Gallatin County High School
Course Syllabus
2015-2016
Instructor: Dara Hale / Course: Algebra 1Email: / Room #: 203
Course Description:Algebra 1- (Required) Grade 9
This course is designed so that students attain concepts contained in the Common Core State Standards (Traditional Pathway: HS Algebra 1). These concepts include linear and exponential relationships, statistics, expressions and equations, quadratic functions and modeling.
Units/Topics Covered:
1 Number and Computation6 Powers and Exponents
2 Solving Linear Equations7 Polynomials
3 Solving Linear Inequalities8 Factoring
4 Graphing and Writing Linear Equations9 Radicals
5 Solving Systems of Linear Equations10 Intro to Geometry
Textbook(s):A textbook is not used in this class. If students need additional help they may come for after-school tutoring, request a textbook to take home, or do a YouTube search for the topic/skill they are studying.
Supplies/Materials Needed:notebook paper, pencil, and calculator (TI-30XIIS)
Grading:
I grade on a point system. Divide your points by the total number of points possible to compute your average.
Homework Policy:
Homework can only help your grade in this class. The more homework assignments you turn in, the more it will strengthen your overall grade. When you turn in a homework assignment, one of three things will happen:
You will receive 5/5 if homework is complete and proper techniques are used.
You will receive 4/5 if...
your homework is complete but some minor misconceptions are evident throughout
OR your homework is incomplete but there was opportunity for a variety of practice.
No grade will be given if your homework is not turned in.
No grade will be given if there are major misconceptions throughout the homework, however
you may come for tutoring and redo the homework in an effort to get a 4/5 or 5/5.
Even though there is no direct penalty for not completing your homework, students who choose not to complete homework typically score much lower on quizzes and tests. These students also miss the opportunity to “cushion” their grade with homework assignments.
NOTE: Even though I do not typically give zeros, I reserve the right to give zeros to students who make no attempt to start the homework in class. IN-CLASS practice is NOT optional. This means that assignments are MANDATORY when given by a substitute teacher.
Exam/Final Exam Policy:
Algebra I – You will be exempt if you meet the benchmark of 19 on the PLAN. Otherwise the final exam will be comprehensive and will count 1/5 of the overall grade.
Make-up work policy:
Since I do not give zeros for homework, it must be turned in or time or you give up the opportunity for it to count toward your grade. If you are absent, you should do enough make-up work to ensure that you understand the missed topic, but then do your best to stay current when you return.
Grading Scale:
100-90 A89-80 B79-70 C 69-60 D 59-0 F
Classroom Procedures/Expectations:
Bathroom Policy: Students may have 4 bathroom passes each quarter. Students needing to leave the room to go the restroom need to write the date by their name on the restroom roster and take the hall pass with them.
Calculators: Classroom calculators may be used during class, but MUST NOT BE TAKEN FROM THE CLASSROOM.
Cell Phones/Headphones: As a rule, cell phones and headphones are to be put away during class. Even if you are not listening to music, your earbuds must not be in your ears. From time to time there will be opportunities to listen to music while you’re working individually, but please ask for permission or wait for an announcement. During this time, devices must be face down so that visual distractions will be minimized. Students who ignore these boundaries risk losing their “device rights” for a period of time to be determined by the teacher.