Mathematics
Course Syllabus 2011-12
Course: Accelerated Algebra
1/Honors - 2 Semesters (1 Credit)
Teacher: Mr. Dan Cleary
E-mail: cleary@muhs.edu
Web: www.MrCleary.com
I am available
for student help during 1st, homeroom, 4th, and 8th
(Eanelli Lab) periods.
Class
Materials: It is your
responsibility to be prepared for class. This includes
having
the appropriate materials to complete class activities, a
system for
note
taking, completing and saving assignments, and general
preparation to
be an
active participant in class. Such materials will include:
Text: Algebra, Structure and
Method, Book 1 by Brown, Dolciani,
Sorgenfrey and Cole.
McDougal
Littell/Houghton Mifflin. 1997.
Folder
and/or 3 ring binder, notebook, graph paper, mechanical
pencils and
eraser (no
pens!) graphing calculator-TI-84 Plus or TI-84 Plus Silver.
Consequences
for not having appropriate materials for class may include,
but are not
limited
to monetary fines, demerits, and jugs.
NOTE: Electronic devices such as
cell phones/Blackberry’s, I-pods, I-phones etc are absent from
this
list.
Please leave these types of items in your locker. If these are
seen or
heard
within the classroom they will be confiscated and delivered to
the Dean
of
Students. Refer to the Student/Parent Handbook for
additional details.
Homework: Homework will be assigned
daily and will include reading of the section and completion
of
problems from
the text. Each assignment will be due the next
class day.
Homework will be collected weekly. Homework
must be completed in pencil. Homework
completed in something besides pencil will earn a score of
zero. Each
assignment will begin with a fresh page and the heading will
include
the
chapter and section number and problem numbers. Notes
may
be taken in either pen or pencil. Homework
will be
graded on, neatness (1 point), process (2
points), and completion (2 points). Late
homework will be downgraded by 50%. Illness/absence
from class
does not
excuse you from homework. Homework must
be turned in upon your return to
class. Warning: After an absence it
is your responsibility to turn in your homework. I reserve the
right to
"spot check" homework at any time. No homework = no credit.
There is
no "late grade" on spot checked homework.
Notebooks: It is essential to keep
good lecture notes in Algebra. Designate a single notebook
that is used
exclusively for Algebra. You will use a separate notebook for
notes and
homework. Be sure to label your notes with the date, section
number and
topic.
Your notes should include definitions, sample problems, and
hints. I
recommend
taking written notes as you read each section in preparation
for
homework. Notebooks will be periodically checked and
graded.
Mathematics
is
not
a
spectator sport.
You
will learn more by being involved in the subject through both
class participation and homework. As a result, you can expect
to earn a
higher
grade by keeping up with homework and being an active
participant in
class.
Completing your homework will confirm what you do and do not
understand. It is
the best test preparation you have.
Exams: Exams are scheduled at the
culmination of each section of the text. The concepts in
Algebra build
upon one
another synthesizing material learned in prior sections. The
exams will
reflect
that. Each exam will be one class period. The semester exam
(75
minutes) will
be cumulative. You will be notified well in advance of exam
dates. If
you know
you will be absent (games, trips, etc.), see me to make
alternate
arrangements.
If you are absent the day of an exam, you must take the exam
during
class time
the next day. If you miss the day before the test you will
take the
test with
the class. For longer absences, see me to schedule a make-up
during one
of your
free periods.
Quizzes: There will be periodic
quizzes throughout the semester. Most will be announced,
however, I do
reserve
the right to give unannounced quizzes. These will be a great
way to
boost your
score and show you are keeping up with the work. In general, I
will try
to give
a short (20-40 point) quiz each week. Quizzes missed due to
absence
will not be
made up -- no effect on your grade
-- You
will receive
a copy of the quiz for study. If you know you will be absent,
advance
arrangements should be made to take the quiz. Abuse of this
policy will
be
reviewed on a case by case basis.
Projects: A longer term individual or
group project may be assigned quarterly. The project will
synthesize
your
current studies in geometry, math history and current
applications of
algebra
and mathematics.
Grading
Scale: Your grade
will be
based on
the percentage of the total possible points you have earned.
The
grading scale
will never be tougher than that listed in your handbook and
shown below.
A+
100-98 B+
89-87
C+ 79-77
D+ 69-67
F below
60
A
97-94
B 86-83
C 76-73
D 66-63
A-
93-90
B-
82-80
C-
72-70
D-
62-60
Your total points will accumulate
throughout the
semester.
You will start over again with zero points at the start of the
spring
semester.
I encourage you to maintain a record of your grades and to
periodically
check your
grades online. The purpose is two-fold, first, for you to see
where you
stand and,
second, to compare your records to mine to ensure I have
correctly
recorded your scores.
Online Grade updates:
Grades will be updated at the school required deadlines as
outlined on
page 16 of the Student/Parent Handbook. More frequent
updates
will occur only at my convenience.
Class
Participation: You
will be
expected to
participate in class. This includes and is not limited to
answering and
asking
pertinent questions, participating in cooperative groups, and
completing
homework assignments at the board.
My
Expectations: I
expect you to
be in
class. I expect you to be on time for class. I expect you to
do your
homework
daily. I expect you to participate in class. Absenteeism,
tardiness,
and
misconduct will be dealt with in an appropriate manner,
including, but
not
limited to monetary fines, demerits, and jugs. Students are
expected to
treat
the teacher and each other with respect and expect the same in
return.
I expect
academic honesty. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.
Refer to
your
student handbook for additional information. Finally, I expect
you to
do well
in this class and for us to have a great year.
STUDENT
NAME:
_______________________
STUDENT
SIGNATURE:
___________________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN
SIGNATURE:
__________________________________