Late News. Students in AP Calculus and AP Statistics should purchase 4 AAA batteries for the graphing calculator you will be issued.
Mr. Miller teaches mathematics courses at Gulf High School in New Port Richey, Florida. He attended Duke University and the University of South Florida, where he received a B. S. degree in Mathematics Education. He has previously taught at River Ridge High School in New Port Richey. Before becoming a teacher, Mr. Miller worked in radio broadcasting in several capacities. He also served in the U. S. Air Force.
Policies in Mr. Miller's classes
How your quarter average is calculated. There will normally be four or more tests each quarter. Each student will have a test average and a daily average. The overall average is determined by combining the test and daily averages with a 60/40 weighting. For example, a student whose test scores are 80, 80, 90, and 90 has a test average of 85. If that student received the maximum 10 points on every daily assignment, his or her daily average is 100. The overall average for that student would be (0.6 x 85) + (0.4 x 100), or 91. Averages are posted frequently in the classroom by student number and are available on line. Daily work will be scored on the basis of completion and honest effort, but students should correct errors in problems that were requested. Points will be deducted if the assignment is turned in late or if only answers are shown when the problems cannot be solved mentally. (Please note that because a student can earn 100 points on a test but only 10 points on a daily assignment, it might appear that daily assignments are insignificant. But the weighting procedure results in daily work counting almost as much as tests.) The AP classes will have a final examination at the end of each semester; it will count 15% of the semester grade. For other classes, the semester average is the average of the two quarter averages. (Note: In some classes, a project will count as, or replace, a test grade.)
Class procedure. A typical class begins with the teacher doing requested homework problems on the white board. The homework assignment is then collected and new material is presented. Students are expected to copy notes from the board and do the sample problems along with the teacher. I do not normally collect the notes and sample problems. Normally a textbook assignment will follow the lesson and it usually can be finished as homework.
Students in Advanced Math Topics and Probability and Statistics must own a scientific (or graphing) calculator and should bring it to class every day. Students in AP Calculus AB and AP Statistics who do not own a TI-89 graphing calculator will be issued one for use all year.
Rules of classroom behavior. I expect students not to be disruptive while I am presenting material to the class; my usual consequence for talking during those times is a 30-minute detention after school, after one warning. Food and playing cards are not permitted in the classroom.
Students should bring the textbook, paper, calculator, and pencil or pen to class every day. The use of calculators is permitted on tests (except on some tests in AP Calculus AB). Students will need to purchase graph paper within two weeks of the beginning of school. If a student is absent the day of a test only, the test will be made up the day the student returns. In case of longer absences, a deadline date will be worked out. It is the responsibility of the student to ask for information on missing assignments. Daily work can be turned in until one week before the quarter ends. This deadline is not extended for absences. If the work is late because of an excused absence, there is no penalty; otherwise, points are deducted.
Failure to bring the textbook to class may result in a loss of points on homework, especially in the AP Statistics and Probability and Statistics classes.
My e-mail address is jeff560@aol.com
I am available after school most days for help if you want it. I hope you learn lots of mathematics and enjoy the class!
Mr. Miller maintains these web pages:
History of Mathematical Terminology
History of American Broadcasting
Remembering WDBS at Duke University