ALGEBRA 1 SYLLABUS

Lee Wells – Instructor

 

GOAL: To nurture students’ appreciation for mathematics and develop critical thinking ability

 

TEXTBOOK: Algebra 1 (Larson, Boswell, Kanold, Stiff. Published by McDougal Littell)

 

TOPICS

• Connections to Algebra
• Properties of Real Numbers
• Linear Equations: Writing, Solving, and Graphing
• Functions
• Linear Inequalities: Solving and Graphing
• Statistics
• Systems of Linear Equations
• Exponents and Exponential Functions
• Quadratic Equations and Functions
• Polynomials and Factoring

                                                                                  

MATERIALS (Bring to every class meeting!)

• 3-ring binder dedicated to Algebra 1 (with some loose-leaf paper)                                           
• Pencil(s) (not pen) and eraser!
• Calculators will not be allowed on assessments. Occasionally, a homework problem may arithmetically tedious, and I would expect a calculator to be used in those rare cases, but the great majority of homework should be completed without use of calculator.

 

HOMEWORK

• Assigned every class period (very few exceptions) and posted online
• May or may not be collected
• Assessed on effort and completion
• Students completing ALL assignments in a quarter will earn 2% on their quarter grade.
• Students missing FOUR assignments will lose 4% on their quarter grade.
• Students will lose 0.25% on their quarter grade for each HW missed beyond 4.

 

Grades will be based total accumulated points in the following two categories:

 

QUICK QUIZZES (10 pts.)

• Frequent, similar to HW, open notes
• 1 QQ will be dropped for every 5 taken.
• QQ's cannot be made up. (Missed QQ's count as a drop.)

 

QUIZZES (40-60 pts.) and TESTS (80-100 pts.)

• Quizzes may be unannounced. Tests, which cover more material, will always be announced.
• Quizzes and tests must be corrected using the following guidelines:
  • Separate sheet of paper with work shown and/or appropriate explanation provided.
  • Due within two class days immediately following test return date and count as a homework assignment.

• A test or quiz can be made up before or after school in the case of an excused absence. Please refer to the Student Handbook for guidelines for make up work. Make up arrangements are the responsibility of the student.