Algebra 1, Part 2 – 2016-17

Mr. Cochran and Mr. Ruffner

E-mail:

Webpage: yhs.apsva.us/yhs→ Academics → Mathematics → Cochran, Kyle

Help Hours:I am committed to assuring that you learn the material. Opportunities for help include:

  • After school until at least 4:00 on Monday, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.[*]
  • Other meeting times before school or during 6thperiod are possible, and will need to be arranged with me beforehand.

Course Description:This course covers the second half of the Algebra I curriculum; it is worth one full math credit. This is an SOL course, and all students in the course will take the Algebra SOL in the spring. Subjects include, but are not limited to: solving linear equations, graphing linear equations and functions, writing linear equations, solving and graphing linear inequalities, systems of equations and inequalities, exponents and exponential functions, polynomials and factoring, quadratic equations and functions, radicals and geometry connections, rational equations and functions, and probability and statistical data analysis.

Supplies:

  • Textbook:
  • Algebra 1, Larson, Boswell, Kanold, & Stiff, Houghton Mifflin, 2012.

ISBN: 978-0-547-48552-2

  • A textbook will be provided. The student is responsible for the maintenance of the book, and will be charged if it is not returned in like condition.
  • An online version of the textbook is available through Blackboard.
  • Calculator: a graphing calculator is essential for this course.
  • If you would like to purchase a graphing calculator, the TI-83 or TI-84 is suggested because it is versatile, user friendly, and is allowed on the SAT.
  • Alternatively, a calculator can be loaned from the school for the year, or a graphing calculator app can be installed on your computer.

Grading Policy: In accordance with the faculty and student handbooks, the following grading system will be implemented in my class. Grades are posted regularly. Please identify any incorrect grades and bring them to my attention as quickly as possible. Additionally, note that student grades reflect student achievement and not student behavior. And that quarterly grades will round up when the percentage is .5 or higher.The final grade is required to be calculated using the quality points and on percentages, the higher of these two calculations will determine the student’s final course grade.

APS Grading Scale
Letter Grade / Percentages / Quality Points / In addition to achievement, work habits as noted in the report card comments will be evaluated for each course using the following symbols:
+ = Surpasses Expectations
# = Meets Expectations
^ = Approaching Expectations
N = Needs Improvement
A / 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100 / 4.0
B+ / 87, 88, 89 / 3.5
B / 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86 / 3.0
C+ / 77, 78, 79 / 2.5
C / 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76 / 2.0
D+ / 67, 68, 69 / 1.5
D / 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 / 1.0
E / 0-59 / 0.0

Quarter Grade

CW 10%
HW 10%
Quizzes 35%
Tests 45% / Course Grade
Each Quarter20%
Midterm 10%
Final Exam 10% /

Classwork

Mathematics is a language and, as such, needs to be practiced. The ability to explain what one is doing mathematically is as important as being able to perform the computations. Students will be expected to explain their thinking in class. Students are also expected to ask and answer questions in class. Classwork grades will be based on in-class contributions, and on performance on in-class assignments.

Homework:

Homework:Homework will be assigned and checked regularly. Each assignment should be complete, legible and contain all requested work. The assignments will be posted on the board and on the web.Homework should be maintained in such a way that it can be turned in upon request.

Late work: Late work will be eligible to receive partial credit. However, any assignments that are missing for more than one week may be converted to (and remain) zeros in the grade book.

Notes: Every student is expected to maintain a system for organizing the material from the course. This could be in the form of a binder with space for notes, homework, quizzes, and tests. Assistance will be provided, if needed, on organization and maintaining notes for this class.

Test:

Tests:Tests will, in general, be given at the end of each chapter and may include material from previously covered units. In preparation for each test the students will make an outline of the key points from that unit (as part of their grade). Tests will be announced and posted on the website. If you are absent on the day of a test, I will work with you to arrange a make-up. Students are not allowed to share calculators for test or quizzes.

Quizzes:

Quizzes will occur intermittently. They will cover current topics and content that needs review from previous sections. Quizzes may or may not be announced. The calculator policy and the make-up policy are the same for quizzes as they are for tests.

Absences from Class:It is your responsibility to find out what you missed during any absence. A description of the topic and the homework for any given day will be maintained on planbook.com. The timeframe for make-up work is described in the student handbook. In general, you have as many days to make up as you were absent. Assignments that are due the day of your absence will be due upon your return. Information on make-ups for quizzes and tests has already been discussed.

I am looking forward to the school year and to the time that we are going to have together in this class. My primary interest is helping you, as the student, to master the content of this course and to develop as a learner. The decisions that I have made for running the class are intended to help you succeed in this course. I do not view the syllabus a contract with the student that outlines what each is to do; rather I see it as an opportunity to share my thinking about common issues of education and to identify policies that I feel will lead to achieving these goals. Any substantive changes in the policies will be articulated to the students and noted on my website.

------Please return to Mr. Cochran

Please indicate that you have reviewedthe syllabus and discussed it with your parent(s)/guardian(s) by signing below.

Student Signature: ______Date:______

Printed Name: ______

Parent/Guardian Signature: ______Date:______

Printed Name: ______

The importance of clear communication cannot be overstated. To help maintain communication, please provide a phone number and/or e-mail address where you can be reached. Also, if there are times that are more convenient for you to receive calls, please indicate that as well. I look forward to working with you. Thanks!

______

[*] Once I am more certain about participation in extracurricular activities, this availability might change. Such changes will be made clear in class.