Course Description

This course is offered to students whose career goals require a college-oriented mathematics foundation. Some of the topics included in this course are: use of variables and formulas, rate of change and linear functions, solving equations, factoring, operations with polynomials, systems of equations, exponents, radicals, probability, and quadratic equations.

I Expect You To…

Be Respectful or yourself and others
Be engaged in classroom discussions
Ask for help when you need it

Materials

Spiral Notebook and Folder (no other subjects in this notebook)
Pencil
Calculator REQUIRED (TI-Scientific preferred)
Textbook
Your textbook is your responsibility. If you lose it, I will give you another book and you will be issued a debt form for your lost book. If your book gets water/food damage, it is district policy that you will have to pay for the entire book at the end of the year.

Daily Notes

You are expected to use your spiral notebook to take notes every day in this class. These notes will be turned in on test day and graded.

Warm Ups

You are expected to do the warm up questions at the beginning of class. Do the problems for the week on the same piece of paper and it will be collected on Fridays.

Homework

Homework quizzes will be given approximately once a week. You will be able to use your homework that you have completed for the week. Quizzes will be made up of homework questions and similar new questions.

Make sure you understand the material after each lesson, if not…ASK!

Quizzes/Tests

· Quizzes will be given throughout the year. Tests will be given over each area that we study. A final exam will be given at the end of 18 weeks.

· You are allowed one retake per test. The retake score will replace the original test score no matter if it is higher or lower than the original score. In order to take the retake, you must go to the learning lab/Make Up Center at least one time. You will have one week after it is handed back to you to make up a test.

· If the student does not like the grade they earned on the quiz, they will have an opportunity to make corrections for half credit. The corrections will need to have the correct work, answer, and an explanation of what the student did wrong. They must turn in the corrections the next day. If the problem was not attempted (left blank) on the original quiz, then that problem cannot be corrected.

If You Are Absent…

It is your responsibility to find out what assignments were missed. You have one day for every excused absence to make up your work. Any unexcused absence will result in a zero for the day. For more information, please refer to your student handbook.

Academic Dishonesty

Cheating on homework, quizzes, tests, and the like is strictly prohibited. This consists of looking on another’s paper, talking, or giving answers to another. If this is violated, a zero on the work will be given and cannot be made up.

The 18 week grade is based upon the following weighted categories:

· Homework 20%

· Quizzes 20%

· Tests/Projects 40%

· Participation 10% (such as openers and DEAR)

· Semester Exams 10%

Please refer to your student handbook for the grading scale.

Discipline

Please refer to your student handbook.

· IT IS A SCHOOL POLICY THAT ELECTRONIC DEVICES CAN NOT

BE USED OR DISPLAYED DURING SCHOOL HOURS (8:10-3:21)

-this includes IPODS, MP3 players, PHONES, PSP, CAMERAS, etc. Please read and sign the attached excerpt from the handbook to confirm your understanding of the school’s policy and procedures regarding this topic.

Math Learning Lab

Math Learning Lab is staffed by certified math teachers and student tutors. It is in 300RS – the open area. If you need help, you can report to the Learning Lab instead of study hall. You MUST have your ID and swipe in for attendance. The room to swipe in is 318.

My Availability

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday – 7:30 to 8:00am

Other times may be available, but check with me.

Communication (parents/guardians)

Please feel free to contact me at school with any questions, comments, or concerns. You can check on your student’s grade in Algebra through the Parent Web Module on the school’s website. This is updated as often as possible.

The best way to reach me is via email at rfinn@psd202.org. However you can also contact me by voicemail at (815) 577-5514. Please leave a name, number, message, and the best time to reach you, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your support and I look forward to a great school year.

Ms. Rosemary Finn

MATH PROCEDURES AND EXPECTATIONS

Please return this portion signed and dated to Ms. Finn by

Friday August 28, 2009.

We have read and discussed the math expectations listed.

__________________________ ________________________

Student Signature Date

_________________________ ________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

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Parent/Guardian Email