Mrs. Embree's Algebra I Page

OFFICE HOURS are by appointment

PHONE CALLS are usually returned in the evening

TEXTBOOK: Scott, Foresman - Algebra - the University of Chicago

GRADING: 1st 6 weeks - 45%, 2nd 6 weeks - 45%, comprehensive exam - 10%

COURSE WORK: Homework will be assigned nightly including weekends, staff development days, but not over holidays. Students will show all steps of the process to final answer for every problem. Answers to the odd problems are in the back of the book and students are expected to check/correct them at home. Answers to the even problems will be given in class and then students will be given an opportunity to ask questions. Students are encouraged to rework those missed problems several days later and again on Thursday nights in order to assure complete understanding of the material/skill.The usual pace is one lesson per day. Two to three days are allotted for each unit review. Sporadic collection of homework will be used to assess a student's commitment to the completion of assigned work.

Problems of the Week are due every other Friday. This is an opportunity for students to develop the ability to effectively communicate using mathematics as the content area. Each of the three to five questions will require a one page formal presentation where connections between mathematical ideas will be expected as well as divergent thinking, multiple strategies, and strong organizational skills exhibited. Students should consider these assignments as long term projects and will need to learn to plan their time wisely as these questions should take several hours if thoroughly researched and thoughtfully completed. The use of word processing is highly encouraged for the most effective presentation.

Algebra Word Problems and Applications are due on those Fridays when Problems of the Week are not. These problems provide students with an additional opportunity to further develop the skills of discovering mathematical patterns, making generalizations and consolidating their mathematical learning which is essential if pupils want to be successful at higher levels of mathematics. Each of the questions will be written out, the variable identified, all steps of the process shown, the answer for the equation and finally the answer to the original problem. Students should consider these questions as a long term project and will need to plan their time wisely as they will not receive maximum benefit from them if they complete them the night before they are due.

A Reality Check, Progress Quiz, or Unit Exam will be given every Friday. The reality check consists of eight to twelve questions and will cover the week's most important concepts and/or skills. Students will be given twenty minutes to complete the questions. The progress quiz consists of ten to fifteen questions and will cover the material taught since the last unit exam. It may also include work for previous units where mastery was not exhibited by a majority of the students. Thirty minutes will be given to complete the quiz. The unit exam will be given at the completion of each unit or at the completion of each two units from the textbook. In addition, approximately one-fourth of the questions will cover material from previous units. The unit exam consists of twenty to thirty questions and students will be given fifty minutes to complete the test. Students who miss any Friday assessment will be expected to take it upon their return unless prior arrangements have been made. Makeup tests will consist of different questions. Students are expected to provide their own calculators and sharing of calculators will not be allowed during a test. Comprehensive Examinations will be given once each trimester. Students will have fifty minutes to complete the test. It will include all major concepts and skills taught up to that point.

FINAL COMMENTS: Algebra I is one of only two high school courses taught on the Rancho San Joaquin campus. The objective of this course is to prepare students for Honors Geometry in the ninth grade, therefore the content is rigorous and the pace is intense. Innate brightness is not enough for success in this class. A student must be willing to persevere.

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This page structure was last modified 11/01/2002