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MAT 191AL– BASIC ARITHMETIC
Winter 2009
INSTRUCTOR: Helen Shen
PHONE: 530-541-4660, Extension 364
E-MAIL: shen@ltcc.edu
OFFICE HOURS: Mon. & Wed. 08:55 – 9:25 AM, 12:35 – 1:35 PM Tue. & Thur. 10:30 – 11:30 AM (Thur. @ MSC)
LTCC MATH PAGE: http://www.ltcc.edu/academics.asp?scatID=5&catID=34
REQUIRED TEXT: Basic College Mathematics, by Tobey & Slater, Sixth Edition.
COUSE DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this course is to teach students the skills of basic arithmetic. In reality, you have probably already seen this material somewhere in your educational past but may have forgotten it or never really understood it when it was first presented. In this class, our goal is to fill in the gaps of your knowledge about arithmetic and to help you get the “big picture” so that it will all fit together in a way which makes sense to you and that you are able to apply it to “real life” problems. This course is an extended version of Math 187A in which we will include a component of study skills to assist you in being successful in this math class and others which you will take in the future. Calculators are NOT allowed in this class!
This is actually two six-week classes (each receiving its own grade): Ø Math 191AL covers whole numbers, fractions, and an introduction to decimals. Ø Math 187B covers the rest of decimals, percents, and an introduction to algebra.
STUDENT OUTCOMES: The successful student will: 1. Perform arithmetic operations
with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. 4. Apply study skills learned in this class to studying in this class.
GRADING POLICY: Method of Student Evaluation, MAT 191AL Homework (21 sections at 4 points each) 84 points Study Skills Component 26 points Exams* (Two at 100 points each) 200 points Final (Covers entire course content) 140 points Your letter grade will be based on your percentage of the 450 possible points for MAT191AL A 90-100% B 80-89% C 70-79% D 60-69% F less than 60%
CHECKING YOUR GRADE ONLINE: To retrieve your grade information online, follow these steps: Ø student reports Ø Instructor Name: Shen Ø Click on your class: Math 191AL Ø Your secret number is on your Exam #1
EXAM POLICY: Grading will be based on progress towards the final answer, and the demonstration of understanding of the concept that is being tested. The more you show me with steps and detail, the better your chances for partial credit. You provide me the communication and detail in your answers; and I will give you the best grade I can based on that communication and answer. You can use one page of notes, front and back, for chapter exams and final, but not for quizzes.
MAKE-UP POLICY: For Chapter Exams and Final, make-up is possible, but there is a 10% penalty if the absence is not excused. The make-up test needs to be taken before the next class. The absence is excused for medical emergencies with the doctor’s note. You can take your test early if you know you are going to miss the class. For Homework, you must show your work to get credit, half credit for completion and half credit for selected problems. Homework will be accepted late up to one week after it is assigned for half credit. You can turn in your homework early if you know you are going to miss the class. You can consult a classmate, a tutor, your instructor, or anyone for assistance on the homework.
COMMUNICATION You can communicate with me either by coming to class or office hours, sending POLICY: an e-mail, or calling on the phone. I will respond to your e-mails in a timely manner, and I will do my best to return your calls (you need to make sure to leave your number clearly). If you miss the class, it is your responsibility to pick up the class handouts or obtain the information either from your classmates or from me during the office hours.
I have students work together to help each other. Please feel free to ask me directly if you like to work with me one-on-one.
· Please come see me if you do not understand my policies. · Due to English is my secondary language, please be sure to ask me if you have any difficulty to understand math due to my accent, and I will clarify.
CALCULATORS: Calculators are not allowed in this class.
LEARNING If you have a certifiable learning disability that may affect your performance in DISABILITIES: this class, be sure to discuss your special needs with me during the first week of class. Learning disabilities will be accommodated.
REGISTRATION: · You must register for this class at the Office of Admissions and Records. · It is your responsibility to drop the class in order to avoid an unwanted grade. You can choose Credit/Non-Credit for the class before the date specified on the schedule. I will drop a student from the class if the student misses more than two classes and is unable to keep up with the leaning. Math 191AL · Friday, January 16: Last day to drop the class with no penalty or mark on your record. · Friday, January 16: Last day to declare CR/No Credit. · Monday, January 26: Last day to drop the class and receive a grade of W. · After January 26, if you are enrolled, you will receive some kind of grade.
TUTORING: Tutors are available at no cost in A201 (Math Success Center) on a drop-in basis. Students will earn 0.5 point toward the total grade for every 10 hours in MSC or DRC. However, if any student misses more than two classes, no lab credit will be granted.
HOW TO SUCCEED 1) Read your textbook before class. IN A MATH CLASS: 2) Choose to attend all class periods and be on time. 3) Exchange names and phone number with classmates. 4) Learn from your mistakes and be patient with yourself. 5) Don’t be afraid of asking questions. 6) Know how to get help if you need it. 7) Organize your class materials. 8) Do your homework. 9) Check your work. 10) Hand in assignments on time.
Tentative Lecture Schedule for Math 191AL
Be sure to use class time, office hours, and the MSC to get all of your questions answered. For your homework, make sure you separate each section on the different pages and separate each problem on the different lines. There will be one point deduction for each section if the grader cannot read your answers. ALWAYS WRITE THE HOMEWORK # AND SECTION #s FOR EACH HOMEWORK; MAKE SURE TO WRITE THE DATE THAT YOU TURN IN IF YOU TURN IN HOMEWORK LATE.
NOTE: 1. Make sure you count the problem numbers correctly. Don’t do the wrong numbers. 2. Don’t copy the questions for the word problems.
EOO means Every Other Odd (i.e. #1, 5, 9, 13,...)
Be sure that you are registered for Math 187B which begins next week.
Math 191AL Study Component
Twenty-six points of your grade in this class is based on the study skills component. You can earn those twenty-one points in the following manner:
1) Study Skills Assignment #1: Time Management, (10 points) Due Jan 29, 2009 Turn in the 3 papers completed with Aaron gave you during week #2 on scheduling your time and procrastination, a. “Weekly Schedule” (white handout) b. “Determining how to spend your time & schedule Enough Time” (blue handout) c. “Procrastination” (purple handout)
2) Study Skills Assignment #1: Individual Counseling, (16 points) Due Feb 5, 2009 a. Make an appointment for one hour to meet with Aaron Barrett who has been working with you in our class. You can contact him at 541-4660 x231 or barrett@ltcc.edu. b. Bring your CSI results with you to your appointment with Aaron (the survey you did on the computer). Review your CSI results and write down three questions or concerns you want to talk about with Aaron Barrett. c. After your appointment, you need to write a half-page summary of your meeting with Aaron of what was most and least helpful about the counseling appointment. Turn this summary to Helen by Feb 5. Be sure to turn in your report TYPED. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||