Teacher: Clarissa Waldman Room: D204 Phone: (713) 495-6950

Pre-AP Algebra 1 | Course Syllabus Teacher: Clarissa Waldman | Room: D204 | Phone: (713) 495-6950 [email protected] Welcome to Pre-AP Algebra 1 and Pre-AP Geometry at Chavez High School! The goal of these “hybrid classes” is to give you that push ahead in your math courses in order to be better prepared for college level courses at the end of your high school career. In the Algebra 1 portion, you will learn the basic math skills you will need for college and for life. As these are Pre-AP courses, they will be more rigorous, and I will have very high expectations for each student, as you should for yourself. A Pre-AP class is not a right, it’s a privilege. The reward you will get from these classes is a direct result of how much effort you put in, so we have an exciting year ahead of us!

The Pre-AP Algebra 1 course will be divided into ten units, which will be explored and studied throughout the year. Course Units Unit 1 – Expressions, Equations & Functions Unit 6 – Solving and Graphing Linear Equations Unit 2 – Properties of Real Numbers Unit 7 – Systems of Equations and Inequalities Unit 3 – Solving Linear Equations Unit 8 – Exponents and Exponential Functions Unit 4 – Graphing Linear Equations and Functions Unit 9 – Polynomials and Factoring Unit 5 – Writing Linear Equations Unit 10 – Quadratic Equations and Functions

The Pre-AP Geometry course will be divided into ten units (after we skip 6 and 9) as well, which are roughly based on the McDougall-Pearson Geometry book chapters. Course Units Unit 1 – Points, Lines, Planes, & Logic Unit 7 – Right Triangles Unit 2 – Angles and Equations of Lines Unit 8 – Polygons Unit 3 – Inductive and Deductive Reasoning Unit 9 – Skip Unit 4 – Congruent Triangles Unit 10 – Circles Unit 5 – Triangles Unit 11 – Area Unit 6 – Skip Unit 12 - Surface Area and Volume

Classroom Expectations 1. Be respectful. o We will create a respectful and positive learning environment for peers, teachers, and ourselves. 2. Be productive and prepared. o We will turn in assignments and begin the warm-up with a pencil when the tardy bell rings. 3. Be positive. o We will encourage our peers, and not put others down, including ourselves.

Materials (due Friday, Sept. 5)  Pencils and erasers  2 Boxes of Kleenex  Folder

1 Participation I expect full participation in my class at all times. I will spontaneously take participation grades throughout the year. Students will receive 100% participation as long as they are doing the following: . Working on the appropriate assignment or paying attention during the lesson . Not being disruptive . Asking a neighbor or the teacher questions when they are confused

Homework Students will have classwork due every day. Each student will receive a packet at the beginning of each unit that they will be responsible for to receive credit for their homework/classwork each day. The packet will be kept in the classroom and checked periodically throughout the unit, as well as at the end of each unit for multiple grades.

Points will be taken off for work that is turned in late.

Doing homework/classwork is how students study and prepare for tests/quizzes in math. Practice makes perfect!

Make-Up Tests Tests and quizzes can be made up during lunch or before school if a student scores less than a 70 or is absent on the day of a test. Absences before the day of a test do not permit a student to take it later. Absences If a student misses class, he/she must: o Borrow the notes you missed from a classmate. o Turn in assignments that were collected in your absence. o Pick up assignments at the make-up work station that were handed out and complete them using my notes.

If you have questions or need help, come see me during lunch or before school. Students have the same number of days to make up work as days absent. If a student receives too many absences, he/she will not receive credit for the class. Tardies Every student must be in his/her seat when the second bell rings. Your teacher will mark you tardy in class, so come in quietly and sit down.

Your parents will be notified if you are tardy 3 times. Tutoring/Skill I am available for tutoring during lunch and before school by appointment only. Building Students will be notified of my tutoring schedule during the first week of school, and it will be posted outside my door (D204)

I am happy to give my time and help to a student that wants it, so please feel free to come by! Cheating We have a zero tolerance policy for cheating at Chavez High School. If a student is caught or suspected of cheating, he/she will be given a zero that must be made up during tutorials. This also applies to students who help others cheat.

