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Mr. Donald Simpson » Classroom Rules and Procedures

Classroom Rules and Procedures

 

“The Home of the Panthers “

 

 

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome back to a new school year. I am very excited to have your child in class this year. I ask and hope that we can collaborate and assist one another in any ways possible as important team members in the education of the future. I look forward to meeting of you at school functions and feel that together we can make this a successful and exciting year for your child.

 

Teacher: Mr. Simpson

Courses: Honors Algebra I

Email: [email protected]

 

Parent/Guardian Signature ________________________________

 

Phone Number ______________________________________________

 

Email Address _______________________________________________

 

The following information describes the classroom procedures and course expectations for students enrolled in this course. Students are expected to review this information with parents/guardians and return top sheet signed to teacher.

1. Textbooks:  Savvas Envision Algebra I ebook (laptop)

                              Envision Student Companion Algebra 1

2.Course Description:Algebra I – This course is designed as the introductory course for the study of higher mathematics. Content includes the real number system, equations, polynomials, linear and quadratic equations, exponents, rational expressions, coordinate geometry, and applications. The course is recommended for incoming ninth graders and counts toward one of the student’s math requirements.

 

3.Class Materials:To achieve our goals efficiently, it is necessary to have certain materials with you at all times. These include: 
Materials that will be kept in Back Pack
1. 2.5 inch binder
2. Loose-leaf paper
3. Graph Paper
4. Dividers (need 8 in all)
5. At least Two # 2 pencils available at all times
6. Highly recommended TI-84 graphing calculator
 
Materials that will be kept in class for ToolKits
Pack of Post-It Notes
Box of 8 Colored Pencils
Ream of Paper
Pack of Index Cards

 

Special Note: As for the calculator, a TI-84 0r TI-84 plus calculator will benefit your child more on the TN Ready test at the end of the year and throughout his/her mathematical education opportunities. The calculators will facilitate students in understanding and help them be self-directed learners that check for accuracy of answers.

 
4. Setting up a Conference 

Contact the 9th grade Counselor/ Prevention Liaison Tasha Isaac

 

5. Extra Help:I will be available for extra help during free periods and after school by appointment. The school offers free tutoring before and after school. Times to be announced.  Near the time of TN Ready exam, I plan to offer last chance tutoring. During this time, we will focus on clusters and standards on the test.  In the past, it has benefited other students who were struggling.

 

6. Make-Up Procedures : Please make-up work in a timely manner. For tests and quizzes, I will follow the schools’ make-up procedures. It is your responsibility to get the notes from another student and any missed assignments. I recommend you copy the notes on the copy machine in the library and not give your notebooks to one another. Non-instructional time is the best time to take care of this responsibility. If your absence is unexcused you may not make up the work. If there are special circumstances please see me.

 

7. Homework/Classwork: Although class time is one of the most important elements for acquiring knowledge about related topics in our course, homework assignments and study habits are critical to the full understanding of the concepts presented in class. Homework will be assigned nightly and consists of study, reading, and problem solving. You are responsible for all work assignments. All assignments will be posted throughout the week in a designated area. You are expected to do all assigned homework because it will help you prepare for quizzes and tests. All homework assignments must comply with the guidelines below. Homework when checked and be recorded in gradebook as completed or missing.

 

1. Use standard 8.5” x 11” paper. Paper torn from a composition notebook or the telltale ragged edge will not be accepted. 
2. Write legibly in pencil.
3. Print or write legible your first and last name, the course title, and the period that your class meets (such as John Doe, Algebra 1, 6thperiod) in the upper right-hand corner.
4. You should also put Title and Lesson number on top Line
5. Arrange problems in numerical order. Also, give page number of the assignment. Example pg32 #3 
6. Show all necessary work providing clear, yet concise explanations or reasoning. Show some pride in your work!
7. Box-in final answers or make answer column under name.
8. Use straight edge or ruler to draw lines if needed. Use graph paper for all graphs. Label the axes, the scale marks, and important or few plotted points.

