School Year: 2012-2013 Instructor Room E-Mail Address Voicemail Planning Period Mrs. Genovia Miles 110 gmiles@darlington.k12.sc.us 398-2656 1 st (8:00-8:50 a.m.) Textbook: Holt McDougal Algebra 1, Common Core Edition 2012 ($58.75) Class Website: http://mhs.dcsdschools.org/ under Department>Math>Genovia Miles>Algebra 1, CP To the Parent and Student: Please read this syllabus very carefully. It is very important to me, as the instructor, that you and your child understand the rules, expectations, and requirements of this course. Please feel free to contact me by email or phone if you have any questions or concerns. Please keep pages 1-4 in your folder or notebook to refer to throughout the year. Changes may be made to this syllabus when necessary. I appreciate your support and look forward to a very productive year! Sincerely, Genovia Miles Genovia Miles Course Description Algebra 1 is intended to build a foundation for all higher level math classes. Topics in this course will cover the South Carolina Algebra 1 common core standards including patterns; the real number system; algebraic expressions; matrices; linear equations and inequalities; relations and functions; linear functions; transformations; systems of equations and inequalities; exponents and polynomials; factoring polynomials; quadratic functions and equations; exponential functions; and data analysis and probability. State law requires that students take the end-of-course exam which will count 20% of their final grade. Math Materials: You are expected to come prepared to class with the following items: Textbook & Agenda Pencils (work done in pen will not be accepted) Red Pens (for corrections) 5-Subject Composition Notebook Loose-leaf paper & 3-Prong Folder or 1 in. notebook Graph Paper & Ruler Post-It Notes Graphing Calculator: TI-83, 84, or Nspire Classroom Policies and Procedures Discipline will be enforced in accordance with the Darlington County School Code. Rules: 1. Be respectful to everyone and everything. 2. Be in your seat and ready to begin class when the late bell rings. 3. Follow directions the FIRST time they are given. Speak at appropriate times. Raise your hand to be recognized for questions, class participation, or to get out of your seat. 4. NO CELLPHONES, NO MP3 PLAYERS, NO IPODS NO EXCEPTIONS!! 5. NO FOOD OR DRINK (except water). Procedures: 1. Class begins when you enter the room. 2. You are expected to be ON TIME this means in your desk ready to begin when the late bell rings. Consult the latest Tardy Policy for any changes you are unaware of. Algebra 1, CP Syllabus Page 1
3. Everyday take out your materials (textbook, pencil, paper, notebook, homework, red pen, and calculator) and place them on your desk. Then place your closed book bag on the floor in front of your desk so that the aisle will be clear for others to walk freely. 4. There is to be NO FOOD OR DRINK (except water) in the room at any time. 5. Class ends when I dismiss you. You are NOT to congregate next to the door waiting for the bell to ring. 6. If you have extra time in class, you should be finishing the homework, or looking ahead to the next section. Consequences: Failure to follow the rules and procedures will result in any of the following: 1. Warning Student-Teacher Conference 2. Parent Contact #1 (by phone or email) 3. Parent Contact #2 (by phone or email) 4. Administrative Referral Attendance/Tardy Policy You are allowed 10 absences in this course. If you are not seated at the bell, you will be sent to the office for a tardy pass. Every fourth tardy is an absence. Food/Drink/Restroom Water in a clear water bottle will be allowed in class. No other food or beverage will be permitted. Restrooms should be used in between classes, during break, or during lunch. Students will be allowed to go to the restroom for an emergency during class time with a pass from their agenda. This will be allowed ONLY after the lesson is completed and students are working independently. Students will not be able to use the restroom during instruction. Class Expectations I expect certain behavior from my students and you can expect certain behavior from me. Expectations of Students I expect you to: 1. Be Respectful and Courteous Math can be a difficult and intimidating subject. We are aiming to create a safe and comfortable environment, free from judgment and criticism. All ideas and questions are welcome. 2. Be On Time and Be Prepared If you are not in your seat when the tardy bell rings, you will be sent to the office for a tardy pass. Each class meeting, you are expected to have your materials. You will not be in a position to succeed without the appropriate materials. Additional material may be required with advanced notice. You will not be allowed to go to your locker during class. 3. Read the Daily Outline on the Board and Begin Class Begin "warm up" problems as part of the next assignment. Warm-ups consist of review problems from the day before or a skill from a previous math course that will be used in the next lesson. Warm-ups may or may not be collected. Either a pop quiz grade or bonus points may be assigned to the warm-ups. You will have SSR on Tuesdays. There is a lot of material to be covered in this course and attendance and punctuality are, not only necessary, but required. 4. Take Notes and Study Your Notes You are expected to take notes in your 5-subject composition notebook on each lesson that is taught. Copy each example and the steps that shown. Your notebook will be your guide to use to do additional practice and to help you study for quizzes, tests, and exams. Study your notes daily. Algebra 1, CP Syllabus Page 2
