Algebra I Syllabus – Fall Semester (1 Credit)

2013-2014 School Year

Mr. Highbaugh – Room 211

______

Welcome to your Algebra I Classroom for the 2013-2014 school year. This year we will be going through Algebra I content as specified by the Quality and Common Core outlines. My classroom is located in Room 211 near the end of the Math Hallway. My email address is . Email is my primary source of communication to be used by students and parents during this school year. Students will be required to keep up with class content through Edmodo.com, an online communication website. Parents will also have the opportunity to join this website, using their email accounts; and by doing this, they may receive weekly updates on the class. Instructions for creating an account will be discussed in class during the first week of school.

I know that this is your Freshman year, but this is also the beginning of your high school careers. Everyone is beginning with a blank slate and on level ground. You will begin walking down a path that can lead a variety of directions, to college, into the work force, or the military. Regardless, you are now becoming more responsible for your actions, and in this class, you will be in charge of keeping up with and completing the assignments by their designated due date. Do a good job of starting the school year off right, and it will make the rest of the year much easier.

Content

This year we will be covering the following Content Units as specified by the Kentucky Common Core Standards:

  • Expressions
  • Equations and Inequalities in One Variable
  • Functions
  • Linear Equations and Inequalities
  • Systems of Equations and Inequalities
  • Exponents
  • Probability and Statistics

Grading Policy

Grading will be done on a Total Points System. Quizzes and Tests will therefore be worth more points than Weekly Homework or In-Class Assignments. Students will receive a summative assessment at the end of each unit that will be in the form of a common assessment for all students taking Algebra I at SWHS.

Grading Scale

A 89.50-100%

B 79.50-89.49%

C 69.50-79.49%

D 59.50-69.49%

F 0-59.49%

This is a student-friendly classroom; do not get overwhelmed by the content or grades. Do your best each day you come to class, spend extra time where it is needed, and the grade will take care of itself.

Class Expectations

Notes and assignments are to be kept in a single subject notebook/binder that can be turned in. Notebooks will be checked at the end of every unit. They will be graded as follows.

2 Pts: Complete assignment with work or each days notes with date, topic, examples, etc.

1 Pts: Partially completed assignment with work orcomplete assignment with no work or incomplete daily notes

0 Pts: Missing assignments or missing daily notes

Notebooks will not count towards your overall grade, but are very important in that if you receive 80% of the possible points for a given unit, you may either retake the unit exam in ESS within two weeks of the test being given or receive 3 bonus points on a 50 point test/5 bonus points on a 100 point test.

Students will need to come to class each day with the following items:

  • Textbook
  • Graphing Calculator
  • Single-subject notebook
  • Pencils

Spartan Mindset

Spartans: We are all Spartans. Feel free to come up to me before or after class with any questions or concerns.

Work Together:We will be having many classroom discussions and I value your input in the class. Please be mindful though, that when I am speaking or another classmate has been recognized, your attention should be on the speaker.

Obtain Excellence: Come to class prepared with all materials and assignments. Participate and stay on task. Do your own work, anyone caught cheating will receive a 0 for both parties involved.

Respect Others: The rules for class are posted on the class bulletin board in the classroom. As a general rule, treat all students and faculty with respect, be honest, and work hard. All policies,as specified by the South Warren High School Student Handbook, will be followed in regards to student conduct. Failure to adhere to School and Class Policy will result in a Class Pink Slip on the first offense. Further offenses will result in office referral, but I hope none of us have to get that far. All disciplinary actions by the teacher are final and not up for discussion. Again, you have my respect the moment you step into my classroom; please extend the same respect to me, and we will have a great school year.

Demonstrate Responsibility:

  • No electronic devices are to be out during class unless otherwise specified by the teacher for that day’s activity. If I see it out, I will take it up and send it to the office. All students who intend to have a device for use in any classroom activities must fill out a BYOD form.
  • Food and drink will be permitted in the classroom as long as the contents follow SWHS Student Handbook guidelines, and are not a distraction in the classroom. If I find the class unable to responsibly handle this, food and drink privileges may be suspended.
  • You will be counted Tardy if you are not in the classroom when the class bell rings. All students are asked to be in their seats and ready to begin the lesson when the bell is finished ringing.
  • I will do my best to dismiss you at the bell, but students should not be up moving or begin the process of leaving until I have released you.
  • You are allowed two hall passes a quarter for emergencies. If you run out of hall passes you will not be allowed to leave the room.

Student Name ______Period ______

Student Signature ______Date ______

Parent Signature ______Date ______