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Algebra I/Math Syllabus Subject:
8th grade Math or Algebra I Teacher: Ms.
House
Purpose/General Description:
Eighth grade math and
Algebra I both continue the study of algebraic concepts. It includes operations with polynomials and matrices, creation and
application of linear functions and relations, algebraic representations of geometric relationships, and translate among graphic,
algebraic, numeric, tabular, ad verbal representations of relations and use those representations to solve problems. Appropriate
technology, from manipulatives to calculators and application software, will be used regularly for instruction and assessment.
Aside from just mathematics, we will also learn to be thinkers and highly successful people this year. I want
each of you to be able to work together, be creative, think on your own, and ultimately become successful at everything you
do. Math is about thinking… not numbers! My goal for you this year is for you to learn to THINK for yourself!
Textbook:
- Algebra I, Glencoe, McGraw-Hill. (Algebra Students)
- Mathematics: Applications & Concepts (Math Students)
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. By Sean Covey
Grading
Journal:
5%
Homework: 15%
Classwork: 10%
Quizzes: 20%
Tests:
25%
Projects: 25%
The grading scale is as follows:
100-93 = A 92-85 = B 84-77 = C
76-70 = D 69-0 =F
Journal:
Everyday will begin with a journal. You
will find the journal prompt on the white board or on your desk. Journals should be started before the bell rings.
Most journals will involve specific instructions from preparing for a daily quiz, answering questions, math problems, logic
puzzles, word problems, reading and responding or simply filling out a form. Journals are required and will count as
5% of a student’s final grade. All journals should be completed in a notebook.
Homework:
Homework will be checked daily either for completion or taken up for a grade. If a student fails to do his/her
homework he/she will receive a 0. However, the student may bring their homework the next day for -20 points. Late homework
will not be accepted after this point. Homework will be checked using a recording sheet in which the student is responsible
for keep up with until it is taken up. If this sheet is lost the student will only receive credit for the homework assignments
they can reproduce for me.
Projects:
Projects will be assigned periodically
throughout the year. Many projects will have work that has to be done outside the classroom. I expect this work
to be completed just as I would expect classwork to be completed. You will be given a checklist or rubric at the start
of every project. This will tell you how you will be graded and when the project is due. You will always have
plenty of time to work on projects therefore; late projects will not be accepted unless specific arrangements have been made
between the students, teacher, and parents.
Classwork/Quizzes:
Classwork will be done
everyday this year. Math will be very hands-on and project-based. Classwork will be essential to your success
due to the amount that will be given and the arrangement of math class. Take pride in what you do at school and at home.
Many times you will have homework to accompany your classwork or projects. Quizzes will be given randomly throughout
the year. I will always announce quizzes and help you prepare to succeed.
Tests:
Tests
will be given at the end of each chapter. A study guide may or may not be given prior to each test. It is your
responsibility to keep up and know what will be on your test! A cumulative exam will be given at the end of each nine
weeks. Students may be exempt from this final exam by maintaining a 100 average on previous tests from that quarter.
**Algebra students will have an End of Course exam. The EOC is 25% of the student’s overall
grade!
Absences:
If you are absent, call a classmate, check my website, refer to
your agenda, and check your folder when you return to school. It is your responsibly to come to me and make up tests/quizzes.
Students receive one week from the student’s return date to make up missed work. Failure to make up and turn in
missed work will result in a zero. There are NO exceptions to this rule... even after progress reports are handed out.
SURVIVOR:
Survivor is a very important part of this class! We will play the game of
Survivor each day. Survivor is a way for students to interact with one another, learn team work, and ultimately win
points for their tribe and themselves. Survivor is explained in detail in an attachment to this syllabus.
Comments:
In order for this year to be successful, I am seeking parent/guardian cooperation as well as that of the student.
By working together, we can ensure that the 8th grade expectations in discipline and academics remain at the highest possible
level. Since communication is an important step in the cooperative process, I would like to make you aware of a couple
of procedures/tools.
- Agenda – All students will receive an agenda on the first day of school. The agenda is
a great means of communication and a wonderful organizational tool for students. Each day, students will be expected
to write down homework assignments, projects, events, or reminders for the day or week. Parents are encouraged to view
the agenda daily to check for homework, notes from the teacher, important events, etc. Notes/Information may also be
written to me in the same manner.
- www.hhousenc.com – My website is another excellent form of communication. Parents/guardians and students may go to: www.hhousenc.com. Here you will find daily assignments, upcoming tests, quizzes, projects, or events. You will also find information
regarding after school help, progress reports, report cards, open house, etc. There will also be a link for you or the
student to email me with any questions or comments. I will make every possible effort to update this sight daily and
I will respond to your questions as promptly as possible.
