Course Syllabus

Exams: A unit exam is used to determine the mastery level the student has attained. ALL WORK MUST BE SHOWN to obtain full credit. Partial credit will be awarded for problems showing correct work. Exams will always be announced and posted in advance.

Assignments: Students will have an assignment every day. Assignments must be completed by the time they are due at the beginning of the following class, unless directed otherwise. Assignments must be completed in pencil. Students are required to show all work on each assignment. Problems without all work shown will be counted wrong, even if their answer is correct. Learning math is like learning an instrument- it takes practice to master it! My experience has shown that those who practice will master the material for the Exams. One wouldn’t expect to play well in a performance or a game if they did not practice.

Notation for Homework:

First & Last Names

Block

Class Name

Date

Chapter. Section: List of Assigned Problems

Notebooks: Students will keep organized class notes, Bellwork, handouts, worksheets and graphic organizers in their binders to keep as a formal study tool. Notebooks will be checked periodically throughout the semester for quality work, organization, completion and accurate summaries. (Usually upon completion of each unit.)

Quizzes: Quizzes will be informal and may be unannounced. Some quizzes will be recorded in the gradebook and others will not. However, there will be at least one quiz in each unit that will be entered into the gradebook.

Class Participation: Active participation is required. A grade will be given for participation that will include activities such as warm-ups, note-taking, time on task, presentations. Attendance and participation are critical for gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the requirements of this course.

Make-Up Assignments: Assignments will be posted on the course website and Google Classroom. These assignments will be due on a one-to-one basis as stated in the student handbook. Assignment due the day of the absence is due the day of return. For an absence, please check with a fellow classmate and the course website. Clarification of the assignments are given in student initiated emails to the instructor. The assignment given the day of your absence will be due two days after your return. Make-up work must be turned in with “MAKE-UP” written and highlighted on the top of the assignment, along with the date missed. See the “Make Up Assignments” and “Homework” section in the Student Handbook for more information.

Late Assignment: Students are expected to meet all assignment deadlines. Late assignments will result in a deduction of 50% of the possible points earned, up to one class period they are past due. For emergency situations, notify the course instructor via email. Notification must be received the day the situation occurred, before midnight, to be eligible for an exception. Due date adjustment is to the instructor’s discretion.

Student Expectations:

Ø Be Respectful: Respect yourself, the instructor, and others

Ø Be Responsible: Take responsibility for own actions

Ø Be Prepared: Come to class prepared and ready to learn

Ø Be Prompt: Arrive on time. Avoid being tardy.

Ø Best Effort: Put forth best effort at all times and submit assignments on time

Ø Be Focused: Pay attention, participate and ask questions

Ø Follow directions promptly the first time

Ø Use appropriate and positive language

Ø Adherence to school and district policies

Hallway Passes: Students are asked to be prepared for class and are given three passes to use for the semester. If the student requests to leave the classroom, please must complete a hall pass in their agenda book and have it signed by the instructor. Students are allowed three (3) hall passes per semester.

Classroom Procedures

Ø Bring paper, pencil, eraser, and calculator to class everyday day.

Ø Be in seat and beginning Bellwork by the time the bell completes ringing. Students are considered tardy if they are not in their seats by the time the bell completes ringing, indicating the start of class. Adhere to school and district policies for consequences in the classroom.

Ø Only water is allowed in the classroom. Food and other beverages are prohibited at this time, until further notice.

Ø Ask questions. Often times, other students will have the same question.

Ø Assignments are completed in pencil with all work shown. No Work à No Grade

Ø Late assignments can only be submitted one class period post original due date for a 50% deduction of the total points earned.

Ø No electronic devices without permission.

Ø Dismissal of the class will be given verbally by the instructor, regardless of when the bell rings, indicating the end of class.

Ø Upon leaving the classroom, push in seats and discard all trash.

Ø Intentional defacing of other’s property will result in an immediate teacher detention.

These rules and expectation are designed to encourage students to be successful in and out of the classroom.

Academic Honesty: A standard of honesty, fairly applied to all students, is essential to a learning environment. Students abridging a standard of honesty must accept the consequences; penalties are assessed by the instructor. No credit will be given on assignments, quizzes, tasks, and exams for all students involved in the academic dishonesty. There will be no opportunity for make-up work on all assignments, quizzes, tasks, and exams as a result of academic dishonesty. Serious cases may result in discipline at the School or District level and may result in suspension or dismissal.

Rewards for Meeting Expectations:

Ø Verbal acknowledgment/praise

Ø Stress free learning environment

Ø Pleasant and secure atmosphere

Ø Satisfaction of a job well done

Ø Merits (1 sticker = 1 extra credit point)

Ø A happy teacher!!!

Consequences for Not Meeting Expectations:

1) Warning Documentation

2) Demerit

3) Conference with teacher & parents

4) Office referral

Tips for Success

• • Have a positive attitude. You don’t have to love math; you just have to do math every day to pass this class. Make a choice to get the most out of this class. We all experience frustrations from time to time; it is our reaction to those frustrations that is important. Remember, you control your choices.

  • Ask Questions in class. Ask as soon as possible so you don’t get too lost. Most likely, two or three other people have the same question also.

  • Use your notes. Look back at your notes for help. Write neatly so you can read the examples given in class. Bring your notes to class every day! Math is very interrelated so always have the notes from previous days handy.

  • Get extra help. Sometimes all it takes is another look at a concept before it makes sense to you. Do not give up, come in and get extra help. DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR EXTRA HELP!!! There will be times when every student will be confused and unsure. Being able to ask for help will be essential to learning of any kind. Please arrange to meet me during my office hours. Reminder, you must have my stamp in your agenda.

  • Attempt every homework problem. When I go over them, you will be able to follow along with me and better understand the solution as well as remember how to solve it in the future.

  • Be organized. Keep your assignments and notes dated, labeled, and in order in your notebook.

  • Work carefully. Take your time. It takes more time to hurry and make mistakes that will need corrected than it does to do it right the first time.

Prioritize. If you are involved in many activities, make sure to give your schoolwork attention. Your activities are important but do not neglect the reason we have school in the first place – to learn.