2022-2023
Course Orientation for
Algebra 1
“Teaching Minds – Training Hearts for God”
Mrs. Agajanian
dagajanian@sccs.org
Available to meet: after school by appointment
GENERAL INFORMATION
I post grades on RenWeb daily. I post my lessons and the tutor list on my website, www.agajanian.weebly.com. The best way to contact me is by email. I am available to meet with students after school by appointment.
INTRODUCTION TO COURSE
This is a two-semester, ten-credit course. According to the state of California, you must pass this course in order to graduate high school. All work in this course must be done in pencil.
TEXTS USED
· Algebra 1, by BJU Press. You will be given access to an online version on your iPad.
TOPICS COVERED
· Chapter 1 – Real Number Operations
· Chapter 2 – Variables and Equations
· Chapter 3 – Using Equations
· Chapter 4 – Solving Inequalities
· Chapter 5 – Relations and Functions
· Chapter 6 – Linear Functions
· Chapter 7 – Linear Systems
· Chapter 8 – Exponents
· Chapter 9 – Polynomials
· Chapter 10 – Factoring Polynomials
· Chapter 11 – Radicals
· Chapter 12 – Quadratic Functions
· Chapter 13 – Rational Expressions
PROJECT POLICY
1. Notes will be taken daily in a composition notebook and projects will be assigned each quarter and
will count for 10% of the total points for the quarter.
2. Late notes and projects are accepted for a grade of 10% less than earned, for each day they are
late, maximum of 89% possible, maximum of 10 days late.
HOMEWORK POLICY
Homework is extended practice on theories that have been explained. Not doing the homework for mastery will seriously interfere with success on the chapter tests and cumulative final exams. Remember to pray before you study. Ask the Lord to open your mind and help you to see the patterns and understand the material.
· Homework will be assigned and collected daily and counts for 10% of the total points for each chapter.
· Homework is worth 10 points for each assignment.
· Homework is graded on a basis of completion and reasonable attempt at problems. We will go over as many questions as time permits about homework before turning it in.
· All make-up work must be turned in by the day of the test. Late work, work not turned in the
· period it is due, will be counted for 1 point less than earned per day late, with a minimum of 5 points.
· Incomplete work can be finished and resubmitted within 5 days for additional points.
· Homework packets are due the day you take the test. No late homework packets will be
accepted.
· I would suggest that you get a study partner to work with and check your answers against.
EXTRA CREDIT
Extra credit is only counted if all homework is turned in. 40 points of extra credit are available each chapter. Ten points for totaling your homework points correctly, ten points for a parent signature on the homework assignment sheet, and a maximum of twenty points for a correctly completed logic puzzle.
QUIZ POLICY
· Quizzes count for 10% of the total points for each chapter.
· All but the last two quizzes are take-home, open book, and open neighbor. Parents may review quizzes before they are turned in. BUT, all work must be shown, in order to get credit.
· Late quizzes are accepted for a grade of 10% less than earned per day late, maximum of 89%
possible, and must be turned in by the day of the test.
· Vocabulary words for the vocabulary quizzes will be introduced in each lesson during the notes.
TEST POLICY
· Chapter Tests are worth 50% of the total points for each chapter, and all work must be shown to receive credit for a problem.
· Students scoring less than 70% will have an opportunity to correct their errors for half the credit back, maximum replacement grade of 70%.
SCCS LATE WORK POLICY
Assignments receive full credit only if they are turned in on-time.
Secondary classes will deduct a minimum of 10% per day.
After 5 days, the assignment will not be accepted.
This policy is designed to teach students responsibility and promptness. If students abuse this policy, individual contracts will be set up to bring more severe consequences for late work.
Teachers have the right to adjust this guideline as necessary.
· Dual Credit classes do not accept any late work.
· Students who miss a class due to participation in a school activity (i.e., early dismissal for a sport, field trip, etc.) are still responsible for all their work. Any work due on the day of the activity should be given to the teacher BEFORE the student leaves on the activity, unless otherwise arranged. Any homework assigned while the student is on the activity is due when the student returns to class.
SCCS MAKE-UP WORK POLICY
For make-up work due to excused absences, students are allowed one day for every day missed. For example, if students miss three days of school, they have three school days before their make-up work is due.
In grades 7-12, it is the student's responsibility to find out what work was missed and then complete all assignments according to late work guidelines.
Students with an extended illness should make arrangements to make-up their work in a timely manner.
GRADING PROCEDURES
· Final exam is worth 20% of overall grade.
· The other 80% of the grade is from tests (50%), quizzes (10%), homework (10%) and
projects (10%).
· Grading scale: A = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% Fail = below 60%
CLASS RULES
· Phones must be stored in the classroom phone storage area upon classroom entry.
· Be on time.
· Be prepared.
· Be polite and encouraging.
· Be alert and follow directions.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT POLICY
Each student is to be in his/her assigned seat before the tardy bell rings. Leaving the classroom to use the restroom or to retrieve forgotten materials will count as a tardy. Each student is to be prepared for all class activities with their charged iPad, 6” ruler, sharpened pencils, clean lined loose-leaf notebook paper and graph paper, a composition notebook, a model TI-30Xa scientific calculator, and any due assignments. Food and drink are not allowed in the classroom, except water bottles filled with water. The dress code will be adhered to in this class. Each student is responsible for the area surrounding his/her desk and will be expected to dispose of trash in an appropriate manner. The overall rule in this classroom is “NO STUDENT SHALL INTERFERE WITH THE LEARNING OF ANOTHER STUDENT.” Any student involved in dishonesty on any work will be subject an automatic zero on the work, a Discipline Report to the principal, and parent contact.
HOW DO I GET AN “A” IN THIS CLASS?
1. Do all homework and quizzes in pencil.
2. Turn in all homework and quizzes on time.
3. Get a “study-buddy” and work together, compare answers, and talk about how to do the
problems.
4. Take notes and copy example problems when the teacher explains new concepts or reviews for
tests.
5. Has an excellent attendance record with few absences.
6. Achieves 90% or above on homework, quizzes, tests, and projects.
7. Does all extra credit available.
8. Masters material in class so well that they could teach it to others.
9. Evidences an interest in learning, not just doing as little as possible to get by.
10. Respectful of the teacher, not talking or moving around the room while the teacher is teaching.
11. Accepts responsibility for assignments, class information, and due dates, even if they are absent.
Does not blame others when something goes wrong.
I am so excited to have you in my class this year! This will be an exciting class, and you are going to have the most memorable year you have ever had; as a result, you will do very well. This course orientation has been prepared to communicate the expectations, course requirements, policies, and any other information that will give you the opportunity to achieve and have a positive learning experience. Please read it carefully and discuss it with your parents. If you do not understand, or you have any questions about any part of this communication, please see me for clarification.
Mrs. Agajanian