Algebra 1 Syllabus

This class focuses on the mathematics portion of the Minnesota Academic Standards. These standards ask students to show higher order thinking skills and understanding of key mathematical concepts. The following categories describe the concepts that make up the high standards:

(1) MATHEMATICAL REASONING

(2) NUMBER SENSE

(3) PATTERNS, FUNCTIONS, AND ALGEBRA

(4) DATA ANALYSIS AND PROBABILITY

(5) SPATIAL SENSE, GEOMETRY, AND MEASUREMENT

This class concentrates primarily on the third standard, Patterns, Functions, and Algebra. This standard requires students to analyze patterns and use concepts of algebra to represent mathematical relationships. Students will also work on the first two standards, Mathematical Reasoning and Number Sense as they solve problems together and on their own.

Curriculum : Discovering Algebra

1^st Quarter

Ch 1: Data Exploration

Ch 2: Proportional Reasoning & Variation

Ch 3: Linear Equations (1^st half)

3^rd Quarter

Ch 5: Systems of Eq, Inequalities (2^nd half)

Ch 6: Exponents and Exponential Models

Ch 7: Functions

2^nd Quarter

Ch 3: Linear Equations (2^nd half)

Ch 4: Fitting a Line to Data

Ch 5: Systems of Equations (1^st half)

4^th Quarter

Irrational Expressions

Ch 9: Quadratic Models

Parts of Ch 8: Transformations

Parts of Ch 10: Probability

Review for Final Exam

Online support materials for Discovering Algebra

There are support materials available for the Discovering Algebra Series online. Parents or students who wish to find extra help, examples, and practice materials can find them here:

1. Go to http://www.keypress.com/x4540.xml

2. Click on the left to choose the Chapter

Here you will find “A Guide for Parents”, “Condensed Lessons”, “More Practice”, etc.

Grading System

Your grade will be based on the percentage of points you earn

A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F

93 90 87 83 80 77 73 70 67 63 60 below 60

Students can earn points in the following ways:

Attendance: earn points for being in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings.

Daily Warm-ups: earn points for completing the daily warm-up, grading will occur

roughly every two weeks.

Hand-in assignments: earn points by handing in assigned class work, or homework

in the form of worksheets or assigned problems from the

textbook.

Quizzes, Tests, Assessments: earn points from short quizzes, or chapter tests.

There will be cumulative semester exams.

Academic Expectations

Try If you try you can do it. Don’t give up!!!

Ask At the appropriate time, ask others – students, parent, or teachers. How can you learn if you don’t ask?

Think Use your mind to reflect, compare, analyze, summarize, etc.

Plan Schedule time for getting your materials, doing homework,

making up work, getting help, studying for tests, etc.

Follow Through Make sure you finish what you start. Follow your plan.

After School Help

I will be available for extra help on Thursdays after school from 3 – 4 pm. Let me know in advance that you will be staying so I can plan ahead.

Behavior Expectations

Be Prompt Be in your seat when the bell rings. Attendance is part of your grade.

Be Prepared You must bring your notebook, and pencil to class every day!!

Bring only classroom materials. Leave everything else in your locker.

** cell phones and electronics are prohibited per the school wide policy

Calculators will be provided when necessary for class.

Be Productive Listen, pay attention, participate, and communicate: do what you need to do when you need to do it. Get your work done!

Be Polite Respect yourself and others!

**Students are allowed a maximum of 3 passes per quarter.

**Students should raise their hand if they wish to speak

**Wait for the appropriate time to ask questions or make requests.

** Keep the floors and desks clean!! Use the trash can at the appropriate time.