Teacher: Bill Brewer Room 210
Foothills Middle School School Phone: 664-8961
Home Phone: 665-8762 e-mail: brewer.b@mail.wsd.wednet.edu
Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Pre-Algebra A/B course.
Course Description: Algebra I is a required year long course
for advanced middle school students. It is the study of expressions, equations,
functions and inequalities. Students will solve linear equations, use proportional
reasoning, graph relations and functions, analyze linear equations, solve
linear inequalities and systems of linear equations and inequalities, explore
polynomials and quadratic/exponential functions. They will also explore
rational and radical expressions and equations.
Credit: Students successfully completing this course are
eligible for one high school credit.
Classroom Methodology: Direct instruction days begin each
unit. During these days, students will use math manipulatives when new concepts
are introduced and will receive daily assignments to practice and master
new skills. At times groups will be formed for problem solving. At other
times, students will problem solve individually using “Burrito Books.”
Finally, assessments will be given and the unit may end with a journal write.
Grade Level Expectations (GLEs): Each Monday, students
will receive GLE problems to solve. Students will get one week to solve
these problems on their own. They may use the internet, their parents and/or
friends for help, but must complete each problem with thorough work and
explanations. At seventh grade, the state has prepared 28 GLEs for students
to master. Since students in Algebra I have skipped seventh grade mathematics,
they will have not been taught these 28 GLEs. Since the state expects all
seventh grade students to master these 28 GLEs for the end of the WASL mathematic’s
assessment, it would not be fair for them to take a higher level mathematic’s
course and not practice the GLEs they are expected to master. Because there
is no time during the year to teach to both the Algebra I Course and the
seventh grade GLEs, Monday’s have been set aside for exploring and
sharing these problems. That means that the Algebra I Course will be taught
from Tuesdays through Fridays. This will be an added burden for seventh
grade students taking this advanced course. Therefore, parents will need
to be involved in helping students with the weekly GLE work. The district
expects that advanced mathematic’s students should already know their
grade level GLEs. However, this is typically not true. Some parents have
found that hosting an evening of GLE work in their homes each week helps
students to work together in understanding and completing the problems assigned.
Some parents have teamed together to rotate an evening each week for these
gatherings.
Parent Involvement: Parents, the following suggestions
will help students be successful and have a positive experience in Algebra
I.
• Encourage and support risk taking.
• Talk on a regular basis about the concepts being taught.
• Read and discuss student journal entries on occasion.
• Create an atmosphere at home where there is a designated study space
and study time.
• Be open to math groups working together at homes in evenings and
on weekends.
• When students are asked to teach new concepts to parents, be enthusiastic
and attentive.
• Offer help with homework and suggest that students get help at school
when necessary.
• Look through the algebra “peechee” on occasion and ask
about organizational strategies.
Textbook: Glencoe’s Algebra I, 1998 edition.
Glencoe’s web site is (http://www.glencoe.com). There
are “online study helps” for each day’s lesson and practice
quizzes as well as unit quizzes for practice.
Supplemental Materials: A a variety of problem solving materials will be
used throughout the year for GLE practice.
Classroom Supplies: Students will need these materials
for math: a three-ringed binder, five dividers, a pencil pouch (two #2 pencils,
two colored pencils, an eraser, a highlighter, protractor, compass, red
pen, and a six-inch straight edge), textbook, and a scientific calculator
(TI 30xa is the cheapest and is excellent),
Attendance: Attendance is required in accordance with FMS’s
Policy (see FMS Handbook in the “Planner”). A student will not
be successful without regular attendance.
Classroom Management: “Make Your Day” is a citizenship program
that encourages students to “Do what is expected” and “Do
their best” each period of the day. Students have opportunity to earn
points which enables them to “MYD” each school day.
Assessment and Evaluation: Grades will be given at the
end of each quarter. Grades will be updated weekly on my website found at:
http://fms.wsd.wednet.edu. Mid-term reports will be sent home with students
and must be signed by parents for points. Grades will be by percentage.
Math Categories: There are four categories for math. They
are: Daily Grades (20%), Problem Solving - working with GLEs (35%), Assessments
(40%) and Parent signatures (5%).
Grading Scale:
93-100 = A
86 - 89 = B+
83 - 85 = B
80 - 82 = B-
76 - 79 = C+
73 - 75 = C
70 - 72 = C-
66 - 69 = D+
60 - 65 = D
0 - 59 = F
Grade Expectation: Students
are expected to maintain a solid “B” average for the year. These
high expectations are required because advanced mathematic’s students
are to have the skills, aptitudes and desire to do their best work at all
times. Therefore, students who do not maintain a “B” average
for the year will be assigned to the next grade level course – 8th
grade Connected Math Project 2.