Thomas Jefferson Middle School



Thomas Jefferson Middle School

M-Pods

Mrs. Kim Pickell

Homework website:

E-mail address: kpickell@wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Algebra 1

2011 - 2012

Algebra 1 is one of the advanced math courses offered in the 8th grade at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. The class is taught as a high school honors course. Students receiving a Level III or Level IV on the EOC (End of Course) Exam and a C or better for their course work, will receive credit on their high school transcripts. A student’s placement into Honors Geometry is based on his or her EOC proficiency and 7th grade EOG scores. Students who are not proficient on their EOC will need to repeat Algebra 1 in high school during their freshman year.

Students need to realize that this course requires studying in a way that may be different from ways that have proven successful for math classes in past years. Class notes are required and should be reviewed daily and homework diligently completed. Homework is always assigned Monday through Friday, and will be due the next school day.

Quizzes/Tests will be given throughout the quarter. The “quarter syllabus” gives more detailed information on scheduled quizzes/tests. Students should review for quizzes/test by looking over their notes and the section/chapter from their textbook and by practicing some of the homework problems and class examples. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!!!!!

Algebra 1 students will need a graphing calculator (TI 83+ or TI 84) this year. While TJMS will provide all students with a TI 84 for classroom use, it is very beneficial for students to continue using a graphing calculator at home in order to become proficient with this type of calculator. The Algebra 1 EOC Exam is graphing calculator active. If you choose to purchase a calculator for your child, please keep theirs at home. It is too easy for the calculators to be misplaced and lost. I will have a classroom set available at all times.

Supplies Needed for Class Everyday

* Textbook

* 1 ½ inch 3 ring binder

* Loose leaf paper, college or wide ruled (LOTS OF IT!)

* Pencil (have several on hand)

* Eraser

* Graph Paper

* Colored pencils

* Dividers (at least 3)

Grading Scale: Grade Determination:

A 100 – 93 Homework / Classwork 15%

B 92 – 85

C 84 – 77 Quizzes ** 35%

D 76 – 70

F 69 and below Tests 50%

**Extra Credit will be available –

Points earned will be added to the students quiz points earned.

Homework / Classwork: (15%)

Algebra students will receive homework EVERY night. It is important that all assignments be completed on time in order to be fully prepared for the quizzes and chapter tests. All assignments will be graded for completeness and effort and will be reviewed in class. All homework will be posted on my website by 2:15 pm each day along with class notes from that day. If a student has missed an assignment due to an absence, he or she should make it up following the guidelines in the student handbook.

It is the Eighth Grade policy that homework will be collected before the student leaves for encore classes (7:35). If the homework is not turned in on time, the grade on the homework will be determined as follows:

• If the assignment is handed in within 24 hours of its due date, the student will receive 70% of the points they earn on that assignment.

• If the assignment is handed in after 24 hours from the due date, the student will receive 50% of the points they have earned.

• All work must be turned in BEFORE the end of the unit/chapter in which it was assigned. Missing assignments will remain zeroes after the end of the unit/chapter and students will no longer have an opportunity to make up those assignments.

Quizzes: (35%)

Quizzes could be on one or several concepts within a chapter. It can be announced or a total surprise! It is important for students to review their notes daily and be PREPARED!

Students will be required to keep an organized notebook of their assignments. Students will have a notebook/homework quiz at anytime during a chapter to ensure that students are completing their assignments. Expectations for the notebook quiz will be reviewed with each student.

**Extra Credit will be available to all students. These assignments will be available and students will have 1 week to complete the assignment. Extra Credit points will be added to the Quiz points earned by the student. Extra Credit assignments may be extended response or drill and practice. All extra credit will require the student to use higher level thinking skills.

Tests: (50%)

Tests are an assessment of what the student has learned throughout the chapter. They should be able to apply their knowledge to similar problems and topics that were taught during the unit.

Projects will be assigned throughout the year. Projects will count as a test grade. Projects will be assigned approximately every two weeks. The student will have two weeks to complete the project and submit it for a grade. If you have questions about the project, please see me quickly and do not wait until the last minute to try and finish it.

ALL home work, quizzes, projects and test MUST be completed in PENCIL! If not, 10 points will be deducted from the grade on that particular assignment, quiz or test.

Progress Reports:

Parents will be able to access their child’s grade on-line through the Parent Assist program introduced last year at Jefferson Middle. If you are having trouble using the system, please contact the front office. If you child has failed to turn in an assignment, this will be indicated with a zero. If the grade is blank, the assignment is not late. If you have any questions about your child’s grade, please e-mail or call.

Tutoring:

The math department offers tutoring once a week and the schedule will be announced each quarter and will be posted on my website. Please check the website frequently for updates to the tutoring schedule. It is highly encouraged for students to use this time. Students who use this time wisely tend to be more successful in Algebra 1. The pacing guide for Algebra 1 moves very quickly, so as soon as a student sees that they need help, they should take full advantage of the tutoring offered by the TJMS staff.

Class Rights and Responsibilities: Everyone should walk with Patriot Pride!

• Everyone has the right to live safely.

• Everyone has the right to learn.

• Everyone has the responsibility to be polite.

• Everyone has the responsibility to be honest.

• Everyone has the responsibility to use time wisely.

Consequences:

• 1st Offense – first verbal warning

• 2nd Offense – second verbal warning and a call home

• 3rd Offense – ASD (After School Detention)

• 4th Offense – D-1

These consequences are only a guideline. Necessary actions will be taken as a situation warrants ensuring an environment for optimal learning. Students need to make good choices and by focusing on rights and responsibilities of citizens, we will continue to encourage them to do so all year long.

Textbook:

Algebra 1

Glencoe Algebra 1 North Carolina Edition (Revised June 2007)

First Quarter Second Quarter

1. Variables and Expressions 1. The Coordinate Plane and Midpoint Formula

2. Order of Operations 2. Relations

3. Open Sentences 3. Equations and Relations

4. Identity and Equality Properties 4. Graphing Linear Equations

5. Distributive Property 5. Functions / Arithmetic Sequences

6. Commutative / Associative Properties 6. Writing Equations and Relations

7. Graphs and Functions 7. Slope

8. Investigating Real World Functions 8. Slope and Direct Variation

9. Data Analysis Using Tables and Graphs 9. Slope-Intercept Form

10. Rational Numbers 10. Families of Linear Graphs

11. Adding / Subtracting Rational Numbers 11. Writing Equations in Slope –Intercept Form

12. Multiplying / Dividing Rational Numbers 12. Writing Equations in Point-Slope Form

13. Displaying and Analyzing Data 13. Parallel and Perpendicular Lines

14. Square Roots and Real Numbers 14. Scatter Plots and Line of Fit

15. Matrices 15. Regression and Median – Fit Lines

16. Writing Equations 16. Graphing Systems of Equations

17. Solving Addition/Subtraction Equations 17. Substitution

18. Solving Equations Addition/Subtraction 18. Elimination Using Addition/Subtraction

19. Solving Equations Multiplication/Division 19. Elimination Using Multiplication

20. Solving Multi-Step Equations 20. Graphing Inequalities in Two Variables

21. Solving Equations with the Variable on Each Side 21. Graphing Systems of Inequalities

22. Ratios and Proportions

23. Percent of Change

24. Solving Equations and Formulas

25. Weighted Averages

26. Solving Inequalities by Addition/Subtraction

27. Solving Inequalities by Multiplication/Division

28. Solving Multi-Step Inequalities

Third Quarter Fourth Quarter

1. Multiplying Monomials 1. Simplifying Radical Expressions

2. Dividing Monomials 2. Operations with Radical Expressions

3. Scientific Notation 3. Radical Equations

4. Polynomials 4. Pythagorean Theorem

5. Adding and Subtracting Polynomials 5. The Distance Formula

6. Multiplying a Polynomial by a Monomial 6. Rational Expressions

7. Multiplying Polynomials 7. Multiplying Rational Expressions

8. Special Products 8. Dividing Rational Expressions

9. Dividing Polynomials and Monomials

10. Factors and GCF

11. Factoring Using the Distributive Property

12. Factoring Trinomials

13. Multiplying Polynomials

14. Factoring Trinomials: Leading Coefficient = 1

15. Factoring Trinomials: Leading Coefficient > 1

16. Factoring Difference of Squares

17. Perfect Squares and Factoring

18. Graphing Quadratic Functions

19. Families of Quadratic Functions

20. Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing

21. Exponential Functions

22. Growth and Decay

23. Geometric Sequences

24. Rates of Change

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