Course Name: Skills Development Mathematics

Instructors: Ms. Cummings  & Mr.Allison

 

Course Overview:

This course is a remedial mathematics course to prepare you for the PSSA Mathematics Assessment.  Students placed in this course only performed at a Basic, Below Basic, or a low-proficient level on the 4-Sight Assessment (comparable to the PSSA).  Students will be able to move out of this remediation course and into an elective course only when they score advanced or a high proficient on the 4-Sight Assessment.  The 4-Sight Assessment will be given 4 times throughout the year.  Students will not be able to test out of the course on the benchmark assessment (given in early September).   

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of Skills Development, the student should be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers and number systems.
• Understand the meanings of operations, use operations and understand how they relate to each other.
• Compute accurately and fluently and make reasonable estimates.
• Demonstrate an understanding of measurable attributes of objects and figures, and the units, systems and processes of measurement.
• Apply appropriate techniques, tools and formulas to determine measurements.
• Analyze characteristics and properties of two- and three- dimensional geometric shapes and demonstrate understanding of geometric relationships.
• Locate points or describe relationships using the coordinate plane.
• Demonstrate an understanding of patterns, relations and functions.
• Represent and/or analyze mathematical situations using numbers, symbols, words, tables and/or graphs.
• Analyze change in various contexts.
• Describe or use models to represent quantitative relationships.
• Formulate or answer questions that can be addressed with data and/or organize, display, interpret or analyze data.
• Select and/or use appropriate statistical methods to analyze data.
• Understand and/or apply basic concepts of probability or outcomes.
• Develop and/or evaluate inferences and predictions or draw conclusions based on data or data displays.
• Attendance

Classroom Rules:

It is absolutely necessary that you attend class on a regular basis.  In the case of an absence, you must get an excusal slip from your academy secretary before you return to class.  Do not enter the classroom without an excusal slip.

 

• Behavior

Class will begin promptly every day.  I expect you to come to class prepared and ready to work.  Off-task behavior is unacceptable.  Responsible and respectful behavior is expected at all times.  The following rules are to be followed at all times:  Be Respectful, Be Honorable, Be There, and Be Prepared.  A more detailed explanation of classroom rules and expectations follows in the Code of Conduct Contract.

 

• Tardies

You MUST arrive to class on time!  Class will begin promptly each day.  I expect you to be prompt as well.  Coming to class late is a disruption in the educational process of others; therefore, it will be handled in a very strict, consistent fashion.  I expect you to be in your seat when the bell rings; otherwise, that, too, will be considered a late.  Accurate records will be kept.  If you are late to class 2 times, a phone call home will be made.  If you are late an additional 2 times (total of 4 lates), another phone call home will be made and a log will be written.  Bottom line, BE ON TIME!!!!!!!

Course Materials:

1.)  Loose leaf notebook paper (provided)

2.)  Pencils

3.)  Calculator

4.)  Folder

5.)  Computers with internet access (provided)

Course Text & Readings:

                Study Island (www.studyisland.com)

Assessments:

There will be a variety of formative and summative assessments used throughout the year including tests, quizzes, and classroom observation.

Grading Policy & Procedures:

• Grading Scale

Grades can be determined at any time throughout the term using the following grading scale:

                                                                100 – 93 %                A

                                                                92 – 82 %                  B

                                                                81 – 70 %                  C

                                                                69 – 60 %                  D

                                                                59 – 0 %                     F

 

• Academic Dishonesty

Any act of academic dishonesty (cheating on exams, plagiarism of homework, etc.) WILL NOT

BE TOLERATED and will result in the following:

 

1.)  a zero on the work involved

2.)  a phone call home to parent/guardian

3.)  a discipline log being sent to the office.

 

 

• Quizzes / Tests

Quizzes will be given throughout the units of study and may be announced or unannounced.  We quiz frequently throughout each unit of study.   

Tests will occur at the end of each unit of study.  They will always be announced at least two days in advance.  Please try to be in attendance on test days!  In some cases, we will review the day before a test.  If you are absent on a review day, you are still responsible for taking the test the day you return!  No exceptions! 

