Saturday, September 25, 2010

First day - Sept 25

Hi Everyone!

Today we started by talking about the syllabus, how class works, all that good stuff. Then we talked about the first eight sections of chapter 1. Next week we'll do 1.9 and move on to all of chapter 2. It's a fast pace at the start! The first exam is in two weeks, and covers chapters 1 and 2 - so start gearing up for it.

It's rough getting all your math in for the week in one shot, so make sure you pace yourself and stay organized with your notes and homework.

Speaking of homework:

1.1: 12, 15, 23, 61, 63, 75, 85

1.2: 39, 45, 65, 91, 93, 95, 101, 107

1.3: 9, 49, 53, 81, 83, 87, 91, 99, 101

1.4: 7, 9, 39, 59, 77, 79, 89, 91, 97, 101

1.5: 15, 55, 65, 69, 73, 75, 79, 83, 85, 89, 101, 109

1.6: 8, 9, 11, 13, 25, 27, 29, 35, 39, 49, 53, 57, 61, 65

1.7: 11, 15, 17, 19, 25, 29, 35, 39, 59, 65, 75, 81, 87, 97, 405, 109

1.8: 13 - 53 EOO, 77, 79, 80
(EOO stands for Every Other Odd, so 13 - 53 EOO means 13, 17, 21, 25, 29, 33, 37, 41, 45, 49, 53)

Good luck, and see you Saturday,

-Dave

Monday, September 20, 2010

Syllabus

MTH 30 – Pre-Algebra – Fall 2010 – Item 3261 Section R – 5 Credits
Saturdays, 9-noon, and 1:10-3:10pm, BHL 011

David C Froemke Office: BHL 110

Office Hours: Saturday, 3pm-4pm or by appointment

Email: dfroemke@clark.edu

Class Page: http://davemath.blogspot.com

PH:503/686-5040

Course Description
This class is an introduction to algebra, solving equations, the integers, fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions, percents, basic geometry, and measurement. Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in DVED 023 or recommending score on the placement test. Successful completion of Math 30 will allow you to take either math 89 or Math 90.

Text
Prealgebra, 4th ed., by Tussy, Gustafson, and Koenig (Custom Edition for Clark College)

Other materials
A ruler, scissors, colored pens or pencils, and a calculator are all important tools for our class.

Grading

20% Daily Quizzes
50% Two Exams (25% each)
30% Final Exam

No extra credit of any sort is available. I follow the standard percentage break-down for letter grades (94% and up is an A, 90-93.9% an A-, 86-89.9% a B+, 83-85.9% a B, 80-82.9% a B-, and so on).

Daily Quizzes / Exit Cards
Most days will have a quiz or two of some sort – either I’ll collect one of the in-class activities, or give a quiz from the homework due that day. The lowest three quiz scores will be dropped; no make-ups are given.


Exams
I’ll distribute a study guide the week before the three exams. Make-ups will only be given in the case of dire emergencies and with proper documentation. Exams are given during regular class periods, and will take place during the first half of class. Exams will be graded and returned the next class period; missed questions can be redone for partial credit. The schedule of exams is:

• Saturday, October 9
• Saturday, November 6




Final Exam
The final is Saturday, December 4, at 9am in our regular classroom. The final is comprehensive, but focuses on the last few chapters. There is no make-up for the final.

Homework and Class Flow
We’ll have a homework assignment almost every day. The class will start with discussing the homework in small groups, comparing your answers with your neighbors. The rest of our time together (unless we have an exam) will be spent between lecture, discussion, and group-work activities. Keeping up on the homework is necessary for success in this class!

Every day after class I will make a blog post to http://davemath.blogspot.com that will include the material covered, upcoming sections, and the homework assignments.

Goals and Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
(1) Work accurately with fractions, decimals and percents (without the use of a calculator).
(2) Determine the area and perimeter of various geometric shapes.
(3) Solve linear equations and communicate your results.
(4) Use mathematical terminology and notation correctly.
(5) Explain some of the practical applications of algebra.
(6) Demonstrate the ability to solve problems in an organized, logical manner.
(7) Analyze some real-life problems and formulate a mathematical process to solve them.

Academic Dishonesty
Don’t cheat! I follow the college guidelines for academic dishonesty.

Resources and Suggestions
It’s a good idea to plan for 10 to 15 hours of work doing homework and studying every week. The course moves quickly, and later sections build off of previous material; keeping up on your studying is necessary for success. Besides my lectures and the book, my office hours and the Math Help Center (http://web.clark.edu/math/helpsess.htm, in BH 107) are invaluable resources.
If you have a disability and need an accommodation, please make arrangements to meet with me outside of class. Disability Support Services can be reached at (360) 992-2314, or on the web at http://www.clark.edu/student_services/disability_support.php
You are responsible for the material in the book, and anything covered in class; this includes any in-class announcements that might be made (such as any changes to the schedule). Attendance is not taken, but is expected, and regular attendance is crucial for your success with this material.

A final note
This class moves QUICKLY, and covers a lot of material. Keeping up on things, and doing some math almost every day, is crucial to your success. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or frantic, or lost in the material, please don’t hesitate to contact me – by email or during office hours are the best. My job is to make this class a comfortable and appropriate place for you to learn the mathematics, so let me know how I can best help you with the material!