AFNORTH INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Algebra 1 Lab is a support class for students who typically struggle in math or need extra help and time on a regular basis. It is meant for students who received a D or lower in their prior semester Algebra class.

Algebra 1 Lab

· Arithmetic Skill Building Activities

· Re-Teaching of Algebra 1 Lessons

o Extra help and time

· Assessment Support

o Practice tests

o Additional assessment time

o Additional “Fix-It” and “Get Well” help

· Use of Cognitive Tutor Lessons (book and computer based activities) to reinforce and enrich Algebra skill and understanding.

See the Algebra 1 syllabus for the DoDEA Grades 9-12 Process and Content Mathematics Standards as applicable to Algebra 1 by unit of instruction based upon the 2005 Algebra 1 Curriculum Guide.

SCOPE AND SEQUENCE:

See the Algebra 1 syllabus for the DoDEA Algebra 1 Scope and Sequence based upon the 2005-2006 Algebra 1 Curriculum Guide.

CONTINUOUS SCHOOL PROGRESS:

See the Algebra 1 syllabus for the description of the how Algebra 1 fits into the Continuous School Progress plan.

COURSE GRADING AND ASSESSMENT:

The grades in Algebra 1 Lab and Algebra 1 are in no way related! Algebra 1 Lab is graded primarily on preparedness, effort and participation during the lab class time only! It is possible to pass Algebra 1 Lab yet fail Algebra 1 and vice versa.

AFNORTH HIGH SCHOOL GRADING SCALE:

A+ 97 – 100% A 93 – 96 A- 90 -92

B+ 87 – 89 B 83 – 86 B- 80 - 82

C+ 77 – 79 C 73 – 76 C- 70 - 72

D+ 67 – 69 D 63 – 66 D- 60 - 62

F Below 60%

Quarter grades are determined by:

Daily Participation & Effort approx. 80 % +/-

Daily Preparedness & Quizzes approx. 20 % +/-

There is no final examination in Algebra 1 Lab. Students will be asked to do a reflection and self-assessment on their learning of Algebra during the prior semester during the final exam period.

COURSE EXPECTATIONS/CONSEQUENCES:

It is expected that all students come to class prepared and with a willingness to learn. Students needing to use the restroom or get a drink of water should do so during the very generous 10-minute passing period. Classroom time is to be used for learning Algebra only. Behavior should never interfere with learning or teaching. Students will be expected to enter the room quietly and respectfully and maintain that decorum the entire time they are in the classroom.

· Students are not to bring gum, candy, snacks, food or drink of any kind into the classroom.

· Hats and head covers of any kind (including bandanas, hair nets, sweat bands, etc.) not to be worn inside the classroom by students.

· No electronic devices of any kind are to be visible or used in the classroom by students at any time except when instructed to use calculators.

Students will be expected to put forth whatever effort is required for them to master the Algebra skills presented to them. Since every student has a different level of mathematical talent and ability as well as prior skill, the amount of effort required for each individual student to master the course material may vary significantly. “Trying” will never be an acceptable alternative for “doing”.

Please note the following:

Besides being presented in class usually projected onto the classroom screen, all assignments are posted to the website

All notes, work, and assignments must be kept for the duration of the course (the entire school year!). It is recommended that the notebook be kept intact as reference for Geometry and Algebra 2 as well.

PARTICIPATION AND PREPAREDNESS:

Participation and preparedness points may only be earned if the student is physically in the classroom properly prepared and participating. For excused absences, participation points may be made up during seminar, after school during Academic Coaching sessions, or during other approved tutoring sessions. For excused absences, preparedness points may be made up by presenting the completed assignment during seminar within the time allotted for make-up work per the AFNORTH Student/Parent Handbook.

