Intermediate Algebra

FOR THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR, I WILL BE UTILIZING GOOGLE CLASSROOM. STUDENTS SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE SIGNED UP FOR THE APPROPRIATE CLASS. UNIT AGENDAS AND ASSIGNMENTS, AS WELL AS ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, WILL BE POSTED THERE. 

COURSE EXPECTATIONS – Intermediate Algebra

MR. MYERS   Room A137 email: Gregory.Myers@jeffco.k12.co.us

 

Course Description:  Welcome to Intermediate Algebra! Math Modeling is the process of starting with a situation or problem and gaining understanding about the situation through the use of mathematics. Critical thinking and problem solving skills will be the focus of this class as we cover the topics of Direct Variation, Linear Functions and Predictions, Systems of Equations, Quadratic Functions, Square Root and Inverse Functions, and finally Exponential Functions. This course will also help to prepare students for the math portion of the SAT by reviewing math topics from Algebra and Geometry. Upon successful completion of this course, you will be better prepared to take Algebra 2 or college math courses.

 

Students will not just learn about mathematics, they will do mathematics. This is the heart of the new curriculum we will delve into this year: Illustrative Mathematics. We will focus everyday on working to develop proficiency in the following math practices.

 

1.) Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

2.) Reason abstractly and quantitatively.

3.) Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.

4.) Model with mathematics.

5.) Use appropriate tools strategically.

6.) Attend to precision

7.) Look for and make use of structure.

8.) Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

 

                                                

Grading:

a)   All work is graded on the following scale:

90 - 100% A

80 - 89%  B

70 - 79%  C

60     - 69% D

0 - 59%     F     

b)  The following weights will be applied when figuring out the final grade:

 

Homework/Classwork               20%

         Quizzes                              30%

         Tests                                  35%

         Final                             15%

 

 

 

Required Materials

 

Bring to Class EVERY Day -                                  Good idea to bring (but not required)-

TI-NSpire CX Handheld (graphing calculator)-charged          loose leaf and graph paper                                                                 3-ring binder and 5 dividers (keep all papers)                       ruler                                        

Pencils

                                                        

TI-Nspire: All students must have TI-Nspire CX or CAS calculators (both are allowed on the SAT). Most assignments, activities, and assessments will require the use of a TI-Nspire, so students are expected to have their TI-Nspire for all class periods.

 

Homework and Classwork:  Practicing problems is critical to your success in math.  For this reason, it will be assigned most days of the week and will be checked at the beginning of class the next day.  Work must be shown to receive credit for homework. Late work will be accepted for half credit up until the Unit Test.

Classroom Expectations:  You are expected to bring all required materials to class every day, and to be in your seat ready to work when the bell rings. We will strive to create an environment conducive to learning for everyone. Cell phones must be put away throughout the class period, otherwise warnings and confiscation are possible.

 

Absences/Tardies:  You are responsible for finding out and making up the work you miss due to absences. Please check Google Classroom for notes and assignments prior to returning to class. District policy allows 2 days to make up work for each day of absence.

 

Quizzes:  Most units will have at least 1-2 quizzes, assessing student understanding of material up to that point of the unit. If students are not satisfied with their quiz grade, they may do quiz corrections to earn back up to half of their lost points. The quiz corrections policy will be posted on Google Classroom.  

 

Tests:  Test grades are final – there are no test corrections or test retakes. Each unit will have an end-of-unit test. There will generally be one day prior to Individual Unit tests for review and questions.

 

Missed Quizzes/Tests: If you have an absence the day of a TEST, it is your responsibility to make up the test AS SOON AS POSSIBLE upon your return.  If you are absent the day of a test, a score of “M” (missing) will go into the gradebook, and will count as a zero until such time as the test is made up. If you are absent the day of a quiz your test percentage will be recorded for your quiz percentage (for the first two quizzes missed). Any missed quizzes beyond two MUST be made up, or you will receive a 0 for that quiz score. IF YOU ARE ABSENT FOR A REVIEW DAY, YOU MUST STILL TAKE THE QUIZ OR TEST ON THE ASSIGNED DAY.

    

Bonus points are at the discretion of the teacher and will not be given on an individual basis.  Everyone will be given the same opportunities. 

 

Extra Help/Access – Students who desire extra help or have questions are encouraged to come in during Access on Monday, Wednesday, and/or Friday. Before-school help is generally a possibility and will be considered by request. I will usually be around for a little bit after school most days, except Fridays, so don’t be afraid to ask. I am always happy to help out!

 

Study Lab: Students may be requested to attend Study Lab on Tuesdays from 8:05-8:50. This is an opportunity for students to receive additional support and instruction on important concepts and skills. I will request students for Study Lab and it will be listed on students’ schedules each Saturday. Students may not request Study Lab or utilize this time to make up missing assignments or tests. Attendance is REQUIRED if requested; students who are requested and do not attend will be marked absent. The absence will be considered an unexcused absence without appropriate parent notification (to the attendance office).

 

Google Classroom Codes:

Period 2: ywasxo3

Period 3: fxk7i63

Period 6: pk7p6pd

 

 

Have a great semester!  I look forward to exploring Algebra 2 with you. 


 


 

 


POLICIES:

Homework Policy: Every homework assignment is checked for completion only. Each assignment will be worth 6 points. Each day that an assignment is late, 1 pt will be deducted. Late work for each unit will not be accepted after that unit's test. 

Quiz Corrections: Upon the return of a quiz, students will have the opportunity to do corrections on that quiz for half credit. Generally, one calendar week (adjusted as necessary due to school events or holidays) will be given for corrections to be completed and submitted to me. Corrections must include the following, on a separate sheet of paper, when submitted: Corrected work, corrected answer, and short 1-2 sentence explanation of either the error or the process used to correct it. The original quiz must be submitted with the corrections. If any of these elements are not submitted, then the student will not receive all of their eligible points back. Any quiz scores that have corrections applied will be noted in Infinite Campus. 

Absences on Test Days: If a student is absent on the day of a test, a score of "M" (missing) will be entered in the gradebook as a placeholder until such time as the student completes the test. Once the test is completed, the "M" will be deleted, and a numerical score will then be entered once the test is graded.