Dear Parents, - Mr. Swinehart's St. Luke Algebra Classes



Dear Parents,

My name is Steven Swinehart, and I appreciate the trust you are placing in me to educate your child. For over 20 years I worked with high school students through an outreach ministry known as Young Life. I entered the teaching profession after working 15 years as a banker because I enjoy working with today’s youth. As a good friend of mine stated, “I want to see today’s kids live a life without regret.”

Today’s math class looks much different from the one I was in several years ago. We will employ a collaborative learning style in which students are encouraged to discover many of the theorems and formulas I was forced to memorize. We will strive to answer the question, “Why?” In previous years, your child may not have worried about this question because the answer was obvious. This is the biggest difference between Pre-Algebra and Algebra because the answers we find will not be easily apparent.

Class will begin with a review problem known as a Do Now, Bellringer, Smart Start or Math Minute problem. Homework of 10 questions will be assigned nightly, and I will give the week’s homework on Monday if your child would like to work ahead. Please note that I do not accept late work unless your child is absent due to illness or other excused absences. Each student is beginning the semester with a 100% for their class participation. I will deduct points from their participation grade if your child comes to class late or unprepared. The class participation grade will be 10% of the final grade. I will award five bonus points to those students who answer the problem of the week (POTW) found on the bulletin board and on the class website. This is the sole forms of extra credit that I provide. The problem of the week and class notes can also be found on the class website (). You may access them to see what your child is doing or if your child is absent.

Again, I thank you for entrusting your child to me, and I look forward to working with you this school year. Please do not hesitate to contact me as questions arise.

Sincerely,

Steven Swinehart

Email - sswinehart@

Cell phone – 706-615-2261

SYLLABUS

• Textbook – Glencoe McGraw-Hill Algebra 2003

• Grading –

o Chapter tests – These will be given at the end of each chapter - 30% of the grade. Any grade below a 75 will be given the opportunity to take a retest to bring it up to a 75.

o Essential Skills tests – Almost every week, an essential skills test will be due on Friday. The test will be located on the class website on the previous Monday. Work must be shown to get credit - 25% of the grade.

o Quizzes – These will be given periodically through the lesson – 15% of the grade.

o Homework – Homework will be given daily. We will review and check it the following day – 20%.

o Projects/Tasks – I will assign between 6 – 8 projects or tasks through the year. These are worth a quiz grade.

o Semester Exams – At the end of the second and fourth nine-week periods an exam covering the material learned previously will be given. Each of these exams will count as two test grades.

o Students will begin with a 100% for their participation grade. I will deduct two points if a child is late or forgets his/her notebook, textbook, or calculator. With the “Time to Teach” classroom management system, the desire is to teach proper classroom behavior and avoid the behaviors that once got a class off track and wasted valuable time. Cheating will not be tolerated. Students who are caught will earn a zero on the work and a referral to the principal.

o Absence – The class will follow the policy detailed in the St. Luke School Parent / Student Handbook. The day’s material will be posted on the class’ website: , and the students are responsible for making up their missed work.

• Before school help – I am available before school on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:30.

• Parent / Teacher Contact – Please feel free to call or email any time a question arises.

o Email - sswinehart@

o Cell phone – 706-615-2261

Student’s Name (printed):

Student’s Signature:

Parent’s Signature:

Date:

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