PreAlgebra

Pre-Algebra Syllabus 2022-2023

Kate Eldredge

E-mail: 173406e@jeffcoschools.us

[email is preferred]

Office Hours: by appointment

Voicemail: 303-982-9857

Required Textbooks:

Title: Algebra ½ , Third edition

Author: John H. Saxon, Jr.

Publisher: Saxon Publishers, Inc.

School-issued textbooks should be covered and students are responsible for the care of these books during the school year.

Course Goals/Objectives

In this class we do not focus on simply “getting the right answer”. We focus on the correct process (which will lead to the right answer) and communicating that process. In learning how to show work and communicate (orally and in written work), and in mastering the concepts of the class, students will be prepared for success in Algebra I. The concepts presented in Pre-Algebra include arithmetic operations with whole numbers, integers, decimals, and fractions. Other topics covered include concepts in geometry (e.g. perimeter, area, volume, surface area), statistics, probability, functions, number theory (e.g. prime and composite numbers, sequences, greatest common factor and least common multiple), measurements (both U.S. Customary and metric), representation (graphs, charts, tables), and solving word problems. Students are expected to move on from Pre-Algebra with a working knowledge of more abstract topics such as the Pythagorean Theorem, estimating roots, adding like terms, graphing the equation of a line, evaluating algebraic expressions, and solving simple algebraic equations.

Required Materials:

Covered textbook (paper cover)
Spiral notebook with a minimum of 150 pages for daily notes
Pencils with erasers
Red Pen for grading homework
Highlighter
Colored pencils
Planner
Graded work until online grade is verified.
Sticky Notes
Expo Marker

Class Expectations:

Be Punctual: be in your seat at the start of class and don’t pack up early at the end of class.
Be Prepared. Come to class with the required materials, including textbook, notes, pen and pencil, assignment from the previous day, and planner. Take notes and copy examples done in class, and keep these notes and examples organized in a notebook or three ring binder.
Be Responsible. Learn from your mistakes. Failure to grade your homework and failure to figure out why you missed problems on your own or by asking questions will lead to failure in the class. If you need additional help, it is your responsibility to come in during 7th Hour.
Be Respectful. Treat everyone with respect and consideration. Help to create a classroom environment that enables all students to learn. Do not have your phone out at any time once the bell has rung (not on your desk, not in your lap, and obviously not in your hands) unless requested by the teacher.

Grades

Your grade is computed by a weighted average (TEST POINTS AND HOMEWORK POINTS ARE NOT THE SAME!)

1. Sets (10% of Final Grade) - Provides practice that enables students to demonstrate and communicate their course understanding.

All sets must be completed in pencil on problem set sheet paper before class begins.
With some exceptions a set will be collected and another assigned each day. Students should show all their work in a neat and organized manner to receive credit.
Odd answers are in the back of the book - students should check their odd answers at home and correct mistakes to the best of their ability. Answers to evens will be reviewed in class. Students will check their own work.

Calculators are not used unless permission is given by the teacher.
Late work: Students should have sets completed at the start of class. If this is not the case the student should come to my 7th hour the day it is due to complete and grade the assignment, receiving a 3 point deduction for not having it done by the start of class. Work received after 7th hour the day it is due will receive a zero (which is still better than a missing assignment). If a set is not complete by the end of 7th hour, it can be turned in for a 0, which is better than a missing because it allows the student to drop their lowest test score at the end of the semester). Late work must be submitted no later than one week after the original due date.

Students should keep their assignments until they know they have been accurately recorded on Parent Portal. If a student feels I made an error recording a score (which does happen once in a while), the student must bring me the graded assignment as evidence in order for me to change it.
At the start of class a student will get out a red pen for grading. No pencils should be out. Homework will be checked in class. Students should mark their paper correctly, putting an X through the problem number that is incorrect or has incorrect work. Students will be expected to show corrected work in red pen.
Sets are worth up to 10 points each and will be graded one of the following two ways:

1) The work on five problems (2 points each) will be checked for process and correctness.

2) For completion only

In each of the three cases, 1 point will be deducted from the points earned for each problem not completed. If this results in a score less than 0, then the assignment is incomplete and the student will need to complete and return the assignment to earn a 0. It is important that students complete each set and that this practice is taken seriously.

2. Quizzes and Other Work (5% of Final Grade)

This will include Notebook Checks and other assignments we may have. Teaching organization and note taking are

objectives of the class. In order to hold students accountable for maintaining a complete, organized notebook,

notebook quizzes will be given occasionally.

3. Tests (85% of Final Grade) - Assessments that demonstrate accuracy and mastery of essential learnings as expected by D’Evelyn’s Curriculum Directives.

All tests must be done in pencil and are cumulative. Tests will be given every four lessons, which in most cases amounts to every week. These tests will alternate between half tests (10 questions, 50 points each) and full tests (20 questions, 100 points each). If a student has an excused absence the day of a quiz or test he or she should be ready to take the test immediately upon returning to school. If the absence is unexcused, the quiz or test must be made up by the following class period for reduced credit.
At the end of each semester a student with no missing problem sets can drop their lowest test. Tests that

received a 0 because of cheating cannot be dropped.

Grading Scale (Please be aware test points and homework points are NOT the same):

Throughout the course of the semester, points are earned as outlined above. Grades are cumulative on a semester basis. Letter grades are given according to the D’Evelyn grading scale:

Grade

Percentage

90%-100%

80%-89.99%

70%-79.99%

60%-69.99%

<60%

Grades can be viewed at any time via the Parent Portal. Grades are updated regularly (at least weekly).

Make-up Work (according to District Policy):

Excused Absences: Absent students have two calendar days for every day absent to make up all work missed for full credit. Students are encouraged to use a pre-arranged absence form whenever possible.

Unexcused Absences: A student can receive credit for work missed due to unexcused absence, reduced by one letter grade for the first two unexcused absences and two letter grades for any subsequent absences. Suspensions (out-of-school and in-school) are considered unexcused absences.

The Next Class: At the end of the year, students with an A, B, or C at the end of the year will go to Algebra 1 while those with a D or F will repeat the class (or may take summer school to attempt to earn a C or better in the semester(s) they haven’t).

Cheating and Plagiarism:

Cheating and plagiarism are very serious violations of the academic program at D’Evelyn Jr./Sr. High School. D’Evelyn holds high academic expectations for all students and academic integrity is an extremely important aspect of those expectations. Any student caught cheating on a quiz, test, homework, or any classroom assignment, or is found guilty of plagiarism (to pass off the ideas or works of another as one’s own without crediting the source) or giving work to others will receive a grade of “zero” on that assignment or paper. Consequences for cheating/plagiarism will range from a detention to suspension in addition to a zero on the assignment.

Extra Help/Tutoring:

D’Evelyn is committed to whole-group instruction. However, there are times when a student will need additional time and instruction to gain understanding on a particular topic. Students are encouraged to seek my assistance primarily during 7^th hour, then also during my office hours before and/or after school. Students will also have the opportunity to visit a peer tutor as well.