Course Syllabus Algebraic Connections Pelham High School 2017-2018 Contact Information Teacher: Classroom: E-mail: Website: Remind: Mrs. Pollard B112 bpollard@pelhamcityschools.org https://mrspollardsclassroom.wordpress.com/ text the number 81010, this message @6cf84d Course Description Algebraic Connections is a course designed for students who wish to increase their mathematical knowledge and skills prior to enrollment in the Algebra II course or the Algebra II with Trigonometry course. Algebraic Connections expands upon the concepts of Algebra 1 and Geometry, with an emphasis on application-based problems. This course provides opportunities to incorporate the use of technology through its emphasis on applying functions to make predictions and to calculate outcomes. Grading Procedures GRADES: Nine weeks grades will be determined based off a weighted average system. Homework: 10% Classwork/Quizzes/Tests: 90% Types of Assessments: Tests will be given every 1-3 weeks. Quizzes will be given every 3-5 days. Homework may be checked daily or periodically. Projects may also be assigned throughout the course. EXTRA CREDIT: I do not offer extra credit assignments for students to complete. If extra credit is given, it will be given as bonus questions on tests and/or quizzes. I-Now updates: Every student and parent will be given free access to view grades on I-Now. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student/parent to stay updated on their grades or their child s grades. Once an assignment is taken up, it will be graded and recorded in I-Now within ONE week. Academic Honesty: Cheating will not be tolerated. All parties involved will be referred for disciplinary action by an administrator.
Make Up Work Procedures and Late Work MAKE-UP WORK: It is the responsibility of the student to contact the teacher within three days of returning to arrange for make-up work per the PCS Code of Conduct. Until an assignment is turned in and/or the absence is excused, a zero will be entered into the gradebook. If the assignment is turned in by the due date and the absence is excused, a grade will be entered. If the assignment is turned in by the due date and the absence is unexcused, then the grade will remain a 0 until the absence is excused. Due to grading current assignments, there may be delays in grading/posting make-up work/tests but it will be done as timely as possible. It is the student s responsibility to make arrangements for obtaining missed lecture notes and bell-ringers. Make up tests must be taken within two weeks of the missed test. Failure to make-up a test within the two week period will result in a zero!! Any work that is due while the student is absent is due on the day he/she returns to class. If a student is absent the day before a test, and no new material was covered, the student will be required to take the test. (Always be sure to refer back to the class website for reminders, notes, study guides and worksheets) If a student misses a test or quiz, it is the student s responsibility to get with me to schedule a make-up time within the two week deadline to complete the test or quiz. NO late work will be accepted. Materials and Supplies Needed 3 ring binder, paper, pencils, scientific calculator (the best one for this class is a TI-30X IIS) You may also want to have access to a colored pen for the occasional time we use them in class If you would prefer to donate specific items for general classroom use instead of, or in addition to, a monetary donation, I would appreciate any of the following: tissues, dry erase markers, paper towels, hand sanitizer, pencils Pacing Calendar (Subject to change based on student needs, weather days, teacher discretion, or other needs). 1 st nine weeks: Algebra and Geometry topics 2 nd nine weeks: Finance and Statistics and Probability topics 1 st Semester Exam: All standards and topics covered during the 1 st and 2 nd nine weeks. 3 rd nine weeks: Algebra and Geometry topics 4 th nine weeks: Finance and Statistics and Probability topics 2 nd Semester Exam: All standards and topics covered in the 3 rd and 4 th nine weeks along with some standards and topics from the 1 st semester.
