Algebra 1/ Dennis                                                                                email:[email protected]

Dear Students and Parents,

Welcome to Algebra 1. My name is Mr. Dennis.  I look forward to having a wonderful semester working with you.

Curriculum: The subject of algebra is the foundation for  all the math and science you will use in high schooland in life. Algebra allows you to breakdown complex problems into simple solutions. Algebra is challenging. However, once you realize that Algebra is more about relationships than it is about rules,  I am confident that  you will be successful..

 This course emphasizes algebraic relationships, principles, properties, and processes.  Major topics include:

1. Real Number System, Order of Operations, Distributive Property, Solving Equations,
2. Rates, Ratios, Proportions, Percents,
3. Exponents, Radicals, Data and Probability
4. Functions, Graphs, Linear equations and inequalities,
5. Systems of linear equations, polynomial and
6. Factoring, algebraic fractions and real world applications.

Course Materials   You will need to bring the following to class daily:

•  A 3-ring binder (for organizing notes, handouts, assignments, and tests.),
• Your agenda ( for logging assignments, tracking tests and quizzes, and  taking messages to and from home.)
• Homework ( Due at the beginning of next  Class.)
• Any current handouts,  and
• Two or more pencils or pens

Classroom Behavior   I expect all students to be safe, respectful, responsible, and  good learners.  I expect them to follow all the rules and procedures of Millville High School’s Student Handbook called “The Key”. In addition, I expect all my students to follow these  classroom rules :

1. Come to class prepared and on time with your  textbook, agenda, notebook, homework, handouts, and  pencils.
2. Sit in your assigned seat.
3. Follow directions as they are given.
4. Do your work and do not disturb others.
5. Raise your hand to get permission to speak or leave your seat.
6.  Use kind words and actions towards people and property.
7. Always do your best.

Consequences

1.Warning

2. Student conference

3.Note or Call to parent
4. Teacher Detention

5.Referral to Vice Principal  for action.  
Chronic Problems:  Parent Conference

Severe Problem: Students will be sent to the office immediately for fighting, vandalism, defying the teacher, or disrupting the learning environment.

Classroom Procedures

Beginning of Class:

        ü Enter class quietly.

ü  Get settled quickly (sharpen your pencils and get a calculator before taking your seat)

ü  Place homework or any assignments that will be turned in on your desk

üCopy the objective

ü  Begin working on the Do Now activity

During Instruction:

ü  No side-bar conversations

ü  Listen, take notes and ask questions. 

Using the restroom:

ü  Please use the restroom before coming to class

ü  Only one student will be allowed out of the classroom to use the restroom at a time

ü  Please keep restroom visits to no more than five minutes

ü  The teacher will sign the student’s agenda that serves as the hall pass.

ü  Do not make visiting the restroom during class a daily habit

        No agendas will be signedin the first or last 15 minutes of class because that time is critical.

       .

 Grading Scale

Tests           35%

Quiz             25%

Homework    25%

Classwork    15

TESTS and Quizzes

Tests will be worth 100 points and announced at least two days in advanced.

Quizzes will be worth 20 points and will be given at random.

CLASSWORK

Classwork must be completed in class where it can be properly supervised. You cannot and should not try to “ save” classwork for homework.

Homework Policy
Completion of daily homework is important for success in this course. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, homework assignments are due the following day.

I may also call on you to present your work in class at any time.
I will accept late homework but will reduce the grade by 20% for each day that it is late.

Since homework is primarily for student practice, you will be given full credit for a good faith effort to complete all of the assigned problems. A good faith effort means you must :

* Copy  the problem and give a worked-out solution.( not just the answer)
* Write neatly and put a box around the final answer.
* If you can not solve the problem, you must still copy the problem neatly and you must identify an example problem in the workbook or class notes that it is most like the problem you can't solve, and write a statement or question that explains where you got stuck.

Test Correction Policy

For each problem that you did not get full credit on a test, you will need to:

• Analyze your error or errors. Fill in the checklist sheet I will give you. Keep this sheet and staple it to your test as a cover page.

• Think of a reason for your mistake(s). How did you get the wrong answer and why was it wrong?

• Look for places in your notes, worksheets, or homework assignments where you found problems that related to the test question. Make sure you have completed all the work!

• Fix your mistakes by re-doing the problem correctly on a fresh copy of the test (which I will give

you). You must redo the entire problem.

• I will announce in class when the corrections are due, you must turn in the following:

The original test,   the checklist, and your corrections.