School Year 2015 - 2016
Course Name
GSE Algebra I
Course Code
School Name
Lucy Craft Laney
Teacher Name
Ms. Marie Reid
School Phone
Number
(706) 823-6900
Teacher Email/
Reidma@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us
School
Website
http://laney.rcboe.org/
Phone
706-823-6900
Teacher
Website
Course Description
GSE Algebra is the first in a sequence of mathematic courses designed to prepare students to take Advanced
Placement Calculus or Advanced Placement Statistics in high school. Algebra I represents a discrete study of algebra
with correlated statistics application. The mathematic sequence is as follows: 8 th- Algebra I, 9th- Geometry, 10thAlgebra II, 11th – Pre-Calculus, 12th- AP Calculus or AP Statistics. A Carnegie Unit towards high school graduation
can be received upon successful completion of this course.
In the spring students take a culminating state exam, the Georgia Milestones End-of-Course test for Algebra I.
Major Course Goals:
The major course goal is for students to learn essential knowledge and skills about Functions, Algebra, Geometry, Statistics
and Probability, Algebra in Context, and Coordinate Geometry. Once mastered, these goals will give a student the ability to
use reasoning and thinking skills to learn and understand other curriculum objectives. It is the goal of the Mathematics
department to have students learn to use manipulatives and technology appropriately such as the graphing calculator and
algebra tiles as a mathematical tool. Graphing calculators are powerful mathematical tools. Through their use students can
visualize problems more quickly, discover mathematical properties, and validate their work done with pencil and paper.
They must be used appropriately. Graphing calculators are not substitutes for students learning mathematical concepts and
processes. They are to be used to enhance student learning. Students will be able to use graphing calculators when
appropriate either theirs or mine. Students are responsible for the one assigned to them during the class period. They will
sign it out and back end at the beginning and end of class. They are responsible for any damage during their check-out
period..
Bring your own technology (BYOT) allows students to have opportunities to learn mathematics using technology by
bringing personal technology to school to use for instructional purposes only. Technology covers hand-held and other
mobile equipment such as tablets, netbooks, notebooks, or other systems that can be used for word processing, Internet
access, recording audio or video, and that may serve other purposes as deemed appropriate for a subject area by the teacher.
The owner of the personal technology is responsible for the safe-keeping, storage, updating, charging and usage of the
device. Laney High School is not liable for theft, loss, or damage. All users must follow the Richmond County Internet
Acceptable Use Policy. Devices with other connectivity besides wireless (such as 3G or 4G) may only access the wireless
network provided by RCSS.
Game playing is not an appropriate use on the graphing calculator or BYOT and it will not be permitted in class. If a
student is found playing a game on any device, the device will be confiscated, and further disciplinary action is warranted.
Curriculum Overview
The following academic concepts will be covered. THIS IS ONLY A GUIDE AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
CURRICULUM OVERVIEW – UNITS OF STUDY
FALL Semester
SPRING Semester
Relationships Between Quantities and Expressions
Modeling and Analyzing Exponential Functions:
Reasoning with Linear Equations and Inequalities
Comparing and Contrasting Functions:
Modeling and Analyzing Quadratic Functions
Describing Data
Georgia Milestone EOC preparation
BOARD-APPROVED INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Title
Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt – Georgia Algebra
Online book and/or resources
my.hrw.com
GRADING SYSTEM: Lucy Craft Laney believes that the most important assessment of student learning shall be
conducted by the teachers as they observe and evaluate students in the context of ongoing classroom instruction. A
variety of approaches, methodologies, and resources shall be used to deliver educational services and to maximize
each student’s opportunity to succeed. Teachers shall evaluate student progress, report grades that represent the
student’s academic achievement, and communicate official academic progress to students and parents in a timely
manner through the electronic grading portal.
GRADING CATEGORIES
Homework - 10%
Quizzes – 20%
Guided, Group Practice, Classwork – 30%
Tests/Projects/Portfolios – 40%
GRADE PROTOCOL
A
90 – 100
B
80 – 89
C
75 – 79
D
70 -74
F
Below 70
EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS
Progress reports shall be issued on the following dates:
September 2, 2015
November 12, 2015
February 4, 2016
April 4, 2016
STUDENT PROGRESS
The progress of students shall be evaluated frequently and plans shall be generated to
remediate deficiencies as they are discovered. Plans shall include appropriate
interventions designed to meet the needs of the students.
