Ms. Fierst s Advanced Algebra Course Syllabus South High School School 2016-2017 * Room 229 Email (preferred): morgan.fierst@mpls.k12.mn.us Web: http://south.mpls.k12.mn.us/advanced_algebra Course Description: Mathematics is the study of patterns and relationships. Mathematicians notice, describe and generalize patterns. Students in Advanced Algebra will complete all of the High School Minnesota State Math Standards. The algebra in this course will extend the algebra learned in Intermediate Algebra and prepare students for higher level math courses like Pre- Calculus. One major expectation for students as we study a variety of algebraic relationships will be for them to flexibly navigate all the ways to represent these functions including, equations, tables, graphs, contexts and mathematical language. It is important that students not just be proficient with algebra skills, but that they can describe the larger mathematical concepts and how one concept connects to another. REQUIRED MATERIALS Class: 1-3 Graphing Notebook(s) This notebook will become your textbook for the course. It is essential that students take notes daily and get caught up on notes when absent. LOTS of Pens or Pencils Folder Student Planner Home: Students need access to a scientific calculator and/or a graphing calculator at home for help with Homework. I recommend a simple $8-15 calculator or downloading a FREE calculator on a phone/tablet. My favorite is the DESMOS graphing calculator app. HELP WITH MATHEMATICS I will be available before and after school most days of the week (I will never be available on Tuesday mornings). Times I am available will be posted in the classroom each week. Students are encouraged to also take advantage of the South HS Math Center open every day 1 st - 7 th hour and after school, staffed by math teacher(s) and tutors. DAILY PRACTICE Students will have daily practice every day in Advanced Algebra. Students should expect to spend an average of 20 minutes per day at home on their practice problems though the actual time may range from 5-35 minutes. RE- DO s, RETAKES, REVISING POLICY Students may re- take a learning target assessment in order to demonstrate increased learning. Before re- taking an assessment students will be asked to demonstrate additional practice on the learning target, and the assessment may occur in a different format than the original assessment. All re- do s, retakes, and revisions are due by two weeks of the original assessment. Note to Students and Families: Your language about your beliefs about mathematics is powerful. Please eliminate using phrases like I am not a math person or I can t do math and replace with empowering language like I may not understand math yet, but I know I can get smarter with practice and persistence.
GRADING/ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING Your grade will mainly be based on your mastery of Advanced Algebra learning targets. We will work on the learning targets in class, have opportunities to practice daily and in class and you will be assessed with an exit slip, a summary, or a test. These will be graded based on progress towards the achievement of learning targets. If you do not show mastery of a target, you will need to practice more (with help from me or a tutor) and then you can redo the assessment of that objective. Grades I want us to be focused on improving your analyzing, reasoning and critical thinking skills, rather than accumulating points and getting a grade, I will not be using a point system or assigning grades on individual assignments or exams; and as a student, you will take an active role in determining what counts as success in the course and in determining your own mid- term and quarter grade. This does not mean you will not be receiving feedback from me. In fact, you may get more feedback from me than you would in a more traditional grading system. I will comment extensively on your assessments and will use a rubric to evaluate your assessments. You simply will not be getting a number at the bottom of your tests. This also does not mean that your grade is a mystery and you ll get a nasty surprise at the end of the semester. I want you to feel free to talk to me at any time about how you re doing in the class, and, as I said above, you ll be taking an active role in determining your grade. Please note that D s will not be given out in this class. Assessment Methods Rubrics: As a class, we will create a general rubric for the course that answers the question, what does a successful performance in this course look like? We will do this in the first week or two of the course. You will use these rubrics as a guide to help you assess your own mathematical progress. I will also use the rubric to evaluate your unit exams. Portfolio: You will keep a portfolio of your completed work in the classroom. This includes journal entries with comments, unit exams with comments, and other work, such as peer reviews of your classmates work. This will give us a central place to look as we think about how you ve progressed in the course. In addition, you will also be able to keep track of your practice in your notebook, and this notebook will give an indication of your participation in class activities, as well. On- line Portal: You and your family will still be able to look at the on- line portal for a record of assignments you ve completed, assignments that are missing, and assignments that are late or incomplete. There just won t be points or a grade attached to these