Always Come Prepared for Class. Please Bring the Following Materials Everyday, Unless Told

Mr. Neyer Room 323 E-mail: [email protected] Materials Always come prepared for class. Please bring the following materials everyday, unless told otherwise:

 Notes Packets – You will receive a packet at the start of each section. The packets will have lesson notes and examples. It is your responsibility complete these. Feel free to add to them anywhere you see fit. Be sure to keep them in a safe place. You will be allowed to use them for the Final Exam and any quizzes and tests at my discretion.  Notebook(s) – Keep classwork and homework in here, and be sure to bring it to class everyday. If your assignments are not properly labeled, I will not know what I am looking at and may not give you credit for it.

Sample heading for assignments:

Date Section or assignment 1. Start assignment here

 Pencil with eraser – You will make mistakes! Scribbles are difficult to read and messy. It is much easier to read something erased, and then written over. In other words, pens aren’t such a good idea for math!  Calculator – This is a handy device used to assist in mathematics and not to be used as a crutch. Try using your head before pushing buttons for simple calculations. I reserve the right to restrict the use of calculators at any time. TI-30XII (Algebra III and Precalculus) and TI-84 (Statistics courses and Precalculus) calculators are recommended.  Textbook – We will be using this regularly as a resource and for practice problems. Bring this to class everyday!

Please have only these materials on your desk. You will be asked to place all other belongings on the floor next to you. This is to avoid any temptations you might have. I am restricting the use of cell phones during class. If you need a calculator, use one of the classroom calculators. If I ask for your phone, relinquish it without argument. Please, be responsible, and do not make this an issue.

Classroom Rules Volunteer answers in class. Math is not a spectator sport. You need to be actively involved in math to learn it. Be sure to answer questions and give answers to problems in class. If you give a wrong answer, it’s okay. Everyone makes mistakes, so don’t be afraid to do so. It’s how we learn.

Correct your mistakes. If you have a wrong answer in your homework on a quiz or test, be sure you correct it. It’s important that you put forth effort in your work, but it’s equally important to correct your mistakes and understand what you did wrong. It’s another step in the learning process.

1 Classroom Rules (cont’d) Work in small groups, and do your own work. Sometimes we need the help of others to get past an obstacle. Be sure when you’re working with a partner or working in groups you stay focused on the task at hand. Helping peers and getting help from peers is an excellent way to learn the material, but be sure you’re doing your own work and not copying answers from a neighbor or the back of the book (yes, the odd answers are in the back of the book).

Listen carefully to each other. It’s best to be attentive when someone else is speaking in class. He or she may say something that’s very important and worth listening to. Talking while others are talking is very disruptive and prevents others from concentrating on what is being said.

When you’re stuck, ask for help. The only stupid question is the one that isn’t asked. You may not understand everything that is said in class. Whether it’s during a lesson or working on homework, there may be something that you’re just not getting. Be sure to ask questions before you confuse yourself even more. It doesn’t matter if you ask me or ask a friend. Make sure you understand what you’re doing before you move on.

Classroom Procedures Lateness When the bell rings, class begins. If you walk into my room after the bell, you are late. In order to be excused, you must show a pass. Four lates will lead to a referral.

Warm-Up Problems and Mini-Quizzes You will have warm-up problems on a daily basis. You will have a certain amount of time (generally five minutes) to complete this task. Please complete this task during this time. Once time is called, warm-up problems will be checked. Warm-up problems will be worth three points per day. Mini-quizzes will occur at the end of each section, with some exceptions. These should not take long to complete and will be vary in points.

Lessons Please refrain from talking to friends during lessons. This is disruptive to both your classmates and me. You should be paying close attention to what is said, and participating in the discussion. If you need to use the restroom or get a drink, sign out and leave. You WILL miss something while you’re gone.

Classwork and Homework Classwork and homework will count for four points each. Any work assigned during class that is not gone over before the end of the period will be considered homework for the next day. Homework will be checked with the warm-up problems. Be sure it is out and ready. If half the assignment is completed, two points will be awarded. If the assignment is not completed, zero points will be awarded. Homework assignments can be turned in late but can only receive a maximum of two points. Assignments will be posted on the school’s website. Go to http://www.towandasd.org > Towanda Area Jr/Sr High School > Staff > Mr. Greg Neyer. Don’t be afraid to show all your work with your homework. You have plenty of room in your notebook to complete the assignment. Use it!

Quizzes and Tests All quizzes and tests will be closed book and closed notes, unless told otherwise. Calculators may be used on these. Please write legibly, so I may read your answers. If I cannot understand something, it will be marked wrong. Show your work with each problem. You may get the wrong answer but may receive partial credit for something you did correctly. You will be able to make corrections for up to half the points deducted on quizzes and tests only. You may receive help for corrections. The points available on a quiz will vary. All tests will be worth 100 points.

2 Point Distribution  Marking period grade will be determined by taking the number of points earned divided by the total number of possible points. Each marking period will count for 22.5% of your final grade.  Final Exam: 10% of final grade

Grades will be updated on a regular basis. You can check them with me, or you can view them on Skyward. If you need your Skyward username or password, please see your guidance counselor. It is your responsibility to check them and make sure they are accurate. Do this before class starts or while we’re doing classwork. Incomplete homework assignments, quizzes, and tests will be listed as a zero and reflect that in your overall grade until you make up what you missed. Late homework will count for half credit.

Availability – Room 323  Before school: 7:30 AM or earlier, if necessary – 8:10 AM  5th Period: 11:34 AM – 12:04 PM (Lunch)  8th Period: 1:49 PM – 2:37 PM (Prep)  9th Period: 2:40 PM – 3:10 PM  After school: 3:10 PM – 3:30 PM or later, if necessary

If you need help on something or if you need to make up a quiz or test, I am usually available at the given times. Please be sure you notify me that you are coming, otherwise I cannot guarantee that I will be in my room. If you cannot make these times, come see me. Whatever you do, do not get your priorities out of order. School should be at the top of your list.