Algebra 1A1 Syllabus
2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR
MRS. MONTSINGER’S CLASS
Dear Students and Parents,
Welcome to 7th grade Two-Year Algebra. I feel very fortunate and excited to be
working with you and your student and look forward to all of the opportunities
this year will hold. I would also like to take this opportunity for you to become
aware of our classroom curriculum, procedures, and expectations so that we have
a mutual understanding of what is to be expected from your son or daughter.
This course covers the traditional Algebra curriculum at a reduced pace in order
to ensure mastery of the curriculum. Students will cover the first half of the
Algebra curriculum during their seventh grade year and will continue on with
the second half of the curriculum during their eighth grade year.
“Education is the most powerful weapon you can
use to change the world”
Nelson Mandela
WHERE TO LOOK FOR IMPORTANT
STUDENT INFORMATION
Welcome Back !
.
.
1
Curriculum- A description of the curriculum is
presented as well as the reasoning by the
presentation of it.
Information & Supplies .
.
2
An overview of where to find important school
information and materials needed. Additional
explanations of some new class procedures will
also be included
Grading & Expectations
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3
A breakdown of grading as well as what is to be
expected from your son or daughter
Curve of Forgetting
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4
A line graph showing how much students
retain after varying periods of time pass. This is
meant to emphasize the importance of taking
Cornell Notes and ensuring your child regularly
reviews them!
Our class will promote the achievement of the Algebra Standards. To develop
proficiency with mathematical skills, to expand understanding of mathematical
concepts, to improve logical thinking and to promote success by learning to read
and explore a problem, define a variable, write an equation, solve an equation,
interpret results and check each solution, and by learning alternative strategies
to problem solve.
Mrs. Montsinger 
Curriculum
To promote the achievement of the California 7th grade standards,
students will develop an understanding and background knowledge
in five identified areas: Number Sense (NS); Algebra and Functions
(AF); Measurement and Geometry (MG); Data Analysis, Statistics,
and Probability (SDAP); and Mathematical Reasoning (MR). The goal
is for students to achieve proficiency in these areas, while at the same
time preparing them with a solid foundation of the fundamental
components of Algebra.
In terms of this particular class and the textbook we are using
McDougall- Littell’s Math Course 2, 2008 Edition, the concepts
presented are based on the
work of Egyptian, Indian,
Greek, Babylonian, and Arabic
mathematicians dating back
over 4000 years. This class is
crucial to student success in
Algebra since it provides them
with the foundation of
knowledge needed for
students to successfully
master the Algebra 1
curriculum.
IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION AT A GLANCE
Kam7724@lausd.net – please allow 24 to 48 hours for response
Website: http://whamontsinger.weebly.com
Gradebook: www.jupitergrades.com
Procedures: Overview of Where to Find Important Infomation
Jupiter Grades (formerly Snapgrades)
This year we are excited to once again use Jupiter Grades (formerly
Snapgrades), our online gradebook program. We need to work
together (parents, teachers and students) to help our student’s
achieve their full potential. Parents and students are able to access
this site 24 hours a day, to view their current grades and any missing
assignments that they might have.
Additionally, this year, I will be streamlining all information to two
useful locations. Jupiter grades will be your go to location for
homework, student behavior, and class events. Additionally, my
personal website will include assignments, handouts, images, and
links to student work to further connect you to your child’s
education. Feel free to explore this site regularly as new information
will be posted frequently.
Please explore both of these sites to see all of the wonderful
components they have to offer. If you are a new to this school, upon
signing this sheet and including your email address, parents and
students will each receive their own passwords and directions to
login. If you are a returning student, you are able to login using your
previous sign-on name and password. If you have forgotten your
password, please go follow the steps to have your password sent to
you using the email address you provided when you signed up.
You can log-on at www.jupitergrades.com
What can parents do to help?
It is my desire to have open communication with each and every
one of you and to keep you informed of your child’s progress, as
well as answer any questions your children may have via email.
Since this often requires many additional hours following the
conclusion of the school day, please allow me 24 to 48 hours to
respond.
To further help your child, review your students’ course reader
and notebook with them frequently to assist them in mastering
the material, as well as visiting the class website often for
powerpoints and videos to help with their understanding.
Edmodo is a free, secure, social learning platform for
teachers, students, schools and districts. Edmodo
provides teachers and students with a secure and easy
way to post classroom materials, share links and
videos, and access homework, grades and school
notices. Teachers and students can store and share all
Don’t forget to bring the most important
tool of all to class…YOUR MIND!
MATERIALS REQUIRED
The following materials are required for this
class, will keep you organized, and will make
all your lives much easier!! Please make sure
to have these materials with you in class on
a daily basis:
 Spiral Notebook--- single subject, 8
½ by 11 paper, approximately 100
pages, for MATH Class only!