assignments. I plan to e- mail your families frequently through the portal, and they are welcome to e- mail me for an update on your progress whenever they like. Conferences: Before final grades are due, I will have a short conference with you during class. You and I will both prepare for this conference by reviewing your goals for the quarter, reviewing your portfolio, and evaluating your work in the course using the rubrics we ve developed as a class. You will be expected to come to this conference with your written self- reflection. During the conference, we ll discuss our evaluations and try to come to consensus on a grade. Check- ins: Any time you or your parents want to check in with me to discuss your progress in the course, I will be happy to do it via e- mail, phone, or in person. The idea here is not to surprise you I won t be keeping some kind of secret running tally of points. Rather, I want our focus to be on your analyzing, reasoning, and thinking skills, rather than your grade alone. Goal- setting and Self- evaluations: Near the beginning of each quarter, you will conference with me to talk about how your learning is going and to set some goals for the quarter. On a weekly or bi- weekly basis, you will reflect on your goals and on our class rubric and identify areas where you are succeeding and areas where you need to improve. At the middle and end of each quarter, you will write more extensive evaluations of your learning, and these will become the basis of our conversations in conferences. In addition, you will write self- assessments of your unit exams and responses to my evaluations of those learning targets. Daily Practice Grade Codes T Tried and on- time L Late but complete M Absent N Not attempted G Free Pass (Gratis) Unit Assessments Grade Codes X Extended learning beyond class E Essentially Correct P Partially Correct I Incorrect N Not attempted * If an R is attached to the X,P or I, it indicates that the score was from a re- assessment. NOTE TO STUDENTS I believe in your incredible power to improve your mathematical understanding of high- level mathematics no matter what level you ve entered this course at. All you need to do is commit to working hard every class period, ask for help, be curious, be OK with the feeling of struggle and celebrate your success. I promise to support you along the way.
Part 2: Guardian & Student Signature Page for Ms. Fierst s Advanced Algebra Class Student Name: Student Agreement I will engage in an average of 20 minutes of daily practice in mathematics. I am committed to working hard in math class. I believe effort creates ability in mathematics. I have read and understand the class policies and procedures for Ms. Fierst s Advanced Algebra class as described in the syllabus. Date Student Signature Guardian Agreement I understand my child needs a graphing calculator at home for mathematics. Students may purchase a calculator (TI- 84 series recommended) OR even better download the FREE Desmos app to a phone/tablet. Another option is to bookmark Desmos.com on your computer. Note: If this is impossible to have at home, students may use a graphing calculator in my classroom any day before/after school. I have filled out the family information sheet. I have read and understand the class policies and procedures for Ms. Fierst s Advanced Algebra class as described in the syllabus. Parent/Guardian Name (Print) Parent/Guardian Signature NOTE TO PARENTS Please help your student succeed. If your student has a special need for any reason, please let me know so I can help. Set aside a quiet place and time each day for your student to work on math. The most successful students work daily on math. Check with your student to see that they have completed their assignments. Ask how they did on the chapter tests. Get involved! Reinforce that being smart at math isn t about being the fastest.it s about working hard and accepting that mistakes make us smarter. Remember you can check your student s grades using the Parent Portal. To set- up, go to: south.mpls.k12.mn.us/parent_portal.html
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Families, My name is Morgan Fierst and I will be your student s Advanced Algebra teacher this year. I look forward to working with you and getting to know you and your student. I strongly believe in the importance of connecting with students and their families. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any reason throughout the year. I welcome you into the classroom everyday and encourage you to stop in at least once this year. I have attached a family information sheet. This will help me to get to know you and better understand the best method to communicate with you. I will email or mail letters throughout the year to keep you informed of our progress and activities. Please make sure to indicate your preferred contact method. We look forward to hearing and seeing you this year! Cheers, Morgan Fierst Contact Info: Morgan Fierst Email: morgan.fierst@mpls.k12.mn.us Voicemail: (612) 524 9065 Twitter @MsFierst Course Site: http://south.mpls.k12.mn.us/advanced_algebra
Family Information Sheet * Please Return to Ms. Fierst Student Name Guardian Name(s) Relationship with student Guardian Primary Phone Alternate Phone Guardian Email Address Are you set up for the parent portal? YES or NO Home Language If English is not your home language, would you like/need an interpreter? How would you prefer to be contacted? YES or NO I am proud of my student because Please tell me about your student.