Central Visual and Performing Arts High School

Central Visual and Performing Arts High School

Course Syllabus: ACT-PREP
Teacher: Efrem Negash / Grade:11 / Room:317
Course Description/Overview

Prerequisites: Algebra 150 and Geometry 250
Purpose(s)/Goal(s): To improve the ACT scores of students using drill exercises and test taking strategies.

Course Content

Course calendar/schedule outline

Math key topics
Unit 1-Getting to know the ACT
Unit 2-The 4-Step Method for Problem Solving
Unit 3-Pre-algebra
Unit 4-Algebra
Unit 5 -Geometry
Unit 6-Coordinate Geometry and Trigonometry
 Science Key topics
Unit 1-Getting to know the ACT
Unit 2-Data Representation Passages
Unit 3-Conflicting view points
Key vocabularies

Reading/writing requirements: Students are advised to do the sample problems on the website

Course Materials

There is no-textbook provided for students. However, different resources such as the Kaplan Advantage ACT Science and Math and other resources will be used as a guide. Students will be given some online resources as well as practice worksheets.
At least 2-subject notebook.
Pencils, highlighters, colored pencils, protractors, erasers, pencil sharpeners, etc.
Graphing papers, Graphing/scientific calculator, and Loose-leaf papers
Folders where you will organize your class work, notes and home work

Course Policies

Attendance/absences/tardy: As a student in this class, you will be expected to come on time, be attentive and actively engage in the teaching-learning process. Your class attendance is very important for your daily class participation point. Remember that there is no entrance after the tardy bell unless you have a legitimate hall pass from an administrator.
Make-up/late work: A missing work might be made-up but it is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor. It will also happen if there is a legitimate reason. No make-up if a student was detained by breaking school/classroom rules. Late work can also be accepted but there will be a 20% penalty.
Classroom expectations: Students are expected to display acceptable behaviors at all times. They are to abide by the school rules, student hand book, and the discipline matrix that is given to them. Students are also expected to arrive before the tardy bell and actively engaged in the learning-teaching process and be cooperative.

Classroom rules/policies
1)Students are expected to respect their teachers and their classmates.
2)Every student is obliged to abide by the rules of the school as well as classroom rules.
3)No eating or drinking in class.
4)No sleeping.
5)No hall pass
6)It is not allowed to use profanity or inappropriate language in class.
7)No electronic device is allowed in class.
8)No disruptive behavior.
9)No student is allowed to move any chair without the permission of the teacher.
10)Any attempt to academic dishonesty, which could be either copying from a book, notebook or a friend during a test/quiz, homework or telling answers to another student will result to an “F” grade.
Consequences:
Students are expected to follow the rules and expectations enclosed in the student handbook and the discipline matrix that was provided to them by school administrators. The consequences for breaking classroom or school rules/policies are as follows.
1)As a common courtesy, a verbal warning will be given for first offense.
2)Upon second offense, the teacher will communicate the issue with parents/guardians either via telephone or e-mail.
3)Upon third offense, the teacher will hold a face to face conference with parents/guardians.
4)Lastly, the teacher will request a face to face conference with parents and administrators.
Notebooks, class notes, participation
As a student in this class every student is expected to come prepared every day and actively participate in the learning.
It is to the best of the student’s interest to take notes, ask questions when a concept is not clear and answer when a question is asked.
“Do Now” questions will be given every day to be done in the first five minutes.
DO NOW is to be done in a notebook and it will be collected during quizzing or testing.
Notebook checks will be done once in a while during testing.
We will have group work and Socratic seminars where students will be graded for participation.
Class participation comprises a multiple of things even student’s cooperation, behavior, alertness, being inquisitive, etc.
Homework policy
Homework will also be given to be done at home and will be collected on Fridays.
Late homework will be treated on individual bases and will be penalized.
Grading/Assessment

Types of assessments: Tests/quizzes will be given at least once every other week. A mid-term will be given at the end of the first and third quarters. Semester exams are given at the end of the second and fourth quarters. The district Benchmark exams are given during the time windows of October 4-8, December 6-10 and February 22-28.
Re-testing: If a student misses a test or quiz, s/he can schedule for a make-up within a week of the missed work. However, it is always the student’s responsibility to do so.
Grading policy:
Grading policy:

Term grades: Term Grades will be given based on the following weights.
Class participation, DO NOW & Notebook 20%
Homework 20%
Class work 10%
Test/Exams (Diagnostic tests) 35%
Quizzes 15%
Final Grade: Students should get 21 in the ACT practice to get an A and 18 to get a B, 15 to get a C and D if below 15 and F if below 12.

Extra credit: Extra credit might be given for students who volunteer to do projects. Students will be rewarded extra credit points for active cooperation. Online practice tests will also be given as homework and diagnostic tests that will be considered as part of a students’ grade.
Progress Reports/Report cards: As per the District calendar, progress reports/report cards will be issued every five weeks.

Course Procedures

Course format

The class format will be both teacher’s and students’ centered. We will follow the “I DO, WE DO and YOU DO” procedures. The teacher will first introduce and explain new concepts by demonstrating using examples. There will then be guided practice which will be done by students with the help of the teacher. There will be an independent practice for students to demonstrate their understanding under the teacher’s supervision. Lecture, discussion methods, group work, question and answer relationships will be interchangeably employed.
To Achieve Success In This Course

It is imperative that students come on time, be ready to learn, be actively engaged, and participate in the learning and teaching process.
Learning should be fun and you should use the grand opportunities you’ve been bestowed.
Dream big and make the best you can and work hard to make it true.

Additional Information

Extra help/tutoring: The department of Mathematics will offer a tutoring session one day a week after school. I am also willing and happy to help any student who needs extra help. Students can set up time with me.
Contact information/prep period: I have planning period during Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:10-8:43 and Fridays 11:01-11:45. If you want to contact me, you can call me at 314-771-2772 (ext. 41317) or e-mail me at