Algebra Course Syllabus

Tests

·        There will be a test at the end of every chapter. 

·        The students will usually have a least a weeks notice.

·         Each problem on each test is worth 5 points each. 

·        Partial credit (when possible) is given on any problem that is attempted.

·        Each test will count 100 points.

·        If a student makes below 75 on a test, he/she can retake it within 5 school days. 

·        The highest grade possible on the retake is 75.

·        The higher of the 2 grades (original test and retake) will be recorded.

Quizzes

·        We will take a quiz over every section that is covered.  Some sections will be combined.

·        NO pop quizzes.  Students are given at least a 24 hour notice for every quiz.

·        Quizzes are worth (on average) from 25 to 40 points each. 

·        Partial credit (when possible) is given on any problem that is attempted.

Homework

·        Homework is assigned every day (with very few exceptions). 

·        I try to give at least 10 minutes each day to start on homework.

·        Homework is due at the beginning of class.

·        One point is taken off if the assignment is turned in late during that class period.

·        Students receive 5 points each day for completion of homework.  This includes writing problems and showing work.  If not complete, they will receive from 0 to 4 points.

·        Answers to all assignments are displayed on the overhead and students are expected to check each assignment and make corrections.

Homework Bonus

·        We will complete at least 25 points of homework bonus each quarter. 

·        This may be done at one time or divided up during the quarter. 

·        To get these points, students need to be correcting homework each day.

·         I ask them for specific answers to problems for different assignments and give them one bonus point for each correct answer.

Chapter Bonus

·        At the end of each chapter, I give them an assignment that is due the day of the test. 

·        It is assigned at least a week before the test.

·        It must be turned in at the beginning of class on the day of the test.

·        Every problem must be completed.

·        I grade the bonus.  If they get at least 80% of the problems correct, they receive 10 bonus points.  If they get less than 80% of the problems correct, they receive 5 bonus points.  If they do not complete the bonus assignment, they receive 0 points.

Notebooks

·        The student should keep a notebook during the entire year.

·        The five sections are—responsibility points, notes, assignments, exam review, and graph paper.  These sections are written on dividers.

·        Assignments should be kept in numerical order starting with Assignment #1.

·        Papers should be kept neatly.  I have reinforcements available for use, if needed.

·        Students should correct and complete assignments as each quarter progresses.

·        About a week before notebooks are due, I will give each student a check sheet.

·        They will fill in the points that they missed on each assignment. 

·        I will check the check sheet, usually 2 or 3 days before notebooks are due.

·        I will take up (on an assigned day) the notebook and grade it.  The maximum points possible is 75. 

Midterm/Final Exams

·        The test will cover the material that is taught during the semester. 

·        The student will use the chapter review assignments to study.

·        I will give them an outline of the problems that are on the exam.

·        The test will be multiple choice.

Textbooks

·        A textbook is assigned to each student at the beginning of the school year.  The book has been checked by the teacher and anything that is wrong with it will be written in the front cover.

·        The textbook should be covered at all times.

·        When the book is taken back up at the end of the year, any damage will be assessed by the principal.

·        The textbook is available online.  Each student can have access with a password (I will be glad to assign a password on request).

Responsibility Points

·        Each student is given a sheet with 10 responsibility points on it at the beginning of each quarter.

·        To keep all of the points, the student must be on time each day; bring book, notebook, pencil and calculator each day; stay in class all period; and keep their book covered.

·        The sheet will be taken up at the end of the quarter and the points will be added in the bonus category.

Academic Dishonesty

Cheating can be a very gray area to many students.  If I specifically give students permission to complete assignments together, they may do so.  Otherwise each assignment should be completed by each individual student.  Academic dishonesty will include giving another student answers to homework.  The discipline policy in the handbook will be administered to the student who copies answers as well as to the student who gives the answers.

Inappropriate Use of Calculator (which includes playing games during classtime)

·        1st offense—Calculator will be taken up and returned when note signed by parent/guardian is returned.

·        2^nd offense—Same as #1 plus lunch detention

·        3^rd offense--- Same as #1 plus office referral.