Powell County High School

Algebra 1

2015-2016 Course Syllabus

Instructor: Haley Hall

Grade: 9th

Room: 13

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: (606) 663- 3320 ext. 713

Website: www.powell.kyschools.us → Powell County High School → Staff Websites → Haley Hall

I will be posting information on my website throughout the year. I will be posting lesson plans, notes on major topics, helpful websites, and other resources to help with topics in the course.

Course Description: Algebra I provides a formal development of the algebraic skills and concepts necessary for students to succeed in advanced courses. In particular, the instructional program in this course provides for the use of algebraic skills in a wide range of problem-solving situations. The concept of function is emphasized throughout the course. Topics include: (1) operations with real numbers, (2) linear equations and inequalities, (3) relations and functions, (4) polynomials, (5) algebraic fractions, and (6) nonlinear equations.

Materials Needed:

 3-ring binder

 Loose Leaf Paper

 10 Dividers (one for each unit of study, optional)

 Pencils or Pens

 Colored Pencils, Crayons, or Markers (for note-taking and projects, optional)  Graphing Calculator (not required, but nice to have)

 Index Cards

Grading:

Grades will be broken down into 5 different categories totaling 100% of the course grade:

Bellringers – 10%

Classwork / Homework – 10%

Quizzes – 20%

Exams – 50%

End of Course Assessment – 10%

All assignments will be scored on a traditional 100 point scale as follows:

90 – 100 = A

80 – 89 = B

70 – 79 = C

60 – 69 = D

59 and below = F

It is the student’s responsibility to stay on track in the course by copying down notes and completing all assignments. Students that are absent should make sure that they pick up any missed assignments from the corresponding weekday folder and they should be made up within 2 days. All assignments for each six week grading period must be finished before the end of the six weeks. Students may not make up any work from the previous six weeks. Tutoring will be provided before or after school if requested.

Class Outline:

Unit 1: Introduction to Algebra I: The Value of a Variable

Unit 2: You’ve Got Problems? Algebra’s Got Solutions!

Unit 3: The Three R’s: Rise, Run, and Regression Unit 4: Slope and Linear Inequalities

Unit 5: Systems of Linear Equations

Unit 6: Beyond the First Degree: Exponents and Polynomials

Unit 7: Factoring and Quadratics

Unit 8: Exponential Functions

Unit 9: Statistics and Probability

Unit 10: Radical Expressions and Equations

Textbook: Glencoe Algebra 1 Textbook; Glencoe Algebra 1 Workbook, Big Ideas Math Algebra 1

Classroom Rules and Procedures:

1. Be in your assigned seat and working on your bellringer when the bell rings. Otherwise, you will be considered tardy.

2. Bring all materials to class.

3. Cell phones should be put away and should not be seen or heard at any point during class. You will be awarded for adhering to the cell phone policy and will receive punishment as determined by the school for disobeying the policy.

4. Ear buds and headphones are not permitted in the classroom. It is a safety hazard and it hinders learning.

5. Daily notes should be written and kept in your three-ring-binder.

6. If you are absent, you are responsible for retrieving your make-up work (it will have your name on it) from the corresponding weekday folder posted on the bulletin board.

7. You are responsible for turning in all work to the correct period tray. 8. Extended time will not be permitted on classwork that should be completed during the normal class period. Late work will only be permissible if you leave during the class period.

9. All bellringers for the week will be completed on a bellringer sheet given out on Mondays. This bellringer sheet should be kept in your binder to be used throughout the week. I will not replace them. If you are absent, you are responsible for asking a classmate for the bellringer you missed. There will be a bellringer quiz every Friday.

10. Index cards will be used to complete exit slips. You are to complete the exit slip on the index card and turn it in as you exit the classroom.

11. The end-of-class bell does not dismiss you.

12. There is a 10-10 rule in my classroom. No one is permitted to leave the room for the first or last 10 minutes of class. No exceptions. Excessive restroom breaks will be reported to the nurse.

13. “SEE 3 B4 ME”: if you are having trouble with a particular question or assignment (excluding quizzes and exams), quietly discuss the issue with three of your fellow classmates at your table before asking me.

14. Most importantly: participate in class, respect yourself, your teacher, and your peers, and have a positive attitude. 

Calculators: Students will be assigned a graphing calculator to use during class. These are very expensive calculators purchased by the school and should not be abused in any way. Students are responsible for their assigned calculator during the class period. If it is broken while in their possession, they are responsible for replacing it (about $150). It is the student’s responsibility to let me know at the beginning of class if something is wrong with their calculator.

Questions / Concerns: If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at any time or call. My email address is listed at the beginning of the syllabus. If you would prefer to call, my planning period is between 8:10 and 9:00. Signature Form for Syllabus

Please sign and return no later than August 10, 2015.

Student:

I have read and discussed this material with my parent / guardian. I understand these rules and agree to adhere to them. I understand that the syllabus outlines the course work in the class. Being prepared, working hard, and having a good attitude towards the class will help me to become successful. I understand the grading scale, the missing work policy, the retake policy, and the calculator policy.

Student Signature ______

Parent / Guardian:

I have read and discussed this syllabus with my child. I understand the policies and procedures, the grading scale, the missing work policy, the retake policy, and the calculator policy. I understand the expectations of this course.

Parent / Guardian Signature ______

I would rather be contacted by: Email or Phone

Parent email address: ______

Parent phone number: ______

The best time to contact me is: ______Questions or Concerns:

______