Welcome to Mrs. Henisa s Prep for College Algebra Class 2014-2015 Please take this packet home to your parents/guardians to read through and return the parent/student Information Page by Friday, August 22 nd. (For a grade of 25 points) I m looking forward to having a great year with all of you. I feel the best education is possible with the collaboration of the teacher, student, and the parents. I hope that each of you know that I m always here if you ever have questions regarding math concepts, grades, tests, etc. My goal for the year is for each student in my class to leave the school year feeling more confident in their mathematical abilities so they are fully prepared for college math with the hopes that they can take and pass the College Algebra CLEP Test at the end of the year. All I ask from each of my students is that you always try your hardest, come prepared, listen, and work hard when you are here. I feel with the efforts of all of us and the support of the parents, this will be an excellent year.
Course Syllabus and Description Edmond Santa Fe High School Mrs. Angela Henisa Teacher Information: Schedule: 1 st Hour College Algebra Prep Room B28 2 nd Hour Geometry-Collab. Room B28 3 rd Hour Geometry Room B28 4 th Hour PLAN 5 th Hour College Algebra Prep Room B28 6 th Hour Geometry- Collab. Room B28 7 th Hour Academic Team Practice T/R Room F136 Post 7 th Hour Tutoring By Appointment M/W Room B28 Email: angela.henisa@edmondschools.net School Phone Number: 405-726-7423 Cell Phone Number: 405-202-8229 no calls after 7:00. Mrs. Henisa Website: http://www.edmondschools.net/santafe/departments/math/angelahenisa.aspx. This website will have a link to the Edmodo site but again you must have the access code. Mrs. Henisa Edmodo URL: https://edmo.do/j/n7owrb You must get an access code to get on this site for your class. You will receive this on the 1 st day of school. This site will have the syllabus, the assignments, notes, and other up to date information. This will be your responsibility after the first week of school. Course Description: This course is designed for college bound students who have completed Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. Prep for College Algebra reviews and enhances topics covered in Algebra 2 and introduces basic concepts of College Algebra. This course provides a working knowledge of college-level algebra and its applications. The following page lists the topics that will be studied through the course of the year. Materials needed for the class: Classroom Supplies (please bring by the end of August) Posterboard, Pencils, Red or Purple Pens, Dry Erase Markers, 1 pack of loose leaf college rule paper, 1 pack of loose leaf graph paper and Kleenex. Personal Supplies (you need these as soon as possible) Three-ring binder (1-1.5 ), Dividers with pockets,loose leaf graph paper, loose leafe college rule paper, yellow highlighter and pink highlighter,calculator: (I have a class set but you will need one for at home) TI-84. Please do NOT bring green pens. This is the color reserved for teacher grading of papers. Thanks
25% ALGEBRAIC OPERATIONS Factoring and Expanding Polynomials Operations with Algebraic Expressions Operations with Exponents Properties of Logarithms 25% EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES Linear Equations and Inequalities Quadratic Equations and Inequalities Absolute Value Equations and Inequalities Systems of Equations and Inequalities Exponential and Logarithmic Equations 30% FUNCTIONS AND THEIR PROPERTIES (May contain a variety of functions, including linear, polynomial (degree less than or equal to 5), rational, absolute value, power, exponential, logarithmic, and piecewise-defined) Definition and Interpretation Representation/Modeling (graphical, numerical, symbolic, and verbal representations of functions) Domain and Range Algebra of Functions Graphs and Their Properties (including intercepts, symmetry, and transformations) Inverse Functions 20% NUMBER SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONS Real Numbers Complex Numbers Sequences and Series Factorials and Binomial Theorem Determinants of 2X2 Matrices
Calculator Policy: Although it is not required, I highly recommend that each student purchase a graphing calculator. It is a HUGE tool in mathematics that we will use almost daily. The more familiar you can become with a graphing calculator now, the better off you will be in yoiur college math courses. If you don not own your own graphing calculator I do have a class set of calculators, BUT you are NOT able to take these out of my classroom. These are the school s property and may not be removed from the class. Grading System: Parents and students should check PIV regularly to verify grades and attendance. 10% Homework 15% Quizzes 20% Semester Test 40% Exams 15% Participations and in Class Projects Honor Code: It is understood that academic honesty is expected at all times. Cheating is NOT tolerated for ANY reason in my class. My definition of cheating is any unauthorized communication between students during assessments, or copying regardless of its being homework, quiz, or test. Also letting someone use YOUR material to cheat, you did the work, but are enabling someone else who didn t. That is still cheating. Using any form of unauthorized electronics is considered cheating (cell phones, calculators, etc)... absolutely NO CELL PHONES can be out during assessments (tests and quizzes). I do not mind students working together as group work is a useful way to learn, but working together does not mean that their papers should be exact. Each person does things differently and interprets material differently... so even if you both have the same answer.... the way you got there WILL vary!!! Consequences for cheating include the following: 1. You will receive a permanent zero for the grade I will not allow it to be made up, nor will I give you an alternate assignment because your grade has been adversely affected. You made the choice to cheat so you must now deal with the consequences. 2. Your parents will be notified so they understand why your grade was affected. Your principal will also be notified of the incident.
Class Expectations: 1. Be on time o Working when the bell rings o Use the restroom between classes 2. Come Prepared o Pencil, NOT pen, binder, completed assignment, book, etc. 3. DO the work o No work shown=no credit given (NO KIDDING) o Something >Nothing o Active Listening and Participation o Take Active responsibility for your own learning. Come in and get extra help if you need it. 4. Be Respectful o To each other o To me, other teachers, administrators, and other guests o You must ASK to leave the room for any reason at all 5. Use appropriate Speaking Level and Language 6. NO Cell Phones o ipod and MP3 players are only allowed when permitted by Mrs. Henisa (after questions, lecture, and notes) o Absolutely NO cell phones on quiz and test days Guidelines for Homework Assignments: 1. All homework problems should be written with work shown beneath the problem. Packets with only answers and no work will be given a no grade (NG). 2. When space is not provided on worksheets you must have work shown on notebook paper and stapled to the back of the worksheet. 3. Grade is calculated by dividing the number of problems correct by the number of problems assigned. 4. 100% on a paper means that you are turning in ALL problems assigned with WORK SHOWN to support your answers; and you have checked your answers with a key or with the answers in the back of the book. 5. All assignments from each week will be turned in on the Friday of that week. 6. Homework is taken up at random. Additional points will be deducted for incomplete work. 7. I will randomly give homework quizzes at the beginning or end of the hour. These are mini quizzes that cover the previous night s lesson or past lessons and usually have anywhere from 5-10 problems. Expect these several times in each chapter. 8. Assignments that are late will be put in the gradebook as Z, which averages into the gradebook as a 0%. Late work will no longer be accepted for a grade once the chapter exam has been given. Corrections and Retakes: I will provide sufficient bonus opportunities to counter balance reasonable missed points on best effort performance in homework problems. Retakes of exams are only available for students who have turned in all the homework for that chapter and taken individual tutoring on the topics from me. Retakes will be scheduled for the testing center once the proper steps have been taken. You have two weeks from the original test date to complete any necessary retake.
Absences/Make-Up Work: 1. When you are absent it is your responsibility to obtain missing lecture notes and to determine any missing assignments. This is why Edmodo will be important or possibly a good friend! 2. Keep absences and tardies to a minimum to avoid losing credit. When you miss class, you usually miss an entire lesson and assignment. 3. 3 tardies equal 1 absence. 4. Check your chapter assignment sheet to see what you missed. You shouldn t have to ask me... I will instruct you to look at your assignment sheet anyway. 5. Pick up any papers/notes you missed during your own time, not class time. ( I will post documents on Edmodo regularly for your ease of access) 6. If you are absent the day before a test or quiz, and new material was NOT covered, or is not on the test/quiz, you WILL take it with the rest of the class. NO EXCEPTIONS. 7. ****If you will be absent due to a school activity, you must make-up your work BEFORE you are gone, this includes making arrangements for tests and quizzes. When you get back from a school activity you will be responsible for being at the same place we are in the lessons.**** Prep for College Algebra Help: College Algebra can be very challenging for students due to the high expectations of preparing you for college. I am very available to help you with any concerns or questions that may arise. You just have to take the step to ask and make effort. You are about to enter into College soon don t expect me to run after you if you re not passing or don t understand this is now your responsibility. Communication through Technology: Technology has become a necessity in today s society, and to help prepare students for upcoming school years, we will be incorporating it through different mediums in our classroom. I will use 3 main forms of communication with all students and parents throughout the year. 1. Email I will make an email list to send out updates and assignment sheets 2. Edmodo I will post documents pertinent to the class under the College Algebra Prep tab. 3. Text Messages I am available during waking hours weekdays and weekends via text message. Notebook: I HIGHLY recommend that you maintain your notebook as a valuable resource and note holding device. There will be times when you are allowed to use the notebook during exams and or quizzes. However, in order to use the notebook on an exam or quiz, your name must be in permanent marker on the front of the notebook and all notes must be original and written in your own hand writing. Other than the copied pages I provide, you will lose the right to use the notebook on exams and quizzes if it contains photo copied papers on test. ***Keep in mind that this syllabus is subject to change throughout the school year. Keep this syllabus in your binder at all times so you may refer back to it when necessary. I am looking forward to spending a great year with you.
Student Information Page (To be returned to Mrs. Henisa by Friday, August 22 nd for a grade of 25 points.) ** THIS PAGE IS TO BE FILLED OUT BY THE STUDENT** PRINT NEATLY AND FILL IN EACH BLANK OR ANSWER EACH QUESTION AS COMPLETELY AS POSSIBLE. Name: Hour: Year: Home Phone # Cell Phone# Student email address: Address: o What activities are you involved in (work part-time jobs, sports, clubs, etc)?? o What are some of your hobbies and interests? o List 5 words that describe you best? o Are you new to Santa Fe? If so, where did you go to school last year? Favorites: Candy Movie: Musician/band Sport: Activity College PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AS HONEST AS POSSIBLE: 1. Which of the following best describes your general attitude about Prep for College Algebra? (circle answer) Absolutely terrified anxious comfortable completely comfy 2. What grade did you earn in (circle grade for each class): Algebra I: A B C D F Algebra 2: A B C D F 3. Do you need Prep for College Algebra in order to graduate (circle answer)? YES or NO 4. What do you plan to do in your future (where to attend college, what major etc)?
5. Describe your experiences with previous math classes, good or bad. What did you like/dislike about them? 6. What motivates you (grades you make, bribery, success, parents, sports, activities, eligibility, etc.)? 7. What environment do you study best in? 8. Is there anything that I should know to help make your school year the best possible experience for you? PARENTS SHOULD FILL OUT THE PARTS BELOW PLEASE Mother Father Parent/Guardian Names Email Address Cell Phone # Work Phone # *Parents and Students: Please sign below if you have read through the course syllabus and description, and understand the class expectations, grading policies, and structure of Prep for College Algebra, as well as all other information included in the syllabus. Parent/Guardian Signature: Student Signature: Thank you for your support. Angela.henisa@edmondschools.net