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CLASS EXPECTATIONS
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Mr.
DeTommaso
Algebra I - 2004-2005
Course
Expectations
Welcome to Algebra I! The following information will help you understand
how this course is organized and how you can succeed this year in math. You
are here to develop your mathematical power, and I will do all I can to help you
in that task. The grade you earn in this course will reflect what you
do week in and week out during the year. You are responsible
for working hard to learn the math skills needed to unleash the powerful tool of
mathematics. I believe there is no excuse for failure in this class.
You can do it!
There may be some frustrating and challenging times with math, but I hope you
will choose to work through them and succeed. You are responsible
for your success or lack of success. Make sure you ask
questions and seek help whenever it is needed. You must take an active
role in your education to ensure your success.
Classroom Behavior Expectations:
Below are my expectations. I expect every student to understand
and follow each of these rules.
1. Respect
Others
Feelings, right to learn, turn to speak, and property
2. Be Honest
Do your own work. Ask for help when you need it. Own
up to your mistakes.
Cheating will result in an automatic F (0) for that assignment and a parent
contact.
3. Be
Responsible
Bring your materials, pay attention in class and take notes, do
your homework daily, study for tests and make up (excused-absence related)
missed work.
4. Be On Time
Come to class on time, and come to class every day.
Turn work in on time
5. Be Clean
Keep your language clean, keep a clean notebook, and keep a clean desk
Absences: The first thing you can do to help yourself
succeed is come to class every day. Too many absences will hurt your
performance. If you are absent you are responsible for finding out what
you missed (including notes) and making up the work by a teacher-approved date.
Generally, you will have as many days to make up work as you have been
absent (write “absent” at the top of the assignments). See me when you
return from an absence to discuss due dates for missed work. Work missing from
un-excused absences will not be accepted. If
you are absent on the day of a test or quiz and it is the only day you are
absent, you must make up the test or quiz on the day you return to school
(Exceptions will be made in the case of extended absences). Come find me before
school so we can arrange a time for you to make up the test.
We need your energy, skills, questions, effort and ideas every day!
Tardies: There is no excuse for being tardy. You are
expected to be in class on time every day. If you are not in the room
before the last bell rings, you are considered tardy.
Homework:
Expect assignments every night, even if there is a quiz or test. Completing
homework, asking questions, and learning from your mistakes are keys to your
success. Assignments help you truly learn the skills presented in class.
Assignments are considered late if they are not turned in when I ask for
them. The assignments might or might
not be graded. This means trying all the problems and showing all of
the work. All work or steps must be
shown, so don't even think about just copying the answers; if you don't show
work, you get a 0.
Late Work: Every
effort should be made to have assignments completed on time. Keeping up
with your work is vital for success. Homework assignments will be accepted
one day late for a maximum of 50% credit. They will not be accepted after
that.
Web site: To access a temporary site, go to www.geocities.com/pdetommaso
I update my site daily, and post homework assignments as well as dates of
upcoming quizzes and tests. Note that not all quizzes will be announced
however. This site will contain
everything your child will need to help him/her succeed in this class.
Many of the links will redirect the user to Tutorials, Practice quizzes,
Chapter reviews, PowerPoint’s, Worksheets, Math games, and a Daily agenda on
what we will be covering for the year. Students
should use this web site as an additional resource to reinforce what was learned
in the classroom.
Calculators: Plan on not using calculators unless we are
learning material that requires their use. I can provide calculators for
your use in this case.
Tests and Quizzes: Tests and quizzes will be given
periodically to determine your progress. Your scores will greatly
reflect your work on daily assignments. The best preparation for
quizzes and tests is to consistently be doing your assignments. Tests
will always be announced. Quizzes may or may not be announced. Tests
and quizzes must be done in pencil. Final Exams:
There will be a mid-term exam at the end of the first semester. A
cumulative final exam will be given at the end of the year.
Extra Help: I will be available during academic time every
day, or you may schedule time with me during lunch on Mondays or Wednesdays.
Please ask for extra help whenever you need it.
Grading: A: 90% and
above
B:
80-89%
C:
70-79%
D:
60 – 69%
F:
59% and below
Materials: Three ring binder (may
share with another course)
Pencils or Pen. Mechanical
pencils are highly recommended. If
you use pen on any assignment turned in, there must not be any scratch outs.
Filler paper
– Spiral paper is not accepted
Graph paper
Textbook
Parents/Guardians Please check my web site frequently. Please
feel free to contact me anytime if you have any concerns or questions. Parental
influence is important in every student’s education, and communication is
important for us to work together effectively. You can contact me by email
[email protected]
or through the
front office at 537-1555. Email is
the most efficient way to contact me. Please
send me a message acknowledging your receipt of these expectations, then I can
send you additional information on
grades and ect…
Students: I firmly believe everyone can succeed in this
course. Please take an active role in your education and your future.
See me if you have questions about any procedures, grades, policies, or
material. Let me know if you are having any difficulties. I
cannot stress enough the importance of doing your work daily and studying
effectively for tests. Good luck in the course; I hope you find it to
be a challenging, enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Students and parents/guardians: Please read and sign the
statement below and provide your email address if you have one. Students
must return the bottom portion of this form to class.
I have read the course expectations for Algebra I and I am aware that I will be
held accountable for my choices according to these expectations.
Printed Student Name
Student Signature
Printed Parent/Guardian Name
Parent Guardian Signature
Parent Email Address *
Date