Math 51 – Pre-Algebra
First Day … MrV (David Vandewater)
Enrollment details
Volunteer Note-Taker Needed: Take lecture notes for DSPS students to use.
 Overview of the Syllabus
Responsibilities:
1.
clearly written
lecture notes
during
class meetings, then
Take
MrV’s
Website
and
Blackboard
2. Scan the notes as a PDF, send the notes to me for distribution.
 What will it take to pass this course?
Rewards: Upon successful completion of this semester-long activity, you will…
- Get Priority Class Registration privilege next semester
 Testing
Rules and Homework Teams
- Receive up to 20 extra credit points in this class
- Feel great that you were able to help others succeed in this class
 In-class
exercise:
your
first
Some
note-takers claim
that their Start
own grade
improved
duehomework
to this commitment.
If more than one student volunteers, I will review the notes after class and select
 Homework Format
the note-taker; a backup volunteer may also be selected.

(notes can be scanned in the DSPS Office; they need to be distributed the same day that they are taken)
I will ask for volunteers in a few minutes…
Overview of the Syllabus



Tonight: Read it carefully, take it seriously
Details the class objectives, resources, behavior,
drop criteria, grading, schedule & assignments
Acts as a contract between teacher & student



Your grade:


What I plan to give you
What you have to do to get it
10% Homework/Quizzes 70% Tests 20% Final Exam
Absent for a test? Take it in the LRC before next class.
Class Webpages and Blackboard




My Website gives you access to the updated
Syllabus, which has links to Assignments,
PowerPoints, Handouts and Current Grades.
Blackboard will only have links to my website
Activate your student My MSJC e-mail so that I
can contact you if class needs to be cancelled
A look at My Website:
http://www1.msjc.edu/instructor/dvandewater
What will it take to pass this course?
It’s a 3 credit class with a lot of homework









Be willing to CHANGE: Use new work habits and study skills
Focus – work hard starting TODAY
Don’t miss classes – Absence is a killer
Do daily written homework on time – Practice is key
Arrive in class a few minutes before it starts; I take roll at 3:30 sharp
Take notes on my presentation – mostly I use textbook examples
Work class exercises with me… and put them in your notes
If you “don’t get it”, Ask Questions
If you failed 051 before or your basic arithmetic skills are rusty:



Try walk-in help in the Learning Resource Center, Building 800 ground floor:
Student ID Required! Hours Mon-Thurs 9am-2pm, 4pm-7pm and Fri 9am-Noon
Ask the LRC for individual tutoring, or consider hiring a paid tutor
Insist that disruptions by other students be stopped
Get a Textbook Right Away !
(New textbook for Fall ‘12)
Your textbook is PreAlgebra 6th edition
by Bittinger/Ellenbogen/Johnson
ISBN13: 978-0-321-73154-8.
The MSJC MVC bookstore has a specially priced value
package containing the textbook and a MathXL access
code (which we will not use). Cost new: $137 +tax.
If you use an outside vendor to buy a new or used book:
- It MUST BE the 6th edition with the above ISBN.
- Make sure you receive it by the 3rd day of class.
An E-Text version can be rented for 180 days for $72,
but you need to have a suitable PC or tablet to use it.
Classroom WI-FI access is not guaranteed.
Free trial: (does not have access to all exercises)
http://www.coursesmart.com/IR/3704213/9780321737854?__hdv=6.8
Why you need your own textbook



Those who don’t buy their own textbook usually fail/drop
The Library and the LRC do not have copies
Homework:



Easier Note-taking:


Less writing. Board Examples are from the text (but DO the exercises)
In Case of Absence:


42 different assignments (one or two almost every day)
All are handed in for grading (part of your grade)
Self-study the Textbook Examples before doing the homework
When Having Difficulty:


Review any topics at any time at home/school
Bring to the LRC in support of your questions
Instructor Absence and Optional Activities

Instructor Absence… (when I’m sick or otherwise unavailable)



You can get together with one or two other students to form your
own Homework Team.




If a test is scheduled (and I can’t get a proctor), it will be postponed one class day.
Instead, self-study the next day’s text sections and do its assignments.
Not a test day? Self-study the day’s text sections, do its assignments.
Use the classroom as study room / workshop. Volunteer leaders can do
some problems on the board. Sign a roster before you leave.
Optimal size: 3 students
Try to have a range of skill levels
Take turns explaining how to do HW problems
Trouble with a difficult concept or with homework?


Re-read the textbook section and look at the examples in your notes.
Go to the Learning Resource Center (LRC) and get walk-in help from an
Assistant (they call them “Tutors”)
Highlights - from your Syllabus
Important Student Responsibilities

Get the right edition (6th) of the text before the 1st HW Pack submission
Hand in Homework Packages on time;
otherwise receive reduced or no credit.
Follow class rules concerning phone or other distractions.

All Tests count toward your grade.

When absent for a Test:
Take the test in the LRC before class meets again, or get a 0 grade.
Only one makeup Test can be taken in the LRC, without penalty.
Each additional LRC Test will have a 10% penalty.
If no longer attending, Drop this class yourself.
(otherwise an F or D is certain)
I would appreciate a courtesy e-mail when long absences occur.
Read the entire Syllabus.






Now for some Math…



Before today’s lesson, we’ll discuss your first homework
assignment 1A, and look at formatting and scoring it.
Making The Most Of Your HW
After that, we’ll review some of Chapter 1, which covers most
Math50 Concepts & Skills. You can earn a little extra credit…
We will complete the review in our next class session.
I am assuming that you already understand
most Whole Number arithmetic rules.
If not, you will find it useful to review
sections 1.1-1.9 before our next class.
Plan on two columns of exercises
Your Score is the number of completely correct exercises
12
In the upper-right corner:
Put your name, and
the complete assignment
Put in descriptions
that appear for
groups of exercises
Show borrows and
carries and work steps,
even if you can do it in
your head.
Always include the
original exercises
that are in the
textbook
Check answers in the
back of the text, then
circle correct answers.
Correct any wrong work
and answers.
X
Mark incomplete or
uncorrected exercises
with a big X on the
number.
Homework Highlights –
Package 2 example from your Syllabus

Make your Homework layout look like this: