Secondary Course Syllabus  Traducción en Español

Building:  Eastmont High School

Course Title: Intermediate Algebra       

Teacher: Mrs. Donelle Giese

Email: giesed@eastmont206.org                        Phone:  (509) 888-1259 

Course Description:

This course is designed to provide a firm foundation in algebraic properties and applications. Topics will be approached from a variety of ways, providing students the opportunity to solve problems in different ways. An emphasis will be placed on understanding of the concepts and the importance of being able to support or verify an answer with written work. This math class will assess students’ conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and mathematical reasoning with regards to algebra. A simple numerical answer may be insufficient evidence to fully support a solution that attests to these three criteria.

Pre-Requisites: Algebra 1 & Geometry

Textbooks and Instructional Materials:  

There are a variety of instructional materials that support learning in this course. The primary content is from the textbook Holt Algebra 1 and 2, and “All Things Algebra”. It will be supplemented through Big Ideas Algebra 1. Technology is integrated in this course through a variety of digital media resources including Khan Academy, Desmos, PhET Interactive Simulations, Kahoot, and Google Classroom.  

Grading:  

Students achieve their grade in a points based grading system. Grades are maintained within the Eastmont School District Student Information System.  The secure student information system including the gradebook for this course, are accessible to students and parents 24/7/365 through the student and parent portal via our website at www.eastmont206.org.

Grades are based on the following percentages and points for GPA calculations:

Accommodations and/or modifications:  

Appropriate accommodations and/or modifications will be provided for students with documented disabilities.  Accommodations and modifications are types of adaptations that are made to the environment, curriculum, instruction, or assessment practices in order for students with disabilities to be successful learners and actively participate with other students in the general education classroom or in school-wide activities. Specific accommodations and modifications are determined by the student’s Section 504 team or Individual Education Program team.  If a student with a documented disability is eligible to receive accommodations and/or modifications their special education case manager will contact me within the first two weeks of class and provide me with explicit directions and/or resources to implementing the accommodations and/or modifications that are included on the student’s Section 504 plan or Individual Education Program.  Communication with me is essential to the successful completion of course expectations and the implementation of accommodations and/or modifications.

Attendance, Behavior, and Performance Expectations:  

Student success is dependent upon respecting and following the rules of conduct outlined in Board Policy #3241 and described in the student handbook.  Both are available on the website at www.eastmont206.org. Academic dishonesty (including, but not limited to, copying another student's work, looking up answers online, plagiarizing, turning in another student's paper, etc.) will result in parent contact, referral to administration for discipline, and a zero on the assignment with an opportunity to complete an alternative assignment. All work submitted to any teacher at Eastmont High School should be your own or properly cited.

Make-up Work:  

Eastmont School District Policy and Procedures #3122 for excused absences and make-up work apply to this course. Specifically, “If an absence is excused, the student will be permitted to make up all missed assignments outside of class under reasonable conditions and time limits…”  All the activities and learning opportunities for this course are expected to be completed even if absent. Absences, whether excused or unexcused, can cause gaps in learning.  

Miscellaneous: 

I am available on most days from 7:15 AM to 3:15 PM and during lunch. Students are strongly encouraged to come in for extra help whenever they feel like they are not completely understanding the material or need extra practice.

Materials: Students are required to have a single-subject notebook that is brought to class daily. Highlighters of different colors are strongly encouraged. Calculators are available in the classroom, but students may wish to purchase their own.

Grades are calculated using category weights as follows:

• 20% assignments (including classwork and homework)
• 80% assessments (including tests and quizzes)

Homework: Students are often given class time to work on homework. Whatever they do not finish is their homework. If students do not complete it on time, they can earn 1 point more than the score they earned when it was due if they turn it in completed later with a B being the highest score they can earn if late. I highly recommend checking Google Classroom daily for most up-to-date assignments due.

Assessments: Students may retake each quiz one time for full credit. This retake must occur by the end of the Module that the quiz is in. To be eligible to retake a quiz, students must have turned in all homework associated with that quiz and made corrections to the previous quiz. Any exceptions to this policy due to extenuating circumstances will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and must be initiated by the student. Students are strongly encouraged to seek individual help from me prior to retaking to ensure that their score improves. The grade on the retake will replace the previously-earned grade.

Students may not retake final exams.

Phones: Cell phone use in the classroom is negatively correlated with academic success. Therefore, cell phones and other personal electronic devices, including smart watches and headphones, are prohibited in the classroom. In accordance with school and district policy, it is expected that cell phones will be placed in the school-provided phone holder and headphones are put away.