Muncy Junior-Senior High School
Pre-Algebra Course Syllabus
2016-2017 School Year
Instructor: Mr. Patrick Nork
Phone: (570) 546-3127 ext. 3190
e-mail:
Meeting Times and Locations: Periods 1-2, Room 156
Periods 3-4, Room 156
Course Description
Designed to provide 7th grade mathematics student with a solid foundation for Algebra I, Pre-Algebra will also prepare students for the PSSA Grade 7 Assessment. Topics include those found in the current Pennsylvania Common Core Mathematics Standards for Grade 7 and in the Pennsylvania Keystone Algebra I Standards. Students will be introduced to the TI-83 Plus graphing calculator as a problem-solving tool and will begin using the graphing calculator to develop skills in solving problems analytically, numerically and graphically.
Topical Outline
The following topics will be covered in this course. The order of coverage may not match the order that the topics are listed.
I. Algebraic Expressions and Integers
a. Comparing and Ordering Integers
b. Operations with Integers
c. Operations with Fractions and Decimals
d. Real Numbers and Properties of Real Numbers
e. Radical Expressions
II. Solving Equations
a. Order of Operations
b. Evaluating and Simplifying Variable Expressions
c. Solving One-Step Equations
d. Solving Two-Step Equations
e. Solving Equations Involving the Distributive Property
f. Solving Multi-Step Equations
g. Solving Equations With Variables on Both Sides
III. Solving Inequalities
a. Graphing and Writing Inequalities and Interval Notation
b. Compound Inequalities
c. Solving One-Step Inequalities
d. Solving Two-Step and Multi-Step Inequalities
IV. Ratio, Proportion and Proportions
a. Ratios
b. Unit Rates
c. Conversions
d. Solving Proportions Using Cross Products
e. Similar Figures
f. Maps and Scale Drawings
g. Proportional Relationships
V. Percents
a. Percents, Fractions and Decimals
b. Solving Percent Problems
i. Using Proportions
ii. Using The Percent Equation
c. Applications of Percents
i. Sales Tax
ii. Tips
iii. Commissions
iv. Simple Interest
d. Percent of Change
i. Change Expressed as a Percent
ii. Percent Error
VI. Geometry
a. Angle Measures
b. Area of Parallelograms
c. Area of Triangles
d. Other Areas
i. Area of Trapezoid
ii. Area of Irregular Figures
e. Circumference and Area of Circles
VII. Surface Area and Volume
a. Three-dimensional figures
b. Surface Areas of Prisms and Cylinders
c. Volumes of Prisms and Cylinders
d. Cross-Sections
VIII. Data Analysis
a. Random Samples and Surveys
b. Estimating Population Size
c. Inferences About Populations
d. Variability
i. Range
ii. Interquartile Range
iii. Box-and-Whisker Plots
iv. Mean Average Deviation
IX. Probability
a. Theoretical Probability
b. Experimental Probability
c. Sample Spaces
d. Compound Events
e. Simulations
i. Simulations by hand (e.g., dice, spinners)
ii. TI-84 Plus ProbSim Application
Classroom Expectations
There are five basic expectations for each class period:
1. Be present and be on time.
2. Be prepared − have all materials with you each class period and be ready to start class when the bell rings.
3. Work to the best of your ability.
4. Be respectful of others.
5. Use a pencil.
Please refer to the Pathfinder for the district policy on student attire, cell phones/electronic devices, food/beverage in the classroom and locker and rest room use throughout the school day.
For any extreme disruption of instructional time, one (1) day of detention will be assigned.
Absences and Make-Up Work
If you are absent for any reason, it is your responsibility to see me in the morning before the start of Period 1 to discuss what was missed and to receive any materials that were distributed during the class period(s) you missed. Time will not be taken during the class period to take care of this.
