Algebra 2 Riverside High School: 703.554.8900 Ms. s e-mail address: kimberly.jackson@lcps.org Welcome, students, parents, and guardians to our Algebra 2 class! I am looking forward to an exciting and productive year. In order for you to better understand the Riverside school policies and those that apply in our classroom, I ask that you please review this document and return the information that I have requested. Please feel free to contact me with questions, comments, or concerns that you may have. Additionally, general Riverside mathematics guidelines can be found on the school website. INSTRUCTIONAL CONTRACTS My Contract Student Contract Parent Contract I will be prepared to teach. I will teach all of my students. I will challenge my students. I will welcome questions. I will be available for help. I will be on time and prepared for class. I will bring my notebook, pencils, erasers, etc. to class. I will pay attention. I will do my own homework. I will do my best! I will monitor my child s progress. I will ensure that my child has the supplies they need for class.
SUPPLIES NEEDED Three ring binder (2 inch) dedicated to math with at least four tabbed dividers Composition notebook (black and white typically but color isn t important). Loose leaf paper and loose leaf graphing paper with half inch squares Pencils sharpened pencils for each day. TI-84+ graphing calculator (I strongly recommend that each student obtain this calculator. We do have them available to use in the classroom, however they are needed for homework. You will need a graphing calculator for higher level math courses, so purchase one now, if possible.) Optional: If you would like to donate supplies to our classroom, these would be greatly appreciated: o Dry erase markers o Tissues o Pencils COMMUNICATION For our class, we will use Remind for regular communication. It is a system that allows parents and students to sign up to receive text alerts from me at no cost while maintaining confidentiality of everyone s cell numbers. To sign up for Remind for our class: Block 1: Text @88g33to 81010 Block 5: Text @d8bfhkc to 81010 ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE PROHIBITED The use of cell phones, tablets, computers, smart watches, or any other electronic device is restricted only to occasions where it is deemed academically beneficial or if students are working at their desk and are then permitted to listen to music. All devices must be stored in backpacks out of sight or placed in the holder in our classroom. If a student s device is not in his/her backpack or in the classroom holder, then he/she is in violation of the policy. Violation of this rule will result in the student being asked to power off the device, and place it in a secure location with the teacher until the end of the school day. PASSES & CLASS BREAKS During class, we are continually learning, practicing, and expanding our mathematical skills. Students will be given free access to restrooms. If excessive use patterns are noted and there is not a medical reason for this, parents will be notified. GRADING POLICY Grades in our class will be calculated with 90% of the grade determined by summative assessments and 10% of the grade determined by formative assessments. For our purposes, summative assessments include all formally graded assignments, including tests, quizzes, and projects. Formative assessments include homework and in-class
activities. Scoring within these categories will be calculated using the simplest formula possible: (Points Earned)/(Points Possible) x 100%. Tests & Quizzes: For each unit, students will have a cumulative quiz or test. In addition, students will have quizzes throughout each unit. Scores earned on tests and quizzes will be weighted directly into the students grades. Students will never be quizzed or tested on material just learned in class that day. If a student is absent the day of a test review, the student is expected to take the test upon their return. Review materials will be made available on my website. Tests with scores below 90% may be retaken once, up to a grade of 93%, provided the student has done at least 90% of homework on time for that unit, and has submitted the required corrections. Homework: Homework is checked daily for completion and reviewed for accuracy during class. Students who are absent will have the number of class days equal to their absence to turn in missing work for full credit HOMEWORK Homework is assigned almost every class and is due at the beginning of the following class. It is expected that all work, not just answers, will be shown. Homework with only answers and no work shown may not receive credit. We will review all homework. Homework assignments are for your benefit and are designed to help you learn the material and prepare and study for quizzes and tests. Completing the assigned homework on your own, the night it is assigned, is the best way that you can ensure your success in class. Small homework quizzes on homework that has been assigned and reviewed can occur on any day without notice. EXTRA HELP I am available every morning after 8:15AM. Students, please come in with questions. Learning is a team effort between all of us do not hesitate to get the support you need. ABSENCES and TARDIES Mathematics is not a subject in which you can do well without attending class. It is to your benefit to not miss class unless absolutely necessary. Therefore, it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary assignments and to make up necessary work in a timely fashion. You have one day for every day you miss to turn in work. For instance, if work is due on Monday and you are absent on Monday, your work should be turned in at the start of class on Wednesday. In accordance with school policy, we will adhere to the guideline that any student not in the room at the time the bell rings is considered tardy. If a student is absent, he/she is responsible for obtaining all missed work, including class notes and homework assignments, in accordance with the Student Handbook guidelines. Students are also responsible for making arrangements for making up quizzes and tests within the guidelines of one day leniency given for each day absent. The student can receive a zero for all required work that is not made up by the end of the quarter. GENERAL BEHAVIOR EXPECTED In general, I have only one hard and fast rule for my classroom: to always conduct yourself as a student who appreciates their seat in my room. Students who appreciate their seat in a classroom show respect for others, do their best work, contribute to the learning environment, and take ownership of their education.
HONOR CODE Louis Pasteur said Chance favors the prepared mind. For each student to have the best chance at success, they must do their own preparation in all classwork, homework, quizzes and tests is the expectation. Therefore, the RVHS honor code is always in effect. Students and parents can consult the Student Handbook for further information. If you have any questions at all about these matters, please do not hesitate to ask. Typical Schedule for Ms. s Classes Warm-up/Homework Review/Homework Quiz: Upon entering the classroom, each student is expected to check the designated area for any hand-outs, notes, etc. for the day. Then, he/she is to go to his/her seat and begin the warm-up/quiz. Usually, this is 3-5 problems posted on the interactive whiteboard that are related to the prior lesson and/or homework. While the students complete the warm-up, homework is checked for completion. A homework quiz on homework questions that have been assigned AND reviewed can occur on any day without prior notice. Daily Lesson & Activities: Students are provided guided notes at the start of each unit. During the daily lesson, students are expected to follow along in their notes packet and complete the practice problems included, at the appropriate time. Students are encouraged to ask questions throughout the lesson. In addition, during the lesson, students are called on to provide answers, and are also given time to work individually, in pairs, or in small groups on activities. Practice: Throughout each lesson, and during various times during each class period, students are given a number of practice problems to complete that we review as a class. In addition, students are encouraged to use this time to start on their homework and to ask questions about the lesson, homework, etc., as needed. Close/Next Steps: The key points of the lesson are restated and we re-check for understanding by reviewing practice problems, exit tickets, and/or questions and answers from the class. At this time, we restate the class objective, ensuring that we accomplished our goal, repeat the evening s homework, and highlight what the next lesson will be covering.
CONTACT INFORMATION SHEET Algebra 2 Please complete this form and turn it into Ms. next class Student s Name: Date of Birth: Email (optional): Anything that I should know about you that will make your math experience a success: Activities/Clubs/Sports: Do you have consistent access to the internet outside of the classroom?: Parent s/guardian s Name: Work Phone Number: Cell Phone Number: Email Parent s/guardian s Name: Work Phone Number: Cell Phone Number: Email I have read and reviewed the Algebra 2 syllabus thoroughly and am aware of all class expectations: Student (Please Print) Parent/Guardian (Please Print) Student Signature: Parent/Guardian Signature: