2015 – 2016
Algebra I
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Muncy Junior-Senior High School
Algebra I Course Syllabus
2015-2016 School Year
Instructor:
Phone:
e-mail:
Mrs. Wertz
546-3127 ext. 3080
mwertz@muncysd.org
Meeting Times and Location:
After School Hours: Mon., Tues., Wed., and Thurs.
2:30 – 2:50
Periods 3-4, Room 251
Course Description
This course is intended to prepare students for the Keystone Algebra I Exam and the PSSA Grade 8 Assessment. Topics
will include those found in the current Keystone Algebra I Content Standards, as well as topics from the Pennsylvania
Grade 8 Assessment Anchor Content and Pennsylvania Grade 8 Common Core Standards. Students will be introduced to
the TI-84 Plus graphing calculator as a problem-solving tool and will further develop their skills in solving problems
analytically, numerically, and graphically.
Course Unit Outline
Course content builds upon that covered in Pre-Algebra. Specific objectives for each topic shown in the outline below
will be provided by the instructor at the time of coverage. Optional topics, to be covered at the discretion of the
instructor, and if time permits, will be from the Keystone Algebra II Standards. The order of coverage of some of the
topics may vary.
Module 1
1.1 Operations
 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
 Square of a Binomial
 Properties of Square Roots
 Simplifying Rational Expressions
1.2 Linear Equations and Systems of Linear Equations
 Solving Two-Step Linear Equations
 Solving Multi-Step Linear Equations
 Word Problems Involving One Step Linear Equations
 Word Problems: Linear Models
 Solving Systems of Linear Equations
 Solving Systems of Linear Equations using Graphing
 Solving Systems of Linear Equations using Elimination
 Solving Systems of Linear Equations using Substitution
 Writing Systems of Equations from Word Problems
1.3 Inequalities and Systems of Inequalities
 Solving One-Step Linear Inequalities
 Graphing Inequalities in One Variable
 Solving Linear Inequalities
 Compound Inequalities
 Absolute Value Inequalities
 Graphing Linear Inequalities in Two Variables
 Systems of Linear Inequalities
Algebra I
2015 – 2016
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Module 2
2.1 Functions
 Functions
 Input-Output Tables
 Ordered Pair
 Writing Number Patterns in Function Notation
 X-Intercepts
 Y-Intercepts
 Graphing Linear Equations
2.2 Coordinate Geometry
 Slope
 Slope-Intercept Form
 Standard Form
 Point-Slope Form
 Linear Function
2.3 Probability and Statistics
 Probability
 Addition Rule of Probability
 Multiplication Rule of Probability
 Scatter Plots
 Line of Best Fit
 Box and Whisker Plots
Daily Classroom Expectations
There are five basic expectations for each class period:
1. Be here and be on time.
2. Be prepared − have all materials with you each class period and be ready to start class when the bell rings. This
includes bringing your calculator to class every day! Failure to bring a calculator, or batteries for your
calculator, may result in taking an assessment without the use of a calculator!
3. Work to the best of your ability.
4. Be respectful of others.
5. Use a pencil.
Please refer to the Pathfinder for the building policy on cell phones and other electronic devices and locker and rest
room use throughout the school day.
Attendance, Absences and Make-Up Work
Tardiness is a classroom disruption and will be handled through detention, parent phone calls and referral to the
guidance and main offices. If you are absent, it is your responsibility to see me in the morning before the start of
homeroom to discuss what was missed and to receive any materials that were distributed during the class period(s) you
missed. Time will not be taken during the class period you return to take care of this. As stated in the Pathfinder,
students have the same number of days to make up any work missed for an excused absence. Failure to make up the
work in the allotted time will result in a score of zero for that work.
Algebra I
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Students present in school, but not present during the class period, on the day of an assessment are expected to take
the assessment that day. This includes, but is not limited to, participation in a school-sponsored field trip, HOPES, Key
Club luncheons, etc., and may require you to take the assessment in the morning before the start of homeroom. You
should notify me immediately when these absences will occur. Failure to take the assessment on the same day will
result in a score of zero for that assessment.
Students who are going to miss several consecutive class periods should see me immediately upon return to school to
receive any materials and to find out what was missed during the absence.
In rare situations, I may grant an extension for making up an assessment that is missed because of an absence at a
school-related activity.
Grading, Progress Reports, Retests and Extra Credit
Marking period grades will be calculated on the basis of a point system – the number of points earned out of the
number of possible points.
Graded material will consist of a combination of the following each marking period:
• Quizzes
• Exams
• Graded homework assignments
• In-class activities and explorations
It is the responsibility of each student to keep a grade record sheet, or check the PowerSchool website, to be aware of
their grade at all times throughout the marking period. Notification of student grade deficiency will be made through
mid-marking period progress reports, when necessary. Students should be capable and responsible enough to keep
parents/guardians aware of their standing in this course throughout the year.
