Algebra I
Instructor: Ken Barnes
Contact information
I encourage parents and students to contact me with
any questions, concerns, or if you would just like an update of how things are
proceeding in class. The best time to
reach me by phone is during my prep period which is from
School Phone: 682-4061
Home Phone: 687-3129
Email: barnesk@chelanschools.org
I
have found email to be a very efficient means of communication (no phone
tag). If you have an email account,
please do not forget to include your address on the parent signature page and
do not hesitate to use mine. Also, I
would recommend becoming familiar with the school’s website. A short list of what our website will contain
includes an academic calendar, important updates, scheduled extracurricular
events, faculty information and much more.
Website: www.chelanschools.org
Course introduction
Algebra I sets the foundation for mathematics. The success of this class is often a great indicator
of how the student will perform in future math classes and in many cases is the
course that helps change or set the student’s attitude towards math. The skills acquired in algebra, along with skills
from geometry, are consistent with the Essential Learning requirements set
forth by the state and federal government.
I have listed a few characteristics of successful students and their
parent’s role. Please take some time to
discuss these ideas together.
Students
1)
Set
aside a regular time each day in which you can complete your
homework. A routine is essential.
2)
Try
to understand the purpose of each lesson as well as the process.
3)
Ask
for help. I am available before and after school for
help.
Parents
1)
Provide
the structure and environment the student needs to successfully
complete homework. Please do not accept
it when your student consistently tells you that they do not have homework.
2)
Encourage your student to recognize when they need help and to come
in and ask me for help in the mornings or after school.
3)
Stay
involved. Even though your student is in high school
now, they still need your involvement and the structure that you can provide.
Course Routine
Course Grading
Category Percentage Percentage Conversion
A 100 - 93
Notebooks 15% A- 92 - 90
Quizzes and Activities 25% B+ 89 - 87
Tests 60% B 86 - 83
B- 82 - 80
C+ 79 - 77
C 76 - 71
C- 70 - 69
NC 68 - 0 No Credit
Classroom Standards
I will expect you to:
--be
in the classroom when the bell begins to ring
--bring
proper materials to class each day.
--not
write on the tables or deface any other school objects
--keep
good care of your textbook.
--be
courteous enough not to talk when I am talking
--give
this class your best effort
--do
your homework
Attendance-
Attendance
is crucial for success in this class.
Although attendance will not directly impact your grade, it has been my
experience that students that miss school also find it more difficult to
succeed in school. It is really tough to
pick up a math book and do the assignment without instruction.
Tardiness-
Be on time! First
tardy is 15 minutes detention. Second
time is 30 minutes. After this a
referral will be sent to the office.
Makeup-
It is your responsibility to see that you receive
assignments for days that you are absent.
You will generally have one day for each that you are absent to make up
your work. If you are absent the day of
a test, you must make arrangements to make up the test within one week after
your return, or take a zero for the test.
Notebooks-
Homework will consist of assignments that you were
unable to finish in class. Homework will
be graded for completeness, organization, and work shown. Not necessarily accuracy. It is your responsibility to make sure that
your homework is correct. Each homework
assignment will have a maximum score of 10 points and must be kept in a binder
and turned in on the day of each unit test. Students who do not pass a test or is not
currently passing the class will be on probation for the next homework
unit. This will require a signature from
a parent or guardian on each daily assignment.
Quizzes-
I will try to give a quiz at least once a unit. Quizzes are a great way to give myself and
students feedback about how they are progressing in the unit and allow time to
make necessary adjustments. (i.e. spend more time on homework or get help from
me before or after school)
Tests-
There will be a test at the end of each unit. You will be given one opportunity in each
semester to retake a test and this will only happen after we have reviewed the
material together. I need to mention
that if you choose to cheat on an exam, you will receive a zero on that test
and a discipline referral to the office.
Unit Titles
Unit
I Expressions and Equations
Unit
II Operations with Negative
Numbers
Unit
III Distributing, Axioms, and Other
Properties
Unit
IV Harder Equations
Unit
V Some Operations with
Polynomials and Radicals
Unit
VI Quadratic Equations
Unit
VII Expressions and Equations
Containing Two Variables
Unit
VIII Linear Functions, Scattered
Data, and Probability
Unit
IX Properties of Exponents
Unit
X More
Operations with Polynomials
Unit
XI Rational Algebraic Expressions
Unit
XII Radical Algebraic
Expressions
Please keep the
syllabus as a reference and send back this page indicating that you have read
and understand this syllabus.
Student Name _________________________________________________
Signature _____________________________________________________ Date ____________
Parent Name __________________________________________________
Signature _____________________________________________________ Date_____________
Telephone #_________________________ Email Address__________________________________