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Mr. Dixon's Class Standards and Expectations
Welcome to Course 1! The following information should give you an idea of what I expect from you and what you can expect from me this semester.
Four Simple Rules
Be There - Arrive on time and be prepared to learn.
Respect Yourself and Others - Be courteous and unselfish. Be polite to your teacher by putting phones away and removing headphones and earbuds.
Bring No Extras - Leave all food, drinks, hats, toys, and other distracting items at home.
Take Responsibility for Your Own Learning- If you are confused or do not understand something please do not hesitate to ask questions either in class, during lunch, or after school. You are the person who is best able to judge how well you understand the material. If you need help, just ask!
Note: I do not write passes for students leaving my classroom late. You are welcome to stay after class to answer questions, but you may have to arrive late to your next class without a pass
Materials
Each day you will need to have a 2-pocket folder, a spiral (or composition) notebook of GRAPH PAPER, compass, ruler, protractor, high-lighter, pencils, and a graphing calculator (TI-84+ preferred) and textbook. You should also have your Chromebook or another laptop/tablet computer with you every day.
When You're Absent
It is your responsibility to find out what assignments and notes you missed while out of class. You need to complete all missed assignments and obtain copies of notes for the days you were absent. If you are absent the day of a test, be ready to take it your first day back (unless you've been gone more than two days). You will not have the opportunity to make-up missed quizzes. If you miss class due to a field trip, athletic event or assembly, you are not excused from the day's assignment and must refer to the course website to see what is due the next day. If you have a cut (unexcused absence) on the day of a test or quiz, you will receive a zero for that assessment and will not have an opportunity to improve that score.
Assignments
Practice exercises will be given almost every day throughout the year. I expect you to check the answers at home using the website and make any necessary corrections. I will grade most assignments based on completion only (not right and wrong answers). Late work will not be accepted, unless it is due to an excused absence.
Quizzes and Unit Tests
All quizzes and tests may be retaken once within one month of the original test date and the two scores will be averaged, as long as the score improves. Holidays, vacations, weekends and absences will not result in an extension of the one-month limitation on retakes. Mr. Dixon reserves the right to revoke retake privileges for any student or for the entire class at any point if he feels students are not putting forth reasonable effort leading up to the FIRST TEST of each unit.
The privilege of retaking tests/quizzes may be revoked for individual student for any of the following:
If you are tardy more than 3 times during a unit, you will lose the privilege to retake that unit test.
If you have an unexcused absence during a unit, you will lose the privilege to retake that unit test.
If you have your phone on your body (including pockets) or desk or cheat in any other way during any test/quiz or retake, you will lose the privilege to retake tests/quizzes for the remainder of the semester.
Calculators
A graphing calculator is required for this class. Students may purchase their own or check one out from the Math Department. The preferred calculator is any of the TI-84 models (84+, 84 silver, etc.). Any of the TI-84 models will be sufficient for the next four years of math classes. Students may also use TI-89's or TI-Inspires, but they are more expensive and are not necessary for any of the FHS math classes.
Grading
Grades are computed based on quizzes, participation, daily daily assignments. Daily assignments have variable weight, depending on how much you complete. Therefore doing assignments can help your grade, but not doing assignments cannot negatively impact your grade. Each unit score will be calculated using the following formula:
Unit 1 Grade = [(Unit 1 assignment points earned) + (Unit 1 assessment score)]/[(Unit 1 assignment points earned) + (Unit 1 assessment possible)]
See Sample Unit Grade Calculation
85% Unit Scores (based on assignments and assessments)
15% Final Exam*
*if your grade prior to final exams is 85.0% or greater, you have the option of skipping the final exam and accepting your current grade as the semester grade.
I assign letter grades by the following scale:
A 90-100%
B 80-89.9%
C 70-79.9%
D 60%-69.9
Grades are not rounded, since I give a 1% bonus for students not using their restroom/calculator pass.
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