MRS. SWIFT’S FALL 2017ALGEBRA II CLASS

Email: Response will be within 24 hours

Welcome to ALGEBRA II! I am looking forward to sharing my loveof math with you. My goal is for you to gain the confidence to solve whatever problem comes your way, math or otherwise.Students should be able to take their prior knowledge and apply it to given problems, finding logical, justifiable solutions through reverse thinking, patterns, use of tools and modeling.Solving problems as a team will be done as is expected in the work place. Concepts learned are not tested and forgotten, but utilized continually throughout the course. Your skills will build throughout the semester preparing you for your next math or science course. In addition, you will expand your critical thinking skills and your ability to work with others as well as learning to change your process when the desired result is not achievedand to effectively communicate your process and results to others.

Basic math skills are a prerequisite for ALGEBRA II. These skills are not limited to addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, but correct use of these operations with fractions and integers, and also the basic factoring of polynomials and graphing of linear equations.If you are weak in any of these areas, find a tutor NOW to brush up so you will not get behind the class.

Two things are essential to your success in this class:attendance and practice. Your attendance EVERYDAY is required. I cannot teach you if you are not present. Mastering concepts is achieved by immersing yourself into daily practice. This means…HOMEWORK EVERY NIGHT. Spend at least 10 minutes a night reviewing your notes/classwork. Your classwork is yournotes so be sure to write your work down!

EXPECTATIONS

1) Be respectful,2) beon time,3) be prepared, and4)follow all rules stated in the student handbook.

CONSEQUENCES

Consequences are based upon the infraction and range from verbal warnings and natural consequences, to infraction notices requiring a student-teacher conference, to formal parent/student/teacher conferences and/or office referral. Note that it is up to my discretion if the offense warrants moving up the level of consequence.

PROCEDURES

Procedures will be stressed during the first week of class and it is your responsibility to know, understand and follow them. Class starts as soon as you enter my door and lasts until I dismiss you. CELL PHONES belong in “prison” at the beginning of class. NO electronics or earbuds are allowed. No charging is allowed either. This is your warning – now if I see it, it is mine to take to the office.

GRADES

Check Parent Portal often with your parents to keep up with all graded events for each nine weeks as well as your class average. This class lasts for one semester (two nine-week terms).YOU ARE RESPONSIBLEFOR KEEPING UP WITH ALL TYPES OF ASSIGNMENTS - BELLWORK, HOMEWORK, CLASSWORK/QUIZZES AND TESTS.PARTICIPATION IN ALL ACTIVITIES IS REQUIRED.

DAILY WORK (Bellwork/Classwork)- 20%

Bellwork – Bellwork will vary and is a time-limited assignment. It may be randomly graded for accuracy as it will be reviewed prior to submission.

Classwork – Teams will work together using critical thinking skills to solve problems. Participation, presentation, interactive notebooks and quizzes are all graded events.

HOMEWORK - 20% - Homework assignments are graded for completion (with the problem written, full work shown including drawing figures and answer circled)upon entering class the next day. Grades will be number attempted/number assigned. No late homework will be accepted if you were present for class the prior day. If you do not have your assignment, completion of an explanation statement is required. Some homework keys will be provided online but it is your responsibility to ask questions in class if you do not understand.

Daily assignments are posted on the board, my website and a remind will be texted.Remind class code – Text 81010 @alg289s

TESTS- 40%-Individual tests will be given as mastery of skills is expected. Tests will be announced in advance by at least two days. Absolutely NO talking of any sort will be tolerated during individual tests.Pace yourself - the individual test must be completed in the time allotted during class. No phones are allowed out in class, even if the test is completed. Quizzes may or may not be a team event and may not be announced.

EXAMS- 20% -There are a midterm and a final exam for this course. Final exam exemption is available if the qualifications, as stated in the student handbook, are met. If you do not qualify, a comprehensive exam will be given that will cover the entire course's work, focusing on the most recent skills. There are NO EXEMPTIONS for the 1st nine weeks’ exam, since this is a semester course.

If you are absent – You are responsible for the knowledge gained from team activities so completing them on your own is highly recommended.Any handouts will be in the Make-up Work binder.Weekly objectives are posted –if you have questions, check with your teammates first.

Refer to the student handbook for the DCS policy regarding the time allotted to make-up work. If you were only absent the day of the test, expect to take the test upon your return to school.Make-up tests will be completed afterschool by arrangement with me. You are responsible for arranging the make-up with me. YOU ARE ALWAYS RESPONSIBLE for anything you miss, for whatever reason, that is taught in class so this requires YOU to take/make time before or afterschool to catch up.

Extra Credit –All extra credit opportunities are provided to all students equally on individual tests and on occasion through other class activities.

Calculator Use – Calculators are for complex computations, not arithmetic. We will use a TI-84 (graphing) calculator in class when required for an activity. You will need a scientific calculator available for homework completion. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for your team’s assigned calculators, their care and ensuring they are returned properly at the end of class. If a calculator is damaged or missing, notify me immediately. Personal calculators may not be used for any tests/exams and programs will not be used.

Tutoring –Homework Help is available both through and byother teachersoutside of normal school day hours. I tutor on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 7:05 (with INB pass) and one day per week afterschool until 3:40 - the day will be announced during the second week of school. Please contact me directly if you need extra help - there are links to helpful videos via my website. Do not wait until you are lost.

CHEATING IS NOT TOLERATED, i.e. copying homework for my class or other classes. Protect your intellectual property. Do not share photos of homework, classwork, tests or any other graded assignment. Do not "borrow" others work.ZEROS WILL BE GIVEN to both the giver and the receiver.

Updates to these expectations and procedures may happen throughout the semester. Please refer to my website for updates.

A signature statement is located on the following page for both the parent(s) and the student - please confirmthat you have received, read, understood and agree to abide by the classroom expectations and procedures for Mrs. Swift’s Algebra 2 class.This contract is due within 3 days of the student’s first day in Mrs. Swift’s class.

HOW TO FIND MY WEBSITE:Go to .On the left side menu bar, go to Teacher Websites. Find “Swift, Shawn”. This will take you to my website which has announcements, helpful links, assignments, etc.