 Post-it notes (2 packages)
 colored pens, pencils (sharpened),
erasers--- at least 3 of each
 Personal pencil sharpener
 Roll of invisible tape OR Glue stick
 Colored pencils or crayons (NO
MARKERS!)
 Zippered pouch to hold all pens,
pencils, etc.
 WHA issued Agenda Book
 2 Dry Erase Markers (different
colors) for in class whiteboard
activities
 3 x 5 index cards (1 package)
 Compass and Straight Edge Rule for
Homework
 TEXTBOOK
forms of digital content – blogs, links, pictures, video,
documents, presentations, and more. Students will be
required to log-in and post responses to both teacher and
student created materials. This site will allow us to
continue class discussions outside the classroom and
allow parents the opportunity to become further involved.
Grading & Expectations
Expectations
Grading
As much as I may think you are a nice person or good student, grading
must be independent of my opinions. Therefore, all grades will be
calculated on a point basis. An approximate distribution of points is as
follows:
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ASSIGNMENTS –
TESTS/ QUIZZESNOTEBOOKSPROJECTSONLINE POSTS-
10% (or 5 pts. Each)
40 % (50 pts. Quizzes, 100pts.  Tests)
20 % (100pts.  2x-3x per semester)
25 % ( 50-100 pts.  3x per semester)
5% (2x per week)
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Grading Scale
Academic
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
Below 60%
Work Habits
=A
=B
=C
=D
=F
E- 0 to 1 missing
Assignment
S- 2 to 4 missing
Assignment
U- 5 + missing
assignments
Cooperation
Grades will be
based on ability
to follow rules
and instructions
Students may make up any EXCUSED absent work for full credit if it is
turned in within 2 days of returning to school. After that time, the
assignment will lose 10% per day. Students with unexcused absences or
who fail to bring assignments on time will lose 10% per day. Work
received more than 5 days late will receive a score of 50%. Students can
turn in any late work before quarter cut-offs (see below). After that time,
late work will not be accepted.
However, late projects will lose 20 points for each day (NOT CLASS
MEETING) that they are late! If you are absent you will suffer the same
penalty! NO EXCEPTIONS!
Spring Semester
3rd Quarter Cut-off: April 13, 2012
Spring Final Cut-off: June 1, 2012
ABOUT MY TEACHER…
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and
welcome you to my Math and AVID classes. My name is Mrs.
Kimberly Montsinger- Guzmán and I am a 7th/ 8th grade teacher, as
well as the Math Department Co-Chair. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in
Psychology from UCLA, and 2 Master’s Degrees in Education from
the University of Phoenix.
I have worked in the education field for 8 years. I began as an
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Raise your hand and wait to be called on
ALWAYS ask permission before
leaving your seat
Clean up around you
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You are dismissed by the TEACHER,
not the bell!
No food, drinks, or GUM is allowed!
(Water is the EXCEPTION!)
No electronic devices (IPODS, cell
phones, PSPs, etc.)
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If seen, they will be taken away and
returned only to a parent/ guardian
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Late & Missing Work Policy
Fall Semester
1st Quarter Cut-off: November 4, 2011
Fall Final cut-off: January 20, 2012
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Be prompt
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Be ready to learn and in your seat
when the bell rings. (3 tardies= U in
cooperation)
Show Respect
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Have ALL materials with you and
know due dates.
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Value yourself
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Treat all members of the school
community and visitors with politeness
and respect
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Be honest and ethical
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Honor the ideas of others and their
opinions
Be productive
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Turn in work on time, and always do
your best.
Listen attentively to the instructions
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Parents may be telephoned during class time
if rules are broken, or the dean will be
notified. Consequences will follow
inappropriate behavior.
The consequences depend upon the severity
and the number of repeated offenses. Good
behavior, of course, is rewarded with good
grades in work habits and cooperation
Instructional Aide, while at the same time volunteering
for the LAPD JEOPARDY program, working as a
mentor/tutor for at-risk teens. In addition, I have
worked as a private tutor, specializing in Math and
English for children from the ages of 4 to 17 and as an
AVID tutor. I feel very fortunate to be your child’s
teacher and look forward to the opportunity to work
with you and your child.
Curve of Forgetting
Why Do I Have to Take Notes? The Brain-Note Connection
The reality is that without a system for revisiting
information, our brains are incredibly efficient at removing
extraneous information from our brain. In 1885, Hermann
Ebbinghaus did extensive research around the idea of
forgetting. In his book, Memory: A Contribution to Experimental
Psychology, he mapped out the rate at which the average
human forgets information over time. But there is hope!
Ebbinghaus goes on to examine how frequently a student
would need to revisit information in order to regain near-
perfect recall. His research evinces the brain’s ability to retain
information when we revisit the information during key times.
The essence of this research demonstrates the need for students
to revisit information in order to kick the information out of the
short-term memory and store it in the much more reliable longterm memory. This is the power of Cornell note-taking – it
primarily focuses on how we process the information rather than
simply on recording the information.