Algebra I Support Course Syllabus

Transcription

1 Algebra I Support Course Syllabus Instructor Phone Room Number Mr. Kennedy tkennedy@cheneysd.org Best time to reach me by phone is after 3 p.m. Description of the course: This course is intended to assist students who are struggling with algebra skills during their previous course work. The course will offer tutorial support, basic pre-algebra skills review and development, pre-teaching of new algebra concepts along with re-teaching those concepts which students still struggle with. The course is intended to increase students understanding and comfort level with key algebraic concepts by reviewing regularly throughout the year. Algebra Support will be taught in partnership with an Algebra 1 course. Algebra Support will focus on four areas: 1) Re-teaching: Reviewing and enriching key concepts to improve understanding of algebraic standards taught in the regular algebra 1 class. Re-teaching will also include review of previous math standards. 2) Tutorial support: Review of basic arithmetic skills, Algebra, Geometry, and Statistics concepts, particularly those needed to be successful in Algebra 1. Instructional materials may include re-teaching of worksheets, intervention materials, Qwizdom, tile cards, math tutorial software, and other resources. 3) Pre-teaching concepts: Students will often be given a head start on the Algebra concept to be taught in the subsequent Algebra 1 lesson. A list of units covered in Algebra 1 can be found in the course outline on the CHS website. 4) Spiral Review: Review previously learned Algebra concepts. Students will review on a daily basis to prepare for the Algebra 1 final exam at the end of the trimester, as well as preparing for the state end of course exam. Algebra I State Standards A1.1. Core Content: Solving problems A1.2. Core Content: Numbers, expressions, and operations A1.3. Core Content: Characteristics and behaviors of functions A1.4. Core Content: Linear functions, equations, and inequalities A1.5. Core Content: Quadratic functions and equations A1.6. Core Content: Data and distributions A1.7. Additional Key Content A1.8. Core Processes: Reasoning, problem solving, and communication For a full description of the Algebra I Standards visit: Course Content Strands: Key areas to address: Solving linear equations and inequalities in the first degree Graphing and writing linear equations and inequalities Polynomials and factoring Simplifying rational expressions and solving rational equations Solving and graphing quadratic equations Systems of equations Simplifying radical expressions and solving radical equations

2 The four areas discussed under the course description are delineated so that students in the Algebra Support course will receive instruction in the basic Algebra 1 curriculum, as well as enrichment activities to reinforce concepts emphasized in previous math courses. 1. Re-teach/Enrichment Materials: These materials should improve student understanding of how algebra concepts are actually used, provide motivation for the learning of algebra, and if needed, present key algebraic concepts in a different fashion than the Algebra 1 course so as to support all learners with different learning styles/needs. 2. Tutorial Support: Basic Pre-Algebra Skills Review: Basic arithmetic skills review (i.e. fractions, decimals, integers, order of operations, percents, ratios) Review of pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, and statistics concepts from previous math standards, particularly those needed in Algebra 1 or covered on the state assessment. 3. Pre-Teach: Presenting Algebra as a Head Start: Basic algebraic skills preview of new content matter Working partnership with the Algebra 1 teacher to give students the organizational and academic skills needed to succeed in Algebra Spiral Review: Algebra is a course that constantly builds on previously learned concepts. Reviewing on a regular basis allows students to stay up to date with material that they need to know. At the end of the trimester there will be a comprehensive final and the students will need to know all of the material covered this trimester. In addition to this, students will now be required by the state to take and pass an end of course exam over the entire year of Algebra 1 in order to graduate high school. In order for students to remember material over the whole year, they need to review the material on a regular basis. Course Details: Grading: Grades are heavily dependent upon your effort and participation in this class. Effort in this support class should translate into success in Algebra. 25% of the course grade will be derived from in class effort and participation. Assignments and activities will count for 25%. And 50% will be based on the grades you earn on tests and quizzes in Support, most of which students will be able to re-take and subsequently earn higher scores. Grading Scale: CHENEY HIGH SCHOOL MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT GRADE SCALE A 92.5% - 100% C % % A % % C 72.5% % B % % C % % B 82.5% % D % % B % % D 60.0% % F 0% % Required Materials: Books: bring your book to class everyday unless otherwise instructed. Writing Utensils: Bring something to write with, preferably a pencil. Do not do any homework assignment or test/quiz in red ink, this will result in a zero. Paper: Bring your own supply. Ruler: This will come in handy in class as well as for homework. Classroom Folders: I am providing a folder to each student and a place to keep those folders in my classroom. Students are to keep their quizzes in these folders and record their scores following each quiz. Recording your quizzes will count as an assignment.

