Algebra 1
Ms. Kelley
Room 223
jkelley@highlandcusd5.org
Congratulations and welcome to advanced mathematics! Your ability, determination, and hard work have placed you in
this class. Though continued effort and commitment, maintaining this advanced status will enable you to continue on a
path to earn early college credit in high school; for that reason, to prepare you for Honors Geometry next year, we will
use the format of the HHS Algebra 1 curriculum.
As you may know, the Illinois State Board of Education has adopted new math standards for K‐ 12 education known as
the Common Core State Standards. The standards are high, clear, and uniform to ensure that students are prepared for
success in college and the workforce. A strong emphasis will be placed on applying this knowledge to real world
situations and new teaching and learning practices will be explored. Information about the course and a brief outline of
the units to be covered follows.
Supplies Needed
 Three-Ring Binder
- Filler Paper: 3-Hole Punched
- Graph Paper
 Scientific Calculator
- Sharing and borrowing not permitted.
 Pencils/Erasers
 Red Pens
HMS Grading Scale:
100 – 93 A
92 – 85 B
84 – 75 C
74 – 67 D
66 – 0 F
Textbook
The Prentice Hall Algebra 1 textbook will not be followed strictly. Instead it will serve as a source for problems
and a resource for vocabulary terms and formulas. For additional support, you may go online to
www.PHSchool.com.
Classroom Procedures
1. Grades: Grades will be taken on daily work (10 points), tasks (10 points), quizzes (50 points), tests (100 points),
and projects and are based on total points. The percentage you receive is based on the number of points earned
divided by the total points possible. An effort will be made to model the high school and achieve a grade ratio of
30% Homework : 70% Tests & Quizzes.
2. Classwork/Homework: Success in mathematics is only possible through practice. For that reason, students will
learn through assigned tasks and practice in class. Homework assignments may be given that reinforce a variety
of these targeted skills or general skills. All assignments must be completed and turned in on time.
3. Extra Credit: The “Problem of the Week” is one of your only chances for extra credit. Take advantage of it!
However, you may only work on it outside of the classroom. Turn it into the designated area before the end of
class on the last day of the week and if correct, you will be awarded extra credit points.
4. Khan Academy: This website features thousands of educational resources and will be utilized periodically in
class. In addition, it is recommended at home for continued reinforcement of skills. Students will have a secure
account where they can view their personalized learning dashboard, watch video tutorials, and earn
points/badges by mastering skills.
5. Absences: You are responsible for making up any work missed during an absence. It is likely you will be able to
obtain any missed work on Team 8 Red’s Website (hms8red.weebly.com). Otherwise, check with me for makeup work and submit work to designated tray.
6. The 3 R’s – Ready for Class, Respect, & Responsibility: The 3 R’s were established to enhance your learning
environment and enable you to achieve success. Consequences will apply to those students who choose not to
honor them. If you violate any of the 3 R’s, you may be asked to sign your name to a form corresponding to the
infraction to document behavior. After three infractions, the student will serve time in DSR per violation of
classroom rules. Generally, this policy will be used with Level I Infractions only (see HMS Student Handbook).
7. Lost & Found: Belongings left in my classroom will be placed in the “Lost and Found” crate. However, I am
not responsible for them.
8. Cheating: Any form of cheating will not be tolerated and will result in a score of zero.
9. General Schedule: The following daily schedule is a general outline and may change if necessary.
Review: This is a time to ask questions regarding the material or any assigned problems. We will go over the
assignment from the previous day’s lesson together and grade it.
Lesson: A brief description of the Algebra 1 topics to be covered this year follows:
Chapter 0 - Introduction to Six Mathematical Functions
Chapter 1 – Variables, Function Patterns, and Graphs
Chapter 2 – Rational Numbers
Chapter 3 – Solving Equations
Chapter 4 – Solving Inequalities
Chapter 5 - Graphs and Functions
Chapter 6 – Linear Equations and Their Graphs
Chapter 7 – Systems of Equations
Chapter 8 - Exponents and Exponential Functions
Chapter 9 - Polynomials and Factoring
Chapter 10 – Quadratic Equations and Functions
Chapter 11 – Radical Expressions and Equations
Chapter 12 – Rational Expressions and Functions
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At the conclusion of each chapter, you will be given a test. Retakes will not be allowed.
At the conclusion of each semester, you will be given a Final Exam. The Final Exam score will
not be averaged into your nine-week score but will serve as 20% of your semester average grade,
resulting in the following breakdown. Q1: 40%, Q2: 40%, Exam: 20% = Semester Grade.