsibility! If the student fails to seek out work missed during absences, such work will be graded as zeros.
CONTACTING YOUR INSTRUCTOR & EXTRA-ASSISTANCE:
Wednesday is my designated extra-help afternoon, when I will plan to stay at least one-hour to assist students. However, I will make my best effort to be in school at least 45 minutes early every morning and I generally am available every afternoon (except Tuesdays when I am required to attend faculty meetings). Please do not hesitate to take advantage of this extra time.
If any students have Internet access at home, feel free to email me with any questions/concerns you have.
School:
whitneym@sps.springfield.ma.us Home:
mwhitney.massed@rcn.com METHOD FOR PARENTS TO COMMUNICATE WITH TEACHER:
Parent(s) who would like to speak with me should contact the Counseling Office at 787-7220 and your child's counselor will make arrangements for us to meet at a mutually convenient time. Also, if you prefer I will call you at a designated time. (Generally, any such meetings/calls should take place before or after school hours of 7:40-2:10 when I will be involved in teaching or other school business.) My email account (whitneym@sps.springfield.ma.us) is also a useful means to contact me.
If you are concerned about your child's progress between report cards, you should also contact the counselor and request a progress report, which I will write and mail to you.
For more information that is of importance to parents ... go to my Parents' Info Page
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Last Updated: August 25, 2004.
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Matthew C. Whitney
