Algebra – 7th Grade



Algebra – 8th Grade

E.C. Adams Middle School

Team 8-3

2014 – 2015 School Year

Teacher: Mrs. Bowers

Phone Number: (203) 453-2755 x206

E-mail: bowerst@

Web page:

Congratulations and welcome to Algebra I! Taking Algebra in middle school is both an honor as well as a challenge. This is a high school level course, which will require greater amounts of homework and studying than any math class students have seen so far in their academic career. Algebra builds upon itself, so any topic that is not fully understood will have a compounding impact on future topics.

The Algebra I course offered at Adams Middle School is equivalent to Guilford High School’s Algebra I class. Algebra 1 develops problem solving and modeling. The student is introduced to the concepts of relation and function and to the methods of solving equations. Linear functions, quadratic function sand exponential functions are all considered. Common Core State Standards are followed.

Students and parents should be aware of the following Guilford High School math department policy and requirements concerning Algebra I at Adams.

Any student in the Algebra I program at Adams Middle School must have a minimum final average of B to proceed to Geometry. Any student receiving a failing grade (below a B) in the Algebra I course will be enrolled in Algebra I in high school. These practices are in the best interest of the student, allowing for appropriate placement and for optimal learning. Students in the Algebra I program at the middle school do not receive high school credit for successfully completing the course.

Class Requirements:

All students are required to bring to class every day:

• 1½“ binder

• Loose-leaf paper

• Pencils (Mechanical pencils are preferred. Pens are never acceptable in math.)

• Eraser

• A correcting instrument (red, purple, or green colored pencil or colored pen)

• Dry erase markers (you will use about 10 markers throughout the year)

• Old sock (used as a dry eraser)

In addition, students need to have at home:

• Graph paper

• Colored pencils

• Ruler that had both inches and centimeters

• A graphing calculator (Graphing calculators are REQUIRED. We recommend the TI-84 plus C Silver Edition. Other TI-84 calculators are also acceptable. If you are unable to get a calculator, the school has limited quantities that can be rented for the school year. See your teacher for details.)

Curriculum:

Algebra I at E.C. Adams Middle School will follow the Connecticut Common Core Standards (CTCCS) Algebra I curriculum. There is no formal textbook so students should expect to keep a binder with the handouts from class or keep all files on their Chrome book.

Algebra 1 Course Outline:

1st semester (September – Mid January):

Unit 1 – Patterns

Unit 2 – Equalities and Inequalities

Unit 3 – Functions

Unit 4 – Linear Functions

Midterm Exam

2nd semester (Mid January – June):

Unit 5 – Scatter Plots and Trend Lines

Unit 6 – Systems of Equations

Unit 7 – Intro to Exponential Functions

Unit 8 – Quadratic Functions

Final Exam

Grading:

Students in all Algebra I classes at Adams will be graded as follows:

Tests 50%

Quizzes 35%

Homework/Class work 15%

Since Algebra 1 is a high school level class, students should expect about 45 minutes of homework almost every school night, Monday through Thursday. Assignments are due the next class period, unless otherwise stated. The homework is also available on the website . Students (and parents) are also encouraged to subscribe to the Mrs. Bowers’ Algebra I Google calendar to have homework automatically sent to your Google calendar.

Homework Redo Policy:

Since homework is graded on accuracy, students who do not understand the material and receive a less than desirable grade on a homework assignment are encouraged to redo the assignment. To redo the assignment, students should redo each question that was incorrect on a separate sheet of paper, and then they should write a few sentences explaining what their mistake was and how they fixed it. Then students should staple the redo paper on top of the old paper and turn both in. The paper is then regraded and students are given a new grade with a 15% deduction for the redo (so the highest redone grade will be an 85%). Students may redo any assignment, but all redos are due on the day of the unit test or the end of the marking period (whichever comes first).

Quiz Redo Policy:

Any quiz below an 85% can be redone. Students should make an appointment with Mrs. Bowers to retake the quiz (or a different version of the quiz) either after school or during study hall. Students are given a new grade with a 15% deduction for the redo (so the highest redone grade will be an 85%)

Test Policy:

Unit test are final and may not be redone.

Final Grade:

The final grade for Algebra will be composed of:

Quarter 1 grade: 20%

Quarter 2 grade: 20%

Midterm grade: 10%

Quarter 3 grade: 20%

Quarter 4 grade: 20%

Final Exam grade: 10%

Extra Help:

Extra help is available before or after school or during study halls. If you wish to stay for extra help, please talk with Mrs. Bowers ahead of time so appropriate preparations can be made.

Classroom Rules:

Please refer to your student handbook for school rules. All school rules will be followed in this class, as will the discipline procedures. For success in class, please follow the Five P’s:

Be…

Prepared – Prompt – Productive – Polite – Positive

I look forward to a great and exciting school year!

Sincerely,

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Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.

~Albert Einstein

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