 

• Homework

Most of your learning experiences will take place inside the classroom; however, there are times when homework will be assigned.  You are expected to have your homework completed by the due date.  No late homework will be accepted.  No exceptions, no excuses.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Outline:

 

Numbers & Operations

• Square Roots
• Scientific Notation
• Number Lines
• GCF & LCM of Monomials
• Compare & Order Real Numbers
• Rates, Work, & Percent Problems
• Proportional Relationships
• Simplify & Evaluate Expressions
• Order of Operations
• Estimate Solutions

Data Analysis & Probability

• Plots & Diagrams
• Central Tendency
• Probability
• Possible Outcomes
• Interpret Graphs

Geometry

• Circles
• Triangles & Quadrilaterals
• Similar & Congruent Figures
• Pythagorean Theorem
• Distance & Midpoint
• Slope, Parallelism, and Perpendicularity

Algebraic Concepts

• Patterns
• Relations & Functions
• Graph Functions, Equations, & Inequalities
• Linear Equation Word Problems
• Systems of Equations
• Quadratic Equations
• Polynomials
• Rate of Change Problems
• Linear Equations & Slope

Measurement

• Measuring Angles
• Perimeter, Area, Volume, & Surface Area
• Change in Dimensions

 

PSSA Open Ended Rubric

 

 

• 4 - The response demonstrates a thorough understanding of the mathematical concepts and procedures required by the task.

The response provides correct answer(s) with clear and complete mathematical procedures shown and a correct explanation, as required by the task. Response may contain a minor “blemish” (e.g., missing $) or omission in work or explanation that does not detract from demonstrating a thorough understanding.

 

 

• 3 – The response demonstrates a general understanding of the mathematical concepts and procedures required by the task.

The response and explanation (as required by the task) are mostly complete and correct. The response may have minor errors or omissions that do not detract from demonstrating a general understanding.

 

 

• 2 – The response demonstrates a partial understanding of the mathematical concepts and procedures required by the task.

The response is partially correct with a partial understanding of the required mathematical concepts and/or procedures demonstrated and/or explained. The response may contain some work that is incomplete or unclear.

 

 

• 1 – The response demonstrates a minimal understanding of the mathematical concepts and procedures as required by the task.

 

 

• 0 – The response has no correct answer and insufficient evidence to demonstrate any understanding of the mathematical concepts and procedures as required by the task for that grade level.

Response may show only information copied from the question.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Code of Conduct Contract

2009 – 2010

v All Greater Johnstown regulations, responsibilities, and disciplinary options stated in the Code of Student Discipline book will be expected and followed for every student in this classroom.

 

v Point values will be assigned to each infraction.

 

1.)       Respect yourself, classmates, administration, faculty, staff, and

property of JHS.  Treat others as you wish to be treated.   

2.)       Students will be ON TIME FOR CLASS!  Sleeping or inactivity will

not be tolerated.

3.)       Students will remain seated at all times.

 

4.)       Students will raise their hands to talk.

 

5.)       Students need to be prepared for EVERY class.  No one will be

permitted to leave the classroom after the bell rings for the start of class.

6.)       Students are expected to do their own work.  Plagiarism and

cheating will result in disciplinary actions as stated in the Greater Johnstown School Handbook and could result in a failing grade for the year.

7.)       Students are expected in class EVERY DAY!  When absent, YOU are responsible for any make-up work.

 

8.)       Please leave food, candy, and drinks at home.

 

9.)       All electronic devices are prohibited in the classroom.  Specifically, cell phone possession is severely restricted.  Students caught with cell phones in their possession will have them confiscated and they must be picked up by a parent/guardian in the main office.

 

 

 

 

Please return this paper to Ms. Cummings or Mr. Allison no later than Thursday, September 2nd.

 

I have read and understand the overall course structure as well as the student requirements and responsibilities.   I have also read the rules in the Code of Conduct Contract and understand them and the consequences that result if not followed. 

 

Student Name:
Student Signature :		Date:
Parent/ Guardian Name:		Relation:
Parent / Guardian Signature		Date:

 

 

Please write any questions, comments, or concerns that you may have about this course below: