Algebra I Syllabus Mrs. Rink 580-864-7482, ext. 118 arink@cdwildcats.com Planning Period: 7th hour: 2:30 – 3:15 I also have a website that can be accessed through the school website. Go to www.c-d.k12.ok.us, click on the Teacher Pages tab, then click on Ashley Rink. This is site is not quite up & running, but I plan to have it going soon. This site will contain assignments, helpful links, & powerpoint presentations for the week’s lessons. Please be patient as I work to build this website. Feel free to contact me by phone, e-mail, or in person if you have any concerns or questions. COURSE DESCRIPTION: Algebra 1 is intended to build a foundation for all higher math classes. Algebra 1 introduces the student to variables, algebraic expressions, equations, functions, inequalities, and their graphical representation. The student develops the ability to: explore and solve mathematical problems, think critically, work cooperatively with others, and communicate mathematical ideas clearly. Students will learn all required concepts to help them succeed on the end of instruction exam given in May as well as material that will help them to succeed in the real world. Please remember that a satisfactory/passing grade on the Algebra I EOI is required for graduation. Everything done in this class will have a learning objective behind it. I will let students know what these objectives are as we begin each class period. All students can be successful. I will do everything I can to help each of you build a solid math foundation but I cannot do it alone. Students must do their part as well. The rest of this syllabus outlines what is expected of students in Algebra . MATERIALS: Algebra 1 – Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Algebra 1 workbook and State Tests Prep Workbook 3-ring Binder with tab dividers loose-leaf paper, pencils, and erasers Scientific Calculator **The above materials are the property of Covington-Douglas Public Schools and will be returned at the end of the school year. Non-consumable materials not returned must be paid for. GRADING: Students will be graded on their understanding and completion of homework, in class assignments, participation, quizzes, and tests. Grades are weighted on the following scale: Class notes/Folder/Warm-Ups 10% Participation Points 10% Homework & Quizzes 20% Tests 60% The grading scale is: A: 90 – 100% D: 60 – 70% B: 80 – 90% F: 0 – 60% C: 70 – 80% CLASSWORK: You are expected to come to class prepared with all of your materials everyday! There will be a “warm-up” on the overhead everyday when students enter the classroom. Students need to begin working on these problems as soon as they enter the classroom. Notes should be taken everyday over the lecture material & placed in the binder for reference. Notes are to be used as a guideline for homework and to help students study for tests. Students will be given a daily assignment that will usually be due the following day. Students will be informed of due dates on all assignments. All assignments must be completed on loose-leaf paper in PENCIL. Papers done in anything other than pencil will not be accepted. In order to receive credit for assignments, students must show all work. NO WORK = NO CREDIT. Homework will be reviewed every day along with the warm-up problems. Students are expected to keep a binder with syllabus, notes, and warm-ups. It is also advisable for students to keep graded papers, tests, & quizzes. These are helpful for studying for upcoming quizzes & tests. Also, they provide proof that an assignment was turned in & I can correct inadvertent gradebook mistakes easily. Notebooks will be graded during every chapter test. All assignments need to have the following in the top right corner of the paper: First & Last Name Class Title & Hour Page Number Problem Numbers LATE WORK: Late work will not be accepted in this class. Homework must be in the classroom and ready to turn in when the tardy bell rings. Homework that is not turned in when due will receive a grade of 0. Students should use their time wisely and have homework ready by the due date. ***Each student will be given a FREE HOMEWORK PASS at the beginning of each nine week period. This pass can be used to replace a homework assignment that a student does not have ready to turn in. It must be turned in when the assignment is due. Students may only use one pass per nine weeks – even if you have four, you may only use one! Passes may not be used on warm-up problems, quizzes, or tests. QUIZZES & TESTS: All tests and quizzes are to be done in PENCIL and all work must be shown or they will not be graded. Quizzes will not always be announced. Some quizzes will be a part of the daily warm-up activities. All tests will be announced in advance. A practice test will be given one to two days in advance of the test to help students review material. Students are expected to be prepared for tests. Practice tests will be reviewed in class, but if additional help is needed I will be available before school, at lunch, and after school. PARTICIPATION: Students will be expected to participate daily in class. This includes but is not limited to completing the warm-up problem, asking/answering questions about homework and lessons, and cooperating with classmates during in-class projects. Each student will receive up to 5 participation points daily. Points will be deducted from students that are tardy, not prepared for class, cause a disturbance during class, etc. ABSENCES: It is the responsibility of the student to obtain warm-up problems, lecture notes, and assignments from any absence. Students also must come in before school for help on missed assignments. Absent students will have as many days as their absence in order to make up the warm-up problems & homework assignments missed. If a student is going to be absent due to a school activity, the student must meet with me at least one day in advance of the absence in order to obtain notes and/or the assignment that will be missed. Students will not be able to receive credit for the missed assignment unless they have met with me in advance. If the student needs help with the assignment that they have missed, they must come in before school on the day they return to school. If the student does not come in before school, it will be assumed that they understood the assignment and it will be due in class. Students that are absent the day before a test will still be expected to take the test on the scheduled day. Students that are absent the day of a test will be expected to take the exam on the day that they return to school. TUTORING: Weekly tutoring is required of every Algebra 1 student. We will meet every Tuesday morning at 8AM. This is MANDATORY. This is a time for us to do extra EOI practice as well as a time for extra discussion on major EOI topics, such as graphing. Any Algebra 1 student with a D or F average will attend tutoring every morning at 8AM until a C average is obtained. This tutoring and extra practice is necessary for student success on the End of Instruction Exam. Any student that does not attend mandatory tutoring will be referred to Mr. Smith for disciplinary action. Again, I want every student to know that you can learn math! Together we will work hard and make this class an enjoyable experience for all. Remember: if you don’t understand, JUST ASK! I am here to help you succeed. I am available whenever you need help: before and after school or lunch if necessary. Dear Students & Parents – Attached to this note you will find a copy of the class syllabus, rules, and procedures. We have gone over these together in class and each student has a copy in his or her notebook that is to remain there for the entire year. This is a copy for parents to have on hand at home. Please read over these materials together so that everyone can be on the same page about what will be happening in Mrs. Rink’s classroom. If there are ever any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I am available before school, at lunch and after school. My planning period is 7th hour (2:30 – 3:15), but you may call me at any time and leave a message. My phone number is 580-864-7482, ext. 118. You may also contact me by e-mail at arink@cdwildcats.com. Please sign below to acknowledge that you have read and understand the syllabus, rules, and procedures of Mrs. Rink’s classroom. _____________________________ Parent Signature ________________________________ Work Phone (if I may contact you there) ______________________ Home Phone ___________________________________________ Parent Email Address (Please print clearly) _____________________________ Student Signature ________________________ Date