Students, please let me know if you are having any difficulties
and I will do what I can to help. The sooner the better or you will only get further behind. Please have a positive
attitude, and be respectful to all questions asked in class. Disrespect will in NO WAY be tolerated!
I am
very excited about this year! We are going to learn a lot, become successful individuals, and have a ton of fun!
Good Luck… YOU WILL SUCCEED!
Policies and Procedures
Attitude
:
I expect you to have a positive attitude
and come in ready to work each day. I like to do activities that are fun and enriching, however, if you cannot prove
to me that you are capable of these activities, we will not do them. Ms. House DOES NOT tolerate taking back or disrespect
in ANY way to me or other students.
Textbooks:
You MUST have your book with you EVERYDAY
unless otherwise told so. If you do not have your book your tribe will lose points. You will each be given a book
with a number and your name will be put in them. At the end of the year I will collect the books and if you do not have
one, or if yours has marks or is in bad shape, you will be charged. You will not go to high school until these dues
are paid.
Restroom Breaks:
Breaks will be given during class time if they are earned.
You will be given 5 minutes to get to the bathroom and back IN your seat before time expires or you will be given a tardy.
The break will be given around the midway point of the class, or a good stopping point in the lesson, whichever is more convenient
to the class.
Hallway Conduct:
When in the hallway, you will walk in a straight line, with
your mouths closed, on the right side of the hallway. Failure to do this will limit your bathroom breaks, or other freedoms
that might be given in class.
Tardies:
If you are not IN your seat by the time the bell
rings, you will be counted tardy. Being tardy to class will result in spending that class period in ISS which means
that you are missing important instruction!! Your tribe will also lose points when you are tardy! Don’t let them
down!
Lunch Detention/ISS:
Lunch detention is eating lunch in isolation for the duration
of the lunch period. This may be given for excessive tardies or in place of an ISS write up.
ISS will be used ONLY
when the student is uncontrollable. This will be used very sparingly in my class. There will be parental contact
or office referrals before this is used. I do not like sending students to ISS but I will not hesitate to use this.
Class Rules:
1. Be Prepared
2. Respect the Teacher
3. Respect yourself and others
4. No flying objects
5. No grooming
Gum/Food Policy:
It is a school rule NOT
to have gum, food, or drinks in class, however, you may have bottled water in the classroom if it have a top.
Seating Chart:
There will always be a seating chart in my classroom. This will help me
to learn your names and also help when pairing up for group assignments. If there is a problem with your seating assignment,
you may come to me AFTER class to discuss this issue.
Electronics:
Cell phones,
CD players, PSP, iPods, gameboys, walkmans, MP3 Players, or any other device that is not listed is NOT allowed in class.
If I hear, see or find these materials I have been instructed by the Principal to collect these things and return them ONLY
to your parents.
Bookbags:
There will be NO bookbags, this includes the pull string gym bags,
in the classrooms at ANY time. The only time they will be allowed in school is before school or after school.
No exceptions. If you are seen carrying these, you will be asked to put them away and if you fail to do so, you will
be sent to the office.
Parent Letter
Dear Parents,
I look forward
to working with you and your child this year in my classroom to achieve the most that your child has to offer. I am
always open to ideas, or comments from you and can be reached at my email address: househ.cme@pitt.k12.nc.us or at 757-2160.
You may call, and if I am in class, please leave a message and I will call you back. Your child’s education is
very important to me, but so is there success in my classroom. I am willing to help in any way that I can and look forward
to a great year at Eppes in 09-10. Please do not hesitate to contact me or set up an appointment and come by and see
how your child is doing in class.
If you are interested in seeing what your child is doing, or have questions
about the assignments, please look at my website: www.hhousenc.com
Please sign the bottom portion of this letter to show that you have read the materials that are listed above and
understand what is expected of your child this year.
Thank you and I look forward to talking to you throughout
the year.
Ms. House
I, ___________________________ (Your name) have
read this material and understand what is expected of my child throughout the year in Ms. House’s class.
Parent/Guardian
Name (print): _________________________________________
Parent/Guardian
Signature:____________________________________________
Student Name (print):________________________________________
Student Signature_______________________________________
Telephone Number in case of
needed contact:
Home: _______________________ (Best time to contact___ to ___)
Work: _______________________ (Best time to contact___ to ___)
Email Address: _________________________________________
How often do you check this email address? ____________________
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