 

 

 

    8. Grading System:

Ø  A 90-100

Ø  B 80-89

Ø  C 70-79

Ø  D 60-69

Ø  F below 60

 

Your grade will be based on a total point scale with respect to your performance on assignments that fall under one of the following categories:

  • üTests
  • üQuizzes
  • üClasswork/ Chapter Closure Group Posters/Learning Log Entries
  • üTN Ready  Prep Handouts
  • 2 Homework Average Grades per Nine Week
  • üMidterm/Final Exam
  • üTn Ready Assessment

 

Homework: When I check homework you will receive a completion or missing grade based on completion, effort, and correctness. You should attempt each problem assigned for practice and to get essential feedback in class when we discuss. Homework answers will be provided at the beginning of following day for you to check. Homework will help you prepare for other assessments and provides us with meaningful feedback in pertaining to areas of strength or weakness.

 

Tests/Projects: (around 100 point scale) All tests will be pre-announced. Students should and are expected to be present on test days and have their study guides completed. Projects might be assigned once every semester. I will provide the students with rubric (grading criteria) and due dates. Late projects will result in grades being lowered.

 

Quizzes: (0-50 points) Students will have some quizzes in which they will work over content in smaller amounts. For instance, the quiz might cover two sections in our chapter of study.

 

Classwork: (0-20 points) This category includes short assignments over specific targeted learning goals and calculator assignments.

 

CFA: Common Formative Assessments: All teachers of algebra will be working closely together and create common assessments that we give our students for the purpose of collecting data on strengths and weakness.

 

B-ready Bellwork: Each day, problem(s) will be posted in designated area or on the promeathan board when students enter their learning environment. They are expected to begin work as they enter the classroom. Usually, students may use their books, notes, homework, or collaborate with a partner to complete the assignment. This is a time to get additional help before tests and quizzes.

 

TnReady Prep: (0-25 points) Tn Ready Prep may consist of probes created that focuses on a cluster or standards of a particular cluster, review of prior knowledge that is related to the TNREADY assessment, or a teacher created handout/resource used to assess a particular skill such as instructional tool AAPowerschool.

 

Midterm/Final Exam: There is a midterm in December and a final exam in May that counts toward semester averages,

 

TNREADY Exam: This assessment is taking during the year and has a calculator and non-calculator portion on the assessment. The assessment will count toward the student’s yearly average.

Semester grades are comprised of two quarterly grades (eighty percent (80%)) and the semester exam (twenty percent (20%)). For courses which include a state EOC exam, each semester grade is forty-two point five percent (42.5%) of the final grade, and the EOC exam accounts for fifteen percent (15%). Students enrolled in a high school course having an eighty-seven (87) or higher course average with (3) or fewer excused absences in a course may be exempted from the district spring semester exam. Any unexcused absence disqualifies the student from all exam exemptions.

 

 

  1. Guidelines for the Classroom: 

1)   Come to class prepared and ready to learn when bell rings.

2)   Respect yourself and others.

3)   Project open-mindedness and honesty when dealing with other students and your teacher.

4)   Raise your hand for permission to speak or leave your seat during specific times of class.

5)   Food and electronic devices not permitted unless school related.

6)   Have faith in your own ability.

 

“Always be Reppin”

Respectful

Engaged

Prepared

 

In addition to the guidelines listed above, I will also comply with the written handbook of guidelines set forth by Bartlett City Schools District.

 

Ø  Consequences:

ü  Verbal warning

ü  Conference with teacher

ü  Phone call home 

ü  Sent to Administration 

Ø  Rewards

ü  REP points 

ü  Open book/ notes quizzes 

ü  Mercy Moments 

 

REMINDER: This course is a TN ready course and the results from the assessment are counted toward yearly average. I strongly recommend any tutoring offered and suggest completion of any extra credit assignments pertaining to the problems that focus on indicators of the exam. You may find helpful links on my webpage that will assist with understanding and further promote learning. I will provide you with other testing material throughout the year.