PRE-algebra Course Description & Syllabus

Course Description

This course is designed to prepare each student for high school and college with a focus on Common Core State Standards for Mathematical Practice. The material covered will help prepare students to solve problems in the following clusters: Number Sense, Expressions and Equations, Functions, Statisitcs and Probability, and Geometry.

Course Objectives

After completing this course students will be expected to:

• Know and use mathematical concepts and principles.

• Read and interpret a given problem using mathematical terms.

• Organize and present information/data in the form of a table, graph, and/or diagram.

• Know and use appropriate mathematical notation and terminology.

• Select and use appropriate mathematical techniques.

• Formulate mathematical arguments and communicate them clearly.

• Understand the significance and comprehend the reasonableness of results.

• Recognize mathematical patterns and use them to draw inductive generalizations.

Student Supplies

• Some sort of notebook (required). Here are some examples:

  • I use a Rocketbook for notes that will be digitally shared with students and families. These are also available on Amazon. I've included a couple articles about Rocketbooks in the Parent Resources section.

  • Composition

  • Engineering (this is a great option because of the grid lines)

  • Computational (this is a great option because of the grid lines)

• Scientific calculator (required)

  • Texas Instruments makes a quality scientific calculator

  • There are several free online resources like Desmos and Geogebra

• Educational Technology - be sure to download or bookmark the following apps/sites

  • Google Classroom, Google Drive and Sheets, Google Meet, Google Calendar

  • Remind app (or you can use SMS)

  • Flip

  • Rocketbook App (if your child is using a Rocketbook)

grading guidelines

• 40% - Classwork and participation

• 35% - Summative assessments (i.e., tests)

• 25% - Formative assessments (i.e., quizzes)

Classwork is expected to be submitted (on Google Classroom) or completed (in Mathspace) before the beginning of the next class period. A student turning in a late assignment can earn a maximum score of 75%. After the subsequent assessment, a student turning in a late assignment can earn a maximum score of 50%. Failure to turn in assignments will result in a zero.

• Test Retake Guidelines - one per quarter based on student request; all classwork must be completed for that unit

• Quiz Correction Guidelines - as many as needed based on student request; must be completed prior to the unit test; corrections can earn 50% of the total points

general information

Absences

• Students are responsible for advocating for themselves and using the available opportunities, such as recorded instructional videos, teacher notes, small-group meetings and office hours/tutoring.

• Students have one week to complete missing assignments or assessments.

Organization

• Students and families are expected to develop organizational systems to stay on top of assignments and due dates; please contact Mr. Buist if you have questions on ways to do this.

• Students are expected to maintain an organized mathematics notebook.

Communication

• The two best ways to contact Mr. Buist are Remind and email. Use Remind for quick messages, questions or clarifications. Use email for items that require a more thorough explanation or concern.

• Please be mindful of Mr. Buist's time outside of the classroom, as he will be mindful or yours.

• Encourage your children to subscribe to the Remind class so that they may advocate for themselves as they explore their voices and paths.

Technology

• With the 1:1 technology initiative, it is the responsibility of the student to bring their fully

charged laptop to school every day. Technology is a tool no different than a pencil. Like all

school supplies, students are expected to have the supplies needed to learn.

Discipline Protocol

• It is the expectation that students hold themselves to high standards. The teacher will address

students who are not meeting these expectations. Typical classroom consequences are as follows:

• a warning

• a warning with a phone call

• a parent-teacher conference

• a referral

Tardy Protocol

• Students are expected to be in their seats when the bell rings and ready to learn. If a student is

tardy to class teachers will follow this progress to rectify students being late to class.

• A warning on their first and second offense.

• The teacher will email/call home.

• Notify Attendance Interventionist and email/call home.

• On the fifth offense, the teacher will refer the student to our Attendance Interventionist, who can work with families and assign Saturday school, if necessary.

• The teacher has the option to provide their own lunch detention at their discretion instead of writing a conduct referral.

Food & Drink

• There is no food or drink (except water) allowed in the classroom.

Finals

• Finals are not given early. Absent students will receive a zero until they can take the final.