8th+Algebra+I

** Algebra I: An Incremental Development, 3rd Edition ** ** By: John H. Saxon ** ** ISBN 13: **** 978-1565771345 ** ** Year 2015-2016 ** Joaquin A. Rangel Phone: (832)746-8201 Email: jrangel@chinquapin.org The best way to contact me is through email. The student may also call me anytime between 5pm-9pm Mon.-Thurs., Friday 2pm-5pm, Saturday 1pm-3pm, and Sunday 8-10pm. If I miss your call please leave a voicemail or I will assume you figured it out yourself.
 * Algebra I **
 * __ Instructor: __**

I am an Alumni of the Chinquapin Class of ‘07. I came to Chinquapin in the 7th grade. I got a degree in Electrical Power Engineering Technology from the University of Houston. My favorite sport is Soccer but I’m a big fan of all sports. I also like to read random articles about science, technology, and health.
 * __ About me: __**** “The Way You Do Anything Is The Way You do Everything” -Lauraism **

Algebra I is an essential and required course for your development in learning math skills. This course emphasizes building the foundation for understanding basic algebraic concepts using critical thinking and reasoning. Students will learn different topics which include but not limited: (1) relationship between functions, equations, and graph/tables (2) linear equations and inequalities (3) interpret and analyze data using models, tables, and graphs (4) polynomials and rational functions (5) linear, quadratic and non-linear functions (6) use of symbols to represent unknowns and variables.
 * __ Course Description: __**

Students will have to work individually and in groups to develop both independent and teamwork problem solving skills. This will be a positive learning environment where everyone helps each other understand the material and creates a comfortable atmosphere for asking questions.

Supplies: Pencil, paper, and scientific calculator


 * __ Expectations: __**

In the classroom we will have great respect for each other (treat others as you would like to be treated), you will come ready to learn (notes out and homework on top of your desk), encourage your peers in a positive manner, and we will have a friendly and helpful environment.

__ Rules **:**__ Raise your hand to say or do something Do not talk while I am instructing the class No eating or drinking in class, (except a bottle of water) No cell phone use during class (not even as a calculator or “research”)
 * __ Procedures: __**

__ School Policies: __ Follow Student Handbook policies at all times.

__ Cheating: Cheating: __ If it looks like cheating it will be considered cheating. You may work in groups but you can’t just copy work and someone can’t just give you answers. You can discuss to develop solutions.

__ Consequences: __ 1) Verbal/Gesture Warning 2) Private conversation during lunch 3) Infraction 4) Note Home 5) Call home 6) Dean/SLC if you get 4-5 infractions depending on severity

__ Absences: __ When a student is absent he/she is responsible for the work missed, please follow the syllabus for assignments due.

__ Late Homework: __ 10 points off each day it is late.

__ Exercises __ : (20%) In class activities/exercises and group work must be completed in class. Homework assigned must be completed before class and will be included in this grade. Problems will primarily be from the textbook but not limited.
 * __ Quarter Grades: __**

__ Participation __ : (10%) Come to class prepared and ready to learn. Includes out of class preparation for the class (Next Lesson Reading, videos, practice problems). Following class rules. Contributing to in class discussion for problems presented. Note taking.

__ Quizzes: __ (20%) Quizzes will be presented at the beginning of class and will be once a week. These will include 2-5 questions from a lesson already covered and the student will have 10 minutes to complete the quiz from when the tardy bell rings. Quizzes may be announced the day before or be considered a pop quiz.

__ Test: __ (50%) Tests will be given about once every two weeks. There will be a short review the day before the test which will include some group workshops to help the student understand and share knowledge of the material. This time will also be used to ask any questions the student may have.

__ Extra Credit: __ (Up to 5 points on Test) The student may receive extra credit on test if he/she returns his/her graded test signed and with corrections the following week.

Extra Credit: (up to 5 points on Final Exam) Return all your quizzes for the semester in order with corrections.
 * __ Semester Grade: __** The semester grade will consist of each quarter weighted at (40%) each with the students’ final exam worth (20%).

