Course Description and Requirements Algebra I 2009 - 2010 Instructor Information Instructor: Dr. Danielle Sherwood Office: N-102 (Science/English Office) and E 114 (Math Office) Telephone : 718-423-8810 ext. 231 Email: dsherwood@sfponline.org (preferred method of contact) Course Objectives 1. 2. 3. 4. To create a foundation and become proficient with mathematical skills. To develop an expanded understanding of mathematical concepts. To develop critical thinking, reasoning, and time management skills. To gain the necessary knowledge required to pass a cumulative departmental final and the New York State Algebra Regents. 5. To practice maintaining notes and data in an organized fashion. Behavior 1. Mutual respect must be present at all times 2. Please use the bathroom before/after class or at lunch time. Leaving the classroom during lecture to use the bathroom should be reserved for emergency situations. 3. Class begins when the bell rings, if you are not in your seat at this time you are late. After your second late, you will be required to serve a 7:30 am teacher detention. 4. Disruptions in class will not be tolerated. 5. Students must always be prepared and neat (books and other items go under your desk). 6. Cutting class is not acceptable and will be subject to a phone call home. Ten (10) points will be deducted from your quarter average (for example, an average of 90% becomes 80%). 7. The dress code and honor codes of SFP will be strictly enforced at all times. 8. In case of an absence YOU are responsible for getting the notes and assignments for the day. Being absent is not an excuse for missing due dates and not handing in assignments. *Any violation of the above behavior code of conduct may result in detention, grade deductions or both. Page 1 of 8 Supplies Class Supplies 1. Barron Review Course Series, Let’s Review: Integrated Algebra (purchased at book sale) 2. (1) 1-1 ½ inch 3 ring binder* (must contain loose leaf at all times and must be brought to each class) to be used as “Class Binder.” 3. (1) 4 in. binder- “Master Binder” to be kept at home, with notes/handouts/assignments from previous quarters. 4. (2) sets of at least 5 binder dividers that will be used to organize your Master Binder 5. (1) Red pen to be used to check homework 6. Pencils, pens (black or blue only for homework, tests, and quizzes), erasers, etc. 7. Calculator 8. Hole Punch (must be available at home at least) 9. College Ruled Loose-leaf for Homework Assignments and notes * None of these supplies should be shared with other subjects. Class Binder An important skill necessary to be a mathematician (as well as many other fields) is the ability to maintain notes, data, and paper in an organized fashion. With this in mind, your class binder must be kept neat at all times, and it must be with you at all times. If you have Algebra I during a certain period you can expect that you must have your class binder with you. You will divide your class binder into the following 5 sections: 1) Notes and Handouts 2) Homework 3) Exams and Quizzes 4) Loose leaf Within the “Notes” section you will keep all of the notes for each quarter. Please date your notes and keep them in chronological order starting with the oldest material first. The same applies for the Homework and Exam/Quizzes sections. The lab section of your portfolio will contain the notes for each lab activity written down in the graph paper notebook. In this notebook keep your scrap work and data, and any handouts given. Please keep this section in chronological order, just as the others. In the last section of your portfolio please keep enough fresh loose leaf so that you do not run out. At the end of every quarter portfolios will be collected, checked, graded, and returned. Once your portfolio has been graded you will be instructed to transfer each of the sections to the 4-inch “Master” binder kept at home. Page 2 of 8 Master Binder You will divide your Master Binder into the following 4 sections: 1) Notes and Handouts 2) Homework 3) Exams and Quizzes Once your portfolio has been graded you will be instructed to transfer each of the sections to the 4-inch “Master” binder kept at home. With each passing quarter you will add material to the master binder. At the end of the school year you will have a master binder containing all notes, homework assignments, exams and labs in separate sections, chronologically ordered by topic. DO NOT LOSE THIS BINDER. You will need this to study for the end of the year final and will find it to be a useful reference as you go on in your studies. Class Information Class time will be spent taking notes and doing activities relating to the topics being studied. Notes and class activities will be posted on the Saint Francis Prep. website at the latest by the end of each cycle. Homework Homework will be assigned daily. Late homework will only be accepted by handing it in at 7:30 AM with a signed note from your parent or guardian indicating his/her awareness that the assignment is late. Calculators Students are expected to come