ALGEBRA I

COURSE GUIDELINES

MS. WALLACE

Students demonstrate conceptual understanding and procedural skill when solving equations and inequalities in one variable. They will analyze, represent and graph linear functions, including those involving absolute value. Students will recognize and use linear models in real life applications. They will solve and graph linear equations and inequalities and will be able to use them to represent contextual situations. They will solve systems of linear equations and model with single variable linear equations, one-or twovariable inequalities, or systems of equations. Students will study quadratic functions in multiple ways, both solving and graphing quadratic equations. Quadratic models will be used to solve real world applications. Students in this course will take the PARCC Algebra 1 test.

CLASS REQUIREMENTS:

The following must be brought to class every day:

  • Notebook or 3-ring binder
  • Folder
  • Pencils
  • Graphing Calculator (TI-83 Plus or TI-84 recommended)
  • Charged laptop (on announced days)

CLASSROOM RULES:

  • Respect your teacher, your classmates, and your classroom.
  • By the time the bell rings, be in your seat with your notebook and homework out.
  • You are to be on task at all times.
  • Remain in your seats until the bell rings. I dismiss you, not the bell.
  • No eating or drinking in class (except water).
  • No headphones, cell phones, or music devices are to be used at any time. They mustbe out of sight. If they are visible or used during class, they will be confiscated.

GRADING:

Your grade in this class will be determined by dividing the number of points you have earned by the total number of points that could have been earned.Your grade will be based on:

  • Benchmarks– generally between 100-200 points.Benchmarks will be announced in class, giving you plenty of time to prepare. There are generally 3benchmarks given throughout the yearto serve as a culmination of a large idea.
  • Quizzes – generally between 30-80points.Quizzes will be announced and will cover less material than a benchmark. The number of quizzes will vary each marking period depending on the number of small ideas per unit.
  • Homework– generally 2-8 points each. While homework will be checked daily, graded homework checks are not announced and will serve as a random check of the completion of your homework. The number of homework checks will vary with the overall work ethic of the class and the number of assignments per marking period. The safest bet is to do your homework, not because it will be graded, but because this will be the best way to ensure your success in this class.
  • Classwork/Preparedness –At the beginning of each marking period, everyone in the class will be given 20 points. If you are prepared everyday and participate as expected, this will be a free 100% toward your average. Some, but not all reasons you will lose points are: no pencil, no notebook, no laptop on a day when you are asked to bring it, not taking notes, not making corrections on a quiz or test we are going over in class, or missing a discussion/notes for being late to class.

ATTENDANCE:

  • Absences – It is your responsibility to make up any missing assignment(s) and to be prepared when you return to class. I expect you to check School Wires when you are absent to find out the homework assigned for that night. Contact a classmate who can provide notes when you are absent. Do not come into class the day after you are absent and ask me what you missed. It is your responsibility to see me for extra help to review the material you missed.
  • If you are absent on the day of an assessment, the assessment will be made up the first day back, even if our class does not meet. Again, it is your responsibility to find me to make up the assessment your first day back.
  • Cuts –If your absence becomes a cut, you will receive a zero for the cut class. All points earned that day on any assignment or assessment will be a zero.

SIGNING OUT:

  • You may not leave the classroom during the first and last ten minutes of class.
  • Do not ask to leave the classroom while I am teaching.
  • Only one person can leave the room at a time.
  • You must use the sign in/out book whenever you are late or leave and return to the classroom.

EXTRA HELP:

I strongly urge you to ask for help the moment you experience difficulties with the material. I am available every day after school (except Wednesdays). I am also available some days during lunch so please let me know when you plan on coming in for extra help.

SCHOOLWIRES & E-MAIL:

I expect you to check School Wires and your e-mail every day for up-to-date assignments and important information. I check my e-mail account on a fairly regular basis. Please send e-mails at a reasonable time and only assume I have read an e-mail if I have responded.

E-mail: