Algebra 1 Course Syllabus Mrs.

Gaylord
August 2011
Concept List
1. Integer Operations
2. Graphing and naming points on the coordinate plane
3. Fraction Operations
4. Decimal Operations
5. Percents
6. Number line: ordering rational numbers
7. Writing expressions Irom words
8. Combine Like Terms
9. The Distributive property
10. Evaluate expressions with 2 or more variables
11. Order oI operations
12. Solve 2 step equations with integers
13. Solve 2 step equations with decimals and Iractions
14. Write equations Irom word problems
15. SimpliIy and solve equations (mult. step including distributive prop)
16. Proportions
17. Slope
18. Write equation Irom tables
19. Write equation Irom graph and graph Irom equation
20. slopes oI parallel and perpendicular lines
21. equation oI a line between 2 points
22. solve systems by graphing
23. Solve systems (equal value)
24. solve systems using substitution
25. solve systems using elimination
26. Solve literal equations
27. Multiply Binomials
28. Iactoring quadratics
29. zero product property
30. using quadratic Iormula
31. solving linear inequalities
32. graph 2 variable inequalities
33. absolute value equations
34. solving squared value equations
35. systems oI inequalities
36. simpliIy exponential expressions
37. scientiIic notation
38. simpliIying square roots
39. Real number classiIication

Grading
80 Concepts
10 Midterm and Final
10 ALEKS or Skillbuilders

We will learn roughly one-third oI the concepts on the master list each trimester. Every
week, we will have a concept quiz on 3-6 concepts. The Iirst concept quiz in this class
will assess the Iirst three concepts, Order oI Operations, Integer Operations and Graphing
and Naming Points on the Coordinate Plane. The next concept quiz will be given the next
week, on concepts 1-4. I will continue to add new concepts each week. I will never have
more than 6 concepts on a quiz. When concept 7 is added, concept 1 will 'drop oII and
concepts 2-7 will be tested. The Iollowing week the quiz will be on concepts 3-8, etc..
Each concept is scored individually according to the Iollowing rubric.
Score
0 Absent
1 Present or wrote nothing or nothing redeeming
2 Wrote something in right direction but is essentially clueless, shows barest
comprehension or no work shown
3 Has a clue, major conceptual error, work hard to Iollow
4 Minor computational error or missing a step or units
5 Solid understanding, shows all work leading to correct answer

On each quiz, you will get a separate score Ior each concept. When you receive two Iives
in a row, you have 'mastered that concept and you will not test on it on subsequent
quizzes. I always record the sum oI the last two scores Ior any concept and enter that in
the electronic gradebook (now MyBackPack). This means that your grade can change.

The table below shows an example oI how a student`s score could change as they
continued to take quizzes on the same concept each week.

Quiz #1 Quiz #2 Quiz #3 Quiz #4 Quiz #5 Score
5 4 9
5 4 3 7
5 4 3 5 8
5 4 3 5 5 10

After you have mastered a skill are you done?
No, it shows up on the midterm and Iinal. II you get a 2 or below on any problem on
the midterm or Iinal, your score on that concept becomes the sum oI that score (1 or 2)
plus your last earned score. This means iI you have previously mastered a concept, your
score on that skill could drop to a 7. II it drops below 7, you will need to reassess. You
are allowed to use notes on the midterm or Iinal so this should not be a problem. It is
important to keep good notes so you can reIresh your memory on anything you may have
Iorgotten.

Interventions
You will receive a math intervention pass iI you have a score oI 6 or below on any
concept that has dropped oII the in-class quizzes. You are required to come in during
Wednesday advisory or beIore/aIter school to reassess on that topic. BeIore reassessing,
you need to review notes and homework to practice that skill. ALL homework on that
skill must be complete and corrected. II extra tutoring is needed, and you show up
unprepared Ior reassessment, you will need to come in again. No more than two distinct
concepts can be reassessed in one day and no more than two distinct concepts can be
reassessed per week.

Everv student is required to get at least a 7/10 on everv
concept in order to pass this class

DPM (Definitions and Properties Manual)
This is a detailed notebook that has Iormulas, example problems, strategies and
instructions on how to do problems Ior each concept. This must be done in your own
handwriting. This is not graded but it is very important since it is diIIicult to remember
everything Ior a midterm and Iinal. You are allowed to reIer to this manual when taking
your cumulative exams.

Grades are cumulative and changeable. Your grades on concepts Irom Trimester 1 are
included in your Trimester 2 grade and your concept scores Irom the Iirst two trimesters
are included on your Trimester 3 grade. You may always reassess on any concept to
improve your grade once that concept has dropped oII the in class quizzes, even iI it was
taught in an earlier trimester. However, be careIul, do not attempt to reassess without
preparing because your grade can also drop since it is always a sum oI the last two
assessments.

Reassessments are limited to two per week. It is not a good idea to
wait until the end of the trimester to reassess on concepts.

ALEKS
This is an online tutoring/learning program that can help you to master any concepts you
are having diIIiculties with. II you are not having diIIiculties, this program will help you
to sharpen your skills to take you to a higher level. We will have approximately 20-30
minutes to work on ALEKS every week in class and you are required to do an additional
30-40 minutes on your own, totaling 1 hour per week. You earn 10 points per week in
the 'Other category oI your grade (10 oI your total grade) Ior doing work in ALEKS.

Homework is not graded. However, I do keep track oI whether or not you are doing it.
This doesn`t just mean 'going through the motions. It does neither oI us (especially
you) any good iI you are Iaking your homework. Do only the problems you need practice
on. II you have already mastered something, skip that problem. Always correct your
homework to make sure you are learning the concepts. I give green slips to 7
th
graders
and record missed assignments Ior 8
th
graders. Your perIormance on homework is
reported each week when grades are updated. Homework assignments will be posted
weekly, answers will also be posted on Google Sites. All assigned homework problems
are listed with the concept that is being practiced. II you need to reassess, all homework
on that concept must be complete. II my records show that you have missed assignments,
I will be checking your homework careIully to make sure you have done and corrected all
oI the assigned homework on that concept beIore allowing you to reassess. II you are not
sure what homework was assigned Ior a particular concept, there will be a spreadsheet on
our Google Site Class page that provides a list.

You are not allowed to reassess on a concept if vou have
not completed and corrected all of the assigned homework
on that concept.

Other
Every now and then, I may give an in class assignment that is graded. It will always be
related to the standards/concepts but may not neatly Iit in a single category. I will include
this in the ALEKS/other category.

HELP!
I am available beIore, aIter and during school (advisory time) most days. It is a good
idea to let me know you are coming in case I have a meeting or other obligation. E-
mail is best, but you can also let me know in class. I will give you an advisory or Math
Intervention Pass iI you wish to see me during advisory.