Make-up work will be allowed as outlined in the Pathfinder. Failure to make up the work in the allotted time will result in a score of zero for that work. In the event that an assessment was missed during an absence, students will be given a different version of the assessment. This may take on an entirely different format than the missed assessment.
Students present in school but not in attendance during the class period on the day of an assessment are expected to take the assessment that day. This includes, but is not limited to, participation in a school-sponsored field trip, HOPES, luncheons associated with school clubs, early dismissals for scheduled athletic events, etc., and may require you to take the assessment in the morning before the start of homeroom. You should notify me immediately when you are aware that these absences will occur. Failure to take the assessment on the same day will result in a score of zero for that assessment.
Students who are going to miss several consecutive class periods should see me immediately upon return to school to receive any materials and to find out what was missed during the absence.
In rare instances, an extension may be granted for making up an assessment that is missed because of an absence at a school-related activity.
Grading
Marking period grades will be calculated on the basis of a point system – the percent of points earned out of the number of possible points.
Graded material will consist of any combination of the following each marking period:
· Quizzes
· Exams
· Graded homework assignments
· In-class activities and explorations
There is no final exam in this course so each marking period grade carries a weight of 25% of the course grade.
There will be no requizzes, no retests and no extra credit opportunities offered throughout the course. Unless you are required to be given extra time for completing quizzes and exams, please do not ask for additional time. Assessments are designed to be completed in one class period. Assessments may include a calculator and/or a non-calculator portion to help prepare for the SAT. They may also include cumulative questions from previously learned course content.
Progress Reports
Periodically, students will be given a Progress Report to take home, have signed by a parent/guardian and then return as a graded homework assignment. Notification of student grade deficiency will be made through mid-marking period progress reports for students of parents/guardians that request this type of notification. If a parent/guardian has indicated that they will keep up-to-date by using Power School, then paper progress reports will not be sent through the Guidance Office.
Possibility of failure notifications will be sent (if needed) at the end of the first semester and at the end of the third marking period.
Academic Dishonesty
When work is turned in, the work must be your own. Any indication of academic dishonesty will be dealt with as a serious offense and will result in a grade of zero for that assessment item for all students involved and a referral to the Principal’s Office will be made.
Homework
Homework will be assigned on a regular basis and may be collected and graded, for completion or correctness, at any time. In accordance with the Mathematics Department policy, late or incomplete assignments will not be accepted for credit.
Notebook
It is recommended that you use a three-ring binder as your notebook for this course. You will receive a large number of handouts for each unit and will have to refer to previously covered material throughout the course.
Textbook and Graphing Calculators
Students are financially responsible for any textbook and graphing calculator issued to them on the first day of classes. Students are responsible for obtaining batteries for the calculator issued
The only graphing calculators that are acceptable for use in this course are those in the Texas Instruments TI-83 and TI-84 families of calculators. A TI-83 Plus will be issued for use in this course and if students are going to purchase their own personal calculator, it is recommended that the TI-83 or TI-84 Plus be purchased.
Textbooks
Charles, Randall I.; Mark Illingworth, Bonnie McNemar, Darwin Mills, Alma Ramirez and Andy Reeves. Prentice Hall Mathematics, Common Core, Course 2. Pearson Learning Solutions, 2013.
Charles, Randall I.; Mark Illingworth, Bonnie McNemar, Darwin Mills, Alma Ramirez and Andy Reeves. Prentice Hall Mathematics, Common Core, Course 3. Pearson Learning Solutions, 2013.
Supplemental Materials
Buckle Down PSSA Mathematics 7. Buckle Down Publishing, 2008.
Ready Common Core Mathematics 7 Instruction. Curriculum Associates, 2013.
Ready Common Core Mathematics 7 Practice. Curriculum Associates, 2013.
Graphing Calculator
Texas Instruments TI-83 Plus graphing calculator.
Changes to Course Syllabus
Information in this syllabus is subject to change. If changes are made, you will be notified through an addendum to the syllabus and a posting on my school web page.