Tutoring Students will need to make arrangements with me to come in for extra help the day before their class has scheduled morning tutoring (see the days below). Failure to sign up may result in the student not being able to meet with me. Algebra 1A students: Tuesday mornings Algebra 1B students: Wednesday mornings Algebraic Connection students: Thursday mornings ** This schedule may change depending on students needing extra help. There may be some weeks throughout the year that there will not be any morning tutoring. Classroom Expectations Respect everyone and their property o When I m talking, you should not be talking! o When a classmate is talking, nobody else should be talking! o Follow directions the first time they are given! Food and/or drinks are not allowed. Water is allowed as long as it is in a clear bottle. Be responsible for your work. o Actively participate in class activities and discussions. Be in your assigned seat when the tardy bell rings. Use appropriate language All assignments, such as quizzes and tests, must be completed in pencil. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure they come to class everyday with their supplies. Seek additional help immediately if a topic seems difficult or requires alternative approaches to assist in your understanding. Follow all PHS, PCS, and classroom policies, procedures and rules. CLASSROOM PROCEDURES: Class begins when you enter the room. Once the tardy bell rings, you are to remain in your seat unless you ask for permission, from the teacher, to be out of your seat. Class ends when I dismiss you. You are NOT to get out of your seat until I dismiss you. If you finish your class work before the bell rings, start on your homework assignment. No backpacks, drawstring bags or any bag that can hold a binder or textbook will be allowed in the classroom. *Failure to follow the rules and/or procedures will result in the following consequences* 1st offense Verbal Warning student/teacher discussion 2 nd offense Written Warning student/teacher discussion, communication to parents 3 rd offense Referral to Administration ** Any severe disruption (fighting, disrespectful attitude to me, another teacher or other students, etc) will result in immediate removal from class by an administrator **
Digital Procedures I have a set of Chromebooks, so students should not need to bring their devices/phones to class or use them. In the rare case when we are using devices/phones (example: class is running out of time and a student would like to take a picture of the homework problems, worksheet, or solutions key), students may use their own device. If students are misusing their phones/devices- in other words they are being used without my express permission or are on applications other than the learning activity when using Chromebooks, disciplinary actions including turning the phone in to the office and writing the student up may be taken. Please refer to the PCS digital policy for additional clarification. If further clarifications are needed, please refer to the policies outlined in the PHS Handbook. Exam Exemptions Students in grades 9-12 may exempt semester exams if they meet the qualifications below. This does not apply to AP exams, PE, enrichment, intervention, or most non-core classes. To qualify for a semester exam exemption, the student shall have: No unexcused absences for the semester and; No more than two tardies for the class for the semester and; Meet the following grade and attendance requirements; o Have an "A" average for the semester and no more than 3 excused absences in the class for the semester or; o Have a "B" average for the semester and no more than 2 excused absences in the class for the semester; No ISS or higher discipline consequences for the semester. Tardies Students will be allotted 3 tardies to class each semester prior to discipline procedures. Any student who arrives after the beginning of class (tardy bell) will have to sign in on the attendance sheet by the door and the tardy will also be marked in Inow. Disciplinary measures for tardies to class are as follows: A. 3 rd tardy -- student warning and parent contact (by teacher) B. 5 th tardy -- after school detention x 1 day or ISS x 1 day (per teacher referral) Test Days C. 7 th tardy -- after school detention x 2 days or ISS x 2 days (per teacher referral) D. 8 th tardy -- OSS x 1 day (per teacher referral) E. 9 th tardy or more -- administrative discretion (per teacher referral) Major chapter tests may be given any day of the week. Specific test dates WILL be announced well in advance, and listed on the back and front boards of my classroom. Short quizzes (announced or unannounced) can be given on any day of the week and at any time during class. Major tests can also be announced on Remind.
Retake TEST Option Each nine weeks students will be allowed to retake one test. Once all tests are graded, I will pass them back to the students and I will discuss any questions that a student(s) may have. So how does the retake work? If a student decides to retake a test they will have to do the following: Attend a tutoring session Complete a remediation worksheet and bring it with them to the tutoring session Turn in the worksheet when they come in for the retake They will have one week from when the tests are passed back to complete the retake on that test. After that week is up that test can no longer be retaken The key here is they can only retake one test each nine weeks. If a student does not use their retake in a nine weeks it does not carry over to the next nine weeks. PASSES OUT OF CLASS Each student will receive a bathroom pass. This pass will allow the student to have 4 bathroom trips per semester. The student will be responsible for keeping up with their own bathroom pass. If a student loses their bathroom pass, they will NOT receive another one until the second semester. Each student can only use their bathroom pass there will be no sharing of bathroom passes. Students will not be allowed to return to lockers to retrieve forgotten items/work once class is under way. Homework Policy Homework will be assigned almost every school day (including over weekends) in order to allow you to explore and practice what you are learning. Most homework has the following purposes: Practice reinforces the learning of the material already presented in class and helps you master specific skills. Preparation provides supporting information skills, definitions, etc. for what s forthcoming; it will help when new material is covered in class. Unless otherwise specified, homework will be due the following school day at the beginning of the period. For all homework: Show all calculations and work, even if you do it in your head. Use your class notes, online tutor, or other videos as a resource. No homework will be accepted after the beginning of the period. Disclaimer: This syllabus is subject to change
Student s Name: Parent s Name: Parent s E-mail: (please write this information so I can read it as this is the email I will use to send out reminders throughout the year) Parents please fill out the information below and send back with your child. You have so much information to offer me regarding your child s life. I would greatly appreciate it if you can take a few minutes and let me know about your child. Any bit of information that you would be willing to share with me will help me get to know your child better. Feel free to address any concerns you may have. I look forward to reading your responses and working with your child this year! By signing here, you and your child acknowledge that you have read the syllabus and student expectations for this school year. Print Student Name Student Signature Date Print Parent/Guardian Name Parent/Guardian Signature Date Sincerely, Mrs. Pollard