Algebra I Syllabus

Mrs. Gruver

2013-2014

Course Description and Outcomes

COURSE TITLE: Algebra I
GRADE LEVEL: 9-12
CODE: MAA301
COURSE LENGTH: 36 weeks

Major Concepts/Content: The purpose of this course is to allow the student to gain mastery in working with and evaluating mathematical expressions, equations, graphs, and other topics in a year-long algebra course. Topics included are real numbers, simplifying real number expressions with and without variables, solving linear equations and inequalities, graphing linear equations, monomial operations, linear patterns, sequences, and radicals. Assessments within the course include multiple-choice, short-answer, or extended response questions. Also included in this course are self-check quizzes, audio tutorials, and interactive games.

Course Objectives:

As a result of successfully completing this course, you will:

  • Work effectively with ratios and direct variation
  • Add, subtract, multiply, and divide radical expressions, polynomials, and polynomial expressions
  • Work with arithmetic sequences and linear patterns
  • Understand different types of graphs, including histograms, line graphs, circle graphs, and stem-and-leaf plots
  • Read, write, evaluate, and understand the properties of mathematical expressions including real numbers, radicals, and polynomials
  • Read, write, solve, and graph linear equations and inequalities
  • Students will solve absolute value equations and inequalities
  • Solve systems of linear equations and inequalities
  • Understand basic statistics including measures of central tendencies

Course Outline

The course will review many topics, including:

  • Variables and Expressions
  • Real Numbers
  • Equations
  • Functions and Linear Equations
  • Inequalities
  • Solving Systems
  • Polynomials
  • Rational Expressions
  • Exponentials

Faculty Bio:

I attended the University of Oklahoma where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in Human Relations. While in DoDDS, I have taught in Iceland, Japan, and Germany. During my time with DoDDS, I taught 5th grade, 6th grade, Algebra, and Geometry.

Contact Info:

DSN: 480-1970 ext 3261

E-mail:

I am always willing to speak with you about your child’s progress. If you would like to meet with me concerning your child, please let me know and we can set up a time.

I am available to meet with students outside of instructional time in the classroom number 421 during the following times:

Seminar Period

Before School (Most Days)

During Lunch (Most Days)

After School (Most Days)

Please make an appointment if you would like to be sure that I will be available before school, during school, and after school.

Participation:

In-class participation is encouraged, recommended, and crucial to success. Students are expected to be in class on time. It is also expected that each student will have minimal absences. Please see below for the tardy and absent policy. Students will be asked to engage in individual, whole group, and small group work and discussions.

Tardy and Absence Policy:

Please try to limit absences whenever possible. If a student knows they will be absent, please submit a note that details the name of the student and the dates expected to be missed. I will be sure to get the work for the student. Tangible assignments will be marked as “absent” in gradespeed for as many class period after the absence that the student was absent for. After that time period, they will be marked “missing”.

All students are expected to be in class on time. Tardies will be recorded and monitored. Consequences for tardies are as follows:

  • First Tardy – Warning Given
  • Second Tardy – Email Written to Parents
  • Third Tardy – Lunch Detention
  • Students will be expected to report to classroom 421 on a day of their choosing within one week from the tardy. They will be expected there from 11:10 to 11:40. They may bring their lunch at that time.
  • All Subsequent Tardies – Lunch Detention

Required Items for Class:

  • Text Book – Each student is expected to bring his/her text book each class session.
  • Title: Algebra I
  • Publisher: Holt McDougal
  • Copyright: 2011
  • Notebook – Each student must have a notebook with paper to take notes and participate in course activities.
  • Taking notes is an important step in being successful in this class. Taking notes in the Cornell style is recommended. It is expected that students will take notes during each lesson and during any homework assigned.
  • Writing Utensils – Each student is responsible for bringing their own pens/pencils.
  • Red Pen – These will be needed when grading assignments in class.

Highly Recommended:

  • Calculator – Scientific calculator or graphing calculator is preferred.
  • Colored Pencils/Markers – For special lectures and selected enrichment projects.

Online Options and Activities

  • Students will be able to access their online text through .
  • Log In Information
  • Select: High School Math, New York, GO
  • Select: Your Algebra I Book
  • It is important that all students have access to these online resources. If you think there might be a problem accessing these activities, please let me know within the first few weeks of school.

Class Rules:

  1. Follow Directions.
  2. Respect other people and their belongings.
  3. All school rules will be enforced.

Discipline Policy:

It is my hope to solve any discipline issues or misunderstanding without

administrative interventions. This is my general procedure unless the behavior is

so disruptive that immediate removal from my class is necessary.

