Classroom Rules, Format, and Grading

ALGEBRA 2A Mr. M. Smith – room 327

Phone: 524-6000 ext. 370

Email: msmith@laschools.us

Website: https://sites.google.com/a/laschools.k12.mi.us/mr-smith/

CLASSROOM RULES

1. Students will be in their assigned seats with all necessary materials BEFORE the bell rings.

2. Students will place cell phones in the designated box before class. Cell phones will be confiscated if used during class.

3. Students will have respect for everyone.

4. Students WILL FOLLOW TEACHER DIRECTIONS regarding the activities, procedures, and behaviors that take place during class. At a minimum, students will remain quiet when teaching is taking place, and during quizzes and tests.

In addition, all school policies and student code of conduct rules apply. Failure to follow the above rules may result in a warning, being held after class, parental contact, office referral, and/or removal from the classroom. Please remember that the purpose of these rules is to enable the teacher to teach and the students to learn.

CLASS FORMAT

  • We will be spending either 2 or 3 days on each lesson, and cover chapters 1 through 6 of the Algebra 2 textbook.

  • You will be expected to PAY ATTENTION and COMPLETE EACH ASSIGNMENT daily. They will be reasonable in length and usually require about 30 minutes to complete. Class time will be available to get started on assignments most days.

  • You will be given a quarterly schedule of assignments, tests, and quizzes ahead of time so you can plan.

  • We will first go over the previous day’s assignment, then cover the new material. Any extra time during class will be used to work on the assignment and for individual extra help.

  • Homework spot checks will be done each day, along with occasional regular quizzes and homework quizzes.

  • A test will be given at the end of each chapter. It is also possible that we will have a test halfway though some chapters. Some may be cumulative, and/or open book, and/or take-home.

  • You will need a calculator. A regular scientific one is ok, but a graphing one is preferable.

Also, be aware that IF YOU ARE ABSENT, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL MISSED MATERIAL AND ASSIGNMENTS.

As most of you know, I am available and happy to help you if you are having difficulty understanding the material. I can help you before and after school, during most of my prep periods (7th hour), and by arrangement. You may even call me at home for help. In addition, your textbook offers online resources at connected.mcgraw-hill.com. Another helpful website is khanacademy.org. Each contains resources including videos explaining most of the covered concepts. Please do not wait until you are completely lost to get help.

GRADES

I understand that Algebra 2 can be a challenging class for some students, and I intend to reflect that in the grading system. Grades will be based on a total point system using a combination of chapter tests, quizzes, homework scores, and other assignments. In addition, extra-credit assignments, such as the end-of-chapter vocabulary, will be available. There will be a built-in curve on all tests, and partial credit can be earned by showing necessary steps of work on problems. You can check your grade online anytime. It will be determined by dividing the total number of points earned by the total number of points possible and using the following percent scale.

95 to 100 A 73 to 77 C

90 to 94 A- 70 to 72 C-

88 to 89 B+ 68 to 69 D+

83 to 87 B 63 to 67 D

80 to 82 B- 60 to 62 D-

78 to 79 C+ 0 to 59 E

Weighted percents for each quarter along with the semester exam score are used in calculating semester grades. Each quarter grade is worth 40% while the semester grade is worth 20% (40% + 40% + 20% = 100%).

If you make an honest effort, I have confidence that you can pass Algebra 2A. I will do my best to make the class as high quality and interesting as possible, but am always open to student suggestions on improving the class. Please let me know if you have any constructive ideas.

I have read and understand the Classroom Rules, Format, and Grading for Mr. Smith’s Algebra 2A class.

Parent signature: __________________________________________ Date: __________________________

Student signature: _________________________________________ Date: __________________________

You can earn 10 points extra-credit applied to your 1st quarter grade if both you and your parents/guardian sign above. Please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns. You may call, email, or visit in person.