Algebra Honors Course Syllabus (2016 – 2017)

Instructor: William M. Lockley, Ed.D.

School Telephone: (352)671-6035 Ext. 56247

School Website:

School E-Mail: (Checked weekdays ataround 6:00 PM)

Essential Information

Prerequisite Skills: Students entering Algebra Honors should have successfully completed an advanced math coursewith a “B” or better as well as earning a satisfactory score on the Florida Standards Assessments (or their equivalents). In order to be successful in Algebra Honors students must be proficient witharithmetic skills such as fractions, decimals, and integers. Students will need to be comfortable with using technology to access course materials and assignments.

A well-balanced mathematics education covers four essential elements. These elements represent the goals of my mathematics program. Each element is crucial to a comprehensive understanding of mathematics, and together creates a solid foundation for academic and career success.

  • Skill Fluency: The ability to accurately complete mathematical operations and algorithms (procedures).
  • Connections: The ability to apply mathematics to other subject areas and outside of school.
  • Problem-Solving Strategies: The ability to think, reason, and persevere through challenging problems.
  • Technology: The ability to explore and communicate and explore mathematics using technology.

Supplies and Resources

The following list includes basic supplies that we will use frequently throughout the school year:

  • Pencils (Mechanical or standard with a handheld sharpener)
  • Blue ink pens
  • Folder with pockets and prongs
  • North Marion Middle School planner
  • Scientific Calculator (The TI-30Xa model is what we use on state testing, and about $10. For ease of searching, here is an Amazon link:

My former students have recommended these items to be really useful:

  • An inexpensive wired USB mouse (some students are not comfortable using a Chromebook trackpad). Amazon has a cheap and well-reviewed one for about $8:
  • An inexpensive set of earbuds (some students prefer their own versus using school headphones). Again, Amazon to the rescue with a pair for about $9 that performs well:

My class uses some outside websites. Please write down your login information and keep it safe! If you do not have computer access at home (and cannot make arrangements with a friend, neighbor, family member), please talk to me so that we can make arrangements. We do have Chromebooks which will be used in class.

  • Khan Academy ( ______

Password: ______

  • Art of Problem Solving ( ______

Password: ______

Curriculum, Evaluation, and Expectations

Here is a basic outline of what you will learn in Algebra Honors:

  • 1st Marking Period – Foundational Skills, Equations, Inequalities
  • 2nd Marking Period – Functions, Linear Equations (Graphing), Systems of Equations and Inequalities
  • 3rd Marking Period – Exponents, Polynomials
  • 4th Marking Period – Quadratics, Radicals, Data Analysis

Student Grading Calculations:Student grades are calculated using a weighted-average method.

  • Tests (50%): Includes written tests, district learning checks, and projects (which will have a scoring guide or rubric provided when assigned).
  • Classwork (50%): Typically includes classroom warm-up and practice problems, computer-based work (such as Khan Academy or i-Ready), math labs, and quizzes.

Grade Marks: Letter grades (including plus/minus marks) are sometimes used on student assignments when percentage (accuracy) scores are not appropriate. An “I” will be given for assignments that are not complete enough to be scored (usually given when less than half of the assignment is complete). Students receiving an “I” will have one school day from receipt for the paper to complete and return the assignment or a “zero” will be entered in the gradebook.

100% – 90% A“Outstanding”A+ = 100A = 95

89% – 80%B“Commendable”B+ = 88 B = 85

79% – 70%C“Satisfactory"C+ = 78C = 75

69% – 60%D“Marginal”D = 65

59% – 0%F“Poor/Failing”F = 55U = 30

Academic Progress: Regular attendance and classroom participation is required in order to maintain satisfactory progress in the class. Students who miss 3 or more consecutive days without communication will be contacted regarding their extended absence. Due to the importance of a student’s high school GPA, students earning a “D” or “F” on any report card may be placed on probationary status or dropped from the course.

Student Conduct: My expectations basically come down to respect.

  • Respect yourself. Respect your stuff, your space, your education, and your time.
  • Respect your classmates. Respect their stuff, their space, their thoughts, their feelings, and their time.
  • Respect your teacher. Respect my stuff, my space, my goal of helping you grow, and my time.

This doesn’t mean that you have to be best friends or agree all the time. However, you do need to respect that people may have different ideas, likes, dislikes, backgrounds, cultures, interests, talents, and experiences.

Sometimes, we forget ourselves or are having a bad day. When that happens…

  • Minor infractions will result in a warning.
  • Repeat infractions or offenses beyond a minor infraction will result in at least one of the following: change of seat, student-teacher conference, parent contact, or time-out in another classroom.
  • Repeat infractions after corrective steps have been taken will result in a disciplinary referral.
  • Severe infractions and safety violations will result in an immediate disciplinary referral.

Assignment Policies

If you need to leave class,please raise your hand and wait forme to acknowledge you. Sign out using the log book. If you know that you are going to need to use the restroom before class, “check-in” with me before the bell and use the restroom. Expectation: Respect your time and my time!

Late Work Policy: Turn your work in on time. Late work receives no credit unless I have granted you a prior extension. Late assignments limit my ability to give you timely feedback on your learning. Parents, please let me know beforehand in writing (or e-mail) if your student needs extra time or an extenuating circumstance has arisen which will delay assignment submission. In extreme cases, an extension may be granted.

Absences & Make-Up Assignments: Missing handouts are located in the bulletin board section for your class. It is YOUR responsibility to get a copy of missed class assignments. You will have one day for every day absent to complete the missed assignment. Assignments that are in your possession and come due during an absence are due upon your return. If extra time is required, it needs to be requested before returning to class.

Academic Honesty: It is important to understand the difference between “helping” and “cheating,” as well as when it is permitted to work together. I often encourage students to work together on homework and classwork assignments, however copying another’s answers is neverallowed. Working together or explaining how to do something to your classmates is encouraged. Giving another student a “free ride” without that student contributing to their assignment is cheating. Quizzes and tests are not cooperative assignments, and it is cheating to assist another student with a quiz or test.

Getting Help: If you are having trouble with the course content, take action immediately. Call members of your study circle and ask for assistance. Use Internet resources such as Khan Academy, Purplemath, Math Nation, or Google. Talk to a parent, trusted adult, or sibling for help. You can e-mail me before 6:00pm and I will do my best to reply with help or advice. I am also available many mornings before the start of classes.

Lockley Syllabus 2016 – 2017, AlgebraLast Revision: August 1, 2016