Placerita Junior High School – Course Syllabus
Subject:
Pre-Algebra 7
Teacher: Mr. Kass
Email: pkass@hartdistrict.org
Phone: 259-1551
Welcome to Pre-Algebra! Pre-Algebra 7 is a year long class covering the concepts of variables and expressions,
integer arithmetic, solving 1-step equations, percents, exponents, solving multi-step equations, graphing, spatial
thinking, plane geometry, 3D geometry, statistics and inequalities. The textbook for this class will be McDougal
Littell Math Course 2. In order to be successful in this class, you must develop self-discipline and good work habits.
I.
Student Code of Conduct
Students will be expected to follow the school’s Pride in Excellence agreement and the classroom code of
conduct and display the appropriate behavior outlines below.
Code of Conduct
1.
I will treat everyone with courtesy and respect.
2.
I will treat personal and school property with respect.
3.
I will create and maintain a positive and safe environment.
4.
I will come to school prepared for learning and be ready to work when class begins.
5.
I will act responsibility and accept consequences for my actions.
6.
I will help everyone in this class feel capable, connected and contributing.
If I choose not to follow the code of conduct, I will earn the following consequences:
1st consequence: Verbal warning
2nd consequence: Student / Teacher conference and step 1 towards referral room
3rd consequence: Parent phone call and step 2 towards the referral room
4th consequence: Removal from classroom and sent to the referral room
5th consequence: Parent / Teacher / Student conference
Detention of 15 minutes or 30 minutes may be assigned at any time.
II.
Grading Policy
This class has been organized around the California State content standards for Mathematics and the
performance standards for the school (ie. participation, homework, etc). Therefore, students will be assessed
based upon their mastery of the content standards and ability to meet the performance standards.
Grades are an indication of the performance level achieved. Attendance and attempting work are important,
but neither will guarantee a passing grade in this class.
Grades will be determined by totaling all points earned and then dividing by the total points possible.
The following grade scale will be used: A = 90% - 100%, B = 80% - 89%, C = 70% - 79%, D = 55% - 69%
and F = below 55%.
Cheating in this class is defined by copying from another student, allowing another student to copy your work,
plagiarism, or using any other aids (other than the 3 by 5 notecard allowed) during a test. Any student caught
cheating will receive an automatic zero on the assignment or test.
1.
2.
3.
4.
III.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Homework Policy
Students will have homework up to 6 times throughout a two week period.
All homework must be completed using the two column method. The left column is for the original work
and the right column is for re-dos.
Homework will be graded the next day in class. Each question will be worth 1 point. If work is
not shown, a student will receive an automatic zero for that problem. All homework must be completed
in pencil to receive credit.
Any missed problem can be redone for full credit. Redone problems should be done next to the original
problem in the re-do column.
All redone homework may be turned in any morning before school by the day preceding the test of the cycle
the homework was assigned. The page being regraded should be identified in some way and put into
6.
7.
III.
1.
2.
3.
4.
6.
IV.
1.
2.
3.
4.
V.
1.
2.
VI.
1.
2.
3.
your period’s box. Notebooks will be return by class time.
Students who do not have 100% on their homework by the day before the test, may attend the Student/Parent
Homework night on the evening before the test. A parent must be in attendance for work to be regraded.
If a student scores a 90% or better on a test, all homework from that cycle that is scored lower than 70% will
be modified to 70%. This does not include homework not completed.
Assessment
Students will be assessed in this class by tests, benchmark tests, and projects.
Test will be given almost every other Thursday and will cover the standards that have been addressed during
that time plus the problems from the previous test that quarter.
Benchmark tests will be given at the end of each quarter and will cover the concepts addressed that quarter.
Projects will be assigned during a concept and will identify how well the student can apply the standards being
addressed.
Each assessment will be measured by their mastery of the standards involved.
Make-up policy
If a student is absent, he/she will be allowed one day for each day absent to make-up missed work. Students
download a homework calendar with all of the assignments from the class website, so it would be to the
student’s advantage to try the assigned homework.
If a major project is due on the day a student is absent, the project is due upon the student’s return.
If a student is absent on the day of an assessment, it is his/her responsibility to set up a make-up time for
before or after school.
If a student is truant, he/she will receive zeros for all work on those days.
Materials
It is recommended that students will need to bring the following materials to class everyday:
- A spiral notebook (with no more than 80 pages)
- The Course 2 Practice workbook
- AT LEAST 2 sharpened pencils (or mechanical pencils) and a red pen
- A simple 5 function Calculator (this may only be allowed for certain concepts)
- Ruler and protractor, roll of scotch tape and scissors.
Students will be assigned a textbook to use in the classroom. Since this textbook may be used by others, all
students using that book will be responsible for keeping the book in excellent condition. The students using
this textbook will be responsible for the cost if any damage is found.
Other
Need extra help!!!! I am available every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 7:15 am to 8 am.
There will also be Student/Parent Homework Help Nights held periodically throughout each quarter.
Parents must attend with their student.
The best way to reach me is by email as I may not get phone messages until a day later. Students may
email me but must identify themselves when doing so.
We have read and understand the code of conduct and policies on these pages. We understand it and will comply.
We understand that homework will be assigned daily and that students are responsible to turn in assignments they
have missed due to absences.
Name (print) ___________________________________________ Period ___________
Student’s signature _______________________________________________________
Parent signature _________________________________________________________