There will be no re-quizzes and no re-tests offered throughout the course. Unless you are required to be given extra
time for completing quizzes and exams, please do not ask for additional time. Assessments are designed to be
completed in one class period. Assessments may include a calculator and/or a non-calculator portion to help prepare
students for the PSSA, Keystone Algebra I, and the SAT. They may also include cumulative questions from previously
learned course content. Common assessments that incorporate questions modeling PSSA, Keystone, and SAT
questions have been developed and will be used in all sections of Algebra I. Extra credit opportunities will be available
with each unit and will be added to students’ grades after the unit exam.
Progress Reports
Notification of student grade deficiency will be made through mid-marking period progress reports sent in the mail
through the guidance office for students of parents/guardians that do not have computer access. If a parent/guardian
has computer access, then they are able to keep up-to-date by using Power School, and paper progress reports will not
be sent through the Guidance Office.
Possibility of failure notifications will be sent (if needed) at the end of the first semester and at the end of the third
marking period.
Academic Dishonesty
You will be allowed and encouraged to work collaboratively throughout the year; however, when work is turned in, the
work must be your own. Do not turn in work that is plagiarized from another student and do not let another student
Algebra I
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copy your work. Any indication of academic dishonesty will be dealt with as a serious offense and will result in a grade
of zero for that assessment for all students involved and a referral to the Principal’s Office.
Homework
Homework assignments will be given regularly and will be periodically checked for completeness, collected and graded
for correctness, or checked through a Bell Ringer Quiz at the beginning of a class period. Checking and collecting of
assignments may be announced or unannounced. Be aware of the Mathematics Department policy that late or
incomplete assignments will not be accepted for credit.
Notebook
It is recommended that you use a three-ring binder as your notebook for this course. You will receive a large number of
handouts for each unit and will have to refer to previously covered material throughout the course.
Textbook and Graphing Calculators
You are financially responsible for the textbook and graphing calculator you are issued. Lost or damaged materials −
whether cosmetically or functionally − will be your financial responsibility and replacement/repair costs will be done
in accordance with district policy.
Examine the textbook carefully on the first day of class and make me aware of any problems with the text. Keep a cover
on your textbook at all times.
The only graphing calculators that are acceptable for use in Algebra I are those in the Texas Instruments TI-83 and TI-84
families of calculators. Students will be issued a TI-84 for use in the course, but will have to supply the batteries for the
calculator. If a student wishes to use their own calculator throughout the year, the calculator will be periodically
inspected by the instructor so that inappropriate programs or applications are not being used. Any non-approved
programs/applications for use in Algebra I can be removed from student-owned calculators at any time.
Be cautious in letting others borrow your calculator, even for a class period. Do not let your calculator remain in your
car for any period of time. Extreme heat or cold can damage the calculator.
Record the textbook and graphing calculator identification numbers in your notebook for future reference. Students
often mistakenly pick up a calculator that was not issued to them when they are working collaboratively. School-issued
graphing calculators are issued for use in mathematics courses, but you may use them for other courses that require the
use of a calculator.
Any inappropriate use of the school-issued graphing calculator in this course, another course, or at any other time will
result in you turning in the calculator at that time. Inappropriate use of a student-owned graphing calculator will
result in prohibition of its use in the course for the remainder of the year. If you are unsure about the meaning of
inappropriate use, please see me individually.
It is your responsibility to bring the calculator to class each day. Failure to bring your calculator (with properly working
batteries) may result in you taking an assessment without it.
Changes to Course Syllabus
In case of unforeseen circumstances during the school year, the information in this syllabus is subject to change. If any
changes are made, you will be notified through an addendum to the syllabus and a posting on my web page.
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Homework – Allow your parents to read the previous four pages of your class syllabus and sign this
sheet. Then, sign and return this form and bring batteries for your calculator to receive a 10/10. This
paper and the batteries are due no later than Monday, August 24, 2015. (Remember, there is no partial
credit for late assignments.)
Student Name = ________________________________________________________
Adult contact name = ____________________________________________________
(for the purpose of discussing academic progress in math class and/or for discipline problems)
Relationship to student (circle one below)
parent
step-parent
grandparent
guardian
Email address = __________________________________________________________________
Preferred contact phone number = ___________________________________________________
(Please keep in mind I will only be contacting you between the hours of 7:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M)
Textbook number _________________________________________________________________
Replacement cost for the 2012 Algebra I Common Core textbook: $87.97
Graphing calculator serial number ____________________________________________________
Replacement cost for the TI graphing calculator: $100.00
Please sign acknowledging that you have read and understand the information regarding this syllabus:
Student Signature _________________________________________________________________
Parent Signature __________________________________________________________________