Introduction

Through this course students will gain mastery in working with and evaluating mathematical expressions, equations, and graphs through the use of a task-based approach that leads to skill and efficiency in mathematics by first developing understanding.  Students will begin by confronting an engaging problem, then allows them to grapple with solving it. Topics include: real numbers, equations, functions, linear equations and inequalities, solving systems of linear equations and inequalities, polynomials and factoring, quadratic equations and rational expressions.

Class Rules 

• Be on time for class EVERY DAY. You must be in your assigned seats when the bell rings. 
• Raise your hand. Everyone deserves a chance to answer. 
• Do all of your work in PENCIL. 
• Always bring your PENCIL and BINDER (with clean, lined paper!) to class. 
• Show your work and/or a written explanation for EVERY PROBLEM on all assignments (tests/wrap-ups/homeworks/classwork)
• Read over your notes from class every night. 
• Electronics should be OFF and AWAY during the school day. 
• Treat all class materials you are BORROWING with respect. 
• Food and gum are not appropriate for class. 
• ALWAYS do your best! Failure is only an option if you make it one!

Materials & Class Preparedness 

Each student is required to bring the following materials with them everyday:

• A pencil (NOT A PEN) with an eraser. All work for this class MUST be done in pencil. 
• A binder divided into three sections − Notes, Classwork, and Homework.  You will be receiving many handouts for this class and a binder will help you keep them well-organized. 
• A calculator.  You will be assigned a calculator for use in class. It is your responsibility to get your calculator before you sit down and return it before you leave for the day. You will need a calculator for assignments outside of class. The calculator we use in class is the TI-30SX Multi-view. 

Resources 

• Mr. Collins Website: websites.pdesas.org/collinsclasses 
• SAS Curriculum Pathways Algebra 1: www.sascurriculumpathways.com/portal/#/algebra
  Student login for SAS is “fresh7ago.”
• Mathematics Vision Project www.mathematicsvisionproject.org 

Homework Policy

Students will receive handouts with homework problems.  All problems are to be worked out on LINED NOTEBOOK PAPER, with ANSWERS ONLY written on the handout. Failure to follow this policy will result in a grade of ZERO for the assignment. 

LATE HOMEWORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR FULL CREDIT. 

Grades

Each quarter, your grades are determined by the following:

• Homework & Classwork (2-5 points each) − Points for each assignment will vary PER THE DISTRICT POLICY, HOMEWORK WILL NOT COUNT FOR MORE THAN 10% OF YOUR GRADE. (approximately 50 points of homework will be graded each quarter).
• Daily Warm Ups (20 points each)** − Warm ups are done daily (except on quiz/test days) at the start of the period. Every eight days you are in class, you will have completed a set of warm ups to turn in for up to 20 points. FOUR warm-up sheets are due each quarter.
• Daily* Wrap-Ups (8 points each) − You will be given 1-2 problems that encompass the most important topics covered in a lesson. Using your notes, you will complete this before you leave at the end of the period. (*They won’t quite be “daily” though)
• Tests (100 points each) – Tests will cover three weeks of class material. Each test will consists of both multiple choice and free response questions. You will have three tests every quarter.
• Other Projects/Quizzes/Etc may be assigned throughout the year. 

Any assignment that is not turned in will be marked as Incomplete (*I*) and will count as a zero until it is completed. 

** Daily warm ups are not part of the Honors course. 

The quarter grade is determined by taking the total number of points earned and dividing by the total number of possible points. 

Warm Up Grades (non-Honors Courses): 

• During the first four minutes of each period, six problems will be on display for students to complete. 
• At the end of the 4 minutes, the class will go over the warm-ups and EACH STUDENT IS TO CHECK THEIR WORK AND GRADE THEIR WARM-UP FOR THE DAY. 
• When students have completed eight sets of warm-ups (aka a "Pink Sheet") that student shound add their scores up and submit their work. 
• Each student is responsible for 4 sets of 8 warm ups each quarter (aka "four Pink Sheets."). 
• Warm ups are graded by the table below... 

Final Grade: 

During mid-term exam and final exam days you will be given an exam which covers all the material covered each semester (the final is not cumulative). Your grade for the course is determined by the following:
                 (Q1 * .2) + (Q2 * .2) + (MT *.1) + (Q3 * .2) + (Q4 * .2) + (FE * .1) = course grade. 

Extra Help

Power Period: During power period, you have the opportunity to come back to this classroom to work on your math homework, or receive the opportunity for extra practice.

Before/after school: I am always available before or after school for help if you need it.

Mr. Collins’ Website (websites.pdesas.org/collinsclasses/):  Particularly “The Blog,” where I will post thoughts on each homework assignment every night, and you will be able to leave comments to get your questions answered away from class. You can also email me at collinsclasses@gmail.com. 

Khan Academy (http://www.khanacademy.com/): This amazing website will can help you with every topic covered in class, with both instructional videos and online tools for you to practice.