cpao@pps.net

 Algebra 1-2 Course Syllabus

Classroom Guidelines for Math Room 205—Ms. Pao

Regular attendance, participation, and punctuality are three of the most important factors for school success and in LIFE!!  Let’s work together to make this a successful and enjoyable year!           

Materials needed:  Math spiral, textbook, lined looseleaf paper, 2 pencils, sharpener, eraser, ruler, calculator, pack of index cards for exit tickets

               **Missing materials will result in a loss of 2 participation points per day.  You may borrow a pencil from a neighbor or request a golf pencil from the teacher.  All other missing materials will be borrowed/lent as needed. 

**Students earn 5 points per day for arriving on time to class.

Entering Class:  You should come to class with all materials and immediately take your seat.  Open the math spiral to completed homework assigned from the previous day and begin the Warm Up activity.

               (Sometimes, a materials check will be performed, and you will be asked to place extra pencils, index cards, etc. on your desk as well.)

Warm Up/Homework check:  You are given 5 minutes to copy the entire problem then solve—showing work as needed.  Be prepared to share/discuss within the first 5 minutes.  You may quietly discuss the problem/homework with one other student.  All homework is due in at the beginning of class for full credit.

All work in this class must be done with pencil.  Assignments done in pen will lose 1 point.

Tardy Policy:   NOTE:  This year, students have 5 minutes passing time.

1. Enter the classroom quietly.
2. Record date, period, name, and mark excused/unexcused on one line of the notebook.
3. Clip your tardy slip to the left side of the notebook.  I will record the information during the class period.
4. Quietly take you seat and join the class activity.

--2 unexcused tardies = phone/note home

--3 unexcused tardies = detention

Absent Policy:  Any time you are absent from class, you should look at the bulletin board near the door to find out what assignments/homework was missed.  Any handouts will be provided upon your return to class.

            --Typically, if you are absent for 1 day, you will have 1 day to turn in the missed work.  If you are absent for 3 days, you will have 3 days to turn in the missed work.

Last 5 minutes of the period:  Generally, the last 5 minutes of class will be spent cleaning up and giving feedback about the day’s activities:  academic or behavioral.  You may be asked to write an exit ticket on an index card to be handed in.  I will dismiss the class when students are quiet and ready to go.

Attention Signal:  This year, I will be using an attention signal.  It will be used as needed throughout the period.  The goal is for the entire class to respond within 5 seconds of the signal.  You will learn more about this in the first week of school.  We will spend time practicing our response to the signal.

Friday Progress Report:  Every Friday, instead of a warm up, students will be using the time to calculate their weekly grades.  Assignments will be recorded progressively during the week with the final evaluation on Friday.  Students will take this document home to share with parents/guardians and a signature.  On Monday, students should have this report on their desks along with their homework for two additional participation points per week (must be signed).

Grading:  Grades are based on total points accumulated over each quarter.  All points are totaled and converted to a percentage with letter grades as follows:

               Grade Scale:         100-90%    A

                                                89-80%     B

                                                79-70%     C

                                                69-60%     D

                                                59-0%       F

                Categories:            Tests/Quizzes                                    50%

                                                 Assignments (warm up,

                                                    homework, classwork, etc.)          30%

                                                 Participation/Goal-Setting               20%

***The HS Algebra classes have grades based over the entire year and are cumulative (rolls over to next quarter).  The same scale and categories apply in Algebra as shown above, however, tests/quizzes are worth 70% of the final grade, Assignments are worth 20% of the final grade, and Participation is worth 10% of the final grade.

Algebra students who don’t receive a final 70% or better will be recommended to repeat.

.

Late/Missing Assignments: 

1. Assignments that are late/missing at the start of the period will receive 0.5 less points for every day past the due date. 
2. No assignment will be accepted beyond 1 week late.
3. Home contact will be made for students with more than 3 late/missing assignments.
4. No more than 4 late assignments will be accepted per quarter.

Another important factor this year is to make sure that you have a regular time and place to complete homework.  Homework is designed to give you  practice on a new/review skill.  Be prepared for daily math homework—even on the block day that you don’t have a math class.  It is my goal that you will practice review math/problem solving skills on that day. 

Classroom Rules:

IN THIS CLASSROOM, YOU SHOULD BE…

1. Using friendly and professional language.
2. Staying focused and productive for the entire period.
3. Keeping the classroom clean and orderly.
4. Arriving on time, prepared to work, and with all materials:  pencils, binder, spiral, textbook, paper

Outside Help:  If you are struggling with the content, don’t give up!  Please take advantage of the abundant support available to you:  teachers, parents, siblings, classmates, friends, tutors, online resources.  I am also happy to help you during lunch or after school with sufficient notice.

Contact Information:  Please feel free to contact me by telephone or email if you have any questions or comments…email:   cpao@pps.net       phone:  503-916-5630  Ext. 71756

**I have read and understand what is expected of me and will do my best to succeed.

__________________        ___________________     ________________________

(STUDENT NAME)                                 (STUDENT SIGNATURE)                      (PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE)

Algebra 1-2 Syllabus---C. Pao  Room 205

Textbook:  Algebra Connections, College Preparatory Mathematics—pub.

Description:  Algebra 1-2 is a core-credit course.  All high school graduates will be required to successfully complete 3 years of college-prep math.  For most colleges and universities, 3 years of college-prep math is an admission requirement, though 4 years is desirable.  Your demonstrated mastery of basic arithmetic skills is the prerequisite for this course.

Topic Covered/Learning Outcomes:  See Course Organizer

Career Related Learning Experiences:  You will be trained to cooperatively work in a team setting, will perform extensive problem solving and will practice commuinicating effectively in both writing and speaking.  These skills are essential for a comprehensive resume and/or college application.

Materials:  Please bring pencils, spiral, paper (lined and graph) in a binder dedicated to Algebra 1, and your text daily.  Respect all materials shared with you in this class.

Classroom Behavior:  Everyone present should respect themselves and others.  We are a community of learners and must treat others the way we wish to be treated.

Class Success:  Be prompt and prepared:  On time with materials, completed assignments, and participate by being a team-player and asking questions as needed.  Keep a well-organized spiral.

Grading:  See Classroom Guidelines for Math—Room 205

Homework/Classwork:  It is important that you complete every homework and classwork assignment consistently and to the best of your ability.  The only day that you will not have homework will be on a testing day.