Download Class Participation/Effort/Improvement Homework

Syllabus – 7th & 8th Grade Algebra I AB
Text: Math in Focus – Singapore Math
Textbooks will be distributed to all students. They are responsible for taking good
care of these and returning them at the end of the year in good condition. Parents
will be responsible for lost or damaged books.
Starting at the beginning of the year we will be taking quizzes/assessments on
basic math skills. Then, we will move onto types of questions dealing with
Algebra, Geometry, and word problems. There will be quiz or a test at the end of
each chapter. Grades will be based on the total points awarded from tests, quizzes,
homework, projects, participation and effort.
Quizzes are primarily used to determine where everyone is in terms of
understanding a skill or concept. This helps me to plan appropriate lessons or to
provide extra help for a student who is having difficulty. I encourage students to
seek me out for extra help in areas that they feel they need to work on.
Grading Policy:
Dodson grading scale will be used.
***For students who fall below a ‘”C” will be required to spend a ½ hour a day
after school for tutoring in compliance with the Dodson School policy.
Required Text:
 Singapore Math textbook
 Additional practice worksheets
Required Student Materials:
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Folder
Several three-hole notebooks
8 x 11 grid paper
Pencil pouch
Several pencils
Colored pens
Highlighter
Loose-leaf 8 x 11 notebook paper
TI 84 Graphing Calculator
Grading Distribution
Students are evaluated according to a variety of criteria. Student grades are based
on class participation, daily homework assignments, Problems of the Week, and
unit assessments, including midterm and final exams.
First / Third Quarter Grade
Second Fourth Quarter Grade
Semesters Finals
45%
45%
10 %
*** Quarter Grades are based on the following
 Homework
 Problem of the Week / Extended Responses
 Attendance/Participation
 Exams/Quizzes
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**** The grades are based on a total point system for each quarter.
Class Participation/Effort/Improvement Homework:
Assignments need to be completed by their due date. Homework turned in one
week late will result in a maximum grade of 50. Homework turned in later will
receive a zero. On average, students should have enough time to complete most of
their math homework in class. There will be times that students will have to take
work home to complete. If you find that the homework takes considerably longer,
please let me know.
Homework/Classwork:
Expect homework on a daily basis. For the most part, homework is due the day
after it is assigned, and must be completed prior to the start of class. Some
assignments will be scored in class based on effort and completion, while others
will be collected and scored based on accuracy. You will not be told ahead of
time which assignments will be collected. All problems should be adequately
attempted and evidence for your efforts must be shown on paper. Students may
receive partial credit for incomplete homework.
Problems of the Week:
Problems of the week are long-term problem-solving, usually open-ended
assignments. Despite the name, on occasion, you may have more than one week to
work on a problem of the week.
Attendance/Participation:
You are expected to be prepared, participate in group discussions, work together
on activities, answer questions posed by the teacher, present solutions to
homework problems to the class, take notes on all activities, and follow general
directions.
It is very important that you attend class daily. You will need to be up-to-date
with the material at all times since most of the topics build upon each other. If
you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what you have missed.
Course Schedule (subject to change):
August / September Chapter 1: Exponents plus Chapter 3: Algebraic Expressions
October Chapter 3: Algebraic Expressions & Chapter 4: Algebraic Equations
November Chapter 5: Direct and Inverse Proportion & Chapter 6: Angle properties
and Straight Lines
December/January Chapter 7: Geometric Construction
February Chapter 8: Volume and Surface Area of Solids
March Chapter 9: Statistics
April Chapter 10: Probability
May Review and Final Exam Extra Help Sessions: