Syllabus
for
Algebra 3 plus Statistics
Course Description:
*********This Section Under Construction!!!*******
Course/Teacher Expectations:
In
order to function effectively in the environment of this Algebra 3 plus Statistics
class, the student must have successfully completed Algebra 2 and have
retained the basic concepts presented therein. Minimal class time
will be spent in what should be deemed "review" at this point and the
student will be responsible in keeping himself/herself from falling behind the
rest of the class.
The standard by which I expect all students to perform is that presented to us
in
Finally, I am in my classroom by 7:15 every morning. During this forty-five minute “before class”
period, I am available to answer any questions from students regarding their
homework, class/chapter projects, or other related materials. I encourage students to take advantage of
this time as sometimes simply hearing/participating in the discussions can help
those who may be struggling with certain concepts – even if it wasn’t “their
question” being discussed. I also post
any daily warm-ups during this time – students may come in early and get
started on this exercise if they find themselves pressed for time during the
time allotted for such at the beginning of class.
*** There exists NO EXTRA CREDIT in this class -- a
student is REWARDED with the grade he/she EARNS as a RESULT of his/her WORK
throughout the ENTIRE course of the YEAR! ***
Required Materials:
Students must have their binders/material supply
up-to-date at all times! A zero will be given
for a day’s assignment(s) if a student does not have the required material on a
day for which such is called.
† A three-ring
binder A two-inch binder
is recommended; however, any type or size will do as long as it is made for 8.5
x 11 paper. The contents of this binder WILL BE as follows:
All
class lecture notes (spiral notebook recommended)
Loose-leaf
paper for homework, quizzes & tests
Quarter-inch
graph paper for homework, quizzes & tests
Current
and returned homework
All
corrections to returned homework
All
tests & quizzes
All corrections
to tests & quizzes
All work
on current Special Project (may be in a manila envelope)
Vinyl
pencil case containing all applicable writing tools
†
Spiral-bound Notebook 8.5”
x 11” college ruled – class notes should be taken & kept here.
†
Loose-leaf Paper 8.5”
x 11” college ruled – the student should have an ample supply at all times.
†
Quarter-inch Graph Paper the
student should have an ample supply at all times.
† Pencils /Sharpener I accept NO work in pen
- any exceptions will be CLEARLY and SPECIFICALLY noted to students.
The student should have ample supply to avoid having to sharpen pencils during
class as I provide NO pencil
sharpener in my classroom. If necessary, the student should have a small
manual sharpener with them. Mechanical pencils (with sufficient lead
supply) are recommended.
† Colored Pens For grading purposes only – three will probably be sufficient
for the entire year. Any color except
blue or black.
†
Writing Tools (In Appropriate Case) pencils
& colored pens, colored pencils, manual pencil sharpener for colored
pencils, compass, ruler (with both Metric and English standards).
† TI-84
Graphing Calculator the
use of this calculator is worked into our statistics curriculum – it is the
same calculator required by our Pre-Calculus program here at WCA
Grading System:
I
accept NO work in pen - any exceptions are RARE and will be CLEARLY and
SPECIFICALLY noted to students.
► Homework/Class
Work – 25%
Homework is usually assigned on a daily basis and is
posted on the webpage by the afternoon it is assigned (if not prior to class
that day). The student should expect to work on homework for about
one-two hours (give or take) for each assignment. It is DUE before
the second bell rings for class to begin; otherwise, it will be counted as
late! It is collected, graded and returned USUALLY by the next
class – we will periodically grade papers in class with the grade still taken
for the gradebook. Unless due to an excused absence, homework turned in
late will automatically be recorded at 10%
per day late off the total points awarded for the assignment in addition to
the points actually missed. Homework will NOT be accepted after TWO
DAYS late and will be entered as a zero in the gradebook -- there are no exceptions
to this rule! Although there is no class credit for homework
corrections, I strongly recommend this exercise as it is the BEST
way to truly learn the material at hand!! If a student is aware of a
day's absence from class or if an absence is excused (school fieldtrip, school
athletic event, family vacation, university visit, etc.), the homework due for
the absentee class period is due immediately upon return. Submittal of homework assigned during the
student’s absence will be worked out between the student and myself on a
case-by-case basis at my discretion – do not assume that just because a certain
schedule was worked for one student that such will apply to another! No
allowance is made for homework submittal for unexcused absences – they will
simply be entered as a zero in the gradebook!
