Course Objectives:

Over the course of the year, students in Pre-Algebra will cover the following topics:

• Variables and Equations
• Integer Operations
• Solving Equations and Inequalities
• Factors, Fractions, & Exponents
• Rational Number Operations
• Multi-Step Equations and Inequalities
• Ratio, Proportion, & Percent
• Polygons and Transformations
• Real Numbers and Right Triangles
• Measurements, Area, & Volume
• Linear Equations and Graphs
• Data Analysis & Probability
• Polynomials and Functions

Student Supplies:

Students must bring the following with them daily (or as needed**):

• pencils &/or pens
• their textbook
• their binder with Note Taking Workbook inside.
• an official OGT calculator
• loose-leaf paper for homework
• a 12 inch ruler**
• graph paper**

Each student is to have a 1" or 1 ½ “ three-ring binder with stiff sides to be used only for this class. I expect three-ring binders so that items can be added or re-organized. I will provide a set of index tab pages for each student which will be put into the binder. I will provide notebook grading rubrics and grade tracking sheets which will also be put into the binder. I will not accept binders which have pages falling out, loose pages tucked in, or pages in pockets. Note Taking Workbooks are to be kept in good shape and stored in the notes section of the binder. Notes are to be taken in class from the overhead, chalkboard, or lecture. If a student is absent, the notes must still be acquired (either from me or from a classmate). All notes must be handwritten unless I have photocopied them for the student. Students should not keep homework in the notes section of the binder. I grade the homework separately, but will provide an index tab for recent homework to be kept in the binder for use in preparing for tests.

Syllabus:

(**There may be some JAVA applets on the web site as it develops over the course of the year. JAVA must be enabled in the browser in order to view these applets.)

Grading Policy:

Current grade progress may be obtained at any time over the Internet via a secure server. Simply go to http://www.rredware.com/smreports.asp and enter the student’s secret ID code and password. See the "School Maestro II Internet FAQs" section on the back of the signature sheet for details about security. If parents do not wish to have their student’s grades accessible over the Internet, that should be stated on the attached tear-off sheet. (Student ID codes and passwords will be mailed home sometime within the first few weeks of the school year.)

Test, Quiz, and Homework Policy:

Tests will be given at the end of every chapter. Study sheets will be passed out in advance and review sessions will be held weekly (day yet to be determined) after school in room 321 from 3:15 - 4:00. Pre-Algebra Tests with scores below a C- will be sent home to be signed by a parent. The score for the test will remain a zero in my grade book until the signed test is returned to me. The signed tests are to be returned to me within a week of the day that I pass them back in class.

Special projects will be given occasionally to reinforce the material learned in class. They are applications of the topics covered in the text. They will vary in point value.

Pop quizzes and regular quizzes, when given, will be done as soon as students walk in the door. Students will have the first 10 minutes of class to complete them and then I will collect them. They are to check their homework as soon as they are done with the quiz. Quizzes will vary in number of points.

Homework will be assigned and checked on a daily basis (except for test days). Students will be expected to do all of the assigned problems in each section. I will walk around the room and check the previous night's assignment while they are checking their answers on the overhead. Homework will receive 2 points for 3/4 to all done (must show all work). It will receive 1 point for ½ to 3/4 done (must show all work). It will receive no points for less than ½ done or not enough work shown. Students are also expected to have their homework done (and with them) at the beginning of each period. Questions about problem solutions are to be asked immediately after I finish checking everyone’s homework.

Notebooks will be graded twice each quarter (just before interims and just before the end of the quarter). A rubric will be provided which details what is expected and the points that can be earned. See the Student Supplies section above for specifics on the notebook.

If students are to be or have been absent, it is their responsibility to see me to arrange make up work. I will not keep after them or repeatedly remind them. Also, the number of days allowed to make up missed work will equal the number of days missed + 1. (ex.: if students miss 3 days, then they have 4 days including the day they return to make up the work.) (Under most circumstances, I do not accept late work.)

It is also the students’ responsibility to record the daily assignments and any tests or projects in their student planner. I will provide a printed copy of the homework schedule from this website, but they should check the website periodically for updates.

If students feel a need for extra help or clarification, they can ask any time in class or make arrangements to meet with me during a study hall or after school.

Classroom Rules and Consequences:

You are expected to follow the general rules of the school and common courtesy. (That means, give respect and you'll get it back.)

