Algebra I
2008-2009

Algebra Instructors: Mrs. Stevens, Mrs. Weidmer, Coach Grandgeorge
Room 8003, 805, 807 - located in the new 9th grade building
Email: wstevens@ptisd.org, jweidmer@ptisd.org, rgrandgeorge@ptisd.org

Supplies:
• notebook and/or loose leaf paper
• 4 of AAA batteries
• 1 three ring binder
• pencils
• pens
• erasers
• 1 box of kleenex or hand sanitizer

A TI-83 calculator will be provided for classroom use only. Students will not be allowed to take them home. All homework can be done without the use of a calculator; however, students would benefit greatly from the purchase of their own calculator for use at home. Calculator use will be allowed for homework, some class work, and a portion of each test. One may also be used on the 9th grade Mathematics TAKS test. If you purchase a calculator (TI-83 or TI-84), we recommend that you keep your calculator at home since you will be provided with one to use in class. However, if you choose to bring it to school with you, please engrave your name on it and record the serial number in case of theft.

What you can expect for me:
• To be fair and objective
• To be prepared
• To respect you and treat you maturely
• To return graded papers to you promptly
• To help you whenever you ask

What I expect from you:
• To be familiar with and follow the guidelines in the student handbook
• To be prepared; i.e. do your work and bring paper, pencils, erasers, and books to class every day
• To take care of restroom needs between classes
• To behave in a manner that will not interfere with our learning
• To be respectful towards everyone, all the time
• To ask for help when you need it. Please don't wait.

Grading Procedures:

The high school utilizes a 60%/40% calculation for grading in the classroom. 60% of a student's grade is determined utilizing tests and/or major grades. Examples of a test/major grades are: six week exam, chapter tests, summative benchmarks, projects, portfolio evaluations, etc. 40% of a student's grade is determined utilizing daily activities and/or minor grades. Examples of minor grades are: daily homework, warm-up activities, review materials, math investigations, class work etc.

Homework will be assigned nearly everyday and be graded one of three ways.
• Homework quizzes will be given. Students will be able to use their homework when taking a quiz. Homework quizzes will be predominantly graded on the work/process and not final answers.
• Homework may be taken up for a completion grade. Students will receive 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, or 0%, depending on how many problems are completed and worked out.
• Homework may be collected and graded by teacher.

Late work: Students may turn in late homework at or before the next class session for a maximum grade of 70%. If absent, homework is due the day you return, and you are responsible to hand the work in on time. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Lowest Grades Dropped: Depending on the number of assignments given per six-week grading period, a designated number of the student's lowest homework/minor grades will be dropped before the end of a grading period. The number of assignments dropped per six-week grading period will be determined at the beginning of each grading period and students will be informed of that number at the beginning of each grading period.

Tests: A student may retake one major assessment during each six-week grading period for maximum grade of 70%. The student must retake the assessment within 7 days of the return of the original grade. If a student makes between a (60%-69%), the student has the option to reassess within 7 days or save the opportunity if needed. During the one week of remediation/reteach process between teacher and student, the teacher and student develop study skills, testing skills and a testing schedule for reassessment. This remediation/reteach process is a requirement before the student is allowed to reassess. You are responsible for scheduling a date and time for make-up exams.

Projects: All projects will count as a test grade and will accompany a written guideline/rubric when the project is assigned. Late projects are due only one day after due date and will receive a maximum grade of 70%.

Portfolios will be used as an instructive and assessment tool. Portfolios may be collected for a test grade, and students will be provided with a rubric to be aware of how a grade will be allotted. Late portfolios are due only one day after the due date and will receive a maximum grade of 70%.

Restroom Policy: Take care of restroom needs between classes. I understand that occasional emergencies happen. You will be given 2 passes per six weeks to leave the class for restroom, water, or locker needs. Use them wisely! If you do not use the passes, you can redeem them in the end of the six weeks for 5 points to be added to your daily grades for each unused pass.

Tutorials: Tutorials are available every school day from 7:30-8:00 a.m. and 3:30-3:50 p.m. Tutoring at any other times is available upon request.

Group Work: There are four rules that we will follow when working in groups:

1. You are responsible for you own work and behavior.
2. You must be willing to help any group member who asks.
3. You may ask the teacher for help only when everyone in your group has the same question.
4. You will always treat the members of your group with respect.

Consequence for violating any rules for group work will result in a parent/teacher communication, a possible expulsion from group work, individual work, and much more work for you because you will now be the only one in your group!

Cheating/Copying: Both the copier and the person who allowed their work to be copied will receive a zero for a minor and a major grade.

Parent/Guardian Notification: Teachers will notify parents when any of the following events take place:


• Student habitually comes to class not prepared.
• Homework is not complete.
• Student's behavior is unacceptable.
• Student is not respectful towards others.
• Portfolios are not being worked on.

• Student's behavior changes dramatically.
• Student's grades are low.
• Student has disruptive behavior.
• Tests are low.
• Projects are not handed in.
• Student is not honoring group rules.

Special Needs: Please inform your teacher if you have any special needs that they may not be aware of and he/she will make all attempts to accommodate your needs.

Note to parents: Pine Tree ISD offers VSI.Net to help you be more involved in your child's education. Access to your student's attendance, grade and lesson plan information is key to your child's success. The more you know how and what your child is doing, the better you are able to not only improve their performance, but thrive academically. Please check your student's grades on-line regularly. To obtain a pass code, present valid identification to the office of your student's campus.
Download the instruction page (www.ptisd.org/docs/1-VSIParentLetter.pdf) for detailed steps.

On-line resources: Our syllabus, assignments, projects, rubrics, and other pertinent information will be posted on the teacher website. We also welcome your input, email, and phone calls - please contact us whenever you like. It is easiest for us to communicate with you via email at rgrandgeorge@ptisd.org, wstevens@ptisd.org, jweidmer@ptisd.org., We do not have telephones in our classroom, so your phone calls will be returned at the earliest possible time.