Math 1B/2A: Algebra/Geometry/Statistics Course Guide

Mrs. Peletier

Email: Website:

______

Welcome!

Welcome to Math 1B/2A! I’m looking forward to getting to know you and working with you this year. This document outlines some of what you can expect from our math class this year – from the specifics of the content we’ll cover, to how you’ll be graded. This year will be challenging, but I believe we can all succeed if we are open and accepting of these challenges. I am here to provide the support you all need to meet these challenges. Please note that this syllabus is subject to change throughout the year as I determine how to best address the needs of each class. Any changes made to this syllabus will be announced in class, and the most recent version will be available on our course website.

Course Topics and Overview

The content we will cover this year is outlined in the table below. Please know that we will supplement the textbook with teacher-generated materials.

Unit 1 / Linear Equations and Inequalities (Math 1 Ch. 4)
Unit 2 / Functions and Exponents (Math 1 Ch. 5)
Unit 3 / Statistics (Math 1 Ch. 6)
Unit 4 / Constructions (Math 1 Ch.7)
Unit 5 / Congruence and Transformations (Math 1 Ch. 8)
Unit 6 / Coordinate Geometry (Math 1 Ch. 8)
Unit 7 / Radicals and Exponents (Math 2 Ch. 1)
Unit 8 / Polynomials (Math 2 Ch. 2+3)
Unit 9 / Deductive Geometry (Math 2 Ch. 6)

Classroom Expectations:

A productive and respectful classroom atmosphere is essential for learning. Individual behavior can support or undermine the learning environment. To make our classroom work, here is what is expected of you: be on time, be prepared, be respectful, be focused, be collaborative, and be positive. Otherwise, all other school rules apply. If necessary, these expectations will be enforced by consequences that begin with verbal warnings, and progress to detentions or school-level discipline for serious or repeated offenses.

Homework Expectations:

Homework will be assigned daily and must be completed before the next class meeting. Doing the homework on the night it is assigned is vital to your success in this course. The choices you make around homework completion will either facilitate or undermine your learning, and will also affect the rest of the class. Doing the assignments on time is important because the previous homework will often be the starting point for the next class. It is expected that homework will take between 30 and 40 minutes. Completed homework includes all work shown, answers checked when possible and any challenging problems circled. Homework will be checked on a regular basis. Homework assignments will be written on the board and/or printed on handouts. Late homework can only be worth up to half of its original grade. There will also be a running list ofassignments on the class web site.

Tools and Technology:

The following school supplies are essential in supporting your learning and keeping you organized throughout the year: a an organization system (binder/folder), lined and graph paper, and a graphing calculator. Graphing calculators are important everyday tools in this course. LHS strongly recommends that all students purchase a TI-83 or TI-84 graphing calculator for use throughout high school. There are calculators available to borrow for students who are not able to get their own due to need. Let me know as soon as possible if you need to borrow a calculator. Please note that a phone will not be allowed as a calculator this year. Students will be required to bring their calculators every day to class.

Extra Help:

Getting extra help can be a great way to supplement in-class learning. I’ll be available for extra help after school 2:30-3:00, in the math faculty office (713). I will also be available during I block. Note that occasionally other meetings or school duties might come up during these times, so check in with me ahead of time if you plan to come at a certain time. You’ll get the most out of your time with me if you come prepared with specific questions, problems, or topics that you’d like to discuss.

Grading:

  • Year grades weights: Each quarter: 22%and the Final exam: 12%, (note: final exam information is subject to change).
  • Quarter grades:Your quarter grade will be 85% assessments (quizzes, cumulative exams, projects), and 15% homework.
  • Assessments:
  • Quizzes: You should expect approximately two major quizzes per unit.
  • Tests/Cumulative Exams: We will not have a test at the end of every unit. We will only have quizzes during each unit. Instead, we will have a cumulative exam after every two or three units, covering all content in those units. Cumulative dates will be announced at least 1-2 weeks in advance.
  • Retakes: You may retake any quiz on which you earn less than an 80%. Your final grade on that quiz will be a weighted average of your original (weighted 1/3) and the retake grade (weighted 2/3). All steps of the retake process (corrections, additional practice, and the quiz retake) must be done within two weeks of getting a graded quiz back. You may not retake cumulative exams.
  • Extended Time:For most students, assessments must be completed within the time allowed in class. Students entitled to extended testing time under an IEP, 504, or ICAP will receive 50% extra time, unless another amount of time is established by the plan. The extended time should generally be taken after school, during a study, or in resource room on the same school day.

Grading Scale:

Most problems will be graded on a 0-to-5 point scale measuring the correctness of your responses and the quality of your explanations. Here is a general description of the typical meaning of each score value. These criteria may be refined or adjusted on any particular problem at Mrs. Peletier’s discretion, including using a traditional scale on some assignments.

average on 5-point scale / grade
4.3 and above / A+
3.80–4.29 / A
3.50–3.79 / A–
3.20–3.49 / B+
2.80–3.19 / B
2.50–2.79 / B–
2.20–2.49 / C+
1.80–2.19 / C
1.50–1.79 / C–
1.35–1.49 / D+
1.15–1.34 / D
1.00–1.14 / D–
0.00-0.99 / F

5:an exemplary correct solution. The work is correct in every detail, and presented in a clear and fully-justified manner.

4:a correct solution. The work is generally correct, but may have weaknesses in presentation or justification, or be slightly lacking in detail.

3:solution with minor error. The work has at least one significant mistake or omission. Anydeficiencies are relatively minor, typically things that a student would be able to fix independently once pointed out.

2:solution with major error. The work has at least one major error or missing step, or an accumulation of many minor errors. The deficiencies are significant enough to show a lack of mastery and perhaps a need for re-teaching and re-learning.

1:slight progress toward a solution.There is some correct progress in the direction of a solution, but most of the work needed for a correct solution is not present.

0:little or no progress toward a solution. The work contains hardly any of what would be needed in a correct solution.

Questions that require only a short response may be graded using only selected pointvalues. For example, short answer questions will often be graded 0, 2, or 4 only. Letter grades will be formed from anaverage or weighted average of problem scores using the scale shown in the table.

Absences and Makeups:

When you are absent, it is your responsibility to check the course website to find the topic and homework assignment you missed, copy a classmate’s notes, and then come for extra help to you catch up. Following the usual practice at LHS, the time allowed for completing missed work is usually one day for each day missed, with the following exceptions. If you miss class because of a field trip, you must be prepared for the next class just as if you had been in class. If there is a test or an assignment due on the first day of your absence, you are responsible for it on the day you return. In this case, if the absence is excused, the assignment will be graded normally; if the absence is unexcused, the assignment will receive a maximum of 55% credit.

I look forward to getting to know you and having a great year! Welcome to Math 1B/2A!