3 Classroom Expectations: Demonstrate self-discipline Conduct yourself with honesty and integrity Be courteous and communicate respectfully with other members of the classroom Group Work Policy: In this class students will be required to work in groups at times during the trimester. Certain behaviors will be required when working in groups: Work together as a team in order to achieve classroom goals. Embarrassing or belittling fellow students will not be tolerated. Do not be disruptive to other groups. Stay on task and perform the required activity in the time allowed. Make-up work and Late Work: Since you will already be having homework in your algebra 1 class, I will not be assigning any homework for this class. Since there isn t any homework, you don t need to worry about late or missing assignments. If you are gone, you will be excused from all in-class work that day. Quizzes: Throughout this trimester, you will only be required to take eight quizzes. Four of the quizzes are mad minute quizzes over addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. The students will need to complete as many problems as they can in one minute. Each of these quizzes will have 30 problems on them. The other four quizzes will cover integer skills, order of operations, fractions, and basic equations. The skills quizzes will not be timed, but must be completed during the class period. The reason I give these quizzes is because students who struggle with these skills typically struggle in algebra. I want to help students master these skills so that they can focus more on learning the algebra skills which are challenging enough to learn. We will take each of these eight quizzes at least four times throughout the trimester. So there will be plenty of opportunities to improve on those scores. If a student gets a higher grade the next time, the score gets replaced with the new score. If the student gets a lower percentage, then the previous score and the new score are averaged. Electronic Devices Due to the increasing capabilities of cell phones/ipods/gaming systems/ etc I will be strictly enforcing an electronic policy similar to that found in the student handbook. All personal electronic devices (other than calculators) should be turned off and put away during this class period. The following progression will be taken if electronic devices are seen or heard during class. 1 st offense The device will be confiscated and held until the end of the day. 2 nd offense The device will be confiscated and given to the appropriate assistant principal along with a discipline referral. My main concern is the ability of students to easily and silently contact other students. With text messaging, Internet access, and picture phones the opportunity to cheat increases substantially. If any electronic device (other than a calculator is visible or heard during a test or quiz the student will receive a zero and the device will be confiscated. I realize some electronic devices can be used as a calculator however for this class only actual calculators will be permitted. In case of emergency parents should contact the office ( ). They will locate and notify the student. Please do not call or text cell phones during class and expect a response.

4 Algebra Support Class Expectations Be here and be here on time! Be in school if at all possible. We all get sick from time to time, but do your best to stay healthy and be in school. If you are absent, follow the procedure explained in the makeup work section. Be on time! I ll record the 1 st and 2 nd tardies and give you a warning; but on the 3 rd and subsequent tardies I will call your parents and give you an office referral. You are considered tardy if you are not in the room (preferably in your seat) when the bell rings. Come prepared! Bring your Algebra book, notebook, homework, pencil(s), paper, etc. with you to class each day. Please, no candy, food, or drinks in the classroom. You may have a water bottle. Gum is O.K. if I can t see it or hear it and if wrappers and chewed gum end up in the trash. If this becomes a problem, I ll cancel the right to chew gum in class. Work hard! Do the daily warm-ups and exit activities, do the worksheets, and please keep caught up in your algebra class! You learn math by doing math. So, please do it and do your own work. Even if something doesn t make sense to you, try to do the problems anyway. Sometimes it starts making sense after you ve done a few problems! Be responsible and respectful! Show respect to everyone in the classroom. Be quiet and pay attention when someone is presenting. No one will be allowed to steal the education of others. If your behavior interferes with the right to learn of other students, you will be asked to change your behavior or leave. We will be doing some group work in which you will be expected to contribute and cooperate with the other students in your group. Foul language is not permitted in this class. As punishment, students will be required to do 5 pushups for each letter of that word. Many people find these words very offensive so please be respectful. Remember, it is okay to make mistakes. We learn from our mistakes. Ask for help. I am available in my classroom before or after school and at lunch if you make an appointment with me. I won t necessarily be there unless I know that you are coming. So please ask. If you have a question, probably 10 other people do too. Use your time wisely! Try to get as much work completed in class as possible. Please don t pack up your materials before the bell rings unless directed to in preparation for the exit activity. Remain in your seat until the bell rings and you have been excused.

5 A Commitment to Excellence Cheney High School 460 N. 6 th Street Cheney, WA Phone: (509) Fax: (509) Inspiring Our Children to Reach for the Stars Cheney High School ALGEBRA SUPPORT CONTRACT Name of Student: Enrollment Date: Algebra Support is a class which helps students with Algebra and future mathematics. Student Goals: 1. Academic success in Algebra I and in Algebra Support. 2. Master basic facts. 3. Build skills with fractions, order of operations, and integers. Student Responsibilities: 1. Maintain satisfactory citizenship and attendance in math classes. 2. Participate in class. (Written work, group work, and Qwizdom) 3. Complete all Algebra I homework assignments. Student Agreement: I agree to accept enrollment into the Algebra Support elective class which will offer academic support to me. I want to succeed, and I understand that I must take individual responsibility for my own success. I understand that in order to give fair consideration to my involvement with the program, I must commit to applying myself to the study of Algebra, and that I will be allowed to remain in the program only if I meet the student responsibilities outlined above. Student Signature Support Agreement: We agree to support the efforts of this student in meeting the goals outlined above. Algebra Support Teacher Signature Parent Signature