Course Name
Credit Hours
Room Number(s)
Teacher
Contact Information
Office Hours:
Course
Description/Purpose
Intermediate Algebra
3 Math Credits
Room 120
Adan Ali
Adan.ali@mpls.k12.mn.us
Web: http://southwest.mpls.k12.mn.us/adan_ali.html
For additional help: Stop by room 120: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
3:15 - 4:15. I am available other times by appointment.
Using investigations to help students access the main ideas, this
course focuses on developing algebraic fluency, as well as expose
students to basic probability and statistics topics that they will be
expected to know when they take the 11th grade MCA test.
Students who are successful in this course typically register for
Geometry the following year.
Course
Goals/Learning
Objectives
We have eight units of study that include the following debatable
questions:
× Statistics “How valuable and dangerous are statistics describing a
population?”
× Advanced Solving “Do linear relationships occur more frequently
than other types of relationships in the real world?”
× Inequalities “Should companies only consider profit when
manufacturing a product?”
Exponents and Exponential Models “Is debt always bad?”
× Functions “Are functions and expressions the same thing?”
× Transformations “How do you define beauty?”
× Quadratic Models “Can you predict the future?”
× Probability “What makes a situation fair?”
Prerequisites
Students in grade 9 who have taken the linear portion of the
algebra curriculum in grade 8, or who struggled in their full-year
algebra course in middle school.
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Technology Use Policy No cell phones or personal electronics
Cell phones and personal electronics will not be a part of our daily
instruction. Thus, students are expected to turn-off their cell
phones and put away their iPods, etc. before they enter the
classroom. Texting will not be permitted. All electronics will be
turned into the office and will be subject to school electronic use
policies.
Students are expected to use the Student Portal to look up grades,
missing assignments, and keep apprised of their progress in class.
Textbook: Key Curriculum Press’ Discovering Algebra,
2nd edition.
Required
Textbooks/Equipment Supplies
You are expected to bring the following every day to class:
 Pencils
 Spiral Notebook or Binder AND folder. Both should be used
for MATH ONLY.
 Calculator, TI-84 preferred – Mr. Ali has a class set of
Graphing Calculators, but you may use your own if desired.
 If you need a calculator for a quiz or test, you need
to see me BEFORE class begins. Otherwise you
will have to wait until the quiz/test is passed out.
 Discovering Algebra Textbook – online version found at
flourishkh.com. You will need your textbook to access the
username/password for the online book. (Mr. Ali will walk you
through this process after we check out our books.)
Classroom
Procedures/Policies
Classroom Conduct
All students must respect each other’s right to learn. If a student’s
behavior inhibits another student(s) from learning, the teacher will
determine the appropriate disciplinary action. Teacher will follow
the Minneapolis discipline policy, including no use of personal
electronics in the classroom.
Classroom Rules
Be on time
Be prepared
Be on task
Be respectful
2
Assignments
And
Assessments
At the start of each unit, and throughout the unit, I will give you a
list of "Learning Targets” and an assignment list for your
homework. At least once a week, we will assess our progress
towards the learning targets.
Grades will be determined as follows:
 25% Assignments, Notes and Participation
 75% Learning Targets, Assessments, Projects
Grading Scale
GRADE
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
PERCENT
93
90
87
83
80
77
73
70
67
63
55
Below 55
Assignments, Notes, and Participation:
Homework will be assigned daily and randomly collected or
checked in class. Homework will be assessed based on a 0, 1, or 2
scale. IF YOU ARE ABSENT, LATE WORK IS ACCEPTEDOTHERWISE ASSIGNMENTS ARE TO BE COMPLETED
BY THEIR DUE DATE. Investigations, class activities, and
group work will be assigned regularly.
2, 1, 0 Scale: 2 for work shown and completed assignment. 1 for
answers only or partially completed assignment. 0 for no work or
answers.
Learning Targets**, Assessments, Projects:
Learning target quizzes will be used to assess learning target
progress. The quizzes will be graded on a 0 – 4 scale.
4, 3, 2, 1, 0 Scale: 4 exceeds expectations, 3 meets objectives, 2
progress made towards objectives, 1 little progress made towards
objectives. A zero will be given for no effort made towards
objectives.
Summative assessments (benchmark tests and projects) will be
assessed according to the IB Middle Years Program criteria.
Learning Target Improvement Opportunity** Benchmark
assessments will be graded using criteria A (Knowing and
Understanding Mathematics). If the benchmark demonstrates the
mastery of a learning target, then the previous learning target score
will be improved.
3
Student Code of
Conduct
All students are expected to adhere to the Southwest High School
and Minneapolis District Citywide Discipline Policy, designed to
promote a safe and respectful learning environment. For more
information about your rights and responsibilities consult your
Southwest Student/Parent Handbook.
It is expected that members of this class will observe strict policies
Academic Integrity:
Plagiarism/Consequen of academic honesty and will be respectful of each other. Any
instances in which cheating, including plagiarism and
ces
unauthorized use of copyrighted materials, computer accounts, or
someone else’s work is determined, will be referred to Student
Services and will be investigated to its full extent. Instances of
cheating will result in a 0 for the first offense, and an F for the
course the second offense. Find a definition of plagiarism on page
8 of the Student Handbook.
4
Please provide the following information and return to Mr. Ali for your first
homework assignment.
For Parent
PARENT NAME(S)
_________________________________
_________________________________
PARENT
EMAIL/PHONE NUMBER
_________________________________
Please inform me of any necessary information regarding your student:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
For student
STUDENT NAME
____________________________________
STUDENT SIGNATURE
____________________________________
STUDENT EMAIL
____________________________________
Favorite fruit or vegetable
____________________________________
Favorite hobby, sport, or activity
_______________________________
If you could travel to any place in the world, where would it be? Why would you
choose this place?
_________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Thank you for taking the time to read and sign this document!
~Mr. Ali
Mathematics Teacher
Southwest high School
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