~ Algebra 1 ~ 2013-2014  We will be integrating the traditional book material with an exploratory style (borrowed from Exeter Curriculum Math 1). Workshop days will allow you to apply math techniques to problem solving and find ways to articulate your reasoning to classmates. Textbooks: Larson, Boswell, Kanold, Stiff. __Algebra I__. McDougall Littell, 2007. ISBN-10: 0-618-59402-7 Lial, Hornsby, McGinnis. __Introductory Algebra__. Addison Wesley Longman, 2005. ISBN-10: 032129274X 2012-2013 - Like all mathematics, algebra is based in logic. Algebraic exercises develop your problem solving skills and help you view, perceive, and analyze the world in a logical fashion. - Mistakes are opportunities to learn. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes as well as give and receive assistance when struggles arise.
 * Unit 1 || Expressions, Equations, Functions and Properties of Real Numbers (Ch. 1, 2) ||
 * Unit 2 || Solving and Writing Linear Equations (Ch. 3, 5) ||
 * Unit 3 || Graphing Linear Equations and Functions (Ch. 4) ||
 * Unit 4 || Linear Inequalities (Ch. 6) ||
 * Unit 5 || Solving Linear Systems (Ch. 7) ||
 * Unit 6 || Business Model Project ||
 * Unit 7 || Exponents and Exponential Functions (Ch. 8) ||
 * Unit 8 || Polynomials and Factoring (Ch. 9) ||
 * Unit 9 || Quadratics (Ch. 10) ||
 * __Themes of the Class:__**

- Apply and interpret knowledge in graphs, equations, expressions - Be able to solve, graph and write linear equations and inequalities - Be comfortable working with exponents, quadratic equations, and radicals - Be able to use algebraic vocabulary to explain solutions to problems - Have the skills to further hone mathematical skills in geometry and Algebra II
 * __Goals for the Year:__**

These are some big goals! The best way to achieve big goals is to break it into smaller pieces. So, this class will be broken down into units. We will focus on each piece at a time and put it all together for a final exam at the end of each semester. At the beginning of each unit, you will receive a Unit Overview sheet to explain each unit in more detail before diving in.


 * __ Schedule: __**

We will be integrating the traditional book material with workshop days. Workshop days will allow you to apply math techniques to problem solving. More details about this process will be explained during our first workshop day.


 * Unit 1 || Expressions, Equations, Functions and Properties of Real Numbers (Ch. 1, 2) ||
 * Unit 2 || Solving and Writing Linear Equations (Ch. 3, 5) ||
 * Unit 3 || Graphing Linear Equations and Functions (Ch. 4) ||
 * Unit 4 || Linear Inequalities (Ch. 6) ||
 * Unit 5 || Solving Linear Systems (Ch. 7) ||
 * Unit 6 || Exponents and Exponential Functions (Ch. 8) ||
 * Unit 7 || Polynomials and Factoring (Ch. 9) ||
 * Unit 8 || Quadratics (Ch. 10) ||
 * Unit 8 || Quadratics (Ch. 10) ||


 * __ Materials: __**

You are expected to have all these materials once class starts.

- **A Pencil** - **Binders will have:** - __4 sections:__ Homework, Class Work/Notes, Informational Handouts, Supply of Blank Paper. These sections can be ordered in any way that makes the most sense to you. - Everything dated and organized by order of date

This is an effort to keep everything organized. The more organized we are, the more efficient we can be with our time.
 * Binder Checks will occur randomly, so maintain your binder!**


 * __ Grading Rubric: __**


 * Quizzes and Tests || 40% ||
 * Homework: || 40% ||
 * Class Participation || 10% ||
 * Projects || 10% ||

Some notes about grading:

Your quarter grades will each be worth 40% of your semester grade. The remaining 20% will be contributed by your semester final exam grade.

- Homework will be graded on effort. Labs will be graded on completeness and accuracy. - **All assignments lose 10% for each day they are late.**

- **Tardies:**
 * __ Routines and Procedures: __**

You must do these 2 things everyday in order to avoid being tardy:

1) You must be in the classroom by the time the bell rings. 2) You must be in your seat with a clear desk twenty seconds after the bell rings. Class will officially start at this point.

- **Absences:**

1) If you know that you will be absent, please let me know as soon as you know. This way we can make a plan so you will not fall behind. 2) You will not be able to make up work, quizzes, or tests missed as a result of an **unexcused absence.** 3) I will choose when make-up tests will be administered in the week following the original test date.

- **Other Important Rules to make things run smoothly:**

1) Cell phones will not be allowed during class time. 2) No food is allowed in class. Water is the only beverage allowed in class.