  • 1st infractionVerbal warning
  • 2nd infractionSeating change
  • 3rd infraction One-on-one discussion, parent notification
  • 4th infractionReferral & Administrative intervention

Grading Scale:

100% - 90%A

89% - 80%B

79% - 70%C

69% - 60%D

59% and belowF

Grading Guidelines:

  • All grades will be processed in the online Gradespeed program.
  • GRADES CAN BE IMPROVED!
  • See the Correction Policy Section
  • There will not be cumulative Semester Exams given. Rather, the students will be asked to complete a cumulative Quarter Exam. The grade will be part of their quarter grade.
  • All grades will be points based, and a total points weighting system will be used.

My Personal Instruction Style:

I practice a “pre-read” style of instruction in my classes. This means that the students are asked to “pre-read” and practice the lesson before we meet for each class. During class, I will briefly reteach the material, ask for questions, and spend the remainder of class checking on the progress of each student as they work out practice problems. If you have any questions concerning this practice, please let me know.

Correction Policy:

  • ANY and ALL assignments can be made up within a timely manner. No corrections will be accepted for a chapter after the next chapter’s test has been taken. (Ex: A student may not correct any assignments for Chapter 4 if he/she has already taken the Chapter 5 test.)
  • Corrections/Late work will be accepted until the Monday of the week that grades are due.
  • Corrections are an all or nothing deal. Students must correct all of the missed items if they want the assignment to be regraded.
  • Finally, Mrs. Gruver has the right to refuse this correction privilege to any student who abuses it. If she feels that you are abusing the correction policy or using it excessively, she will revoke the right for you to use it. She will notify you and your parents if this is the case.
  • Homework

Since your homework will be to read, take notes, and practice, there will be no corrections for these assignments.

  • Lesson Quizzes

You will need to retake the quiz when you feel you understand the material for the lesson. You will need to show all work when completing your corrections. Your requiz questions will not be the same, but they will cover the same concepts.

  • Chapter Tests

You will need to retake the test when you feel you understand the material for the chapter. You will need to show all work when completing your corrections. A Test Repair Sheet MUST be completed! Be prepared to be asked questions by Mrs. Gruver before the test! Your retest will not be the same, but it will cover the same concepts.

  • Vocabulary Tests

You will need to retake the test when you feel you understand the vocabulary for the chapter. Be prepared to be asked questions by Mrs. Gruver before the test! Your retest questions will not be the same, but they will cover the same chapter vocabulary.

Course Outline:

First Semester

Quarter 1

  1. Probability and Data Analysis (weeks 1-2)
  2. Expressions, Equations, and Functions (weeks 3-5)
  3. Properties of Real Numbers (weeks 6-7)
  4. Solving Linear Equations (weeks 8-10)

Quarter 2

  1. Solving Linear Equations (cont.)
  2. Graphing Linear Equations and Functions (weeks 11-13)
  3. Writing Linear Equations (weeks 14-15)
  4. Solving and Graphing Linear Equations (weeks 16-18)

Second Semester

Quarter 3

  1. Systems of Equations and Inequalities (weeks 19-22)
  2. Exponents and Exponential Functions (weeks 23-26)
  3. Polynomials and Factoring (weeks 27-29)

Quarter 4

  1. Polynomials and Factoring (cont.)
  2. Quadratic Equations and Functions (weeks 30-33)
  3. Rational Equations and Functions (weeks 33-36)

A more detailed explanation of the scope and sequence, along with the corresponding standards, can be found at .

The students will be given assignment sheets at the beginning of each unit. The assignment sheets will detail what the assignments for each chapter are, when homework assignments are due, and when tests/quizzes will be given.

Algebra I Syllabus Period_____

Mrs. Gruver

2013-2014

Dear Parent/Guardian:

Communication between parents and teacher is vital for providing each student an enriching and successful academic experience. It is my goal to promote an enthusiastic and fruitful learning environment, which enables each student to succeed. Feel free to contact me through e-mail or the front office.

DSN: 480-1970 ext 3261

E-mail:

Please review this syllabus with your son/ daughter, sign below, and return the lower portion by September 5th (Black) or September 6th (Gold).

Please provide a good contact email address and telephone number.

Email: ______Phone: ______

Student Name (print) ______

We have reviewed the attached syllabus and understand what is expected for the upcoming school year.

______

Student Signature Parent Signature