Napa Valley College, Fall 2015
Math 55 PreAlgebra 11:00 am
Section 1233
Instructor: Lisa Nussdorfer
Office Hours: M-Th 8:30 – 9:30 am,
M 12:15 – 12:45; T: 4:45 – 5:15
Email: lnussdorfer@napavalley.edu
Phone: 256-7735
Room: 1030C
Materials: 3 ring binder or folder, scientific calculator (with fraction key), lined & graph paper,
general school supplies.
Online Homework: The online homework system MyMathLab (MML) is required. To register go
to www.mymathlab.com. Use the CourseID: nussdorfer31825. You can sign up for a free trial
account right away and later enter your access code (provided with new books at the bookstore).
Textbook: Prealgebra, 7th Edition by Bittinger/Ellenbogen/Johnson. Reading the textbook is
required. A good option is the looseleaf textbook with an access code. We will be practicing
problems in the textbook most class sessions.
Apps: Mylabmastering (snapshot); EText
Course Description
Prealgebra is a course which provides students with the prerequisite skills necessary for success in
Beginning Algebra (MATH 90). Students will solve practical problems from daily life, learn how to use
their calculator, and prepare for a transition to algebra.
Student Learning Outcomes: (SLO)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Simplify algebraic expressions
2. Perform arithmetic operations with rational numbers by hand and calculator
3. Solve simple linear equations
Grading
Exams (3) ........................................................... 45%
Quizzes ................................................................ 10%
Homework ........................................................ 20%
Notebook (Classwork & Homework)……..5%
Final...................................................................... 20%
Course Grades will use the following scale:
90-100% A 80-89% B 70-79% C 60-69% D 0-59% F
Grades are instantly calculated online through MML, please check the grades carefully throughout
the semester.
Exams and Final
There will be 3 exams each worth 15% of your grade. There are NO makeups for exams. The
exams must be taken on the exam date as listed on the schedule. I will replace your lowest test
score with the Final Exam score if it improves your grade.
Online Homework
The Complete List of Assignments for the semester (with tentative due dates) is available on MML.
 All of the homework that is completed online must be also completed in your Homework
Notebook. The HW Notebook will be checked on test days.
 You may rework problems on the homework assignments to improve your grade before the due
date. You can do late homework, but all late problems will have a penalty of 10% per day, per
problem.
 If you wish to review a homework assignment (without accidentally lowering your score!), click
on the Gradebook button, then click on the word Review next to the assignment you wish to
study.
Quizzes
Quizzes will be completed in class on the tentative dates provided on the schedule. You can have a
maximum of one makeup on quizzes, if I am contacted before class by email. I will drop the lowest
quiz score at the end of the semester.
Homework Notebook – You must show work for all of your online homework and it must be
well-organized and neat. Your notebook is not scratch paper.
 Each assignment must be labeled with the assignment number, section number and
problem number.
 You must show all your work. You must write down the original problem on your
paper before working it out (except long word problems). When you work out the
problem, show your work in an organized and neat manner. Box your final answer.
 If you decide to do your work in two columns, you must finish all the problems in the
first column before you start the second column.
 You must use graph paper to hand draw your graphs with axes labeled and graphs
appropriately scaled (chapters 6)
Classwork
 You will be assigned classwork in class almost every class session (we might skip days when
we have quizzes). These will be collected or checked in class.
 If you are absent on the day that classwork is collected, then you must put it in my box.
 If you are absent when I assign classwork, then you cannot make it up.
 Most classwork will be completed in groups using your textbook, you must be able to access
your textbook in class. You only need to bring the chapter that we are working on.
 At the beginning of class, we will complete previews.
 For each sheet of paper, there will be 4 previews. Please number them from one to four
Attendance:
Although the homework is online, this is NOT an online class. I expect you to attend class and
be on time every day including after break. You are responsible for all material and
announcements covered in class. If more than three classes are missed, you may be dropped
from the class.
Classroom Behavior:
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

Be on time
No eating, please see me individually about special needs
No texting (I will give general and then specific warnings)
Courtesy is important to me. Please do your best not to disrupt my instruction by getting up and
throwing away items, leaving class or coming in late.
Computer Requirements:
 You must have consistent access to the internet for online homework and use a PC or Mac.
