Bell Junior High School

2008-09 Course Syllabus — Pre-algebra

Teacher: Mr. Daniel Email: wdaniel@sandi.net Telephone: 619-479-7111 ext 4608

Course Description and Objective

Pre-algebra provides a solid foundation in mathematical concepts needed for success in more advanced mathematics courses, particularly Algebra I.

Course Content

The course content will follow the California Mathematics Standards for Grade Seven, which state:

“By the end of grade seven, students are adept at manipulating numbers and equations and understand the general principles at work. Students understand and use factoring of numerators and denominators and properties of exponents. They know the Pythagorean theorem and solve problems in which they compute the length of an unknown side. Students know how to compute the surface area and volume of basic three-dimensional objects and understand how area and volume change with a change in scale. Students make conversions between different units of measurement. They know and use different representations of fractional numbers (fractions, decimals, and percents) and are proficient at changing from one to another. They increase their facility with ratio and proportion, compute percents of increase and decrease, and compute simple and compound interest. They graph linear functions and understand the idea of slope and its relation to ratio.”

Required materials (to be brought to class every day)

Spiral notebook, pencils, eraser, and planner.

Classwork/Homework

• Students are to complete classwork assignments and projects in class and homework assignments and projects out of class by the due date, which will be announced in class. (If a student needs help on any assignment or project, he or she should come see me after school.)
• Late assignments will NOT be accepted and will count as a zero.
• If a student is absent, it is the student’s responsibility to find out what work was missed. The student has one day for each day of excused absence to complete the work.
• Academic dishonesty—which includes (but is not limited to) copying another student’s homework or classwork, cheating on a test, etc.—is an automatic zero on the assignment and the student’s citizenship grade will be lowered

Course Requirements/Expectations & Grading

Every student is expected to participate in class and do all the assignments to the best of his or her abilities. Using a student’s assignments, projects, and tests as a basis, grades will be given as follows:

A Student is demonstrating that he or she is mastering the state standards

B Student is demonstrating that he or she is proficient at the state standards

C Student is demonstrating that he or she has a basic understanding of the state standards

D Student is demonstrating that he or she understands some of the state standards

F Student is demonstrating that he or she has little or no understanding of the state standards

Additional student support opportunities

· After-school tutoring on Tuesdays and Thursdays

· Other opportunities to be announced later.

Classroom Behavior Standards

Every student is expected to come to class on time and be prepared to work. Good behavior is expected at all times. Bad behavior will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly.

Means and frequency of teacher to parent communication

• Progress reports are sent home every six weeks with students. The final report card is mailed to parents by the district.
• Phone calls, notes, and/or email messages to parents/guardians, as needed.
• Parents are encouraged to contact the teacher via phone, note, or email when questions arise.

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We, the undersigned student and parent/guardian, have read and fully understand the expectations and requirements of this course.

Student name (PRINT): _______________________________________________________ Period: _______

Signature: ___________________________________________________________ Date: ______________

Parent/Guardian Name (PRINT): _____________________________________________________________

Signature: ___________________________________________________________ Date: ______________

Phone number: ______________________________ Best time to reach you: _________________________

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