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Thomas Alva Edison High School2016-2017
Intermediate AlgebraTeacher: Mr. AgrimsonRoom 207E-mail Address: [email protected]
Course DescriptionIntermediate Algebra is a yearlong course that focuses on recognizing, describing, and generalizing patterns to make predictions. You will be interpreting results, making conjectures, and using mathematical reasoning to solve problems using knowledge and understanding of the topics studied. We will use algebraic symbols and operations to represent and analyze mathematical structures. Through inquiry-based learning we will be investigating patterns of graphs, tables, equations, and contexts. You will be expected to use correct language in your communication of mathematics throughout this course. We will focus on justifying mathematical findings using effective reasoning both orally and in writing. Throughout the learning process you will have time to practice applying mathematics in real-life contexts. You will have the opportunity to explore math’s connection to the world around us. Relating math to your own world allows you to own and respect the math that we do and will hopefully make you a curious learner.
Course TopicsThe units established in the Focused Instruction Curriculum Guide are Statistics, Advanced Solving, Inequalities, Exponential Models, Functions, Transformations, Quadratics and Probability.
What you should bring to classPlease come EVERY DAY to class prepared by bringing your math notebook and a pencil. A TI-83 calculator would help a lot, but I do provide them in class. Other tools will be provided for your use.
TOMMIE CREEDTeamI will respect myself and others by being open-minded and a good communicator.Opportunity I will prepare for college and the career of my choice by being a thinker and becoming more knowledgeable.Make a DifferenceI will honor myself, my family and my school by being principled.Make it RightI will restore my relationships and advocate for myself. I will be caring and try to understand others by being an inquirer. IntegrityI will make good decisions. I will stay balanced and be reflective about my choices.ExcellenceI will do my personal best and be a positive risk-taker.
MYP Fundamental ConceptsThroughout the year, our curriculum will support the three underlying principles of the I.B. Middle Years Programme: inquiry, action, and reflection. We will ask questions about math and the world around us, apply math in our community, and think deeply about what and how we are learning.
MYP Global ContextsYou will be learning Intermediate Algebra through six Global Contexts. The Global Contexts give meaning to what is learned through the exploration of real-world problems. Through inquiry and active learning, you will use higher-order thinking skills to deepen comprehension and reflection to better understand yourself as a learner.
Identities and relationships: Explore identity; beliefs and values; personal, and physical, mental, social and spiritual health. Also, look at human relationships, communities and cultures. Think about what it means to be human. Orientation in space and time: Explore turning points in humankind from discoveries and explorations to the relationships between individuals and civilizations. Do this through different perspectives, not just yours, but also others in Minneapolis, the U.S, and the world.
Personal and cultural expression: Explore the different ways that we discover and express ideas and feelings on everything from nature to culture. Think about all the different ways that we reflect on and enjoy our human creativity, and our appreciation of “beauty.”
Scientific and technical innovation: Explore the relationship between people and the natural world and the impact of scientific/technological advances on communities and environments. Also think about the impact of environments on human activity; how do we adapt?
Globalization and sustainability: Explore human-made systems and communities; and how our local experiences at home affect the whole world. Reflect on the positive and negative effects of world “interconnectedness.” Is it sustainable? Will it last?
Fairness and development: Explore rights and responsibilities, especially the relationship between different communities around the world. Do we share what we have with other people? With other living things? Can we all achieve equal opportunities and peace?
Identities and Relationships
Orientation in Space and Time
Personal and Cultural
Expression
Scientific and Technical Innovation
Globalization and Sustainability
Fairness and Development
Who am I?Who are we?
What is the meaning of “where” and “when”?
What is the nature and purpose of creative expression?
How do we understand the world in which we live?
How is everything connected?
What are the consequences of our common humanity?
Approaches to learning are a set of learning skills we will be developing in this class, as well as in all of your classes, including communication, social, self-management, research, and thinking skills.
Units:
1- Statistics2- Advanced Solving3- Inequalities4- Exponential Models5- Functions6- Transformations7- Quadratics8- Probability
Grading Breakdown
85% Learning TargetsEach of the eight units established in the Focused Instruction Curriculum Guide will be broken down into learning targets. You will have several opportunities to demonstrate your comprehension of each learning target throughout the unit. These opportunities will include tests, quizzes, projects, class work, and additional assessments. Learning targets will be graded using the rubric shown:
Score MCA Terms Description
7-8 EXCEEDS Got it and more!Defends understanding of learning target in writing or solves an unfamiliar problem.
