Algebra 1
2014-2015
Instructor: Ms. Lorenz
Email: jayme.lorenz@lcps.org
Building: Mercer Middle School
Main Office #: (703) 957-4340
Course Content
This is a high school level course. Students will receive high school credit for this class upon
successful completion. Additionally, they will receive a “verified” credit upon successful completion
of the Algebra I End of Course SOL (Standards of Learning) Test.
Outline for the Year
1st
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2nd Quarter
Quarter
Expressions and Order of Operations
Representing and Simplifying Expressions
Properties of Real Numbers
Solving Equations and Inequalities
Functions
3rd Quarter
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Graphing Linear Inequalities in Two Variables
Solving/Graphing Systems of Linear
Equations
Operations with Exponents
Operations with Polynomials
Factoring
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Graphing Linear Equations and Inequalities
Writing the Equation of a Line
Parallel & Perpendicular Lines
Variation
4th Quarter
Graphing Quadratics
Best Fit Lines & Curves
Essential Quadratic Skills
Statistics
SOL Review
Grading Policy
Each quarter, grades will be determined by dividing the total number of points earned on summative
assessments by the total number of points possible. This year, LCPS and Mercer will continue the
grading for mastery model. Homework and other forms of formative assessment WILL NOT
contribute to a student’s grade. A students’ final grade will be determined by their success on
summative assessments. The two quarterly grades are each 40% of the semester grade. The exam
will make up the remaining 20% of the final semester grade.
Homework Policy
Homework is generally assigned each night and is expected to be turned in the next block. Homework
is extremely important as it provides the students with an opportunity to practice new concepts on their
own. Their success with each assignment is an indication of how well they are progressing towards
mastery of these new concepts. The homework will be recorded each day and gone over in class.
Please use the parent portal to check Clarity and see if your child’s homework is being completed.
Students must show all of their work for an assignment to be complete. A “Z” indicates that the work
was not complete. A “U” indicates that the work was unsatisfactory (most of the work was complete
but the student may have skipped one or two problems). An “S” indicates that the work was complete.
Extra Help
Students needing extra help can make an appointment to meet with me before the start of the school
day. More information about morning sessions will be posted on my webpage as needed.
Reteach/Retake
Students who score below a 70% on any summative assessment have not demonstrated mastery of the
concepts being tested and will be REQUIRED to retake that assessment. All required retakes must be
completed within the time frame designated by the teacher. Prior to a retake, students will be required
to submit a retake contract signed by a parent/guardian. Additionally, test corrections and/or a retake
study guide along with 100% of the students’ formative assessments (homework, in-class assignments,
and quizzes) must also be turned in.
Students who have completed 100% of their homework will be allowed to complete one optional
retake per quarter. All optional retakes will be administered on a designated day at the end of each
quarter. Prior to the optional retake, students will be required to submit a retake contract signed by a
parent/guardian. Students who have missing homework assignments will not be permitted to complete
the optional retake.
There will be NO retakes on the semester exams.
Absences
Students are responsible for obtaining all missed work. This includes notes, warm-ups, and homework
for each block they missed. Students are also responsible for making arrangements to make up any
formative or summative assessments they missed due to an absence. Students may be pulled from their
resource to complete their missing assignments, notes, or exams.
Classroom Materials
Students should bring the following to class with them on a daily basis.
 Notebook Paper
 Pencils and Erasers
 Three Ring Binder with 5 Dividers (Strongly Suggested)
Organization is a key element to student success. I recognize that many students have their
own organizational system. It is my recommendation, however, that they have a separate
binder devoted to math. Many students have found it helpful to include five dividers labeled as
follows: Warm-Ups, Notes, Homework, Tests/Quizzes, SOL Practice.
Calculators
We will be using the TI-nspire cx graphing calculator in class this year. It is not necessary that
students own a graphing calculator. There is a set in the room for students to use during class. The
resource teachers also have a set for students to use during resource.
Email Updates
Your signature below indicates that you have read and understand the class syllabus. Much of my
communication with parents is done via email. Throughout the year, I will be sending updates on our
progress in class, but I highly encourage students and parents to reference my class webpage on a
regular basis. The link to the webpage is http://www.lcps.org/Domain/14258
Please provide me with an email address that you check regularly on the line below. Feel free to
contact me if you have any further questions. I am looking forward to a great year!
_______________________________
Parent Signature
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Student Signature
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Print Parent Name
______________________________
Print Student Name
________________________________________________________________________
Email Address. Please PRINT NEATLY.
Email Updates
Your signature below indicates that you have read and understand the class syllabus. Much of my
communication with parents is done via email. Throughout the year, I will be sending updates on our
progress in class, but I highly encourage students and parents to reference my class webpage on a
regular basis. The link to the webpage is http://www.lcps.org/Domain/14258
Please provide me with an email address that you check regularly on the line below. Feel free to
contact me if you have any further questions. I am looking forward to a great year!
_______________________________
Parent Signature
______________________________
Student Signature
_______________________________
Print Parent Name
______________________________
Print Student Name
________________________________________________________________________
Email Address. Please PRINT NEATLY.