Dear parent or guardian,
My name is Lance Groesbeck and I am your child's Algebra 1 teacher. I am very excited to be
teaching your child this year. I have a passion for math and technology and I hope to instill an
appreciation for math and the value it can add to our lives in your child. Supporting and
challenging each student so they can learn and grow to the best of their ability is what I strive
to do each and every day.
I am married and have four children of my own that range from two years old to nine. I
graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Mathematics and Psychology
and then I received my Masters in Education from the University of Washington as well. I spent
16 years teaching in the Edmonds school district, most of that time at Edmonds‐Woodway High
School teaching computers and math. I went back to school and received my principal
certificate and was the Assistant Principal at Emerson Elementary for the last three years. This
year I decided that I wanted to spend more time with my family so I am very excited to be back
in the classroom.
In the attached syllabus you can see the main content of this course and important information
about how I teach. Please review this syllabus and let me know you have seen it by signing
below and returning it to me. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me by
phone at 425‐385‐6121 (not during class please) or by e‐mail at lgroesbeck@everettsd.org.
Sincerely,
Mr. Lance Groesbeck
Algebra 1 – Syllabus Signature Form
Student Name:
_____________________________________
Please return this signature sheet to your teacher as soon as possible. Your signatures below
acknowledge receipt and understanding of the course outline.
We have read and understand the course standards and expectations from the syllabus.
_______________________________
_____________________________
Student Signature
Parent/Guardian Signature
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ALGEBRA 1 SYLLABUS 2016‐17
Cascade High School
Mr. Groesbeck’s Algebra 1 Class
Welcome to Algebra 1! I am looking forward to a year full of growth and learning. Algebra 1 is now aligned
with the national Common Core Standards. You will study and learn the critical elements of algebra which
include ideas around functions and systems of equations. It seems like we couldn’t possibly fit all that fun
into one year, but we will! Successfully completing Algebra 1 as well as passing a state mandated
assessment is required for graduation.
Materials Needed
What We’ll Learn
1. Functions
Required:
 Spiral Notebook
 Pencil
2. Solving & Graphing Equations
3. Systems of Equations
4. Exponential Functions
Suggested but not required:
 Ruler
 Scientific/graphing calculator
 Scotch tape
 Colored pencils/markers
5. Polynomials and Exponent Rules
6. Quadratics
7. Statistics
1. Everyone can learn Math to the highest levels
2. Mistakes are valuable
3. Questions are really important
4. Depth is much more important than speed
5. Math class is about learning, not performing
Contact Info
Extra Help
E‐mail:
lgroesbeck@everettsd.org
I am available before/after school almost every
Telephone:
(425) 385‐6121
Website:
www.everettsd.org/chs‐lgroesbeck
day. Check with me in class or send an email to
make sure that I don’t have a meeting on the day
you want to come in. I am here to help so don’t be
scared to ask for it!
Grading System
Assessments and assignments are attached to a standard (for example,
“Functions”). Standards quizzes and revisits will happen weekly (usually on
Friday), while projects and problem tasks will be interspersed throughout the
year. All are graded using a rubric scale from 0‐4. You earn a grade for what
you know. Your job is to convince me of your understanding.
Don’t like your score? No problem! You will revisit any standard to show me
you understand it better. Revisits will happen in class at least once per
standard. If you would like to revisit a standard outside of class, there are
some guidelines in place.**
Rubric Scale
4
Advanced understanding of the concept
without mistakes
**Out‐of‐Class Revisit Fine Points
1.
same day.
2.
3.5 Advanced understanding of the concept, but
small algebraic or arithmetic error
3
Proficient understanding of the concept but
making mistakes
2
Basic understanding of the concept but needing
practice
You cannot get tutoring and revisit on the
You can’t revisit more than two standards
at once.
3.
You must show me your completed practice
for the skill before revisiting.
4.
You can revisit any standard until about a
week before the end of the quarter. I will
1
Very little understanding of the concept
R
No demonstrated understanding yet and need
to retake
give you the exact date each quarter.
(That’s just to allow me enough time to
grade and enter all the scores into the
gradebook.
Other symbols that you might see are AB for absent, M for missing, and I for incomplete. There are no zeros
for missing work! I expect you to attempt every graded assessment. During the semester, if you have
incomplete or missing assignments, your overall grade will be shown as incomplete as well.
Electronics Policy
Electronics will sometimes be used for instructional purposes but should not be used
otherwise. On assessment days, if you use or have an electronic device (i.e. cell phone,
iPod, headphones, etc.) at any time during the class period or if you use formulas/notes
not approved by the teacher, you will receive a referral to the office for cheating.