Part of being prepared for class is arriving early enough to be set and ready to go at the appointed start of class time having made use of the very generous 10 minute passing period go to locker, water fountain, and bathroom. Failure to be fully prepared for class on time will result in not earning all available preparedness points for that class meeting. In addition, students requesting a pass out of class due to not being prepared for reasons such as going to their locker, getting a drink, going to the toilet, etc., will also be asked to make up the time they were out of the classroom immediately following dismissal of that period. Failure to do so may result in an after school detention or other disciplinary action consistent with the procedures outlined in the AFNORTH Student/Parent Handbook.

Part of being prepared for class is bringing all necessary materials to every class including the Algebra notebook (with all notes, work, and handouts completed and neatly labeled and organized) as well as all of the student’s personal supplies (see below). Failure to be fully prepared for class on time will result in not earning all available preparedness points for that class meeting.

Part of participating appropriately means allowing others to participate fully in the learning process and the teacher to instruct without unwarranted distractions. Failure to follow classroom and school rules, using class time inappropriately, interfering or disrupting the learning / teaching process will result in not earning all available participation points for that class meeting as well as possibly disciplinary action consistent with the procedures outlined in the AFNORTH Student/Parent Handbook.

TEXTBOOKS:

DoDEA Algebra 1 Curriculum Guide

Discovering Algebra – An Investigative Approach, Jerald Murdock, Ellen Kamischke, Eric Kamischke, Key Curriculum Press, 2002.

Algebra; Tools for a Changing World, William Handlin, Sr., Prentice Hall, 1998

ADD, Arithmetic Developed Daily – A Daily Mathematics Maintenance Program for Grade 8, Philip L. Skoglund, Mark R. Lucas, Linda K. Lukas, Jeffrey J. Blaga, GR0W Publications, 1992

Cognitive Tutor – Algebra 1, Carnegie Learning, 2003

SUPPLIES:

Please come to class prepared with the following materials:

· 3-ring Binder with loose lined paper

· Spiral Notebook for notes, daily practice, and homework (that can be secured into the 3-ring binder)

· Graph paper

· Plastics zip pocket with the following: pencils, large eraser, bright marker or pen plus a highlighter (for correcting assignments)

· Tissues (personal use)

The following items should be part of your supplies at home:

· TI-83 Plus calculator (Note: a TI-83 calculator may be checked out from supply for use during the academic year. A form must be completed and signed by the parent and student prior to the student being issued the calculator.)

· As appropriate, a class set of calculators will be available for student use in the classroom. These calculators may NOT be taken from the classroom.

HOMEWORK POLICY:

Algebra 1 Lab students will not be assigned any additional homework beyond that given in the Algebra 1 class. However, the Algebra 1 Lab student is expected to study or practice Algebra for an additional 30 minutes every school day evening. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS NOT HAVING ANY ALGEBRA TO DO OR LEARN!

MAKE-UP WORK POLICY:

Mathematics is a challenging subject. One topic builds on another. Daily participation is a must. Many of our math activities will involve group work, graphing calculators, and the use of manipulatives. These activities cannot be made up at home, so class attendance is extremely important. If it is necessary for you to miss class please, during seminar, ask for the work that you miss.

You have one day per day of absence to make-up any missed work as outlined in the AFNORTH Student/Parent Handbook. If a test or quiz is assigned for the day you return, you will have to take it. Any missed test or quiz must be made-up within ONE week. All students are impacted by tests and quizzes missed by even one student. No student may receive feedback on their progress until all students, within a reasonable time period, have completed the assessment. Once the assessments are scored, no make-ups will be allowed.

EXTRA HELP:

Seminar is the first stop for extra help. Second, Academic Coaching Wednesday after school should be utilized. In the rare event that a student who has taken full advantage of seminars and Academic Coaching still needs extra help, appointments may be made for extra help sessions Thursday after school. A private tutor may also be advisable in some situations.

Parents and students may access the student’s gradebook at any time by logging onto

www.MyGradeBook.com

then entering the student’s CLASSWORD and PASSWORD.