prepared for each exam or quiz. This includes brining in a pen or pencil and your own calculator. THERE WILL BE ABSOLUTLEY NO BORROWING OF CALCULATORS DURING CLASS, A QUIZ OR AN EXAM. If you forget your calculator you will be sent to your locker to get it (and you will lose that time on the exam). If it is not in your locker, you will be unable to use a calculator on the exam or quiz. “Dead Batteries” is not a valid excuse. When your batteries are going dead the calculator displays a warning message. Replace the batteries. Exams Each quarter you will have 3-4 tests. The last test of each quarter will be cumulative. If a student is absent from a test, he/she is responsible for arranging to take a make up test before the start of school. If you are absent for a second test during the quarter, your parents or guardians will be notified. Quizzes Quizzes may be given at the start of any lecture. You will be given notice of many quizzes, although some may be unannounced. You should spend time reviewing the materials from class each day so that you are prepared at all times. Quiz material will Page 3 of 8 come from notes that you take during class. You will not be asked questions on information we have never discussed. Each quarter, your lowest quiz grade will be dropped. If you have missed a quiz due to absence, this will count as your lowest grade. Make-up quizzes will only be given in extenuating circumstances at 7:30 AM. Extra Help If you feel you are having any problems with the material covered in class, please see me right away. Many of the topics build on what we did on the previous days and weeks. So if you do not understand a particular topic, it can affect your understanding for many other chapters. Make the effort to come to extra help if you need it. Extra help will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays before school (7:30) and any other morning and most afternoons by appointment (please email me to set up a time). Morning help will be available in E112. You do not need to come in at 7:30 for extra help. I only offer it that early because some students have class at 7:50. However, the door closes at 8:00am. No exceptions. If you have any questions regarding dates of exams/quizzes or homework, you can reach me by email at dsherwood@sfponline.org. Academic Integrity All the work you do and/or hand in should reflect your knowledge and understanding of the material covered. Cheating in any form will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty will result in a grade of 0 for that exam or quiz. In addition, parents will be notified in the event of any incident. The student also risks a school Honor Code violation. Absence In the event that you miss a class due to an absence, it is your responsibility to make up materials that were missed. This includes downloading the notes or coping them from another student, handing in class activities, and contacting the instructor for a time to make-up any other materials. If you will not be in class due to a school event (school trip, retreat, etc.), you need to inform me at least 24h in advance, preferably by email (dsherwood@sfponline.org). It is your responsibility to make up missed work from class. If you cut a class, you will receive a 0 for any class work, homework, quizzes or tests. You will not be able to make up this work. Ten points will be deducted from your quarter average. You are expected to be on time to class. If you are late to class, you will be assigned a 7:30 AM teacher detention. Make up Policy Page 4 of 8 Only one major exam per quarter can be made up. Exceptions are made in extraordinary circumstances in a process that involves dialogue with parents/guardians and school officials whenever necessary. In most instances, a doctor’s note or some verification from the appropriate source that something out of the ordinary is occurring in the student’s life is required. Additional make-ups beyond the “one exam per quarter” rule are at the discretion of the teacher. Students who are absent are responsible for all the work that is missed. Every student should have the phone numbers and/or email addresses of AT LEAST two other students from their section who can be contacted in the event of an absence. In the event of absence, the student should: Contact a classmate to inquire about assignments and announcements made in class. Check the class page on the St. Francis Prep website Dialogue with the teacher within 48 hours to make arrangements for work that was missed. Keep the assigned appointment for the make-up. Failure to initiate a conversation with the teacher within two days of the students return and/or failure to keep the make-up appointment will result in 0% for all work missed (including exams and quizzes). The responsibility to initiate the make-up process rides solely on the shoulders of the student involved. Under no circumstances is it the teacher’s responsibility to contact the student about missed work. Communication with Dr. Sherwood In Person In order to finish the material that we have