ALGEBRA FUNDAMENTALS

Barrett Vandiver

Barrett.Vandiver@rentonschhols.us

Drop-in Hours: Thursdays 2:30 - 3:30

Appointment Link: https://rentonschools.zoom.us/j/3691038811

Keith Jackson

Keith.Jackson@rentonschools.us

Drop-in Hours: Thursdays 2:30 - 3:30

Appointment Link:

Course Information

Welcome to Algebra Fundamentals! This is the first class of the algebra sequence. Upon class completion, students will be better prepared for the math SBA (Smarter Balance Assessment). Students can pass the class if they put in the effort. This means doing the work and participating in the required activities. If a student is having difficulty doing these things, please contact me so we can discuss how best to help the student succeed. I encourage parent and family involvement in helping to improve a student’s performance. Below are more details on the class content and family Resources at CANVAS.

Course Materials: DESMOS Math Curriculum

Our curriculum will be available at student.desmos.com. Please follow the link below to join our classes (Make sure you are in the right period!)

1st period	https://student.desmos.com/?prepopulateCode=ewkdvr
2nd period	https://student.desmos.com/?prepopulateCode=wp6mtb
4th period	https://student.desmos.com/?prepopulateCode=p8mdby

Course Topics and Objectives

Relationships between quantities and reasoning with equations and their graphs.
Exploration of linear functions.
Examining what it means for two algebraic expressions to be equivalent in terms of the structure of expressions.
Explain, justify, and evaluate our reasoning as we strategize methods for solving equations and systems.
Create equations and inequalities, systems of equations, and graphs to solve problems in the modeling cycle.

A synthesis of modeling with equations and functions.

Classroom Expectations/Management Plan

Attendance and Tardiness Please see the school policy in the Hazen Student Handbook.
Hall Passes (including bathroom). Only one person will be allowed out at a time to maximize learning and minimize disruptions (exceptions are at the teacher's discretion). 
I will honor reasonable requests to use the hall pass but will revoke that privilege for students who leave the room without permission or who misuse the hall pass. Passes will not be allowed in the first or last 10 minutes of each period.

Behavior In general, students are expected to follow the policies and procedures for student behavior and discipline outlined in the Hazen Student Handbook.
Cell Phones Cell phones will be prohibited during class time. All cell phones will be expected to be silenced and placed in the students’ backpack, which will be placed in a designated area in the classroom. There may be times when cell phones are used to enhance learning.

Materials

Students will need the following for each school day:

Pencils or mechanical pencils for writing notes, taking assessments, and completing daily activities

3-ring binder or two-pocket folder
A scientific calculator with basic operation functions (add, subtract, multiply, divide), exponential and root functions, and fraction/decimal conversion. 
Calculators on your phone are not allowed for in-class use.
Your school provided a Chromebook.

Students will use their Chromebooks and other electronic devices in a manner that is responsible and does not disrupt the learning environment.  This includes using Chromebooks and other devices for school-related work and not gaming, chatting, or internet surfing; taking Chromebooks home each day and bringing it back fully charged; complying with teacher requests related to appropriate use of Chromebooks and other devices; refraining from using Chromebooks to violate school policies, such as those regarding plagiarism, inappropriate content, and cyberbullying.

Students will abide by all guidelines outlined in the Renton School District Responsible Use Policy. 

Grading

Students and parents can access grades online through Skyward. Grades should be checked weekly for most current class status. 

What is being graded:

Summative Assessments (60%)

Quizzes and Unit Test

There will be anywhere from 1-3 quizzes and 1 unit test at the end of the unit.
Quiz is 10 points and Unit test is 20 points.
Quiz/Unit Test retakes are not allowed for the trimester.
Quiz/Test corrections are your opportunity to reflect on what went wrong and figure it out. You will need to be able to explain your mistakes. A grade of 50% will be given for submitting your quiz corrections.
Corrections due by the next unit test

Projects/Performance Tasks

Projects, individual or group, may be given throughout the trimester.
Grading for such projects will be based on a rubric provided.
Performance Task is the comprehensive final exam.

Formative Assessments (40%)

Assignments, Homework, Binder Check

Class Work/Homework:

Students must come to class prepared each day. They should have their notebook and calculator during every class period. Calculators will be used in class frequently to help solve and verify solutions. Students must be prepared to participate in taking notes, practice problems, and discussion (written and oral) of math problems. This section will also include daily “Do Nows/Entry Tasks,” notes, and other tasks.

Daily practice: Will be given every day and should be completed by the beginning of the next class period. This work must be done in the notebook and will be checked off for completion. Each assignment will receive a mark based on completion, correctness, and evidence of work.
Workbook Checks: All skills and concepts we learn in this course will be recorded in your workbooks, which is to be kept organized and neat. It will be collected multiple times during the trimester for evaluation. You will be provided with class time to organize and supplies to help you do so. This is to be a note you can use for future reference in your high school years and beyond. A guide on notebook expectations and a grading checklist will be provided in class.

Late Work Policy:

Late homework is accepted at 70% value until the Unit Test. Late homework that is submitted after the unit test is scored for 50% of its total points. The last day to turn in late homework will be November 15th. No homework is accepted after November 15th.

Grading Criteria:

A             100-94%	C             76.99-74%
A-            93.99-90%	C-           72.99-70%
B+           89.99-87%	D+          69.99-64%
B             86.99-84%	D            63.99-60%
B-            83.99-80%	F             59.99-0%
C+           79.99-77%

Absence/Make-up Policy

It is essential to be in class, and on time every day. If you miss class, you must get the notes from a classmate or from me after school. If you miss a test or quiz, see me immediately upon your return to schedule a time to make it up.

Please check CANVAS as your primary means of finding missed assignments and due dates. 

Additional Resources

HELP: The HELP program is for students to come to the library after school to get help from teachers with their homework! It runs from Mon - Thurs, 2:15 - 3pm each school week.

Tutor.com: The district has partnered with Tutor.com to provide free, 24/7 online tutoring. Here is the link to the RSD page that describes and has all the information you need to access these services in English AND Spanish. All students with a Canvas class have access through a link in the left-hand column of their Canvas page.