Naperville Central High School                         Mrs. Rakes

Voice Mail: 961-2696

COURSE: Algebra 1                                                                 E-mail: mrakes@naperville203.org

 

TEXT:              Algebra 1; McDougal Littell, 2007

                Ron Larson, Laurie Boswell, Timothy D Kanold and Lee Stiff

 

                        Interactive Mathematics Program 2, 1998, Dan Fendel, Diane Resek, Lynne Alper and Sherry Fraser

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Be able to represent situations that involve variable quantities with expressions, equations, and inequalities.
  • Be able to use tables and graphs as tools to interpret expressions, equations and inequalities
  • Be able to operate on expressions and solve equations and inequalities
  • Be able to appreciate the power of mathematical abstraction and symbolism
  • Be able to demonstrate technical facility with algebraic transformations, including techniques based on the theory of equations.
  • Be able to connect statistics and probability to other mathematical areas, disciplines, and life situations.

 

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

  • I expect you to be respectful and courteous to both your fellow students and your teacher.  If you are behaving in a way that is not respectful or distracting to other students, I will issue you a verbal warning followed by a detention if the behavior does not improve.
  • I expect the classroom to be a positive environment.  Any instances of teasing, physical contact with a classmate, or harassment will be addressed with appropriate disciplinary action and phone calls home.  Please also inform me of any behavior that you feel is inappropriate.
  • ACADEMIC HONESTY: It is expected that all the materials submitted for this course are the actual work of the individual whose name appears on the materials.  Violations of academic honesty include but are not limited to cheating, plagiarism, and receiving help on a test.  A student found guilty of academic dishonesty will receive a zero on the assignment, quiz, or test, as well as appropriate disciplinary action.  No make-ups will be allowed.
  • No food or drink is allowed in the classroom.  Please dispose of all items before entering the room.
  • All students are expected to come to class prepared and on time.
  • Finally, I expect all students to work together, ask questions, and help each other.  Do not give up.

 

PARTICIPATION

  • Active participation in the classroom is an essential part of success in this course.  Participation includes taking notes, asking and answering questions, and cooperation in discussion and other classroom activities.

 

MATERIALS

On a daily basis, you will need:

  1. A hard cover, 3-ring binder with notebook paper and dividers. 
  2. A pencil with an eraser
  3. A TI-83 or TI-84 calculator
  4. Your textbook

ABSENCE AND TARDINESS

  • Regular attendance is essential for success in this class.  It is your responsibility to find out what you missed while absent.  Homework assignments will be listed on the assignment calendar.  Worksheets will be located in the appropriate absent folder.
  • If you are absent the day before a test or quiz that you knew about, then you are expected to take the quiz or test on the day you return to class.  If you are absent the day of a quiz or test, then you are expected to make up the quiz or test on the next day you are in class.  For extended absences, I will allow one day for each day of absence to make up the missing assessment.
  • If you know of an absence in advance, please see me 2-3 days ahead so that we may discuss assignments.
  • You are expected to be in the classroom when the bell rings.  A fifth tardy will result in a referral.

 

GRADING SCALE

Tests are worth 40%, homework is worth 25%, quizzes and projects are worth 25%, and participation is worth 10%.  I DO NOT round quarter and final exam grades.  Letter grades will be assigned as follows:

 

A+......99 - 100%, A......93 – 98%, A-……90 – 92%

B+……88 – 89%, B……83 – 87%, B-……80 – 82%

C+……78 - 79%, C……73 – 77%, C-……70 – 72%

D+……68 – 69%, D……63 – 67%, D-……60 – 62%

F……Below 60%

 

The Final Exam is worth 20% of the semester grade.

 

TESTS AND QUIZZES

  • Tests will be given at the end of each unit.  Test corrections to improve your grade may be made if you have completed 100% of your homework for a unit.
  • Quizzes will generally be given every unit.

 

HOMEWORK

  • Homework will typically be assigned every day.  It will either be checked for completeness during class or collected and graded for accuracy.
  • Each assignment is worth 4 points, and all work must be shown to receive full credit.  No question may be left blank.  Make you best attempt for all problems and write any questions you may have on your homework assignment. 
  • Homework must be with you in class to be considered on time.  It may be completed the next day for half credit.  Homework that is turned in later will be given 1 point.  No late homework will be accepted after the test.

 

EXTRA HELP

Please feel free to see me with any questions you may have.  I will generally be available in the Math Office (Room 62) before and after school, and during 2nd, 5th, and 6th periods.