planned for the day in class, I will be unable to deal with questions on an individual basis before or after class. If you would like to speak with me, I will be available most days before school at 7:30 AM and by appointment. Via Email Allow at least 1 business day for me to respond to your message. If you do not receive a response from me, this means I did not receive your message. You will need to resend your email. When corresponding with me via email, students often forget they are communicating in a professional environment. Please use a business format as well as proper grammar (including no abbreviations) and correct capitalization and punctuation in your email messages. Try to always include a subject. Emails that I feel are unprofessional will be returned unanswered. You must include your first and last name in all email communications. An example of a well-written email message: Page 5 of 8 Hi Dr. Sherwood, I was wondering if you had the answers to the homework on your computer. If you do, would it be possible for you to send them to me? Thanks, Katie Grasso Grading Policy You will have real-time access to your grades via the school’s grading program (details to this program will be provided in a separate handout). It is your responsibility to stay up to date with the grades that I have posted for you. If you find a discrepancy between the posted grade and the grade you think you should have, please let me know as soon as possible in writing (this includes resubmitting the assignment, test, or quiz that is the subject of the discrepancy). Your written submission will allow me to check out the issue without using class time. Quarter Grades Exam scores, quizzes, homework, lab reports, class binder, and participation will be weighted in your quarter average according to the following chart. Exams Quizzes Homework 85% 10% 5% The reason why such a large emphasis is based on exam and quiz performance is that when students sit to take the NYS Algebra Regents in June (a State Requirement for Graduation); there are no points for class participation and homework. I do not want any student having a false sense of confidence because they had inflated quarter grades during the year due to having high grades in homework and class participation. Final Grade Each quarter grade, along with your Final exam counts as 20% of your year-end course grade. Summer School at St. Francis Prep is mandatory for any student who fails this course. Page 6 of 8 Algebra I Parents/Guardians Information The best way for your student to be successful in this course is by having a regular dialogue with your student about the schedule of activities, assignments, as well as exam dates. The class schedule and notes will be posted online on the St. Francis Prep. website. Additionally, you will have real-time access to your student’s grades via the school’s grading program (details to this program will be provided in a separate handout). Please feel free to contact me at any time to discuss your student’s progress or with any questions or concerns. I teach in both the mathematics and science departments, so it can be challenging to contact me via phone. With this in mind, my preferred method of contact is email (dsherwood@sfponline.org). I will respond to your email within 2 business days. If you do not receive a response after this time, please resend your email. If you prefer to speak via phone, it would be best to contact me first by email to set up a time when we are both available. Instructor Information Instructor: Dr. Danielle Sherwood Office: N-102 (Science/English Office) and E 114 (Math Office) Telephone : 718-423-8810 ext. 231 Email: dsherwood@sfponline.org (preferred method of contact) Page 7 of 8 Student & Parent/Guardian Signatures Print Student Name _________________________________________________ Student ID # ____________________ I have read and discussed the Course Information and Requirements Contract with Dr. Sherwood. I am aware of my responsibilities. I understand what is expected of me and how I will be graded for this course. I have shared this information with my parents/guardians as well. Student Signature ___________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Parent/ Guardian Signature__________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Please return this portion of the contract to Dr. Sherwood no later than the conclusion of the first cycle. Student Reminder: It is a violation of the St. Francis Prep Honor Code for a student to forge the signature of a parent. The student has a moral responsibility to share pertinent information regarding his/her progress with the parents/guardians. A student who forges the signature of a parent or knowingly keeps pertinent information from the parent also violates the Mission Statement of St. Francis Prep. Any student who makes this regrettable decision will be dealt with most severely according to the provisions set forth in our Honor Code. Note to Parents: Please keep page 7 of these course requirements for your own records. Page 8 of 8