1. Make sure that you are in the room when the bell rings. (Consequence: One 30-minute detention from 3:15 to 3:45)

2. You will be expected to sit in your assigned seat and to have all necessary materials with you when you arrive--NO EXCUSES. (Consequence: not allowed to go to locker and removal to office if refusal to sit where assigned.)

3. Nothing is to be thrown or tossed across the room (including "shooting" stuff into the trash basket). (Consequence: 1 or more detentions, or more severe depending on exact situation)

4. Class ends at the bell. You will be expected to work and remain seated until the bell rings.

(Consequence: One 30-minute detention from 3:15 to 3:45)

5. The book that you are issued is the one that you will return at the end of the year. The book is to be returned in the same condition as when it was issued. (Consequence: see student handbook)

6. Do not bring candy, food, games, toys, CD/MP3 players, magazines, newspapers, novels, photographs, or any other form of distraction to class. That includes items that you are selling for fund-raisers. (Consequence: If I see them, I take them and you may retrieve them from the office at a later time.)

7. Make up tests may be taken during study halls or after school--NOT DURING CLASS TIME! (Consequence: loss of grade unless extenuating circumstances can be proven)

8. I do not give many restroom passes. Unless it is a bonafide emergency, don’t ask for one. All restroom privileges are at my discretion. There will be no passes given to lockers, etc....don’t bother to ask for one. (The clinic is the only exception.)

9. Cheating on quizzes or tests will not be tolerated. I will not say anything to you if I see you, but I will document what I saw and will give a zero score for the work. Then I will warn you that I will be calling your home to discuss the matter. (Consequence: self-explanatory)

10. Most importantly: do not talk while I'm talking or while another student is talking to me. Verbal disruptions/ distractions are rude and unacceptable. (Consequence: reprimands, detentions, referrals, removal or whatever is warranted by the severity or frequency of the situation.)

Disclaimer:

This classroom management plan is not meant to be all encompassing. As the year progresses, there may be a need for additional assignments or modifications to expectations. If such should occur, I will provide an addendum to add to this plan.

How Parents can Reach the Teacher:

Please note that I believe very strongly in student responsibility. I am not likely to call home if students fail to do homework once or twice. Please read this entire classroom management plan so that all will be aware of the usual schedule of homework and tests for the course. I rely on the parents’ Internet access to student grades to keep parents aware of the academic progress of their son/daughter. If this is not enough, parents should feel free to contact me.

I may be reached in the following ways:

School Maestro II Internet FAQs

Can confidential student information be viewed by others on the Internet when it is uploaded to your server?

The data is stored locally on the teacher’s computer in a secured and encrypted database. When the teacher uploads student data, it is encrypted and then compressed to minimize upload time. The data cannot be intercepted or decrypted by others. It is uploaded to a secure directory on a dedicated server and then stored in a secured and encrypted database.

If the data is not on our school’s server, how can it be secure?

The database is secured and encrypted and stored in a secure directory. Even if someone could physically obtain the file, they could not read it. No one else has access to the necessary passwords and user names.

Can student codes, passwords, and reports be viewed by others on the Internet?

Student codes and passwords are sent to the server via an SSL (secured sockets layer) connection. Reports are sent back to the browser via SSL. SSL is an encrypted communication that is typically used for protecting credit card information on the Internet.

Where do the student codes and passwords come from?

School Maestro automatically assigns student codes for each student. It can also automatically assign unique passwords. If a password is compromised, you can enter a new one or delete it and have School Maestro assign a new one.

Do I need to have cookies turned on in my browser?

No. If you haven't turned off cookies, the student code will be saved in a cookie. Parents do not need to enter the student code every night. Windows will also offer to save the password. The parent can do this if no one else has access to their computer. However, if students are sharing computers at school, they should not have Windows save their password. 

How long is the data maintained on the web site for retrieval?

Report data is kept on-line for 60 days. http://www.rredware.com/smreports.asp

The status email that the teacher receives only says that a student's reports were accessed. How does the teacher know if the student accessed them or his parents accessed them?

The teacher will furnish the student code and password to only the parent(s). It will be the parents’ responsibility to keep the code and password confidential.

What if some parents cannot access their reports via the Internet?

This is usually caused by entering the student code or password incorrectly. It is easy to confuse zeros (0) and oohs (O), ones (1) and eyes (I) and lower case ells (l). To make this easier, the Student Codes and Passwords report that is used to send the codes home to the parents includes both an UPPER and lower case listing of the codes such as 2IOH01H or 2ioh01h.