Report Card dates:
October 14,2015
January 11, 2016
March 17, 2016
May 25, 2016
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
HOMEWORK
MAKE-UP WORK
DUE TO ABSENCES
Students will not engage in an act of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to,
cheating, providing false information, falsifying school records, forging signatures, or
using an unauthorized computer user ID or password.
Homework assignments should be meaningful and should be an application or
adaptation of a classroom experience. Homework is at all times an extension of the
teaching/learning experience. It should be considered the possession of the student
and should be collected, evaluated and returned to the students.
When a student is absent because of a legal reason as defined by Georgia law or when
the absence is apparently beyond the control of the student, the student shall be given
an opportunity to earn grade(s) for those days absent. Make-up work must be
completed within the designated time allotted.
Making arrangements for completing make-up work is the responsibility of the student. All
make-up work will be completed and turned in after school, but never during class.
Arrangements to complete make-up must be made by the student within two days of an
excused absence. Details of the school make-up policy/recovery policy can be found in your
student handbook.
The Recovery Policy is a provision for improving grades. This policy allows for
opportunities that allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade when all
work required to date has been completed and the student has demonstrated a legitimate
effort to meet all course requirements including attendance. Students should contact me
concerning recovery opportunities. I will establish a reasonable time period for recovery
work to be completed during the semester. All recovery work must be directly related to
course objectives and must be completed ten school days prior to the end of the semester. I
will determine when and how students with extenuating circumstances may improve their
grades.
SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESS
CLASSROOM
EXPECTATIONS
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Be on time.
Be prepared with all the supplies and designated work.
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Follow all school and district rules.
Be seated before the tardy bell with all required materials. Begin bell ringer
without prompting from teacher.
Treat others with respect.
Actively participate in class activities and discussions.
Please take all your books or other materials with you when you leave my class.
Anything found will be turned in to the lost and found or the media center.
No eating, drinking or gum chewing.
There will be NO sleeping or laying down of head in class.
There will NOT be any OBSCENE language used in this class.
Get water, use the restroom, and sharpen pencils before class.
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MATERIALS AND
SUPPLIES
EXTRA HELP
 Portfolio (3 inch, 3-ring binder): Student must maintain portfolio throughout the
semester. Portfolio will be graded.
 4 – Dividers (label as below)
◦ Bell Ringer
◦ Notes
◦ Classwork
◦ Homework
 Notebook paper (loose-leaf paper)
 #2 pencils and erasers, pencil sharpener (personal size)
 Scientific calculator –Recommended- TI 84 or TI 84 Plus
 Kleenex
 Hand sanitizer
 2 Highlighters (2 different colors)
 Tutorial
Monday and Wednesday, 2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
 Online Resources
o USA Test Prep – www.usatestprep.com
o Study Island – www.studyisland.com
o Khan Academy – www.khanacademy.org
o Edmodo – www.edmodo.com
o Learn Zillion- www.learnzillion.com
o See Gizmos – www.explorelearning.com
 teacher website for additional resources and instructions
PARENTS AS PARTNERS
 Reach out to teacher via email or phone with any questions or concerns or to set
up a conference
 Check Parent Portal on a regular basis
 Ensure students complete homework daily.
 Leverage the online resources noted above
 Review progress reports with student
September 2, 2015
November 12, 2015
February 4, 2016
April 4, 2016
Report Card dates:
October 14,2015
January 11, 2016
March 17, 2016
May 25, 2016
**IMPORTANT - Parent Contact Information and assignment - Your child's first assignment is to have his/her
parents send me an email so that I am sure to have your correct email addresses entered. In the email, simply place your
child's name and period number in the subject line. If you do not have an email address, please indicate that below.
EMAIL: reidma@boe.richmond.k12.ga.us
PLEASE SIGN BELOW AND RETURN
Student Name _____________________________________________________________
I have read the syllabus.
Student Signature___________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature____________________________________________________
Date_____________________________
Additional information to support continued contact:
Information
Home Phone Number
Cellular Phone Number
Work Phone Number
Email Address
Parent/Guardian