Course Syllabus

Algebra I

 

Amy E.M. Brown (periods 2,3,4) Hutchison High School room119 Phone:  479-2261 ext.139 (school) 388-0740 (cell) – please call before 9:00pm e-mail: amy.brown@k12northstar.org

Cheryl Sanders (period 5) Hutchison High School room132 Phone:  479-2261 ext.142 (school) e-mail: cheryl.sanders@k12northstar.org

Mr. Jeremiah Harrington (intern) Hutchison High School room119 Phone:  479-2261 ext.139 (school) jeharrington@alaska.edu

 

Course Description:  In Algebra I students will master linear equations and inequalities, systems of equations, descriptive statistics, quadratic expressions and functions.  Topics covered will include operations with polynomials and rational exponents.  Students will be introduced to exponential functions and sequences.  Success in this course requires regular practice, memorization of formulas, and constant review of key topics and applications.  We will cover chapters one through seven of the text first semester and cover chapters eight through twelve in the second semester. 

 

Materials:

Hutchison High School will provide the texts for this class.  Students are responsible for the care of these texts and they must be returned at the end of the year. You will need to supply the following:

• Pencil/pen (I prefer work is done in pencil, however, blue/black ink is acceptable) Do

       not turn in work completed in any other color of ink, it will be returned ungraded.

• Composition Book all homework is to be completed in a composition notebook.
• A three-ring binder or folder dedicated to Algebra 1 only.  There will be many handouts and

returned work that you will need to keep for the whole course.

• Loose-leaf paper for binder.
• Graph Paperwill be helpful for many assignments.
• Calculator– a scientific calculator will be needed at some times throughout the class.

Cell phones/iPods, etc. are not acceptable calculators.

 

Classroom Rules:

• Be respectful at all times.  Be respectful to yourself, your classmates, school staff, your

materials, and to your high school.  Speak, listen and act respectfully. 

• Be on time for class.  Tardiness will not be tolerated!  You will be sent to get a pass from the 

office (or another teacher) if you are tardy.  No exceptions. 

• Be prepared for class.  You must bring your binder, notes, paper, pencil/pen, calculator and

textbook to class each day.  You must be ready to participate in class.  Do your homework and be ready to learn!  Think and work on topic.

• No cell phones!  There is no reason you should have your cell phone or iPod/MP3

player in class.  If I see it, I will take it!  The first time this happens, I will keep it until the end of the day.  After the first time, your parent or guardian will have to pick it up from the office.

 

Consequences:

• Verbal warning  I will give you a very clear verbal warning if your behavior violates the

classroom rules.

• Lunch detention If the verbal warning is not enough to deter behaviors that violate classroom

rules, then you will be assigned 2 lunch detentions.  Lunch detentions are school wide and not serving detentions will result in school wide discipline.

• Office referral When a verbal warning and lunch detention are not enough to deter behaviors

that violate classroom rules, or when your safety or another’s safety is compromised, you will be referred to the office for disciplinary action.

 

Grading Scale:       90%-100%                     A         60%-69%                      D

                                    80%-89%                      B          59% and below           F

                                    70%-79%                      C

Grading: 

This class has weighted grades that will be calculated using the following weights and categories.

 

40 %    Assessments  Written tests, prepared presentations, projects

We will have a test approximately every 3 weeks that will cover the material we have covered in class.  The final at the end of the semester will be cumulative.

25 %    Concept Quizzes  Daily quizzes (or nearly daily)

Expect to have a quiz covering the previous class’ material.  These quizzes will reflect your homework effort.  In order to retake a quiz, additional homework must be completed.

10%     Homework  Written homework, preparation for presentations,

Expect to have homework every day in this class.  Homework will typically take less than 30 minutes to complete.  Please see me if you are having difficulty! Time will be given in class to complete some work.

10%     Notes  Daily notes/cumulative binder/preparation for class

Daily notes guides will be provided.  Students should fill-in the notes accurately and completely.  Students are responsible for getting notes from classmates when absent.

15%     Final  A cumulative final will be given at the end of the semester.

 

At the end of each grading period (Oct 17, Dec 19, Mar 13, May 20) any zeroes in a category of “Assessments” or “Final” will result in an incomplete grade.  By school district policy, an incomplete grade becomes an F after 10 school days.

 

Procedures:

Beginning of class  Sit in your seat at your table.  Have your homework out and ready to be graded by the teacher.  Check your homework using the correct answers projected on the board.

Pencil sharpening, using water cooler, using the restroom  Do not interrupt class.  Plan accordingly.

Labeling papers  Please put your name in the top right corner of each page of any document, with the date under your name on the first page.

Show your work  An answer is not good enough.  Get in the habit of exposing your thinking and mathematical processes in writing.  On tests you can receive partial credit for work shown.

When you are absent  It is your responsibility to get your missed notes and work.  Get the notes and assignments from a classmate.  Make arrangements to make-up missed quizzes.

Late work  Assignments turned in late will receive half credit until the end of the chapter it’s from.  No credit will be given for assignments turned in after the chapter has been completed.

 

Extra Help:

I will be available before school, during lunch, and after school (except Mondays due to PLC) to provide any additional help you may need.   I am fairly flexible while having very high expectations.  I am willing to put in just as much effort as you are to ensure that you understand the material we are covering in class.

 

Academic Honesty:

Our teaching staff is interested in determining each student’s level of mastery through an analysis of individual performance.  Representing the work of others as your own work or obtaining/offering unauthorized assistance on a test, quiz, or other assignment will result in a zero for the assignment and other possible disciplinary action.