According to Professor Lee of Washington University, "Mathematics is the single field of human endeavor in which we are the most certain of the correctness of our knowledge. We use algebra everyday.
The main goal of this class is to help you acquire a deep understanding of and appreciation for algebra. You will learn to think about it in a more confident and focused manner.
A secondary goal of this class is to help you become adept at mathematical communication. Opportunities to improve your communication skills on several levels will arise throughout the class (see below for details): speaking precisely about mathematical ideas in class; writing informally about mathematical ideas on the A2A Blog; and writing careful mathematical conclusions on homework assignments.
Test approx 40% up to 100 points each
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Benchmarks approx. 10% (min. 20) up to 5 points each
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Google Docs Total approx. 20%(HOMEWORK approx. 12.5%, NOTES approx. 7.5%)
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Blog Total approx. 7%
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Internet approx. Total 4%
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Final Exam approx 20%
• =Total approx 101%
Homework
All homework will be submitted through Google docs for grading. You should include your name, lesson number, and the assigned problems.
You must submit a minimum of 25 assignments for homework on docs.google.com for credit. Any extra assignments submitted will contribute towards up to 5 extra points per assignment. You must check each problem (option + v) has check mark. Chapter Reviews will be worth 6 points each if completed!
Homework will be graded as follows out of 5 points:
1 did something
2 did half
3 did most
4 did all
4.5 did all and checked
5 did all and formatted correctly
Notes
For notes, you should include your name, the pages, and the lesson title.
You must submit a minimum of 15 notes on docs.google.com for credit. You will get your notes from information given in class as well as the assigned reading from the lesson.
Notes will be graded as follows out of 5 points:
1 did something
2 half information is covered
3 most of material covered
4 All material Covered
5 Neat, Images included, organized
Blog
Significant Contributions approx 2% (min. 2 per unit)
Tag all contributions with your name for credit. Each Posting is worth 2 points.
Comments approx 1% (min. 2 per unit)
Tag all comments with your name for credit. Each quality comment is worth 1 point.
Posting for Points approx. 4%
Each comment is worth 5 points.
Internet -Details to follow
Youtube Review Video approx. 2%
Podcast Review of a Lesson approx 2%
Attendance
You must come to class if you are at school. If you are not here when I take attendance you will be marked absent. If you arrive late I will change the mark to tardy. If you have a note your tardiness will be excused.
(Note: excessive absences can prohibit you from passing the class) For every unexcused absence you will lose a whole point from your final average. For every three unexcused tardies you will lose a whole percentage point to your final average.
If you miss class you are still responsible for the homework. The best way to prepare for a trip is to get your assignment in advance.
BEHAVIOR
Disruptive or offensive behavior will not be tolerated. Offensive language is not used in my room.
NO CHEATING! Do not roam your eyes around the room. Please keep your eyes on your own paper to avoid even the appearance of looking at the answers of classmates it may be mistaken as cheating.
CELL PHONES
Cell phones must be turned off and put away at all times during class. A violation of this policy will result in the removal of the phone and it will be given to Paul Hayward.
EXTRA HELP
We all need a little extra help every now and then. While every effort will be made to answers questions during class, there may be times when you need further clarification. I will be regularly available to help students with math during:
Wednesday @ Lunch
Please contact me as soon as you become uncomfortable and we will find a time even outside of these times to get you help. I’m more than willing to work with you, but I also expect you to make the effort and show me you are invested in learning. If you are having trouble with any part of my class, let me know and I will help you. I am a big helper, that’s my job.
The Path to Success!!
You can succeed in math and in this course if you:
- Respect everyone in the class at all times. We all work at different paces and use different methods. Please respect those differences.
- Always be on time and prepared for class.
- Have read the lesson and done the homework.
- Show all your work
- Check your work carefully so that you know what’s hard for you and mark the items on your homework that you want to discuss in class.
- Review your class notes every night before going to bed.
- Always get extra help from the teacher when you feel you are falling behind.
- Find one or two people to be your study partners and form a study group.
- Make the class work for you by making sure you get your questions answered, and listening to what other students have to say. Your classmates have great ideas, sometimes better than my ideas, so, be attentive. They may also ask questions you want to ask. Listen to your classmates.
- Participate regularly on the class blog
How to get an A……
If your percentage of accomplishment is higher than 92% you get an A.
Or, if your total points for the term reach 1510 Points you will receive an A.
Extra Points
2 Paideia Math Tweets (min 4, .5 points)
50 Flickr Diary (up to 50 points)
36 Test Aftermath 9 points (required, unless you score higher than a 91 on the test)
Scribing 5 points (no min.)
Tutorial 5 Points (no min.)
20 BOB 5 points (max. number of tests times 5 points)
Challenges (varying point totals)
Accurately Completed Scoring Spreadsheet 25 points
Web Page Answer top rank (up to 20 points)
1 point Extra Comments
1 point Extra Significant Contributions
