Algebra
1 Course Syllabus
Christina Mooers
2006-07
Course Description:
Algebra I has as its primary goal the achievement of student success by helping students develop critical thinking skills through the study of traditional algebraic concepts. The major topics covered in this course are: real numbers, variables, transforming and solving and graphing linear equations, transforming and using formulas, working with monomials and polynomials, solving word problems, simplifying rational expressions, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing rational expressions, solving rational equations, manipulating ratios, and literal equations, graphing linear equations, finding slope, writing and transforming equations of lines in point-slope form, slope-intercept form, and standard form, solving systems of equations by substitution method, addition method, and multiplication with additions method, using Pythagorean Theorem, functions, and solving equations using the quadratic formula. Goals and Objectives: 1. Each student completing this course will have developed an understanding of basic algebraic concepts. 2. Each student will develop stronger cooperative learning strategies and communication skills, including the art of presentation.
Course Texts:
Bibliography: Algebra I, Holt, 1992.
Calculators & Other Required Course Materials:
Each student needs a 3-ring binder with dividers and pockets, 8.5x11 notebook paper and colored pencils. ALL assignments will be completed in pencil with the following exceptions: computer print-outs and presentations (visual aids, posters, hand-outs, etc.) Calculators will not be used in this course anytime.
Classroom Procedures:
1. Be seated
when the bell rings and be ready for class.
2. Have all materials necessary. Leaving to obtain supplies will earn tardies.
3. No eating, drinking, or chewing gum in class.
4. Papers that are turned in should be clearly labeled with name, date, course,
page numbers, and problem numbers of each assignment.
5. When the teacher or a designated student is talking, do not interrupt.
6. Take notes and copy examples worked on the board.
7. Adhere to all school rules.
8. Respect yourself and others
Behavior:
I expect an active classroom in which open questioning and interaction is encouraged. Everyone should contribute to the advancement of each person’s understanding. Except for test days, we will almost always have some time to answer a few questions from the previous night’s homework. Volunteers will put their work on the board and explain their reasoning and process. We will listen to each other respectfully and respond patiently. Learning is refined as much in forming a patient explanation as it is in receiving one. It is expected that every member of the class be an active and enthusiastic participant in class discussions.
Attendance:
All classes are required
and students should be punctual and prepared with their math book, notebook,
pencils, and homework in math binder. Unexcused absences may result in a zero
for a quiz grade. If I am late for class, which I very rarely am, it is my
expectation that, when I arrive, I will find a reasonably quiet and productive
class discussing homework problems. Excused Absences: Whenever a student misses
a class he/she should be prepared for the next class. If the assignment had not
been already given on a homework sheet, first check the RGNS website, then use the
telephone and call me. If a student knows that he/she will miss a test or quiz
then this student should make arrangements beforehand to take this quiz/test
before the next meeting of the class. If the absence is due to a medical reason
or last minute excuse, then it is the responsibility of the student to seek me
out and make similar arrangements if possible. No student will be allowed to
miss a class to make up a test.
Board work:
Often we will spend part of
our class time with the whole class working the same problems at the
blackboard. This is a learning time, not a testing situation. When at the
board, looking for help to your right or left is perfectly acceptable and in
fact encouraged, especially if you are stuck. Hopefully this atmosphere will
inspire many explanations and discussions about different methods and
efficiency. It is expected that every member of the class be an active and
enthusiastic participant in class discussions.
Homework:
A homework assignment will
be given daily. Regular out-of-classroom practice and problem solving sessions
are required and assignment sheets including assignment due dates and quiz and
test dates will be distributed in class at the beginning of each week. They
will also be posted on my Web site. All students will use a 3-ring binder to
keep neatly all homework assignments as well as all handouts and tests. On all
homework assignments students are expected to check all possible answers in the
back of the book. If an answer is incorrect the student should look over his/her
work to find the mistake if possible. Sometimes homework will be collected. If
announced the work may count as many as 50 points. If unannounced the quiz
value range is between 10 and 25 points. Your notebook will be collected on
each test day. A homework grade for the week is worth 25 points. If during the
week homework is checked and you have no homework for that day, then you will
lose 4 points of the 25 at the end of the week. It is still worthwhile doing
the homework later since there are only 3 assignments in a week, so each
assignment is worth 8.33 points at the end of the week. The homework will be
checked for completeness and spot checked for accuracy at the end of the week.
Excused Absences:
Whenever
a student misses a class he/she should be prepared for the next class. If the assignment has not been already given
on a homework sheet, then use the telephone and call me. If a student knows that he/she will miss a
test or quiz then this student must make arrangements beforehand to take this
quiz/test before the next meeting of the class.
If the absence is due to a medical reason or last minute excuse, then it
is the responsibility of the student to seek me out and make similar
arrangements if possible. No student will be allowed to miss a class to make up
a test.
Assignments:
Regular out-of-classroom practice and problem solving sessions are required and assignment sheets will be distributed at the beginning of each week including test and quiz dates and assignment due dates. Students may work alone or with others from the class, but it is expected that every student will have an active learning experience. Students may not use calculators when doing homework assignments. Class discussions will be prompted by students' questions about the assignments, and it will be assumed that every student is familiar with every assigned problem. Calculators will not be used in this course anytime. All assignments are due on their due dates. A "late fee" of ten percent will be assessed for each day's delay.
Quizzes:
Pop quizzes will sometimes
be given and range in value from 10 to 50 points. Sometimes these quizzes will
involve collecting homework and grading certain problems from the assignment.
Announced quizzes will be scheduled occasionally and will normally count 50
points. Notebook checks can also be announced or unannounced.
Tests:
I will try to establish a
routine test day for your class and it will rarely change. All tests are
cumulative and one of the best things to do when studying for a test is to
review the last 2 or 3 tests as well as our homework and class work of the
classes since the last test. Tests will generally count as a points earned
divided by total points assigned and represented as a percent grade and are
intended to last one class period. If five tests are given in a grading period,
the lowest test score may be dropped if test corrections for the lowest test
score were completed. If, when working on a test, you stay a few minutes into
the next class period, then you will receive unexcused tardy for your next
class. I will not write you a late excuse. If I allow extra time, you may come
after school to complete your test during tutorials on the day of the test.
Test Corrections:
I will normally allow students
to do test corrections. With a test grade in the 80’s and all test corrections
done properly, a student can earn 4 test points, but cannot achieve a test
grade higher than an 89. A test grade in the 70’s can earn 6 points; a grade in
the 60’s can earn 8 points and so on. To do test corrections the student must
begin with a clean sheet of paper and must redo neatly every problem he/she
missed on the test and show all work to convince me that they totally
understand how to do the problem. More work must be shown for test corrections
than for the original test. I give the answers to the students for test
corrections, so they must show or explain how to get these answers. At least
one half of the student’s incorrect problems must be properly and neatly done
in order to earn any additional test points.
Exams:
All exams are cumulative
and the time limit is two hours. Exams count as 20% of each semester grade
average.
Grade Determination:
Grades will be determined on
a point system. Points are earned for tests, projects, quizzes, participation,
notebooks, and effort. Final grades will be computed by finding the percentage
of points earned out of the total possible. There will be unannounced quizzes
on an as-needed basis. Tests will be scheduled once a week. All tests will be
cumulative. Students may be assigned an out-of-class project during each
semester. Projects are counted as a test grade. Students are required to
maintain a notebook for daily notes, homework assignments, and classroom
assignments. Each of these should be in a separate section and arranged
chronologically. Notebooks will be checked as a part of the performance and
effort evaluations.
Effort Grading System:
The expectations for students receiving the designation of “excellent” are high. These students must be prepared for each class; maintain a complete and well-ordered notebook; present work which is neatly done, complete, and on time; exhibit a good attitude; and contribute as an active and effective team member on all group projects. Students earning a “satisfactory” for effort will usually be prepared for class, maintain a complete notebook, have most assignments neatly done and completed when due, exhibit a good attitude, and make an adequate contribution on their group projects. Those earning the “fair” or “poor” rating will typically be students who show major difficulties with preparedness, attitude, and commitment.
Extra Help Policy:
The math department faculty offers tutorials every afternoon from 3:15-3:45-Monday, Wednesday, Thursday except Friday. I am also normally free to make appointments during ____ and ____ periods. If, when working on a test, you stay a few minutes into the next class period, then you will receive unexcused tardy for your next class. I will not write you a late excuse. If I allow extra time, you may come after school to complete your test during tutorials on the day of the test. Please come.
Honor Code
Expectations & Collaborative Work vs. Cheating:
Homework may be completed
by students working together. However,
every student must understand what he/she is writing on his/her respective
homework paper. I will be happy to
provide the solutions to any homework problems you do not understand. However, be sure you understand what you
write down on your homework paper after you get help. Make sure that the work you put your name on
is your own. Take home tests and some
homework assignments are given and announced to be a separate graded exercise. No
human resources may be used when graded work is taken home, which means that
you may use your book or notes, but ask no one other than your teacher for help
or explanation. Tests and quizzes in the
classroom as well as exams must be the single student’s work with no resources
at all except sometimes a graphing calculator.
The exchange of information between students or use of unauthorized aids
(including a calculator when prohibited) during a quiz, test, exam, or graded
homework assignment constitutes cheating and will not be tolerated. If any students are
allowed to come during tutorials to complete a test, it will be considered
cheating if these students use any resources (human, technical or written) from
the original test time until completing the test. Plagiarism is the practice of using someone
else’s work and passing it off as your own.
This is both in writing papers and in completing any homework
assignment. Plagiarism is another form
of cheating and will not be tolerated.
Facilitation of any of the above is equally wrong and will be referred
to the Honor Council. If
there are any questions about the honor code, you may want to refer to the
publication ‘Always Honorable’, revised version May 27, 2003, the Student
Parent Handbook 2003-2004 page 14, and/or on the website: http://rabungap.net/faculty/wmalot/honor_code/Honor_Code.htm.
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING!!!
I
have read and understand the expectations of the Algebra 1 syllabus. I have
read and understand the honor code expectations for this course. I agree to
adhere to the expectations of the honor code and the Algebra 1 syllabus.
Student
Signature____________________________________ Date _________________
Any
Questions? Contact
Mrs. Mooers at: lbell@rabungap.org
Back to my
homepage http://12.166.242.211/faculty/lbell/intro.htm