5. Have Homework Completed on Time and in the Appropriate Format Math topics build upon each other. Understanding and practice is essential. The expectations of this math class are that each student attempts the assignment(s) given to him/her as independent practice. Homework will be due at the beginning of class. No late homework will be accepted unless you are absent. You are expected to write the homework assignment in your agenda daily. When absent, you can access the assignments by calling the homework hotline (398-2656) or on the class website. All assignments are to be completed in pencil only and on loose leaf paper. Write your header (Name, Period, Date, and Assignment) at the top your paper. Copy the original problem (for applications just copy the formulas). Then show all work like the examples to receive full credit. Underline, circle, or box your final answer. Appropriate format will be discussed and demonstrated within the first week. 6. Store Away All Electronic Devices In order to succeed in math, it is essential to devote all attention to the instructor, classmates and the material being learned. Cell phones, I-Pads, Kindles, Nooks, etc. must be turned off and stored away. If I see a phone on you, it will be confiscated and turned into the office. Cell phones and other electronic devices may not be used as calculators. 7. Be Responsible I am available everyday during tutorial and am happy to meet with you. You are expected to utilize my assistance. I will do everything I can to facilitate your success, but ultimately the decision to do well in this class is yours. This means pay attention and participate in class, do all homework assignments, study, practice additional problems, and seek out additional help. Expectations of the Teacher You can expect me to: 1. Be on time and prepared to teach you math 2. Respect you and your learning needs 3. Listen to you 4. Make sure that your questions are answered 5. Provide help during class and outside of class Grading Policy: A = 100-93 B = 92-85 C = 84-77 D = 76-70 F = below 70 I use the point grading system. (total points earned total points possible) 100% The points for the assignments will be assigned as follows: Homework: 5-10 Worksheet: 10+ Quiz: 20+ Test or Project: 50+ Homework is checked for completeness and effort. No credit is given for answers only. Final Grade: Cumulative Quarter Grades (80%) EOC Final Exam (20%) Parents and students can use the Power School Webpage Link to view grades: http://powerschool.darlington.k12.sc.us. If there is a question about a grade(s), then see me after class or school. Assessments Quizzes Quizzes may or may not be announced. Unannounced quizzes will cover one section. There will usually be two or three announced quizzes for each chapter. Each announced quiz will occur after we have covered approximately two or three sections from the chapter. Tests or Exams Tests will be announced at least two days in advance and are given at the middle or end of a chapter. Each test will consist of free-response and multiple-choice questions for each chapter Algebra 1, CP Syllabus Page 3
as well as review questions. Benchmark tests will be given at the end of each nine weeks (Q1, Q2, & Q3 only). The end-of-course examination will be given in May. The graphing calculator will not be used on some quizzes and tests. Bonus/Extra Credit Some of the daily warm-ups may be collected for bonus points. Extra credit will be offered to all students not on an individual basis. Tutorial/Extra Help This is an excellent time to get extra help, work on homework, and study. To make the most of tutoring sessions, you should come with notebook, textbook, applicable worksheets or handouts, and specific questions. I am available for math help at the following times: On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during school tutoring is available from 12:59-1:22 in Room 110. The Math Lab in Room 106 is available on these days as well. On Thursdays after school tutoring is available from 3:20-4:00 in Room 110. Occasionally I am not available on Wednesdays or Thursdays because of meetings. Projects A variety of projects some large, some small will be assigned during the year. The nature of the projects will vary depending upon the content being covered in class. Specific explanations and instructions will be given at the time that they are assigned. Late projects will lose 10 points for each day they are late. Cheating Cheating of any kind will not be tolerated in this class! If you are caught cheating on any assignment you will receive a zero which cannot be replaced. Furthermore, you will not be able to store any information on your graphing calculators. The calculator s memory will be cleared before a quiz or test, and your calculator can be randomly checked during tests and quizzes. Don t risk it!!! Make-Up Work Policy In the case of an absence, homework, quizzes, or tests can be made up. When you are absent, you have five school days to make up any work. It is YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed!!!!!!!!! You may check the homework section of the webpage, call the Homework Hotline, or send me an e-mail for homework assignments instead of waiting until you return to class. You must meet with me the day you return to schedule a time for you to complete your quiz or test. If the assignment is not turned in, you will receive a zero for that assignment. Participating on a field trip does not give you extra time to make up work. Make-Up Tests: You will have advance notice of tests; so, there will be no excuse for not knowing about a pending test. If you are absent the day before a scheduled test, and no new information was covered, expect to take the test when you return. If you are absent on the day of the test, expect to take the test when you return. If you are absent a few days before the test, you have 1 week from when you return to make up the test. Exceptions will be made only for extended absences. No make-up tests or quizzes will be given during class time. It is YOUR responsibility to make an appointment!!! Algebra 1, CP Syllabus Page 4
Please return this page 5 to me signed by the end of the first week of school. Please use blue or black ink only. I have read and reviewed with my child the information regarding Algebra 1 expectations and content. Parent Name (Please Print): X Parent Signature Date Home Phone Cell Phone Parent E-mail address (if available): (Please Print Clearly) I have read, reviewed, and understand the information regarding Algebra 1. Student Name (Please Print): X Student Signature Date Student E-mail address (if available): (Please Print Clearly) Algebra 1, CP Syllabus Page 5