//8th Grade Algebra I// //The Chinquapin School, 2010-2011//

Instructor: Amulya Iyer E-mail: aiyer@chinquapin.org Classroom: Physics Lab, 2nd Period Phone Number: 281-917-3159

//“Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.” – Albert Einstein//


 * Textbook:** Saxon Algebra I, Third Edition

Covered Textbook Pencil with Eraser Notebook
 * Required Course Materials:**

Each morning when you arrive in class begin the ‘Warm Up’ exercise on the board. If there is no exercise or problem on the board, begin reviewing the homework with the people sitting near you. Keep in mind that I will often ask students to approach the board and attempt new problems on their own.
 * Class Routine:**


 * Moodle:** Homework assignments and handouts will be available on Moodle.

The course enrollment key is: algebra

[|8th Grade Algebra Moodle]

There will be short homework assignments each night and they will be written on the board when you arrive in class. They will also be available on Moodle. Students are encouraged to work together. However, each student **must** do their own work and indicate whom they collaborated with, if anyone, at the end of the assignment. (See section on Honor Code). On your homework, please draw a box around your final answers. Homework will be checked for completeness at the beginning of the class. I will be looking for demonstrated effort on each problem and I will try to give you questions that you can check in the back of your textbook. The homework assignments are for your own benefit, so it is your responsibility to see me if you have specific questions that we do not answer in class. I will be more than happy to meet with students on an individual basis outside of class for extra help.
 * Homework Policy:**

You are expected to abide by the honor code described in your handbook. Integrity, in and out of the classroom, is an important part of being a Chinquapin student and respecting the honor code will facilitate a positive learning environment for the entire class. Violations will not be tolerated. This includes doing your own work on homework.
 * The Honor Code:**

//1. Homework – 20%// //2. Miniature Opportunities (Quizzes) – 30%// 3-4 problem ‘Mini Opps’ will be administered randomly and unannounced. Thus, it will behoove you to stay up to date on course material and always ask if you need something clarified or explained again. //3. Opportunities (Tests)/Projects – 40%// There will be an ‘Opportunity’ approximately every 4-5 sections and these will always be scheduled in advance. //4. Class Participation/Preparation/Engagement – 10%// This includes attendance and paying attention to your peers and instructor, as well as coming to class each day with the materials and mindset necessary for productive learning.
 * Assessment Distribution:**

Texas Education Authority, which specifies what we must teach if we are going to grant your high school diploma, requires you pass both semesters of Algebra 1. If you fail either semester of this course you may take Algebra 1 again in the 9th grade with a different text, or you may take an Algebra 1 course over the summer at a local high school or community college. This Algebra 1 class is the branching point for the ‘advanced’ and ‘regular’ tracks offered at Chinquapin starting in 9th grade. As proficiency in mathematics is a prerequisite for many careers, it behooves you to be on the ‘advanced’ track after this year. I can discuss this in more depth on an individual level if you would like.
 * Chinquapin Mathematics** :

a. Be respectful of each other and the classroom. b. Raise your hand to speak and only one person speaks at a time. c. Being late to class is unacceptable without a note from a teacher. d. If you are absent it is your responsibility to contact me and complete missed work e. Understand the Chinquapin Honor Code. f. Be accountable for your actions and for your education. g. Calculators are NOT permitted unless otherwise directed. h. Math is meant to be fun, and I will personally do my best to make sure it is.
 * Class Policies:**

A list of topics that we will likely cover in this class:

Fractions (proper, improper, mixed) & decimals Perimeter & Area Rectangles, circles, triangles, complex shapes Integers & operations with Order of operations Unit conversions Evaluating Algebraic Expressions Surface Area & Volume (regular shapes early; pyramids,cones & spheres later) Factoring and Distributing Like-terms Exponents (Powers) Solving equations Functional notation Word problems (percentage, fraction, DRT, coin & value, consecutive integer) GCF & LCM Inequalities Range, median, mode, mean, overall average, weighted average Conjunctions Percentages (<100%, __>__100%) Polynomials Graphs of linear equations (incl. vertical & horizontal lines) Solving simultaneous equations by substitution & elimination Complex fractions Sets, subsets Roots Domain & range Probability Subscripted variables Scientific notation Linear equations Slope-Intercept format Consecutive integer problems Graphical solutions of linear equations Stem & leaf plots Histograms Dist, rate, time problems Graphs of non-linear functions Difference of 2 squares Pythagorean theorem Distance formula