You cannot do homework on a tablet or smart phone.
 You can also use computers on campus in the Math Lab at NVC and the library.
 The recommended browsers to use with MML is Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
 If your computer is not compatible with MML, check the on campus computers, and then
call MML for technical support. 1-800-677-6337.
 The number one problem with MML is that you must allow popups to complete homework.
Communication: I welcome emails from students at any time. I respond to email within one
business day. Example: you send an email on Friday, I will respond by Monday. You will be
receiving emails from me through webadvisor or MML.
In class: I will communicate about the schedule and answer homework questions during
class. If you are absent or late, you will need to get that communication from a class member.
Accommodations for physical, learning and emotional disabilities: Any student who feels
s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a learning disability can be eligible for
accommodations. If you are new to NVC and/or Special Services, you must begin scheduling an
appointment with a counselor in the Counseling Center. If you have a Learning Disability, you can
schedule your appointment with a Learning Disabilities Specialist. You can call the DSPS main
office at (707) 253-3080.
If you have received accommodations at NVC, then it your responsibility to notify me of any
accommodations in writing either after class or during office hours. Please make an appointment
with me privately to discuss your specific learning needs in my class.
Additional Learning Resources:
Free Tutoring ----- NVC Math Lab, they offer individual appointments!
Online: Youtube, Khan Academy, Brightstorm
I encourage study groups, they are very effective
Math 55 PreAlgebra, Nussdorfer, Section 1232
All homework and quiz due dates are on MML. The tentative due days may be modified when necessary to
accomdate changes in scheduling and pace of class.
Date
Topic in Class
Aug-18
Aug-20
Syllabus/1.1 - 1.5
1.6 - 1.9: Rounding, Solving Eqs
Aug-25
Aug-27
Sep-1
Sep-3
Sep-8
Sep-10
Sep-15
Sep-17
Sep-22
Sep-24
Sep-29
Oct-1
Oct-6
Oct-8
Oct-13
Oct-15
2.1 & 2.2: Integers
2.3, 2.4: Subtract/Multiply Integers
2.5 & 2.6: Division/Alg. Expressions
2.7 & 2.8: Like Terms/ Solving Eqs.
Review Exam #1
Exam #1 Chapters 1,2
3.1, 3.2: Factors & Factorization
3.3, 3.4 : Fractions, Multiplication
3.5 & 3.6: Simplifying/Multiplying Fractions
3.7 & 3.8: Reciprocals/Division
4.1 & 4.2: LCM, Addition of Fractions
4.3: Subtract Fractions
4.4 & 4.5: Solving Equations/Mixed Nos.
Review Exam #2
Exam #2: Chap 3, 4. 1-4.5
5.1, 5.2: Decimals, Add/Subtract
5.3 & 5.4:Multiplication/Division of
Decimals
5.5 & 5.6: Estimating
5.7: Solving Equations
5.8, 6.1: Applications; Data & Graphs
6.2 & 6.3: Drawing Graphs, Ordered Pairs
6.4: Graphing Linear Equations
7.1 & 7.2: Intro to Ratios, Rates
7.3 & 7.4: Proportions & Applications
Review Exam #3
Exam #3: Chapters 3,4,7
8.1 & 8.2: Percent Notation; Solving Percent
Thanksgiving: No Classes
8.3 & 8.4: Solving Percent Problems/Apps
8.5 & 8.6 Percent Increase or Decrease
Review for final #1
Review for final #2
Tuesday 10:30 – 12:30
Oct-20
Oct-22
Oct-27
Oct-29
Nov-3
Nov-5
Nov-10
Nov-12
Nov-17
Nov-19
Nov-24
Nov-26
Dec-1
Dec-3
Dec-8
Dec-10
Dec-15
Quizzes, Notebooks
Grp Quiz #1 & NB
PreCheck
Quiz #2: 2.1, 2.2 (no calc)
NB Check 1
Quiz #3 3.3, 3.4
Quiz #4 3.5, 3.6
NB Check 2
Quiz #5 5.1,5.2
Quiz #6: 5.7, 5.8
Quiz #7: 6.3,6.4
NB Check 3
Quiz #8 : 8.1-8.3
NB Check 4