5-6 MEETS Got it!Shows understanding of learning target.
3-4 PARTIALLY MEETS Kinda got it!Shows mostly correct process but incorrect solution.
1-2 DOES NOT MEET Don’t get it!Attempts the task but does not address the learning target.
0 Didn’t do it!No work shown/submitted. No attempt to meet the learning target.
15% Academic PracticeYou will receive a weekly grade for classwork/assignments based on the previous rubric. Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday. Assignments are designed to take 15-20 minutes. To be successful in this class, completing homework assignments is a necessity. Assignments are due at the START of the hour in order to receive credit.
Grading Scheme
Unit Statement or Inquiry or Inquiry Questions
Global Context
Statistics: Empty Bowls
Individual actions can make a difference in the community.
Fairness & Development
Inequalities: Tables, Chairs and LEGOS
Understanding and representing the relationship amongst systems with constraints allows us to model solutions in real-life applications.
Scientific & Technical Innovation
Functions and Transformations:
Relationships can be displayed and adapted in multiple ways that can be used to model real world situations in the Digital Age.
Scientific & Technical Innovation
Quadratics: Relationships describe and predict an object’s position in space and time.
Orientation in Space & Time
A above 90 %A- 87 – 90 % If you do not complete assignments, it is not possible to earn an A.B+ 83 – 87 %B 79 – 83 % If you earn all 6’s, showing understanding of topics you will earn a B.B- 75 – 79 %C+ 71 – 75 %C 67 – 71 % If you earn a combination of 3-6’s you will earn a C.C- 63 – 67 %D+ 59 – 63 %D 55 – 59 % If you show only partial understanding of topics you will earn a D.D- 50 – 55 %F 0 – 50 % Below 50% will result in an F, your understanding is nowhere near proficient, yet.
If you do not complete any of the academic achievement assessments and it results in you earning an F, you will receive an incomplete (I) for the quarter instead. You must show evidence of proficiency in order to get a grade for the course. Two weeks after the end of the quarter, any unresolved incompletes will become F’s and result in no credit.
Attendance and Tardy PolicyTo be successful in this class you need to be here, and you need to be on time . . .every day! As your teacher, I will work with you to be present in class. The tardy 5 policy (which is school wide) states the following: 5 tardies in one quarter = teacher calls home; 8 tardies in one quarter = dean calls home; 10 tardies in one quarter = administrator calls home and bus privileges are suspended for a certain amount of time.
Homework Policy Homework is often assigned Monday – Thursday. You will be given a due date (often the next day) to complete it. Homework is meant to help drive your understanding of the learning objectives to proficiency. This will allow each student to show proficiency on objective checks and quizzes.
Academic Honesty Policy Please refer to the Thomas Edison Student Handbook.
SupportI am committed to holding each of you to the highest expectations and providing the necessary support so that you can be successful in meeting all of the learning targets. Support includes:
• Regular feedback on your work so that you know what you are and are not understanding• Explaining things in multiple ways • Staying after school every Wednesday to offer extra help and being willing to schedule
additional days either before or after school as needed• Built-in advisory time during every travel day
Thomas Alva Edison High School2016-2017
Intermediate AlgebraTeacher: Mr. AgrimsonE-mail Address: [email protected]
I am committed to holding each of my students to the highest expectations and providing the necessary support so that they can be successful in meeting all of the learning targets. Support includes:
• Providing regular feedback on work so that each student knows what he/she is and is not understanding
• Explaining things more than one way • Staying after school every Wednesday to offer extra help and being willing to schedule
additional days either before or after school as needed• Encouraging a growth mindset which leads to a desire to learn and a tendency to embrace
challenges and persist in the face of setbacks
You can help your student be successful in math class by:• Asking them each day to explain to you what we did in class. If they cannot explain it to
you, they might not understand it and should seek help.• Encouraging your student to call/get together with other students to do math homework.
Expect him/her to have math homework every day Monday through Thursday.• Reinforcing that truly understanding math isn’t about being the fastest…it’s about working
hard and accepting that mistakes are necessary for success!Please email me anytime with questions or concerns. Thanks for your support!
