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Combinations & Permutations

Ninth Grade Main Lesson
10/27/14 to 11/14/14

Taught by Mr. Poleson in the Herodotus Room of PWHS
Help available M,W,F before school, Tu,Th Lunch
Contact buzz.poleson@portlandwaldorfschool.org

Topics will include: math techniques for counting without counting to find the answers to
combinations and permutations problems; applications of those techniques in the field of probability
and statistics; history and theory of games; risk analysis in the modern world.

We will consider the history of the ideas and methods used to solve real-world problems. The daily
activities will include probability experiments with attendant statistical analysis. Students will work solo
and in teams applying course concepts and skills inventing games and composing music.

Grade will be based on:
30% Daily participation and notes
25% Essays and Write-ups
10% Main Lesson Book
15% Quizzes
20% Projects

Students will keep complete calendar pages and dated notes (pencil OK) in the back of their MLB folder,
to be checked periodically and included as the appendix of the Main Lesson book at end of block. (Some
quizzes will be open notebook, so keep a good one.)

The Main Lesson Books will be the organized anthology of the blocks work. All writing must be in ink or
word-processed. Pages must be numbered. There will be a title page with block title, school name,
student name, teacher name, date of block, and illustration or decoration of choice. There will also be a
Table of Contents and an Introduction.

The honors option is available for this block, awarded for substantial work above and beyond the call of
duty that deepens the students understanding of a topic related to our required study. See Mr. Poleson
for details.


Expectations, Continued:

Homework, daily assignments, projects, major assignments, and main lesson books are among the ways
in which students explore subjects and develop their knowledge and skills. Student work is evaluated
and graded in order to provide students, parents, and teachers with an accurate picture of students
progress, accomplishments, and challenges. Each student at PWHS is therefore expected to complete
assignments and hand in work on time. Deadlines and other requirements for assignments and
homework are not discretionary or suggested, but requirements that the student is expected to fulfill
without exception, whether it is a daily homework, a major project, or a main lesson book

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deadline. Failure to meet these deadlines and to fulfill these requirements will result in lowered or
failing grades for the assignment.

The faculty also recognize that there are instances where external circumstances (family emergency,
medical problems) cause a student to be absent and/or prevent a student from completing an
assignment on time. In such cases, there are clear procedures to follow. All extensions must be
requested prior to the start of class. If a student is absent and unable to turn in a minor assignment
(daily homework), he or she should consult the course syllabus for directions about handing in
assignments and homework late. Be sure to communicate directly and promptly with the teacher,
following the directions on the syllabus. This permission can not be granted except for significant
reasons including (but not limited to) student illness (with parental notification) or family emergency
(with parental notification). Failure to meet these requirements will result in a lowered or failing grade
for the class. If there is any uncertainty about the policy, it is the students responsibility to ask the
teacher for clarity and direction prior to the deadline.
Homework, daily assignments, projects, major assignments, and main lesson books are among the ways
in which students explore subjects and develop their knowledge and skills. Student work is evaluated
and graded in order to provide students, parents, and teachers with an accurate picture of students
progress, accomplishments, and challenges. Each student at PWHS is therefore expected to complete
assignments and hand in work on time. Deadlines and other requirements for assignments and
homework are not discretionary or suggested, but requirements that the student is expected to fulfill
without exception, whether it is a daily homework, a major project, or a main lesson book deadline.
Failure to meet these deadlines and to fulfill these requirements will result in lowered or failing grades
for the assignment.

The faculty also recognize that there are instances where external circumstances (family emergency,
medical problems) cause a student to be absent and/or prevent a student from completing an
assignment on time. In such cases, there are clear procedures to follow. All extensions must be
requested prior to the start of class. If a student is absent and unable to turn in a minor assignment
(daily homework), he or she should be sure to communicate directly and promptly with the teacher,
following the directions on the syllabus. However, late work for major assignments (including but not
limited to longer papers, projects, presentations, main lesson books) will not be accepted without prior
permission from the teacher, and may be subject to a 5% lowering of grade per day, including Saturday
and Sunday.