There is a clearly-labeled file tray on my filing cabinet behind
my desk in our classroom where work can be turned in ANYTIME during a school
day.
Class Work/Time The first portion of each class period (except on a test or
quiz day) is focused on answering questions on the previous class' homework (if
any). This is not only for the benefit of the student, but for myself as
well to keep a handle on overall class comprehension of the topic being
discussed. Students are STRONGLY encouraged to ASK QUESTIONS BOTH during this time
AND in class during the lecture.
Periodically, the first part of a class will be devoted to a "Daily
Warm-Up" -- this is a problem/situational event involving ANY topics
already covered by the student in our class or any other mathematics classes as
required by the Geometry pre-requisites. It must be turned in by the designated time or the student receives a
zero for the day’s exercise.
Work Heading It is mandatory that each student include a proper heading on ALL work
submitted -- papers submitted without proper heading are subject to an
automatic zero. I have FAR too
many papers of which to keep track without the added headache of trying to
figure out to what class each paper belongs or for what assignment within that
class it applies!! A heading
includes the following information in the following location:
Top-line, Left-side Name
(First & Last)
Second-line, Left-side Date
Submitted
Top-line, Middle Date Due (should match web lesson
plans)
Top-line, Right-side Period
& Class (1st Period, Algebra 3)
Second-line, Right-side Text
Section Number & Problems (should match web lesson plans)
In the instance of a worksheet, special instructions will be given by
myself on a case by case basis.
Generally, however, in cases where work room is provided on the
worksheet, then a student should include his/her name, period/class and the
submittal date across the top of the page.
In cases where work room is not provided or is not sufficient for the
student, a complete & proper heading should be placed on separate work
paper with the worksheet attached as the last page in the work papers for
submittal.
► Quiz/Concept
Quiz/Pop Quiz – 20%
Pop Quizzes These are a
proven method of reinforcement, and, yes, I do use them. Pop Quizzes are just that "pop" --
they are not announced. They
usually cover no more than 1 or 2 simple concepts that have been clearly
emphasized in previous classes. If a
student has an excused absence on a day on which a pop quiz is given, then such
will not count against them, and there is no requirement to make it up.
►
Mid-Chapter, Chapter &/or Unit Tests
– 40%
Tests will be given at the conclusion
of each chapter (or mid-chapter) or unit of study as deemed necessary by myself
– no two classes are alike and, therefore, class evaluations as well as other
components must also be different. The
tests will cover the current material and will require the student to perform
tasks from any previously-covered material as well – all mathematics and, therefore, Algebra and
Statistics, is a continuum NOT a chaotic collection of disassociated
concepts!!! It is
therefore mandatory that the student stay current in the material and ask
questions if there are ANY problems. As is the case with quizzes,
missing a test on a day that a student has an excused absence will result in
the student having to make up the test outside of class time. The test
will be left in the school office with their name on it so, that it can be
taken ASAP. All missed tests MUST be “made up” within three to five days of the
student’s return; otherwise, a zero will be entered in the gradebook and the
opportunity for make-up will be lost.
Any other arrangements MUST be cleared with me ahead of time, NOT in
retrospect.
► Special
Projects – 15%
Each quarter, the student will be required to complete a special project OUTSIDE of the classroom -- class time will NOT be given for work on these! The assignment for each project will be made in the beginning of the quarter with the due date and expectations CLEARLY written for the student. Because these are assigned so far in advance, late submittals will NOT be accepted. We may address milestones for the project as the quarter progresses, but this "milestone check" is not a defined or obligated part of the regular class time. I strongly encourage questions regarding each project early in the quarter rather than later to avoid unnecessary complications and time constraints. The same timely submittal policy applies to both homework & special projects.
Classroom
Discipline:
Also, I expect
students to show respect to both myself and fellow classmates. Students
who cannot do so will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis; however, it should
be made clear that I have a very low tolerance for violations of this simple
requirement.
I have had very few problems with classroom discipline in the past and have always had wonderful parental support whenever they have occurred. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of teaching your child this school year.