2 Classroom Procedures When entering the classroom… . Walk in quietly . Pick up any assignments, notes, or materials from the table by the door . Keep your cell phone out of sight . Check the white board/smart board for your warm up . Sharpen your pencil . Get a tissue . Use hand sanitizer . Turn in assignments that are due

During whole group instruction… . Take diligent notes (add notes that Ms. Waldman says but does not write if you think its important . No side conversations . Raise your hand if you have an answer, question, or something productive to add to the conversation

During independent work time… . Use one of your restroom passes if you need to . Work on your own . Quietly ask help from 2 neighbors before you ask for Ms. Waldman’s help

At the end of class… . Stay seated until the bell unless you are doing the following actions . Turn in assignments that are due . Put away your calculator/CPS remote or other materials

Restroom Passes You will be given 6 restroom passes per semester (that’s 2 per six weeks grading period). You may only ask to use the restroom during independent work time, not during the first or last 10 minutes of class. If you need to use the restroom, you tear off a pass and hand it to Ms. Waldman. If you do not use your restroom passes, then you may turn them in just before the end of a six weeks grading period for 1 point added to your entire six weeks grade (roughly the equivalent of 10-25 points added to an assessment grade). A maximum of 2 may be turned in per six weeks. They are labeled according to the six weeks grading periods for your convenience.

Food/Drinks Students are not allowed to eat or drink anything in Ms. Waldman’s classroom except water.

Pencils & Writing Utensils Students will be provided with 1 pencil on the first day of school. From that day on, they are responsible for providing their own writing utensil (preferably pencils). Do NOT ask Ms. Waldman to borrow a pencil; her answer will be no.

3 ***CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN CLASS. These items will be confiscated if visible. They will be returned to the student at the end of class. Teachers reserve the right to bring the item to the finance office where the student will have to pay $15 to get it back if the student is caught numerous times with their device out in class.

Consequences 1st offense Warning 2nd offense Teacher/Student Conference 3rd offense Phone call home 4th offense Discipline Referral to Academy Principal ***Severity Clause: The teacher reserves the right to enforce the consequences as he/she deems necessary given the severity of the offense.

Online Tools and Resources If your student needs extra help outside of class, there are some excellent video tutorial websites that can really help your student make strides in geometry. Visit www.khanacademy.com or www.patrickjmt.com for these videos and resources. If students cannot access the internet from home, please be advised that the school library offers computers for students to use during lunch and after school until 6:00 PM.

Grading Please keep in mind: Teachers do not give grades, students earn them. Tests and quizzes are worth considerably more than homework; this is because tests and quizzes show whether or not you have learned the material. Grades will be posted regularly on Gradespeed.

% of Final Category Because, in order to master Geometry concepts… Grade Homework 15 % extra practice must be done outside of class several times a week Classwork 25 % students must maintain focus each day in class Quizzes 30 % students must be held accountable the material learned each week students must demonstrate mastery of the skills learned over time Tests/Projects 30 % on assessments and in creative projects

This is sure to be a very exciting year! I am always available to talk or help out in any way I can. If you just need a quiet place to do work with a calculator, my door is always open. Above all else, I want for each and every one of my students to succeed this year, so don’t hesitate to let me know how I can help you be the best student you can be.

Sincerely, Ms. Waldman Pre-AP Geometry & Pre-AP Algebra 1 teacher Head Volleyball Coach

4 Chavez High School CLASSROOM CONTRACT Please detach this contract, complete and return it by Friday, September 5, 2014.

I have read and understand the guidelines, procedures, and consequences for Ms. Waldman’s class. I also understand that I will be held accountable to the attached syllabus. I will encourage my child to work hard, because I know that they succeed when they work hard.

Parent Questionnaire (Please Complete)

My child’s greatest strengths are: ______

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This year, I hope my child grows in the following areas: ______

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In a previous year, something I did not agree with that my child’s math teacher did was:

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Is there anything else I should know (such as academic, medical, or behavioral concerns) as your child’s teacher? ______

How would you prefer to be contacted? (Please check all that apply and include preferred language) ______Letters/notes home ______

______Phone Calls ______

______Emails ______

______Parent/Guardian Name (print) Student Name (print)

______Parent/Guardian Signature Student Signature ______Class Period 5